Devilish Mate

34

When we were alone again with plates full of delectable food, I cleared my throat. “There’s no point in pretending. As nice as all this pomp and ceremony is, I’m here to find out if you’re involved with the other Archdemons in the conspiracy to overthrow me. I know you’ve long harbored thoughts of taking my place as the Demon King.”

Baal let out a low chuckle. “Ah, Lucifer. I do appreciate how you’ve come straight to the point. Yes, in the past I planned to move against you, but not anymore. Your son helped rescue my daughter. I will not forget that." His gaze strayed back to Lilith, full of obvious love. "Besides, Lilith would never forgive me.”

“And I would never move against my oldest and dearest friends," Lilith said, gazing between me and Hannah.

I glanced to Hannah and she nodded, confirming they were speaking the truth. I tried not to let my relief show. If I'd had to fight the vampires and the Lilim, on top of the other demons, I might actually lose the battle. Probably not, but why risk it?

"I appreciate your honesty and loyalty," I said. "What do you know of their insurrection?"

Lilith took a slow sip of her wine. "We know all the other Archdemons have turned against you. We believe Nemesis is leading them."

"Nemesis?" Hannah asked. "The Archdemon of the imps?"

"Yes, she's always been a jealous one," Lilith said. "Hungry for power. Did you know she's tried to seduce Lucifer many times over the years?"

"And always failed," I snapped. Nemesis had long been a thorn in my side, but I never thought she'd stoop so low as to actually plan a coup. "Why didn't you tell me this before?"

Lilith and Baal exchanged glances, before Lilith turned back to me, lowering her voice as she confessed, "They've threatened to hurt our children if we helped you. Even telling you this much is a big risk. But I can no longer remain silent."

"We refused to join them...but we can't help you either," Baal said.

I tapped my fingers against my wine glass as I glanced between the two of them. I understood their fears, but I also knew what was coming. "They're planning the release the Four Horsemen."

"No," Lilith said, her word more like a gasp.

“That is…unfortunate." Baal had always been a master of understatement.

“I suspect you want Famine to show up about as much as I want Death released," I said to Baal. I was driving the issue home, and we both knew it.

“You're right," he said. "I would prefer not to see either of our parents walk this world. But my hands are tied."

“What if…” Hannah spoke from beside me, her voice quiet, thoughtful.

“Go on.” I knew that voice. It was a tone that had helped me out many times in the past.

“What if Baal pretended to join the other Archdemons?” She looked at me as she spoke. “Then he can feed information back to you.”

“Like a spy.“I rested my hand lightly over Hannah’s, pleased with her for speaking up, before locking eyes with Baal. “They’ll believe it, because you’ve always been outspoken about your desire to take my throne."

Baal chewed his food and sipped his wine, and we all did the same, giving him time to think over the idea. After a few moments, he set his glass down and nodded once. “I’ll do it. But you will owe me a favor, Lucifer.”

“I’m going to regret this, aren't I?” I chuckled, dark and low. I disliked owing favors to anyone, and much preferred when the power balance leaned in my direction. However, this favor would be worth it. “But you have a deal."

17

Hannah

“H

annah, would you care to walk with me?” Lilith asked, as Lucifer and Baal continued the discussion of their plan. It had taken on a life of its own after Lucifer said the word spy, and I had a feeling they'd be working out the details for hours.

I rose to my feet. "I'd love that."

Lilith and I set off down the nearest winding path, tiny pieces of white gravel crunching beneath our feet. The garden was a huge oasis of plants and flowers, most of which I recognized at first sight, and I was curious to explore it some more. Besides, I felt much more at home out here among the foliage than anywhere else.

We wandered down various paths for a while before Lilith spoke. “I hope we can be friends again,” she said as I stopped to admire a particularly pretty evening primrose. “Like we were in the old days.” She pretended to be distracted by the overhanging, feathery leaves of a weeping willow, but she’d never had a particular love for nature, that much I remembered. Well, nature that didn't involve naked humans, anyway.

I grazed my fingers over the delicate petals, trying to think of a polite reply before I looked at her. “I’m still sorting out my returned memories. You were Adam’s first wife, weren't you?”

"I was, yes." She glanced down the path, deeper into the garden that seemingly had no end. "I was forced to marry Adam against my will, back when I was human. But I didn't love him, and I saw the darkness within his heart. I ran away, much like you did."

"You were once human?" I asked.

"Long ago, yes." She grimaced a little at the memory. "And much like you, I was also cursed. I was turned into a succubus for my crime of leaving Adam. The Elder Gods loved him. Probably because he was as awful as they were.” "Hence why they call your kind 'Lilim,'" I said.

"Yes, although please don't think I sired the entire line." She let out a delicate laugh. "They created many others after me. I was simply the first."