Fallen Kings

39

His lust slams into me like a bullet. “You know I do.”

His hands are all over me, touching my waist, my arms, then he leans in for a kiss. He doesn’t even hesitate with the threat of red lipstick all over him. The brand promised it wouldn’t smear, and it was right. When he pulls back from the searing kiss, his lips are lipstick-free, so it was money well spent.

The doorway closes behind us. On this side, it’s made of shadowy darkness instead of light, and only those with demon blood can activate it, just like only angels can activate it from the Seraphim side. Lucky for me, I can do both.

Kassiel takes my arm, and together we walk out of the forest. The campus is pitch black, except for some magical twinkling lights hovering at eye-level that look like tiny stars, leading us to another building just past Archfiend Hall. This one is called Morningstar Hall, and I hear the soft sound of classical music coming from its closed doors.

“All of the graduating seniors attend this event,” Kassiel says, as he leads me around the back of the building, instead of through the open doors. “They walk down the stairs one by one and meet their parents, who present them to Lucifer. You will be going last, as a guest of honor.”

I nod and try to ignore how nervous I am. “Did you have to go through this too? Or is that not required when you’re the son of the guy you’re being presented to?”

He laughs softly. “No, I was raised and schooled in Hell, not here on Earth. The school didn’t exist when I was a child.”

Oh. Right. Sometimes I forget he’s over a century older than me.

He leads me into the back of the hall and up some stairs, where a man in a suit is waiting for us. He speaks with Kassiel quietly and nods, before stepping back. After another minute, the door opens and Kassiel puts his hand on my elbow to lead me inside.

We step into the upper level of an enormous ballroom with tall windows and doors that open onto balconies under the night sky. It’s stunningly beautiful, but black crystal chandeliers and gold filigree trim can’t distract me from the horde of demons below. I’ve never been around so many demons before, not even at the sports games or when I visit the library here. And these aren’t all students. Their parents are here too. Their old, powerful parents.

The man who let us inside raises his voice. “Presenting Kassiel, son of Lucifer, and Olivia Monroe.”

My legs don’t want to move, but Kassiel nudges me forward to a sweeping staircase with a red carpet leading down it. The crowd murmurs as we slowly descend, and I pray I don’t trip on these heels or drop my purse. I’m not especially clumsy, but it would be just my luck to ruin this moment in front of everyone. If I were a normal student, my mother would meet me at the bottom and take me to meet Lucifer. But I’m not normal. At least Kassiel is by my side.

I gaze across the great hall, trying not to look down, and spot Baal in the crowd. He’s met me in the library a couple of times when I came to research and I’ve gotten to know him a bit better. While he’s still severe and a little scary, he’s become sort of endearing too.

Then my eyes move to the bottom of the staircase and I freeze. Standing there in the crowd is a gorgeous woman wearing a long black dress that looks as if it’s covered with tiny diamonds, giving the impression of stars in the night.

My mother.

As my foot hits the bottom of the stairs, Lilith steps forward and holds out her hand. Several people gasp. I blink back tears, trying to keep my face composed, as I realize what she’s doing. I always secretly hoped she would show up tonight, but I never thought it would happen.

She’s officially claiming me as her daughter.

I take her hand, and she gives me a dazzling smile that could bring kings and queens to their knees. The crowd parts without a word, though I hear shocked whispers tittering throughout the group. Kassiel follows a step behind us as we slowly walk down the red carpet. As people move aside, I get a good view of Lucifer sitting on a massive black throne up ahead. His shadowy wings are spread behind him and a silver crown sits on his forehead.

Lilith stops a few feet in front of him and bows. “My lord, I wish to present my daughter, Olivia.”

I quickly copy her and rise when she does. Even though I’ve met Lucifer before, it’s hard not to be intimidated by him. The power and majesty radiating off him is undeniable.

Lucifer looks me in the eye with the hint of a smile upon his sensual lips. “Nice to see you again, Olivia.”

“My lord,” I murmur softly, unsure what I’m supposed to say in this situation.

He makes a twirling gesture and the small orchestra starts playing again. He then rises from his throne, and his wings vanish. “May I have this dance?’

It takes me a second to realize he means me. Before I can respond, he takes my hand and sweeps me off to the side. In case enough people weren’t staring at me already.

Lucifer puts one hand on the small of my back while the other holds my hand. I put my other hand, the one holding my tiny clutch, on his shoulder, as the music begins. Is this the time to mention to the King of Demons that I don’t know how to dance? Probably not.