Page 36 of The Dark Rises
Her name brings me back to the other reason I came to see him. “You left in a hurry. Meri was concerned.” She wasn’t—this time—but he needs to understand his actions affect her even if she never says anything.
At the reminder, his fists clench and he looks away. “I… her life. That shack. If that was her idea of heaven, hell might kill me.” There’s a tortured look in his eyes that wasn’t there this morning, and it thrills me to see it. He cares for her more than he even realizes.
Stopping before we get to the portal, I turn and level him with one of my darkest looks. “It’s going to get worse. Bury those feelings deep inside. Don’t let Meri see your pity or disgust. She knows most of the places were shitholes. Hell, a shithole would have been a step up. But in her eyes, this was the life she was dealt, and she’s proud of overcoming it.”
He inhales, nostrils flaring at the thought, but jerks his head in agreement. “Fine. Let’s go see a man about a monster.”
Satisfied, I take us to the palace and the meeting I’d already set up with Lucifer. The man doesn’t like surprises, and givenhe’s ruler of The Underworld, he isn’t someone you want to piss off. Friend or no friend.
Callyx, Evren, and Lucifer are all waiting for us in the throne room. From the edges of the black marble floors, black obsidian walls rise high to the ceiling above, where they meet arches made of real gold encrusted with gems. Huge, elaborate chandeliers made of the same metal cast flickering candlelight across every surface. Nothing in the room is more intimidating though than the throne made of bones from Lucifer’s enemies.
Equally fierce is the look on his perfectly sculpted angelic face—the one that says he’s contemplating someone’s death. Probably mine. I didn’t exactly warn him I was dropping the monster he and Callyx have been searching for in his lap.
“Lucifer, this is Madoc,” I say, pointing first to the man. “And Aamon, his friend.” When I arranged this meeting, I only explained I thought there had been an injustice, and Lucifer should hear the case for himself.
Lucifer’s jaw clenches tightly, but he dips his head cordially toward them. Callyx flashes me his “are you fucking kidding me” glare, but I ignore it.
Aamon blinks at Lucifer. “You not devil.”
Lucifer tilts his head. “No, I’m not, but I rule this realm now.”
Madoc clears his throat and begins, “Aamon was sentenced to The Below by the devil for killing his brother, a prince of Hell. When I woke in that hellhole, I was weak, disoriented. I didn’t know where I was. He found me. Protected me from the others. Became my friend.” Madoc flashes a rueful grin toward Aamon.
“How did you end up there?” Lucifer questions, darting a look at me.
I hold up my hands. “Not my doing.”
“Leandra. She needed to keep me alive, but in a place I couldn’t escape. Beyond The Underworld, there are few placesthat could hold me indefinitely. The Below was the perfect solution for her,” Madoc arrogantly informs him.
I secretly smile. Lucifer likes arrogance.
Callyx glances at Lucifer, and he nods.
“You won’t find her. Evren’s amulet hides her well,” I interject before Callyx can leave.
Lucifer shifts in his seat to wink at his beautiful queen, then turns back to Madoc. “Of course it does. Continue.”
Madoc’s gaze darts between the two. “I heard quite a lot about Evren when Gabriel landed in our laps. It’s nice to meet you.”
Her mouth twists. “I’m sure whatever he said wasn’t the least bit flattering.”
Madoc shrugs. “He was an asshole.”
Evren smiles in agreement.
“Gabriel?” Lucifer asks, leaning forward. “He spoke to you?”
“More like ordered me to save him,” Madoc says derisively. “That was before he met the rest of the inhabitants. The monsters in the dark have a way of stripping you down to your soul. His must have been ugly. It didn’t take him long to start begging for our protection. When begging didn’t work, he resorted to bargaining. All he had to offer… was his wings.”
Lucifer stares at him in silence for a minute, then roars with laughter. “I wondered what happened to them. Hell of a bargain. I assume you used them to fly the two of you out.”
When Madoc nods, Lucifer turns to Aamon. “Are you sorry for killing the prince?”
Aamon slowly shakes his head. “He bad. Hurt my friend.”
Madoc steps in front of Aamon. “One person isn’t worth the sentencing they gave to him. I request that you release him with time served.”
Lucifer chuckles. “I agree, especially not that bastard. Aamon’s right. He was bad. Even for a demon.” His smiledrops. “My concern is Aamon. The power to kill a prince isn’t something I take lightly. What if someone hurts you?”
