Fallen Kings

22

He doesn’t answer. He just glares at me, and I glare right back at his stupid, handsome face.

“Of course he doesn’t think that,” Jonah says, breaking the awkward silence. “The two of you need to quit bickering,” Marcus says. “You’ve got some stuff to work through, but constantly being at each other’s throats helps nothing.”

“Yeah, why don’t you two f**k again and get it out of your system?” Tanwen asks.

“Not going to happen,” I growl.

Callan looks like he’s about to answer, when suddenly we hear a rush of wind outside the balcony door. Everyone turns their heads just as huge black wings fill the windows. They’re so dark the feathers seem made of the essence of night itself, and they’re attached to the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen in my life. A man who looks a lot like Kassiel, with thick, dark hair, sculpted cheekbones, and a black suit that probably cost more than my car. He swoops inside and lands in front of us in a cloud of darkness, and when it dissipates, the feather in my hand quivers.

He glances between all of us and the shadowy power emanating from him is stronger than anything I’ve ever felt before. Even from my parents.

There’s only one man this could be.

“Where the hell is my son?” Lucifer demands.

Chapter Fourteen

Olivia

H

oly s**t.

Lucifer is here. In our Princess Lounge.

The King of Hell. Prince of darkness. Father of lies.

The devil himself.

Lucifer.

And he looks absolutely furious.

Everyone is stunned into silence, their faces as shocked as mine must be. I quickly decide I better do something before Callan opens his dumb mouth or lunges at Lucifer with his sword. Besides, I’m the only one here with demon blood, so I guess I should probably take the lead.

I swallow my nerves and step forward. “We were just discussing Kassiel’s absence, actually.”

“Were you?” Lucifer arches one perfect eyebrow at me. When he speaks, he has a sensual English accent, just like Kassiel. I notice he hasn’t put his wings away, and darkness rolls of them like fog. It’s beautiful and chilling all at once.

I nod. “He left several weeks ago looking for the Staff. He said it was his most promising lead yet and mentioned he was going to Utah. I haven’t heard from him since, and I’m worried. We were just debating what to do about it.”

Lucifer’s eyes look me up and down. They’re green, just like Kassiel’s, and the thought makes my heart clench. His study of me seems to take an eternity, before he says, “I see why he likes you, although I hoped you would have more information for me on my son’s whereabouts. He was supposed to check in last week, and he’s never failed to report in before.”

“I wish I knew something more.” My heart breaks at the thought of what the Order might do to Kassiel to try to get him to use the Staff. “I’m so sorry. If there’s a way to find him, we will do it. I promise.”

“No way.” Callan’s defiant voice behind me makes me flinch. I narrow my eyes as I slowly turn to glare at him, but he ignores me as he faces down Lucifer. “After you killed my father, why would I ever help you?”

Lucifer’s penetrating gaze falls on Callan. “I did not kill your father.”

Callan’s defiance never wavers, and I have to admire his courage, even if he’s being a total i***t. “Then you ordered someone to do it.”

If Lucifer is offended by this accusation, he doesn’t show it. “I swear I had nothing to do with Michael’s death.”

“Callan, he’s telling the truth,” Bastien says.

Callan shakes his head. “You can’t know that for sure! He’s the father of lies, after all.”

“And I’m the son of Uriel.” Bastien sounds offended that Callan didn’t believe him. “No one can lie to me.”

“Unless they have a fae relic like Olivia’s,” Eveanna says in her calm, even tone.

Lucifer lets out a laugh, as if this is the most amusing thing he’s heard all day. He spreads his arms wide. “Would you like me to strip naked in front of you so you can check?”

It’s impossible not to stare at him. He’s crazy handsome and ridiculously charming, not to mention insanely powerful. He could flash from friendly to deadly in a second, I have no doubt about that. But as curious as I am about what the King of Hell looks like under that fine black suit, I shake my head. “That’s really not necessary. We believe you.”

“No, the son of Michael still has his doubts,” Lucifer says. “Even though I had no reason to kill his father. Michael and I worked tirelessly for years to bring peace to our people. We were allies fighting for a common goal, not enemies. Why would I want him dead?”

“Perhaps if I examine you privately, I can confirm you have no fae relics and are telling the truth,” Bastien says. “If you would permit such a thing.”

“If it gets us back to discussing my son’s disappearance, then I will allow it.” Lucifer’s wings vanish, and he gestures for Bastien to lead on.

They enter the bathroom together, while the rest of us just stand there with our mouths open. How is this happening? It’s kind of like having a celebrity in our lounge, except one who’s also a dangerous criminal who could kill us all with barely a thought. None of us are quite sure how to react.

They’re in the bathroom for several lifetimes, I’m sure of it. When the door opens, we all freeze as Lucifer saunters out, buttoning up his shirt. He’s followed by Bastien, who says, “He’s telling the truth.”