As I stepped out into a side alley, I gulped in the fresh night air as panic threatened to overtake me. I’d known he was the devil. He’d said he was a villain. What had I expected? That he’d be someone different with me? Had I willfully ignored his dark side, or had I craved it? He’d never been anything but honest with me about what he was, but I’d been drawn to him anyway. He should have inspired fear in me rather than lust. But that was his job, after all. Temptation. Sin.
It didn’t matter. The deal was over anyway. Tonight was the seventh night—Devil’s Night—and I was done. Maybe I was Lucifer’s reincarnated love, and maybe I wasn’t, but either way, it was time to return to my real life. I didn’t belong here. Not in this fancy hotel, not in these expensive clothes, and definitely not with the demons.
I put the shoes back on, not about to walk barefoot in a Las Vegas alley full of broken bottles and old piss. Then I pretended my feet weren’t on fire as I shoved my panic to one side and summoned enough confidence to walk a straight line. No way I was going back in that hotel. I had a tiny little purse with a wad of cash and my phone in it, and that was enough to get me home.
A flash of light exploded nearby, the force and shock nearly knocking me over. A pair of gleaming copper wings were highlighted against the dark night sky, swooping down toward me, and in my already-panicked state I screamed. Strong hands grabbed me, lifting me up…and then everything went black.
24
Lucifer
As I surveyed the room, taking in my followers and their show of loyalty, I wore a dark smile, my eyes glowing red. I hated doing shit like this, but it was necessary. A show of force to ensure they all knew I was their king. Demons needed a firm hand. Whatever this newfound conspiracy was, someone would come forward rather than risk my wrath. Then it would be settled. This shit had happened before and would happen again, and I’d deal with it every time.
Before I became king, the demonic tribes fought each other. When I left Heaven for Hell, I united the tribes under my banner, bringing order to the chaos. If it weren’t for me, the vampires and shifters would still be at war, the dragons would still be slaves to the fae, and let’s not forget the angels, who would have wiped out the lot of them if they’d had a chance. No matter how heavy my crown became, I never forgot that someone needed to rule the demonic horde, and it sure as shit had better be me.
Besides, I’d do whatever it took to save Hannah’s life. If a show of force was needed to prevent more attacks and show she was completely off-limits, so be it.
As everyone rose and the music began playing again, I sank down on my throne, waiting for Hannah to join me. I should have made them bring a second throne out for her, but they’d planned this night before she’d come back into my life. If she was still alive for the next ball, I’d make sure she reigned at my side.
The demons and Fallen went back to their conversations and I gazed around the room, searching for a glimpse of Hannah. I’d seen her briefly, but then she’d been swallowed by the crowd. I noticed Gadreel flirting with Lilith, whose smile was tight and her eyes wandered, like she’d rather be anywhere else. He’d always had a thing for her, but who didn’t at some point? And Gadreel had always been ambitious. It was one of the reasons I’d thought he was interested in Lenore too.
I rose to my feet and people hushed around me as I scanned the crowd. Where was Hannah? Earlier she’d been sitting at the side tables, but she wasn’t there now. Nor was she with Gadreel and Lilith, or Samael in the corner, or at the buffet or the bar. I didn’t see Azazel either, who was meant to stay on Hannah’s tail all night.
My chest tightened in panic. Where could Hannah have gone? Had someone taken her? Was I about to lose her again?
Clenching my fists, I strode through the crowd. They parted in front of me, out of respect or fear, and a quick search confirmed Hannah wasn’t in the ballroom anymore. I went to the elevator, wondering if she’d retreated to the penthouse, but it wasn’t working for some reason. Someone was going to pay for that later.
My heart beat faster as I launched through the door to the stairwell and took the steps two at a time, up a few flights to the parking garage. I looked left and right as I reached the top, taking in the empty space, and spotted a tiny crystal on the ground in the distance. From Hannah’s dress. She’d definitely come this way.
Maybe she hadn’t been taken. Maybe she had run away.
Was she upset by what she’d seen in there? Killing enemies was par for the course among supernaturals, but she still thought like a human. Dammit. I’d forgotten she was mortal, and how sensitive humans were to death and violence. She remembered nothing of her previous lives, which meant all of this was new to her. I’d only known her for seven days, and that wasn’t nearly enough for the truth about who she was to sink in. No wonder she’d panicked. She’d
