Page 16 of Lucian's Soul

Balthazar didn’t even glance up from lifting weights.

“Where is she?” he snarled at his brother.

“Out.”

“What!”

“She went for a walk.”

Where?”

“Around.” Balthazar shrugged and Lucian could feel his temper at breaking point.

After dealing with what the angels had just done, Lucian was not in the mood for Balthazar and his short answers. Picking him up, Lucian pulled him close. “I left you here to look after and protect my mate and offspring. Where the fuck are they?” He shook Balthazar and let the demon of lore come out and play. He showed his brother why he was the oldest and the strongest. Throwing Balthazar against the wall, he picked him up and pounded him with his fists. He got pissed off even more when Balthazar didn’t bother to fight back. Lucian’s canines lengthened and he ripped holes in him, knowing the rejuvenation would be painful. The little prick had disobeyed his king, his leader, his brother.

“Lucifer!” Xore pulled him off a beaten, barely living Balthazar. “What are you doing? Balthazar is one of us. Shit, he’s your own God damn brother. You’ve almost killed him.”

A red haze clouded Lucian’s vision as he turned to Xore. “He let Tessa go out. Alone.” His voice was a husky snarl.

Xore’s eyes widened and he looked at Balthazar. “What the fuck were you thinking? I realize you only arrived a couple of days ago, but crap, man, even humans around here know how important Tessa is and what she means to him. For your sake I hope she doesn’t have a scratch on her because I don’t think I’d be able to stop Lucifer from killing you if she did.”

“We had a disagreement,” Balthazar wheezed out. “She wasn’t looking after the children. They were starving. She had starved them with her selfishness. When she didn’t like what I said to her she ran outside like a child, throwing a tantrum.”

Lucian dropped Balthazar before he’d finished talking and was on his way outside. Spreading his wings, he rose up and took deep breaths, searching for his mate’s scent. Finding it, he flew to the fence line where a huge jacaranda tree sat. Landing on the grass, he saw Tessa curled in a ball asleep at the base of the tree. Quietly, he moved closer and knelt beside her, frowning when he saw her bare feet covered in scratches, blood, and her left ankle swollen.

Gently picking Tessa up, he gathered her to him. She sighed, “Lucian,” and snuggled against him. Lifting his wings, he took flight back to the house.

Xore stood by the rooftop entry, groaning at the sight of her. “Lucifer, remember she is safe. Tessa didn’t even leave the sanctuary. I’m sure Balthazar knew she couldn’t get out. He was here when Merlin cast the spell for the house and grounds.”

“Out of my way, Xore,” he growled.

Xore crossed his arms over his chest and spread his legs. “I can’t. Not until you tell me you’ll let Balthazar live. He is young and—”

“He is over a thousand years old!” he shouted. “He is next in line for the throne. You know we,I, have waited many centuries for this woman in my arms.” Closing his eyes, Lucian held Tessa tighter and breathed in her sugary smell. Opening his eyes, he looked at his closest friend and confidant. “Xore, I’m tired. I’m weary of the fight. Before I had this gift in my arms I’d given up hope. I let the stories of what humanity think I am, become real. Tessa has given me hope. A family. She has given me a reason to fight again. I feel, I love, I hate. I have my emotions back. Understand now that I have all that, I will do anything to keep it all safe. I meananything.”

Smooth, soft fingers stroked his cheek. “Oh, Lucian. I am so sorry. I never should have run.”

Lucian gazed down into warm brown eyes as they stared up at him. His heart swelled at the loving look on Tessa’s face.

“I didn’t realize you were awake.”

“Xore’s deep voice woke me.”

“Argh, don’t say that. You’ll get me in trouble.”

Lucian glared at Xore, who raised his hands up in surrender.

“Lucian, it’s fine. Be nice to your friend. Put me down.”

“No.” He wasn’t putting her down. The way he felt, he wasn’t sure when he would let her go.

“No, what? That you won’t put me down? Or you won’t be nice to your friend?”

“Both…er, the first one.”

Tessa rolled her eyes. “Xore, move please. I want Lucian to put me down and I have a feeling he won’t until we are at least inside.”

Xore gave Tessa his most charming smile, stepped inside the house, and stood to the side. Lucian snarled at his friend as he walked past him. At the base of the stairs stood Balthazar looking battered and bruised. His head was bowed and his eyes downcast.

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