Fallen Kings

35

“Thank you.” My eyes scan the massive bookshelves. “Would it be possible to return here again? To continue my studies if I can’t finish up today?”

Baal’s eyes gleam in triumph. “You are always welcome at Hellspawn. In fact, there’s still a spot for you here, if you’d like. We’d love to have you attend the school. Even for only a few days a week.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t have time for that right now, but I’d love to come visit sometimes.”

He nods. “Of course. You may use the doorway in the forest anytime you desire. Before you leave, I will show you how to open it from our side.”

“That would be great, thanks.”

“If you are satisfied, I will leave you to your research. Simply let the librarian know when you wish to depart.” He starts to leave and then pauses in the arched doorway. “Actually, there is one more matter to discuss. I’d like to invite you to Lucifer’s Ball.”

“What is that?” I ask.

“It’s the social event of the school year, similar to a high school prom, I suppose. The graduating class is presented to Lucifer by their parents and he gives them his blessing before they go out into the world. It’s a tradition going back oh, hundreds of years. There’s also food, wine, and dancing, of course. We’d love for you to come. If you don’t wish to be presented by your mother, I’d be happy to do it myself.”

“That sounds nice,” I say, although it sounds terrifying too. A fancy ball surrounded by demons I don’t know, who will all be staring at me and wondering who my mother is? Hmm. “I’ll think about it.”

“Please do. Lucifer himself has requested your presence there.”

Well, s**t. Now I can’t say no, can I? Not when I’m seeing his son.

Baal gives me another nod and then departs, and I start pulling out some books. I probably won’t find anything today, but at least I have a new place to look, and it sounds like I can come back anytime I want. I’m not a student of Hellspawn Academy and never will be, but I have to admit, I like the idea of coming to visit sometimes.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Kassiel

I

slowly run my hands through Olivia’s dark curls, careful not to wake her. It’s a rare, wonderful thing to have her asleep beside me, and for once I’m grateful for my night owl tendencies.

I haven’t seen Olivia in weeks, and it’s good to be back again, even if we have to meet in a motel room. After I was rescued, I wanted nothing more than to stay with Liv, but that wasn’t possible. For one thing, I’m no longer welcome at Seraphim Academy or in Angel Peak now that everyone knows who I am. More importantly, I had to report back to my father, especially since he dared to enter angel territory to find me. I was shocked when Liv gave me the run-down of Lucifer’s visit, but pleased that he seemed to like her. I hope to properly introduce them again someday. Maybe at the ball, if Liv agrees to go. I understand why she’s hesitant, but I think it’s important for her to start moving in the demon world too, and this would be a good start.

Thinking about my father makes my stomach twist. He was relieved to see me alive, and although I gave him a complete report about what happened, I lied to him about the Staff. I told him Eveanna took it back to Faerie, going along with the story the others concocted, but even now I feel conflicted about it. I’ve never lied to my father before.

At some point, my loyalty shifted from Lucifer to Olivia. I know why, of course. There’s no denying my feelings when I’m around her. But as a succubus, Olivia is never going to be satisfied with only one lover. I’ll always have to share her with the angels too. It’s not the sharing I have a problem with though, but the men themselves. I’m not sure they’ll ever accept me as one of them.

A soft knock at the motel room door interrupts my turbulent thoughts. I slip out of bed, trying not to disturb Liv, and grab my sword. When I look through the peephole, I’m surprised to see Callan illuminated in the light in front of the door.

I stand back with a frown, debating what to do, and decide to keep the sword handy. Unless there’s an emergency, there’s no reason for him to be here unless he wants to pick a fight with me for sleeping with Olivia.

I unlock the door and slip outside, trying not to disturb Olivia. “What are you doing here?”

“We need to talk,” Callan says, his eyes hard.

I gesture at him with the sword. “Talk away.”

“I know Lucifer didn’t kill my father.”

His blunt declaration leaves me somewhat speechless. “Is that so?”

“I was wrong about you.” He looks like the words leave a sour taste in his mouth, but he continues. “I was wrong to judge you based on what I thought your father did, anyway.”

“I appreciate you saying that….” I’m not sure where he’s going with this, and I keep expecting a ‘but’ to show up somewhere, followed by a speech about how I’m evil and should stay away from Olivia. Although I’m told he went out of his way to help me after I was tortured, which never made sense to me. “And I appreciate your help rescuing me.” Callan nods. “You never broke. You didn’t give us up. I respect that.”

“I would never do that.” I glance back at the closed motel room door. “I care about her too much.”

His jaw clenches. “That’s why I’m here. I care about her too, and if we’re both going to be in her life, we need to come to terms with the arrangement.”