Page 67 of Premonition of Peace

He held my chin between his forefinger and thumb, tilting me up to envelope me in a kiss that sent electricity all the way to my toes.

My heart clenched tightly, not wanting him to go, but needing him to all the same. I prayed to whatever gods that existed that I would see him again.

He tilted his head toward the door, addressing Lucifer. “I’ll give you a minute and wait downstairs.”

After he and Señora left, I stood for a while, staring at the spot where he’d just been standing. Lucifer came behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, burying his face in my hair. I turned, and he watched me closely, suspicion in his eyes.

“Sending me off with the incubus? I know he babysat Marcel, but I can assure you, I don’t need to be watched over.”

“I need the two of you to get along. Get to know him.”

He huffed through his nose mockingly. “I’d rather not.”

I sighed, twisting my lips to the side as I frowned. “For me, Luci. Do it for me.”

“You drive a hard bargain, little witch.” Lucifer rubbed small, gently circles into my lower back as he held me.

I chuckled half-heartedly. “I didn’t say anything about a bargain.”

“Everything is a bargain,” he said, lowering his voice to the edge of seduction but stopping short. Almost as if he were teasing.

“Cute,” I said flatly. “But no bargain. Just . . . me asking you for some time with him.” I glanced away briefly, my eyes catching the sigil left in the middle of the room. I’d clean that up later. As much as I liked a clean home, it wasn’t at the top of my priority list.

“You seem intent on sending August and me away. Anything else happen?” he asked, examining every inch of my features as I formed my response.

“Isn’t Morgan Le Fay’s coming out enough? I don’t need anything else to happen for at least twenty-four hours.” I tried to stifle a yawn but failed. I could feel my eyes glazing over. “It’s not sending you away either. Stay in the guest room if you insist. I don’t have the energy to make you go.”

He hummed, kissing my forehead. “I can’t stay away long, but I’ll go with him for a while.”

“Can’t stay away, or won’t?” I asked, raising a single brow.

“Same difference.”

I couldn’t help but smile. Of course he didn’t want to be there. Marcel was in my bed, and that was where he always wanted to be. “Thank you,” I said, patting his chest and stepping away from his embrace. “That means a lot to me, you learning to give me space when I ask for it.”

As I walked away toward my bedroom, a sense of dread formed in my gut. Marcel was recovering and that was the best news of the day. It didn’t stop the weight of the world from sitting on my shoulders.

I feared what would come next.

I feared I didn't have twenty-four hours.

I feared that no matter what I did, I would fail.

My breath stuttered slightly, and I shook it off. As I closed the door, I looked up, Lucifer and I locked eyes, and he held my gaze until the door clicked shut.

He whispered so quietly, I barely heard him. “I’d hate to think there’s something you aren’t telling me, little witch.”

Guilt was Piper’s shtick, but I was apparently not immune. Mine was just a different kind. The more you kept secrets from the people you loved, the more that guilt began to fester and build, slowly devouring you.

I was being served up on a silver platter, and it was my own doing.

twenty-two

NATHALIE

Surreal dreamswith faceless enemies filled my sleep. I tossed and turned, never feeling that I truly rested. Death. Destruction. The Morrigan hurting those I loved. It was too much. With a sharp inhale, my eyes flew open.

“Hey, you,” Marcel whispered, and my stomach fluttered hearing his voice so strong and healthy. He was pressed against me, propped up on his elbow, his cheek cradled in his hand.

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