Page 2 of Her Darkest Devils (The Seven Sinners of Hell's Kingdom 3)

He’s full of shit and we both know it. A part of him still thinks of Lucian as the all-powerful devil tethered to Hell.

I stride closer to him, wanting to force him to come in. “None of that’s important right now. Lucian took—”

The room shakes and the putrid scent of Hell permeates through the air. I don’t have to look to know that someone opens a portal. I know it’s not Andre because it’s not his time, and he can visit my dreams. Kase and Dante don’t travel often enough by Hell portal for it to be them either. Which means the dickhole, annoying, stupid shit fucking bastard has finally returned.

“Fuck, he’s back. I’m sorry, Raven. We can talk about everything later. Maybe there is something I can do to make this less torturous for you.” Micah grabs the knob and swings the door closed, his last comment sounding as if it was intended for himself.

Rushing forward, I bang my hands on the wood as I hear him lock it from the outside. “Micah, wait. Please! It’s about Elias.”

He doesn’t respond, his heavy footsteps fleeting and fading. I rush to the balcony door and peek outside, watching the flaming circle vanish. I duck, hiding before Lucian catches sight of me. I don’t want him to know that I’m up. If he knows that I know about Elias already, he could do something rash like have Vincent kill him. Fuck, what if he’s already dead? I can’t handle this.

“Lucian, I thought you were upstairs. You know you shouldn’t leave Raven and Elias alone. Something could’ve happened to them while you were gone.” Micah’s voice murmurs through the air, coming from the backdoor below.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to suppress my raging emotions. Micah must’ve come straight to Lucian’s room after returning home. Of course he had. He’d have sensed Lucian’s absence, which is why he came to check on me. Micah’s telepathic ability might not break into the other devils’ heads, but it gives him an awareness of everyone.

“I can leave them alone if I want, and it’s none of your damn business about what I do and where I go. Now fuck off.” The backdoor slams, cutting off their voices from me.

Rushing toward my pile of blankets on the floor, I get to my knees and quickly arrange my make-shift bed, hearing something thud loud enough to be heard through the door. Something shatters next. I swear it better not be my favorite glass dick statue Dante had custom made of his cock for me.

Lucian’s voice rumbles and reverberates across my soul as he stomps his way down the hall in the direction of his room. “I don’t care what you think. You can’t see her or talk to her. I have another four hours and will do as I please. She will stay in my room and away from you. She is mine.”

“I was only offering to help. You will continue to push her away acting like this,” Micah says, remaining even in tone. “I don’t understand why you must insist on trying to keep her isolated. And sending us all out to ensure it? That’s not helping. We should be together to work through things.”

“You sound like a blasted savior. Do I need to remind you that you’re not?” Growling, Lucian turns the doorknob and hesitates.

“No, that won’t be necessary. Call me if you need anything,” Micah says. I was hoping he’d stand up to him, but he’s letting me the fuck down. “I’ll let you know when Kase and Dante return.”

“Actually, I do need something. I have a few souls that need to be marked. I want the bastards brought here to do so in front of Raven. It’s time she sees the true extent of my power.” Lucian widens the door a bit more.

I glimpse him staring at Micah standing a dozen feet away, since this room is at the end of the hall. Micah flicks his eyes toward me for a quick second, a blip of anger on his face. I know it’s not directed at me, but it doesn’t sting any less. He’s pissed about getting sent out again. I have a feeling it’s because Lucian wants to give Vincent more time to ensure we can’t find Elias. Fuck. I hope Zade comes through for me.

I flip on my side with my back toward the door. I clutch the pillow I’ve hidden a couple of useful things in to my stomach. At least it’s something. I obviously can only rely on myself in this moment, and I’ll do what I have to.

Micah groans, his voice louder with the opening door. “Yes, Lucian. I’ll do that, but beware. Raven—”

“Just shut the fuck up and go. You’ve stolen enough of my time with Raven.” Lucian’s words snap across my eardrums at the same time he purposely slams the door shut.

I startle and cringe, wishing with everything in me that my body wouldn’t have reacted at all. The bastard. He’s being loud on purpose. Holding my breath, I wait to see if he notices my movement. Heat burns across my back under the weight of his attention. I sense him studying me from a few feet away, but he’s so quiet now that it feels as if I’m actually alone. I hate being under his scrutiny.

And fuck. My nose itches, and it feels as if bugs crawl across my body. I want so badly to move.

This is torture.

“Raven, are you awake?” he asks, not bothering to keep his voice low.

I refuse to respond and remain frozen in my spot, clutching my pillow.

The ground trembles beneath my body. He purposefully stomps across the floor, testing me. Again, I don’t move. I concentrate on keeping my breathing even, hoping he leaves me alone.

No such luck. I hear him settling on the floor behind me.

A hot arm slings across my side, sending my heart thudding harder against my ribs. Lucian pulls me against his chest and blows a warm breath in my ear. I clench as he pushes his hard-on against my ass, acting as if spooning with me will lead to fucking me from behind or some shit. Right now, all it’s going to lead to is a punch in his junk—after I let him think he can mess with me, of course.

Easing my hips away from him, I slowly lift my leg until his cock stops poking me and slips between my thighs. He hums his contentment and tightens his arms, being the total perv that he is, testing my boundaries. He doesn’t have to call me out about fake sleeping, because I know he knows I’m awake. I can’t control my body’s reaction, the sensation of his infuriating closeness buzzing across my skin.

“Tell me you want it,” Lucian mutters, digging his fingers into my hip. “If you tell me, I’ll let you join me on the bed. I’ll make you realize that I’m who you want and need the most.”

I squeeze my legs together, trapping him to me. There is no way I’m going to let him use my attraction toward his darkness against me. He’s not my type of psycho. If anything, I’m only letting him get close enough for me to turn against him. He set us up. He doesn’t want Hell to rise. He wants Earth and Heaven and everyone in this universe to fall at his feet. He had a demon kidnap Elias for that reason. The only thing I’m going to do in this moment is force him to return my soulmate to me or face getting sent back to Hell. It’ll give me time to run.

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