Page 53 of Claiming the Dhampir

He’d chosen to show himself in human form. A beard and mustache framed his mouth and covered his jaw. He was average height and average build, with light brown skin, short dark hair, and dark eyes. The perfect, non-threatening appearance. I knew better. The Lord of the Underworld exuded power, enough that even a simple human would steer clear of him.

I dropped to one knee and bowed to my liege, even though the queen was correct. I had been exiled from the Underworld ages ago. He was technically no longer my ruler, but angering him would only make this situation worse.

“Rise.” Lucifer continued his slow stroll in my direction. “I didn’t want to believe the story my most trusted commander told, but it appears he spoke the truth.”

I rose to my feet and closed the distance between myself and Lucifer. I didn’t want him anywhere near my mate. My bargain hadn’t included an invitation for him. I’d asked the High Commander to bring a show of force. He’d agreed. Had I known he would run straight to Lucifer, I would not have asked.

Lucifer stopped when I reached him, but his gaze drifted over the room before returning to me.

“You have found your mate,” Lucifer said.

I nodded but said nothing.

“You are not her only mate.” His smile would’ve been charming, but I saw the cruel edge in his eyes. “Fate works in mysterious ways, does she not?”

I nodded again.

“Verbose as ever, I see.” He stepped away from me, skirting around my trio of friends, and stopping between them and the fae queens. “Ladies, ladies, ladies.” He shook his head, tsking like he spoke to a couple of children. “It appears I’ve been away for too long. You’ve had too much time to indulge in fantasies that will not come to fruition.”

The queens flinched beneath their weakened magical shields. The Winter Queen straightened her gown and lifted her chin. I couldn’t wait to hear what excuse she’d give to Lucifer.

“I am surprised to see you here in this filthy realm, Lucifer.”

“What are you doing in this lovely realm?” Lucifer asked. “I’ve heard the rumors, as well as the conversation that just occurred with Traz’damon, but I’m willing to listen to your version.”

The Winter Queen frowned and glanced at her counterpart. The Summer Queen glared back at her.

“We’re leaving,” the Summer Queen announced, sheathing her sword. “I do not wish to waste your time with matters that we can resolve on our own.”

A trickle of fae magic started to swell, and I readied my own. I would not let them leave. Laughing, Lucifer reached out with one hand, snatching at the air in front of him. The queens fell to their knees, their magic siphoned away before they could create a portal.

“How dare you!” the Winter Queen snarled.

Lucifer’s human facade vanished, replaced by his true image. An enormous demon towered over all of us. Two sets of horns grew from the bone ridges on his head. Fiery wings extended from his back, and magical runes covered his scaled body.

The queens paled, and the stench of fear filled the warehouse. I glanced back at my friends to see that Kenrid’s shield was no longer in place. Elliott’s wolf had joined Lorna and others, wedging his large head between her and Nathan. The group slowly backed away from Lucifer. Not that I could blame them.

Lucifer’s aura had been muted in his human form. Now that he’d embraced his true nature, the Underworld’s magic radiated from him like a sun. My own body relished the feel of my home world. I would’ve soaked up the magic pouring from Lucifer, but I wouldn’t risk his ire. I preferred his anger to be directed at the fae.

“Everyone bows to the Lord of Death!” Lucifer bellowed, his grating voice rattling the windows of the warehouse. “You will not presume to tell me what matters concern me. That you refuse to explain yourselves is the same as an admission of guilt. You will abandon your plans to conquer this realm or any others. You will not continue your research to weaponize any supernatural being. You will not pursue this lovely creature behind me or any of her mates. You will not harm anyone in Nathan Kaerne’s clan.”

He slammed his hoof into the concrete floor, creating a single jagged tear that raced toward the queens. They each jumped in opposite directions to avoid the bolt of magic entwined with the physical blow.

“Any deviations from my commands will be met with your death,” Lucifer continued, his voice lowering to a moderate level. “And I will place a fae of my choosing on your thrones.”

The queens rose to their feet without looking at one another. I could still smell their fear, but their looks of loathing confirmed one thing: their stupidity. Maybe a change in fae leadership was needed. These two couldn’t seem to see past their own ambitions.

“Give me your oath,” Lucifer demanded, his voice lowering with the intensity of his magic.

“I give you my oath,” the Summer Queen said.

“I give you my oath,” the Winter Queen echoed.

“All of it. Word for word.” Lucifer’s voice was now a mere whisper but no less commanding. “Deviate from my words and you will die now.”

The queens recanted Lucifer’s demands, hatred burning in their eyes as the power of their oaths wrapped around them both.

“Leave,” Lucifer bellowed, “and take your soldiers with you.”

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