Page 150 of An Unexpected Ascension
I shuffle past his bed towards his window, but a glint of light catches in the corner of my eye. Looking over, I find a single picture frame resting on his nightstand. Recognition hits me immediately. The dark hair, blue eyes, the tired smile.
Mercy Cromwell.
Picking it up, I study the image. How the gloss reflects the sunlight, the color of her eyes sparkle, and the glow of her face radiates. This picture looks as if it might have been taken yesterday, not centuries ago.
Then it hits me.
This photo was created by Lucifer out of memory and captured in a still frame. It baffles me that something so precious could be gifted out of pure selflessness. Nothing like this would happen in Heaven. It’s such a small gesture, but so priceless.
I stare at a face that has haunted me in my nightmares. It riddles me with guilt and sadness but also reminds me of why I’m here and what we’re about to do.
Slowly, I set the frame back down, vowing to save her brother and bring justice in her name and so many others. Before I can walk away, I notice the drawer to his nightstand sits cracked open. Curiosity becomes me, pressing me to sneak a look, so I do.
Inside the drawer I find a single round, plum fruit. The very fruit I yanked off the Tree of Knowledge before my descent into Hell. Still ripe and alluring as the day I snagged it.
“Briar?”
The sound of Lucifer’s voice startles me. Quickly, I slam thedrawer shut and jump to my feet, facing the Devil standing near Lynx’s door.
He doesn’t so much as question me, even with a furrowed brow, instead only nods.
“Let’s go.”
My heart leaps inside my throat at his words.
It’s happening. We’re going to war.
Following him down the hall and up the stairs to the Throne room once more, I ask, “So it works?”
“Like a damn charm,” he grumbles. “You have your sword, your daggers?”
“Sword, daggers, a burning hatred. I’m fucking ready.”
The corner of his lips tilts up in a small smile but quickly fades. I can feel the fear within him.
At the top of the stairs, I grab hold of his wrist turning him to me.
“Look, I know you just got Ada back, but you’ve traded your dearest friend for your wife.”
“I have not traded him!”
“You want just one more day with her before we step into the unknown. I get it.”
“Briar, it’s not just my selfishness keeping me from taking that next step. This is something I’ve prepared for longer than you’ve been alive, lifetimes before you! I will miss every moment with my wife. I will regret every moment without Lynx, but do not think for a second that I’m sitting here enjoying myself while my Second is exposed to those monsters!”
I nod. “Good. Now that you’re all riled up, we can go.”
He rolls his eyes, his nostrils still flared in heat. I follow close behind as he pushes through the doors to the Throne room. Filling every square inch is a demon ready for battle. Soldiers – armed and stone faced.
As he halts, I stumble forward, running straight into his back. Spinning on his heels, he catches me by both my forearms. I look up into his dark eyes and find something close to hesitation on his face.
“Sorry,” I mumble, reading to remove my arms from his grasp, but he doesn’t let go.
“Briar, we’re missing one last piece before we can storm Primordialis.”
Lynx.
“So what? You want me to wait here while you go save our Demon?”
