The devil tilts his head. “I suppose I need to convene with my eldest.”
He claps his hands together, his eyes flitting over the four of them. “As of now, I don’t find it in your best interests to keep you protected in the throat. You’ll return to the surface until the trials commence. I’ll grant you some parting gifts that will certainly protect you up there.” His eyes pass over me again. “Though it’s clear you already have one form of protection.”
He turns and walks back toward his throne, sitting down with flourish and that same enigmatic grin as the boys neglect to show gratitude.
At least it’s not just me they don’t thank.
I’m distracted by the sound of a cry of pain, and my breath catches as I strain to listen.
The devil starts talking again, but I tune him out, listening as Lamar shouts.
“Lamar is under attack!” I shout, rushing out, passing through the walls and following the sound of his voice as it grows louder.
“I’ve been exonerated!” he shouts.
Just as I pass through a room full of black décor, my eyes widen.
Fifteen or more guards are surrounding a bleeding, weak Lamar who is bruised and battered, staggering as he clutches his wounded gut. I dive to his side, my heart hammering in my chest now.
He’s in his boxers, seemingly caught unaware while his guard was finally down.
They all charge forth, and the power shoots from me with so much force that it blows them all back. Some even crash through the walls, and I whirl around, feeling that acidic power rattling around in my veins, hungry to deliver death instead of just disorientation.
Some scatter and disappear, even as Lamar struggles to use his power. His veins are turning the same black I’ve seen before, and I try to heal him the way I did Kai.
It doesn’t work. No tingles are present.
Just as another man charges forward, I send him flying back again with one harsh wave of my hand. The acidic power remains burning in my veins, wishing to be used.
I’m terrified to use it so close to Lamar though, especially with him already in the process of dying.
By the time the rest of them leap to their feet, my guys are bursting forth, and Jude blurs to two of them, his fists hitting them so hard in their chests that the fists go through the bodies. They shake violently and collapse to the ground, their bodies instantly turning to ash.
Kai grabs two by the heads, and their veins turn red as they start to convulse. My mouth dries when I see Jude’s and Kai’s blackened eyes.
Gage and Ezekiel trot in and prop against the walls, unaffected by the whole thing.
But just as more appear, they all burst into flames. My heart pummels my chest, worried the guys are next, but it’s only the traitorous guards who scream in agony.
Lamar is on the ground, and I drop to be beside him as the devil walks in. Manella charges into the room, rushing to Lamar’s side. His hands go to him as Lamar starts to shake violently, the poison eating away at him.
Manella whispers a few words, and Lamar’s eyes roll back in his head as the veins in his body start to slowly push the black out. It comes out through his nose like it’s running away, puddling on the ground as it vacates his body.
Manella blows out a breath of relief as he cradle’s his lover’s head in his lap.
Lucifer takes in the scene curiously, his eyes flicking to me again like he can sense my presence more.
“I’m afraid it’s time for you boys to resurface. I’m going to have to restrict access to these floors,” Lucifer announces dispassionately, never looking at them. “It’ll cost you your lives if you tell anyone what happened here today.”
He gives them a dark grin. “Wouldn’t want someone thinking I’m so weak that I can’t even control my guards anymore.”
The guys all give one nod of understanding.
Lucifer returns his gaze to Manella, as Lamar takes his first easy breath, groggily waking up as his body continues to heal.
“Thank you,” Lamar chokes out, looking around like he’s searching for someone.
My stupid smile spreads when I realize he’s seeking me out to offer gratitude.
Kai arches an eyebrow at me, and I wipe the grin from my face. Ezekiel smirks at me, and I roll my eyes as I turn and pass through the wall, ready to return home.
“Don’t forget your spirit when you go,” the devil says. “You’ll need it more than Lamar will. And apparently there’s only one to go around.”
Jude casts me a curious gaze as he walks out and steps into me, but I say nothing as we vanish from hell with the devil’s blessing.
I’m not sure what the devil’s blessing incurs, and I dread finding out.
Chapter 21
The second we’re back in their massive excuse for a home, Jude steps away from me, going to the fridge to grab a beer. The other three appear, and he tosses them all a beer as well.
Ezekiel goes to grab his phone from the kitchen island as it appears as well, and he immediately orders several pizzas. The rest of them are already drinking, and I stand off to the side, now feeling like the awkward outsider again.
I can’t believe they’re not even discussing anything, and I’m scared to be the one to broach the conversation.
They sit down at their table, and I just watch from my spot, wanting to go to my chair, but worried they’ll ask me to leave.
They quietly sit in their normal places, elbows resting on the table as they drink their beers. Every time they finish a beer, one gets up and goes to pass out new ones.
Several empty beer bottles pile up in no time, as they just keep on drinking in weird silence.
When the pizza arrives, Ezekiel leaves, going to greet the delivery guy at the door before he can even knock.
I continue just lingering in my spot, watching them even as they elect to ignore me.
Their gazes are all absently fixed on the dining room table as Ezekiel returns with the pizzas, acting as though they’re comfortable just resting in peace. They all eat from their own box, still not speaking.
It’s all rather underwhelming. I’m tempted to leave, but I’m curious what they’re going to say when they finally do speak.
As Jude drains the last of his beer, Gage pushes aside the little bit of pizza he has left. Ezekiel is the one to finally break the silence.
“We really just held a private audience with the motherfucking devil.”
Kai’s beer pauses at his lips for a moment, then he drinks the rest of it. Jude starts laughing humorlessly, looking exhausted as he scrubs his face with a hand.
I look at all of them when they start laughing with him.
Psychos. I knew it.
“I’m not sure what’s so funny about now being on the devil’s radar,” I dryly point out.
The laughter cuts off immediately, and they all turn to look at me like they just remembered I’m in the room.
Shrinking under their intense stares, I clear my throat. “I think I’ll go to my room. Try not to get killed or anything.”