Page 65 of An Unexpected Ascension
The Demon
Like a pouting child, Briar follows after me through the forest. Not another word from her other than incoherent grumbles until we arrive at the gate of Hell.
The moment we are through and outside the boundaries of the Portae Inferi, I snatch her by the arm and drag her through the pocket of the universe until we’re standing before the Devil himself.
Still enraged and frustratingly annoyed, I toss the Fentonelli girl at his feet. He doesn’t even flinch as she lands before him. Lucifer’s fingers tap along the arm rest made of twisted bones, waiting for an explanation.
“Look at this, my God. I found a little pet for the manor. What a pretty little whore she’ll make for your bed.”
His gaze narrows in on me, assessing me and just how deranged I’ve become over this girl.
“Lynx.” His nostrils flare in warning.
Briar raises her head to drink in the Devil before her and all his devastating beauty. Storming forward, I wrap her hair in my fist and pull her head back against me.
“If not, then she might as well find her way to the dungeon, but what a waste of a pretty face, yeah?”
Lucifer stands, vexation rippling off his being and swirling around him in powerful waves.
“What the fuck are you on about?!”
The low vibrations of his voice wash over every inch of the room.
“Remind me, Devil. What fates typically lie in wait for a Fentonelli? Because the options I’ve so generously offered seem to be better than all the others to grace my presence.”
In a matter of seconds, my body is engulfed in flames before we’re appearing in the war room alone, without audience.
“Have you forgotten who I am?” He seethes, pacing back and forth while I sink into a chair. “To speak so offensively to me! The one who gave you a chance at redemption, at vengeance, and now justice? You demean me!”
Running a hand through my hair, I heave a heavy sigh. “I-I’m so sorry. I’ve clearly lost it.”
There’s a wild look inside the Devil’s eyes as he rakes them over me in obvious disgust.
“Maybe you were right, Lynx. Maybe I have lost all ability to bestow retribution. Perhaps I shall start with you.”
A snap of his fingers and my world grows dark. Blind, my other senses sharpen. A dank must sits stale and heavy in the air. The cement ground wet with substance unbeknownst to me. In the distance, chains clanking against the floor rattle through these dungeons, and I know exactly where I am.
Chapter 22
The Angel
Stunned by the chaos of the last few minutes, I stay kneeling before this throne made entirely of human bones. It isn’t until the God of Hell returns, without the demon, that he urges me back to my feet.
“Please excuse my Second in Command. He’s been lost inside himself for quite some time now.” He reaches out a masculine hand. “Lucifer or the Devil as you might know me.”
I nod, swallowing nervously. “Briar Fenton.”
His eyes as dark as freshly brewed coffee, soften at my name.
“Ms. Fenton.” He finally smiles, taking my palm into his.
“So, you know me too?”
“Your surname is quite a topic around here. I can’t say I’m entirely surprised by your presence. Though I did have more faith in him to have left you alone.”
“Really?” I snort.
“He’s not the type to let his emotions lead rather than his head. It’s rare to find him so worked up by something as simple as a girl.” He snickers. “Come, let’s get you cleaned up and into something less... wet.”
