Page 27 of Premonition of Peace

Bad Nat snorted.

“Do you?” The Warden shot back, side-eyeing Bad Nat.

Bad Nat lifted a shoulder and rolled her eyes.

And a door in the house rattled violently.

“What’s that?” I asked, lifting my gaze to the ceiling.

The Prime tensed, her expression guarded. “No one.”

Ah, so not a what, but awho.

“Why must you insist on hiding things and lying? You know I can taste your dishonesty, little witch, even here.” My voice was coaxing and smooth. “Who is it?”

She sighed, narrowing her eyes slightly in irritation. “It’ . . . she’s my rage,” she admitted, albeit reluctantly.

“Prime keeps her locked away,” Bad Nathalie cut in, clearly disapproving. “Even when we could use her help.”

“She unpredictable,” The Warden sighed, as if they’d been over this a hundred times. “And inevitably makes most situations worse.”

“We’ve been over this,” Ann spoke up. “We can’t let her out. She isn’t in the right mental space to be an actual asset.”

“I’m going to have to agree with ‘Bad Nat’ over there,” I began, using air quotations around her name. “I don’t think that’s very healthy. Naming a subset of yourself as bad because it’s not logical, or protective, or taking care of everyone else”—I looked at each version of her as I spoke—“or wants to just enjoy life and be at peace, isn’t exactly good for you, either.” Bad Nat looked at me sharply, her expression shocked, though there was a hint of interest.

“I don’t recall asking your opinion,” Prime said, lifting a brow. “Or wanting it.”

Ah. The situation was becoming clearer. For as well rounded and strong as Nathalie was, she was also breaking apart at the seams. Her personality was fracturing under the weight of the world.

“Who are you, exactly?” I asked Bad Nat. “What’s your purpose? Are you simply the rebel?”

She smiled, and it wasn’t soft or kind, neither was it cruel or caustic—but something hid behind it. A sadness of a sort.

“I’m the truth.”

“Enough.” Prime held up her hand ending the conflict. She shot a glare at her rebellious alter ego before turning back to me. “You can stay, or you can go, but I’ve got work to do.”

“Come on, little witch, don’t ice me out,” I murmured, trying to keep the pleading out of my voice. “I was just trying to?—”

“You can stay and hang out with Peace if you want to, but leave me alone.”

And with that, Prime, Ann, and The Warden stood and filed out of the meeting room. Peace turned to me and smiled sheepishly.

“Want to see my greenhouse?”

nine

NATHALIE

I stoodin front of the mirror, turning this way and that, adjusting my crew neck sweater. I’d curled my hair and even went through the effort of putting on some very light makeup. You could clearly still see the dark circles under my eyes, but at least I looked a little further from exhaustion. I hated to admit it, but I slept like a baby in Lucifer’s arms last night.

Our encounter in the memory loci had been a little awkward, but when we’d both come out of it, the tension had mostly dissipated. Thankfully he hadn’t asked me any more about Rage. Lucifer had a lot of good qualities, but his impulsivity wasn’t on that list. He didn’t know the extent of the damage Rage could cause, and to push for her release was something I didn’t tolerate, even from my others.

“You’re putting more effort into August’s breakfast than when I took you to lunch,” Lucifer remarked casually from his spot on my bed. He was naked with only a sheet draped across his waist, displaying his body. I was pretty sure he had been the inspiration for some marble statues thousands of years ago.Lucifer had abs without needing to try, toned leg muscles, and smooth unblemished skin—apart from his white brands. His perfectly chiseled jawline and hooded golden eyes made him otherworldly, even amongst supernaturals.

My demon of desire was physically perfect in every sense.

I turned my eyes to him in the mirror and tried not to be distracted.

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