Page 90 of Wicked Believer
I blush, the whole exchange reminding me a little too much of those early days with Lucifer. “I didn’t mean—”
But Az takes my response in stride, exactly like his older brother would. “Come,” he says, holding out a hand toward me.
Reluctantly, I take it, and he leads me from the room where we landed, which showcases a wide array of bright, multicolored pop art, to a different part of the gallery. One that’s clearly meant for private exhibitions. He keeps a gentle hold of my hand the whole time, the soft warmth of his palm and the glow of the gallery lights feeling oddly ... comforting. Familiar even.
Like I’m less alone in the gravity of everything I know I’m about to face.
Even though I still don’t know exactly what it is Azmodeus wants from me.
But this is my wheelhouse, my unexpected trade. Appealing to the rich and powerful. Being a subservient little pet to whichever immortal happens to be beside me.
When it comes down to it, Azmodeus is no different than Lucifer.
And if I can change the hearts and minds of even one of the other Originals ...
I knowexactlyhow to play this role, how to get both what I wantandwhat humanity needs. That’s all PR is anyway. Networking. Making friends. Connections. To help influence and control a narrative. I’m so practiced at it that it feels almost effortless now. My father taught me this game backward and forward, but it was Lucifer who made me a true master at it.
Only this time, I have to do it allon purpose.
Convince Lucifer’s siblings to help me save humanity.
It isn’t until we reach a smooth velvet rope meant to block off the exhibit from the general public that Azmodeus releases me. He unhooks the rope latch and steps to the side, gesturing for me to enter like I’m his soon-to-be queen. Or his brother’s, in any case.
I glance over my shoulder. “Shouldn’t we ...?”
But the gallery is empty. Save for the two of us. There’s no one here to stop us.
“It’s my private exhibit, Charlotte.” Azmodeus lowers the rope, clipping it to the other side of the stand. “I had it curated just for you.”
The words still me.
I swallow.
What is it you want from me?
But if I’m going to convince Lucifer’s siblings to help me, or at the very least allow me to control a small part of their power by doing their PR—their public personas are a major part of how humanity makes offerings to them—I can’t go into it half-heartedly. I better be down for whatever, or whoever, Azmodeus throws at me. Anything he asks.
Can I do that?
I can’t afford to make any mistakes.
Humanity’s counting on me.
Me and my PR proposal.
Who would have guessed it’d come down to this?
I tuck my arms in at my sides innocently, shuffling my feet as I fully commit to the role. “Don’t you think that’s a little—”
Azmodeus watches me, waiting for me to finish. Apparently, he’s going to make me say it.
He’s that much like Lucifer.
I wet my lips. “You know, a little intimate?”
Az smirks deviously, keeping his hands in his pockets as he crowds my space so that I have no choice but to gaze up at him. At how gorgeous and tall he is.
He reallyisjust as beautiful as his brother.
