Page 19 of Lucifer's Redemption

“Then can we come back? I made a new friend!” I pointed to Loki, who was smiling devilishly at Mom.

“Sure. We will come another time.” She smiled, her hand brushing my shoulder.

That funny twinge of pain came to my chest; it caused me to step back from her.

“Sorry, what did you say?” My head tilted to the side as my feet continued to ease backward, toward Lucifer.

“I said that I’ll bring you back another time.”

The pain started up again in my chest. I pouted, not wanting to go with Mom.

I always listened to her, but the pain in my chest told me not to.

“No,” I whispered. Loki and Lucifer came forward to stand on either side of me.

Mom let out a flustered sigh. “I’m very disappointed in you, young lady,” Mom chastised.

Ember stepped up to Mom. “I think we need to talk, Hera. Why haven’t we seen Uriel until today?”

Mom shook her head. “I cannot discuss this here, Ember. I need to get her home.” Mom took another step toward me, but Lucifer and Loki pulled me back. “That’s enough,” she hissed.

Mom was adamant about making me go home. With how mad she was, I was sure I would never be let out again. I enjoyed being outside and seeing new things. I didn’t want to go back to my bedroom and watch the same old movies over and over. I always did everything she said. What if I didn’t listen, just for today?

Athena winked at me, giving me a small thumbs-up.

Was the pain I felt in my chest because she lied?

“Mother, will you let me out of the house again if I come with you? I don’t want to stay inside anymore. There are too many pretty things outside.” My lip wanted to pout.

That worked on Dad so well; it never worked on Mom though.

“Of course, you can!”

Everyone looked to one another at her quick change in attitude, but the same pain pierced my chest.

My mouth dropped as I heard Athena’s voice in my head.“She lied, sweet one.”Athena’s eyes filled with pity while looking away from me.

That was the pain in my chest? Someone lying to me?

Mom reached her hand out, but I pulled away. Hurt by my actions, she grabbed her robes. “I said I would take you out,” Mom repeated.

I shook my head, leaning into Lucifer. He jumped, but his black wing came around to hide me, which I really liked.

“You’re lying,” I whispered. “You won’t let me back out.”

Dad grabbed Mom, pulling her back behind Hades and Ember.

“Uriel, you come home with us this instant! It is dangerous out here, especially around him!” Mom pointed to Lucifer.

A growl in his chest let me know that he didn’t like her accusation.

The twinge in my chest came back. Lucifer wouldn’t hurt me; he might be scary, but he wouldn’t hurt me.

“He won’t hurt me,” I whispered.

Athena kept giving me encouraging glances, moving her hands forward to keep me talking.

“I think it hurts me more that you won’t let me out or let me meet new people. The people I have met so far have been really nice.” Loki reached up and grabbed my hand, squeezing it for comfort. Smiling back at him, I tried not to cry.

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