Page 99 of Lucifer's Redemption

Father motioned for the demons to step away. They kissed his feet as he approached Teddy. He leaned against the pole, naked with his protruding belly hanging over his revoltingly pungent genitals. Endless humiliation was part of his punishment.

“It’s been a while,” Father’s smirk didn’t go unnoticed by the man’s bloody eyes. His head rolled back, hitting the pole. Trying to stand, he slipped in his own urine, giving up and waiting for a blow from my father. Father chuckled, watching him struggle before he willed him to stand, strapping him tighter to the pole with iron chains.

“You see, son,” Father walked around the shaken form. “When I found out your mother suffered for so many years because of this man, I made sure he received the proper care.” Snapping his fingers again, another pole appeared beside him, this one holding Malachi, a fallen angel that helped conspire against him and my mother, intending to keep them apart. Malachi’s once white wings were now charred, and his face was blackened with soot. “And this angel,” he chuckled darkly, “will never see the light of day again,” his fingers gripped Malachi’s throat, watching him sputter, “will you?” He patted his cheek, smiling.

“You may be wondering why I brought these two here,” Father directed me to stand beside Malachi, who hung his head in defeat. “It is because they weren’t the ones who first conspired to hurt your mother.” He hissed, waving his hands. “No, it was someone else,” his eyes darkened at the thought, “but I ensure they all suffer equally.”

Snapping his fingers, another pole appeared that held, none other than, the woman who made the God of the Underworld’s mate suffer. Her name had been stripped from her, she no longer retained her god-like qualities and was nothing but a pitiful soul. Her eyes were sunken, and a crown of thorns lay upon her head. Her lips parted to spit at Father, but he was quicker and bound her mouth with chains.

“You see, Lucifer…” Father went to whisper in the nameless, once ethereal deity, “we find the evil,” he chuckled, making her wince, “and we stomp it out like an ember in dry leaves.”

The woman leaned her head back as Father choked her and the rest without touching their vile skin. All three struggled, trying to escape the hold only to slump over once Father released them.

“I hope this visual has shown you what you and our family will do once we find the evil threatening Uriel.”

I smirked, enjoying the lesson Father provided. It will be one that I always remember.

“But until we know who all is involved, we take it one step at a time. It makes vengeance so much sweeter.” A demon walked towards Father, holding a mallet with long needles on one side.

Looking at my blackened fingers, my long claws extended. This new rage surged within me, whether it was strengthening from being around my mate or from the sheer, overpowering drive to protect her, it unlocked a new set of skills I was ready to try.

“Father-Son bonding time?” I chuckled, standing before Teddy Johnson. He shook his head, his once blue eyes now fading into darkness as my claw scraped slowly down his cheek. I watched the ruby-red liquid drip onto his overly large gut.

“I wonder how he would look gutted like a fish?”I tilted my head menacingly.

“If that will help sate you.” We looked at each other, laughing evilly as we dove into our favorite pastime.

Chapter 41

Lucifer

AsmuchasIwas enjoying being with my father, torturing the souls that dared to hurt my mother, I had to return to Uriel. The bond wouldn’t let me stay away from her for long, and knowing she was waiting for me, made it that much more urgent.

Father looked at me, the metallic crimson liquid dripping down his face. The evil in his smile did something to me: it made me feel less evil.

This was part of who I was, the God of Destruction. Finding a balance was necessary in my life, and Uriel came to me at the most perfect of times to help me find that balance.

Father threw the mallet that he used to hit Malachi. He nodded his head to me to lead me back up the trail of hot coals, back to the outskirts of Tartarus. “Kronos still lies in his cell,” Father mentioned as we hiked up the steps. “So, we know he is not the evil we seek.”

Kronos had run through my mind several times as a child after Father’s many promptings and suggestions to Mother: he might try to take hold of my darkened soul. Each time Father visited, Kronos still lay in the corner of his cage, chained to the wall with magic and surrounded by darkness.

“I’ll start from scratch,” Father wiped the blood from his forehead. “Hera and Michael will hide, but they will be easy to find if I let your mother’s home pack know we are looking for them. They will head to Bergarian, as well, in search of them. They will be swiftly turned over to Zeus for a proper trial.” I grunted, reaching the top of the stairs.

“It would be easier,” Father mused, “if you could retrieve the feather that Uriel’s father gave her before he left. He mentioned he would come right back if she prayed to him while holding it.” I stopped, wondering if I could ask her for it.

“Take care of Uriel, son. We will not make Uriel pick sides. Let the feather be, unless absolutely necessary.” His hand patted my shoulder.

Fates, I loved her; I would always care for her. Being her protector was the only thing I wanted. I only wanted her to enjoy life and be happy, not force her to pick sides between her parents and me. However, I think she chose me just last night when she told me that her mother was in the room.

“Thank you.” I pulled my father into a hug. He stiffened at the contact, but quickly returned it. My wings willed back into my body, and Father patted my back lovingly.

“Family,” Father spoke softly. “Your mother comes from a close-knit pack and, thus, brought those values to our own family. I’ll do anything for you, son.” Pulling back, he put his hand on my head, rustling my perfect hair. Swatting him away, he laughed as he willed us back to the palace.

Father waved for me to go down the hall to my mate. He was already changed into his normal business attire as he sat down at the dining room table. Mother held onto Lilith until Father scooped her up in his arms, kissing her forehead.

I chuckled, watching their interaction. Mother felt my stares and gleamed with her beautiful smile. Mother, once a lonely, beaten werewolf, cured the God of the Underworld of his broken heart.

Turning my head, I walked down the hall. Leaving the calls of Loki screaming asking where Uriel was. The brat threw a fit just the night before because Uriel wasn’t able to read him a bedtime story.

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