Page 80 of Happily Ever Bitten (Underworld Royals 2)

“It had to occur to give you the purpose I intended,” he continued. “You’re not a harbinger for the human realm, Zaya. You’re meant for the Underworld, where your primary function will be to rid my realms of dark souls. Particularly, to destroy those who seek pleasure in the pain of others without remorse. Now that you’re familiar with them, you can remove them.”

Souls like yours? I wanted to ask him. Hadn’t he gotten pleasure in my torment? Sacrificing me like a lamb for slaughter with the expectation of watching me grow?

“That sounds like more than just a gift for my mother,” Grigory pointed out. “Seems like you want Zaya to remove anyone who might pose a threat to you.”

“And to your mother,” he added, kissing her on the temple before releasing her. He moved to her side, facing Grigory. “But yes. It’s a perk. However, I also did this to ensure your happiness. Oh, and to stop the joining of two realms. Nothing good will come from that.”

He made it sound so simple, as if my life were a mere game to him. And I supposed it was. “Is there anything else I need to know about my true origins?” I asked him. “Any other surprises lying in wait?”

“No, I think that’s it.” He turned thoughtful, as if taking my questions seriously, and began ticking items off a list. “Harbinger of the Underworld. Created from the four horsemen. Strong. Kill any demons with black auras that you see. Live happily ever after with Grigory. Make Lux happy. Yes, that’s the summary, I believe.”

“Only black?” I asked him. “I see many colors.”

“Yes, those are their energy signatures coming through, typically tied to emotion. Should make things interesting for you.”

Interesting, I thought. An understatement.

I stopped for a moment and stared at Lucifer, noting his lack of an aura. Oh, I knew his soul was black deep within. But on the surface, I couldn’t see anything at all. “So, what if I don’t see an aura?”

Lucifer grinned, clearly amused. “Then you remember you’re talking to me, and I’m not known for revealing my true intentions.”

Of course not.

Why would he?

Lux sighed. “Really, Lucifer, this is… a lot.”

He glanced at her. “It’s no different than raising Adrik for Valora. I crafted the perfect queen for your little king. Surely you see that?”

“You played with my fate,” I replied, my annoyance mounting. “You had me raped to awaken my powers.”

He returned his focus to me, his expression hardening. “One night of torment to unlock a lifetime of power. You’re welcome.”

My teeth ground together at the condescending tone, and a knife fell into my hand at my side before I could even think it through. And then it went sailing through the air, aimed directly for his chest.

Lucifer caught it with a flick of his wrist.

He eyed it with interest, then set the knife on the table beside him, and smiled at me before looking at Lux once more. “So, when’s the wedding? I’ve been looking forward to this day for some time.”

Zaya slept, her mind quiet.

After the last however many hours we’d been awake, I wasn’t surprised. Not only had we been through hell, but Lucifer had just dropped a huge bomb on her.

On the one hand, she finally had answers.

On the other, it was a total mindfuck.

I sighed, leaning down to kiss her on the forehead. Sleep well, my love. She moved on the bed, a smile crossing over her face as though she heard me. Given everything else thriving between us, she probably had.

A harbinger of the Underworld.

A position of great power created out of the four realms and their horsemen.

My head spun as I tried ineffectually to digest all the information I’d heard.

Auras.

Four horsemen.

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