Page 37 of Eternal Sacrifice
“Who do we tell?”
Her question bounced around in my mind.Who is in charge now?A sickening hollow pit formed in my stomach as I thought about the next in line to the throne. The sins.
While Hell was situated on a power hierarchy, the titles were set in place to assign a correct transfer of leadership in crisis.
“I need to send a message to my father. Tell him to gather the sins in the throne room,” I announced.
I took a deep breath before closing my eyes. I focused on the image of my father’s face, bringing the sound of his voice into my mind like a jagged knife to tear my flesh. His mind was easy to track down, one I had been forced to speak into before I had learned how. He always left himself open to messages from me.
Or at least he had when Mother controlled his words and actions.
“You need to gather all the sins in the throne room immediately. Lucifer has an announcement.”
Morrigan
Wesatinaline on the bottom steps of Lucifer’s throne, like a group of delinquent teenagers waiting for the principal to finish speaking with our parents. The sins entered with flourish and drama, each in their own fashion but clearly in a rush from this unprompted gathering. Their eyes landed on us before swinging to the empty throne. They all held the same question stuck inside their throat as they quieted and took their seats.
Jax’s father swept into the room, his hair perfectly coifed back. He wore a white button-up shirt beneath a pewter vest that matched his eyes and slacks. A wide smile split his face the moment he saw us sitting on the steps.
Jax stood when his father sat, the last sin to find their place. “Lucifer is dead.”
A wave of shocked gasps thundered through the room before a cacophony of chatter broke out.
“How?”
“What is powerful enough to kill Lucifer?”
“Who is in charge now?”
The questions echoing off the walls are the same as the ones continuing to bounce around in my mind.
Jax’s dad got to his feet, holding his hands up. “Brothers and Sisters. Powerful Sins of Hell. Listen now.”
The room quieted as if Lucifer himself had spoken. All eyes turned to Beelzebub.
I knew what was coming next. He would attempt to position himself in the seat of power. I didn’t know if I could stop him, but at the least, I would champion the sins to rule together.
“We need answers,” Beelzebub said, turning his back to the throne to address the frazzled demons.
They nodded, agreeing with his words and clearly relieved someone was stepping up to direct them. Someone they saw as on their team rather than a demon making a bid for supremacy.
Beelzebub turned to face us, clasping his hands together behind his back. He reminded me of the lawyers I saw in the mortal realm. Perfectly poised and ready to calmly lie through their teeth. “How do you know Lucifer is dead?”
Jasper pushed off his thighs with his massive red hands. Coming to stand, his imposing bulk seemed even more intimidating, as if his presence was too significant for this grand room.
“Lilith killed him.” His deep voice echoed off the walls, leaving a humming silence while the words sunk into the minds of the sins. “We have his power.”
Internally, I cringed, wishing he had chosen to explain in more detail. I opened my mouth, but chaos had already erupted in the room. From the corner of my eye, I saw the rest of my pack getting to their feet while accusing, angry shouts were directed at us.
Beelzebub stood, smirking as he silently reveled in the mess.
“You killed him. Didn’t you?” an angry demon shouted above all the others.
“We didn’t kill him,”I said, pushing the words into the room to breach every shield held by the sins. They were no match for my power, not since Lucifer’s abilities mingled with my own.
The room went silent as if all the air was sucked out from the stunned gasps. One by one, the demons took their seats.
“How do you have Lucifer’s power?” Beelzebub asked, the only demon left standing, other than my pack.
