Page 17 of Lucifer's Redemption

I knew that huff and that sandal-slapping anywhere. She wasn’t happy.

She does this as she stomps up the stairs at home when she finds me watching too many movies, and not getting the housework done. I tapped my lips a few times, humming in question of what I could have possibly done wrong until my wings perked up.

Loki stared at me questioningly.

“Uh, oh.” I took a few steps back towards the gazebo.

It felt safer there. I enjoyed sitting under the shade of the red light source they had here, but that gazebo gave me a warm feeling that I really liked.

My tiny slippers began shuffling back, feeling the scuff of the rough rocks. “Uriel! There you are!” My mom’s face hardened, and her brows knitted together tighter than Medusa’s scales.

“We have to leave! Now! What were you thinking?” She grabbed my arm a little too roughly, and I whimpered.

Mom has never been physical with me, but the tightening of her grip had me at a loss for words.

“Do you know each other?” Loki pointed to both of us.

“Yeah, she’s my mo—” Mom slapped her hand over my mouth.

“That’s none of your concern! Let’s go, Uriel.”

I was dragged away from Loki; his face contorted to anger, and horns emerged from his head.

“Wait, Mom, I don’t want to go! You said I could come!”

Mom’s head whipped back quickly. “I never said such a thing! I would never let you leave the house on your own! Are you that dense?”

My heart stung at her words.

Dense was another word for stupid. I should know; I spent many, many hours studying, trying to be the good girl she wanted.

My wings drooped, the sting of her hostility causing my eyes to water. My lip wobbled. I could not cry in front of my new friend or the giant crowd that was coming toward us. The immense crowd had me cowering backward.

Mother glanced back at them, her huffing becoming louder.

A large, warm hand gripped my upper arm. The funny tingles that I felt earlier came back in full force. Instantly giggling and forgetting the fury behind my mom’s eyes, I turned to find a shirtless Lucifer.

“Is there a problem?” Lucifer’s deep voice silenced the entire entourage. Not even the puppies whined.

Mom stepped forward fearlessly, keeping a firm grip on my arm. “I’m taking her back home,” she muttered. “She doesn’t belong here.” Mom turned to leave, pulling me, but Lucifer maintained his firm grip on my arm.

I leaned back into his chest.

Mom grunted, annoyed with my resistance. “I mean it, Lucifer!” Mom challenged.

Lucifer’s lip curled. Smoke oozed from the base of his feet, and I swear, his face grew ten times darker.

“GET OFF MY LAWN!” Hades bellowed. The gigantic crowd scattered with the hellhounds herding the supernaturals like sheep.

I love sheep; they are so fluffy. I’ve got my own sheep, well, a little lamb that I sleep with every night, called Lambert.

Snorting, Loki nudged my arm before laughing along with me.

“This is why I don’t enjoy having everyone over. No one respects my space,” Hades spat.

Ember patted his arm, shaking her head. “It’s fine. The grass will grow back,” she whispered.

Lucifer’s parents walked up the garden pathway. Ember’s dress swayed as she cooed at the baby in her arms.

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