Page 5 of Undesirable
Lucifer had learned a long time ago that the key to survival was distraction. If he ever stopped to look at things, he would destroy everything with an ease that terrified even him. Where would he be sent then?
Frost Leo fascinated him. There was something in his blood even Lucifer couldn’t read. He felt certain it was some form of magic. It didn’t feel natural—more like created. Druids were a secretive bunch. They had the power tohide their doings. Eventually, there were no more mysteries, but Frost was an enigma. Lucifer enjoyed a good puzzle. That was why he stayed glued to him. Plus, he couldn’t bring himself to stay away from this ridiculous little town. His mate was here, wanted or not. Still, Lucifer hid. Riku hadn’t claimed him. That meant Lucifer still had the ability to cloak himself from his other half. But Lucifer couldn’t go anywhere near him. He was no longer in control. Lucifer didn’t doubt his ability to kill a godling. He just might. It was easier and more peaceful to stay glued to Frost. He spent the whole day watching him cuddle with his mate. They were what he wanted for himself, even though he could never admit that to anyone. Lucifer’s job was to protect this stupidlittle ball of water from the evil bubbling beneath its surface. He couldn’t be soft. Not that he had ever been even before Celeste created this place.
After a day of spooning his mate, Frost headed into the hospital.
Lucifer followed.
Frost had first come to Wulfe as the new ER doctor. It was a dumb job. He was needed in the community. There were plenty of human doctors. Frost was a magical healer. He needed to leave the humans to someone else. Luckily, Lucifer enjoyed mischief as much as he did a mystery. So, Lucifer had meddled. He looked forward to seeing his handiwork.
“What are you doing here?”
The blonde nurse who stopped Frost looked genuinely confused.
Frost’s eyebrows drew together. “What do you mean?”
She motioned toward a nearby doctor. “I thought Dr. Diablo had taken your place so you can work home care.”
Glory turned at the mention of his name. His gaze slid Lucifer’s way before bouncing back to Frost. While no one else could see him, Glory was his creation. He saw through the glamor, keeping Lucifer hidden. “Dr. Leo, I assume.”
Frost glanced between the nurse and Glory. “Um. I’m confused.”
Thankfully, Glory took control of the situation. “I heard you might come in today to thank me for taking your place.”
Lucifer bit back a laugh. Glory was a pride demon. His conceit made him perfect to play doctor.
He watched the truth dawn on Frost. His hospital position had been removed from his plate. Frost had gotten pretty good at rolling with the punches since finding himself the healer of a tiny supernatural community when he hadn’t even known any of this existed. This was different, apparently. He wouldn’t let this go without questions.
Frost motioned for Glory to join him off to the side for a private conversation. He waited until they were out of earshot. “Okay. Who in the fuck are you and what’s happening?”
Glory clutched his clipboard and rocked back on his heels. “I’mGlory Diablo. I was sent to relieve you of your hospital duties. Apparently, the community needs you more.” He made a circular gesture as if searching for the right words. “For whatever reason, you’re,” Glory swallowed as if tasting something bad, “special.”
Lucifer didn’t actually give a fuck about the community. He just liked stirring up shit. But watching Glory try to be human when he was so much more powerful than most anyone in this town was funny as fuck.
“Are you even a real doctor?”
Glory snorted. “I’ll have you know, I’ve spent eight centuries as the top medical torture expert in Hell. There’s no one more qualified to put people back together. Granted, I only put them back togetherso I can tear them apart again, but I’m still a skilled professional.”
Frost blinked several times. “So you’re a…”
“Demon lord,” Glory supplied. “Glory Diablo.” He repeated his name as if it would mean anything to Frost.
Frost’s shoulders expanded on a deep breath. “I see.”
Lucifer bit his bottom lip. Frost was hilarious. This was just the distraction he needed.
Glory made a shooing motion. “You can go. An expert is here now.”
To his shock, Frost turned and grabbed his arm. He was so surprised, he allowed himself to get towedto the parking lot. A furious-looking Frost spun on him. “What in the fuck did you do?” The words came out in a growl.
Lucifer shrugged. He was comfortable with anger. This was much better than the earlier tears. “You don’t need the money and you’re running yourself ragged. Gemini deserves better from you than your refusal to let go of this place, so he at least gets some of your time.”
Frost’s shoulders fell. The fight visibly bled from him. “Is it that bad? Am I ruining my marriage with this whole healer thing?”
Lucifer shrugged. He honestly didn’t know, nor did he care. But Frost had been driving himself into the ground, and Lucifer didn’t want Frost to be madat him. It was better to blame Frost’s stubbornness. “You told me a few weeks ago you couldn’t leave the hospital in a lurch and Gemini is paying the price for that. So I sent Glory. He isn’t dangerous, only arrogant… unless I order otherwise. That’s an excellent trait in a doctor.”
Frost pinched the spot between his eyes. When he dropped his hand, he shifted from foot to foot. Lucifer felt him cave. “Thank you. I guess. Is this why that whole earthquake thing happened a few weeks back? The vampires said it felt like demons broke the veil.”
“Yep.” Lucifer kept up the cheerful facade, but he really wanted to rub his chest and scream at the top of hislungs. He was here. Riku was only miles away. Every breath was like fire.
