Infernal God

22

He touched my cheek and I looked up at him. Love shone in his eyes, and no trace of War's red, angry glow lingered. Except now he was War, just as I was Famine. We'd been many things during my numerous past lives, but this was most unbelievable.

Lucifer turned toward our sons again with a smile. "You're all here. It's been so long."

"I couldn't have saved you without their help," I said, my heart bursting with pride and love. I'd wanted our entire family together again, and now I had my wish. It wasn't going to be the last time it happened either. I'd fought too hard to save Lucifer and bring this family together again, and I was going to keep it intact.

"Thank you," he told them.

“Father, it's been too long.” Damien stepped forward and clasped Lucifer’s hand as I drew away to allow them to embrace. I’d reunited with my sons, and now it was Lucifer’s turn. Kassiel also moved to hug his father, and only Belial hung back, uncertainty in his eyes. But when Lucifer turned to our oldest son, it was with a hint of wry amusement playing at his lips and forgiveness in his gaze. Eventually, Belial stepped forward and shook Lucifer's hand. He said something low, something only meant for his father to hear, and Lucifer nodded.

Then Lucifer turned back to me and pulled me into his arms again. His hand crept lower between us until it rested against my swelling stomach, and his eyes looked at mine with awe. "Another child. I never imagined it might be possible."

I nodded and placed my hands over his. "A daughter, according to Marcus. She's strong too."

"I can tell. Strong like her mother." He looked so happy, but then he sighed. "I've missed so much of your pregnancy. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. I only had the first inkling that I might be pregnant when you became War, but I wasn't sure until after we left Heaven and I had Marcus examine me." I hesitated, debating whether to tell him about my sacrifice with Famine, but perhaps that was better saved for a private moment. Instead, I glanced around the penthouse, noting how it had been torn apart while I'd been gone. "What did you do to this place?"

He shrugged. "I destroyed it in a fit of rage when I came back and found you gone."

I sighed. "This poor penthouse. It's been through so much."

Lucifer nodded, his face thoughtful. "Yes, it has. Perhaps it's time to move on from it."

"My king," Samael said, behind us. I'd barely even noticed he was there during all of this.

Lucifer scowled and waved a hand, and Samael's shoulders slumped a little in relief. "There. Now you're no longer under War's—or my—control."

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," Samael said. "The angels are coming to attack the city. They should be here any minute."

Lucifer swore under his breath. His wings, fully black again with only a slight red aura, unfurled as he turned to me. "It seems I've started a war with the angels, and now I need to put an end to it."

"Of course you did," I said, with a slight shake of my head. "I'm coming with you."

Lucifer took my hand and pressed a kiss to it. "I wouldn't expect anything less, my queen." He turned back to Samael. "Please have all the demons stand down, and try to undo anything else I did when I was War. Kassiel, I locked Olivia and her other men up when I was War, and I apologize for that. Perhaps you and your brothers can free them now."

"We're on it," Kassiel said.

While the others took care of things back at The Celestial, Lucifer and I flew off the balcony and into the night. My silvery wings also had a barely noticeable green glow radiating from them, the only hint of my new status as an Elder God. Lucifer raised an eyebrow at them and I shrugged, and we held hands as we soared through the crisp night air. Reunited once again, and damn it felt good.

Just outside the city, we found about a hundred angel warriors flying toward Las Vegas over the desert, led by Gabriel. He wore gleaming silver armor and carried a spear, his expression menacing. Something angry lurked in there, something that would only be satisfied by the spilling of blood. Every single angel prepared to attack the second they saw us, but to my relief they waited for Gabriel's command.

"Is this your idea of a battle?" Gabriel called out to Lucifer. "Where are your demonic soldiers? Or is your ego really that large?"

"There will be no battle today," Lucifer said, and then he extended his power outward. "I release you."

The angry haze lifted from Gabriel's eyes and he blinked at us in confusion. "Lucifer? Hannah?"

"I'm sorry, my old friend." Lucifer rested his hand on Gabriel's shoulder. "I was not myself. I do not truly wish for a war with your people."

"Nor do I," Gabriel said, before he turned to face his soldiers. "Stand down! Return to your homes. There will be no fight here today."

The angel warriors all seemed a bit confused, but sheathed their weapons and began flying away. Some looked relieved that they wouldn't spill demon blood today, while others looked disappointed. Soon, only Gabriel remained, the three of us hovering in the air as we faced each other.

Lucifer broke the silence. "You offered me a drink before, and I turned it down. Let me offer you one now." "I accept," Gabriel said. "I'd love to know how you broke free of War's spell."

The three of us flew back to the penthouse together, our shoes crunching on broken glass and splintered wood as we set down inside our ruined home. "I'm sorry for the mess," I told Gabriel with a sigh. "Lucifer had something of an anger management problem, but we've taken care of it."