Eros pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. “Are you really okay?”

“Honestly?” I said. “That was terrifying, and not a place that I ever want to go to again.”

He chuckled. “I hope you mean The Chains and not Hell itself.”

I gazed around us at the realm of ice, admiring its beauty. Even kingdoms like this had vile places like The Chains. “Hell isn’t all bad,” I said. “Just parts of it.” Like the creepy demons who wanted to rip me limb from limb and sing me terrifying lullabies.

Eros opened the portal room door for me. “The Chains and the Portal can be intense for newcomers, but you’ll get used to it. On the bright side, you made it through one of the most terrifying places in this kingdom.” Eros turned to the two demons who were watching us nervously. “Tell Lucifer to meet me at The Lounge tonight. I have information that I need to share with him.” He grabbed my hand and led me to the portal.

“Close your ey—” I squeezed my eyes shut before he could finish, ready to get out of here. He didn’t need to tell me twice.

OceanofPDF.com

CHAPTER 38

OceanofPDF.com

Dani

The waitress from the other night stood behind the bar, wearing a low-cut bodycon dress and flirting with a pair of women on the other side. Unlike the rest of the women here, she showed only a bit of cleavage—but it was enough to be tempting.

I gazed at her for a few moments, then turned back to Eros who was sitting next to me. We were back at The Lounge, waiting for Lucifer, and I was doing everything that I could to keep myself calm.

It wasn’t Lucifer that made me nervous, but Mom’s stories of him that did. A fallen angel with cold eyes and a passion for deception.

“Is he scary?” I fiddled with my fingers and leaned closer to Eros.

“No,” he said. “But you might think so.”

I sipped my white wine. Well, Dani, there was no going back. Since Eros traveled to his kingdom often, I was bound to meet him eventually. Maybe after getting to know him, I’d be more comfortable. After all, Eros seemed to look up to him.

“What kingdom does he rule again?” Pride, obviously Pride.

“Pride,” he said, raising a brow. “Why do you keep asking me?”

“Is he… arrogant?”

“I am,” someone said from behind me. Low and devilishly demanding.

My eyes widened. Great job, Dani, embarrass yourself in front of Hell’s most powerful ruler. Before I could hurt my pride more, I turned around and sucked in a breath.

Mom told me the ugly stories of Lucifer, but I never imagined he’d look so sexy. He was the epitome of his kingdom—icy blue eyes, platinum locks that hung loosely by the sides of his face, incredibly sharp and chilling features.

Lucifer arched his brow. “So, this is Dani?”

I smiled awkwardly at him, nervous that he was staring at me and only me. Not sparing Eros a single glance, not admiring the beautiful people around us. Me.

God, I wanted to say something, but what could I say to a commander of Hell? Do I ask him about the weather down there? Oh, hey Lucifer, I thought that Hell was hot but…

Eros interlocked our fingers, a big smile on his face. “Yes, this is her.”

“Well…” Lucifer sat across from us, extended his arm, and took my hand in his. He held my hand for a moment longer than he should’ve, and I noticed the scars running across his knuckles. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

I parted my lips to speak, realizing that I still hadn’t said anything. “I’m—um. Hi.”

Damn it, why was I so awkward?

He chuckled. “Don’t worry about it, darling. I have that kind of effect on people.” His gaze flickered to Eros. “She is quite adorable. I’ll give you that.” Then he rested his arm on the back of the cushioned seat and leaned against it. “So, why’d you summon me?”

Eros sipped his Passion Delight and sat up. “Javier sent a wrath demon to possess a human.”

The light from the candle between us flickered across Lucifer’s face. “Demons from Wrath always possess humans.”

“He’s been staying with Dani.”

Lucifer took a long and deep breath and grabbed a waiter by the elbow as he walked by. “Get me the strongest drink you have.” He paused and gestured to Eros’s Passion Delight. “But none of that shit.” The waiter nodded.

“He lashed out on me this morning,” Eros said.

“Javier…” Lucifer eyed me. “… knows?” he asked. I furrowed my brows at him. Knows what?

“You think he’s that smart to figure it out?” Eros leaned back in the booth, trying to look nonchalant—but by the way he continued to twirl the ring around his finger, I could tell he was worried.

“To the average demon, it might not be apparent, but I could tell as soon as I saw her. You could tell. There’s no reason Javier wouldn’t be able to tell either. He’s not as smart as us, but he’s definitely not stupid.” Lucifer gazed at the ring, then at me. “Does she—”

“No,” Eros said.

I narrowed my eyes at Eros. “Do I what?”

He clenched his jaw and started speaking in a different demonic-sounding language across the table at Lucifer. It was hushed, but by the way they continued to glance at me, I knew I was the topic of their conversation.

Damn demons, always keeping secrets from me. I slumped against the seat and watched the candle flicker. The waitress from earlier set a blue drink in front of Lucifer and smiled at me. “Can I get you more wine? Maybe something else?” She brushed her fingers against mine. “You can come behind the bar and pick it out yourself.”

Lucifer and Eros stopped talking and looked over. I swallowed that sinful feeling I was getting in the pit of my stomach and shook my head. “No, thank you.”

When she walked away, Lucifer looked at Eros. “You know what this means.”

“Enlighten me,” Eros said with annoyance in his voice.

“Javier is trying to get rid of you. Since his father is King of Wrath and his mother is Queen of Lust, he wants to rule the two kingdoms when they step down. Right now, he’s heir to his father’s throne and you’re heir to your mother’s. You’re the only thing standing in the way of his desires.” Lucifer crossed his arms over each other, biceps bulging, and rested them on the table. “I wouldn’t be surprised if your parents were involved.”

Eros knocked back the rest of his drink and wrapped his arm around me. “I’m not heir to the throne.”

“Your parents eliminate you, their first born who is the keeper of the ring…” He gestured to Eros’s black ring. “… and the only demon in the kingdom that knows the secret that could destroy their rule.”

Eros’s jaw tightened. “And Javier is next in line for the throne. My mother’s son, a demon who possesses the true way of the incubi,” he said.

There was a tense silence for a few moments while Eros and Lucifer stared at each other. I gently placed my hand on Eros’s arm, wanting to soothe him.

Lucifer sat back and sipped his drink. “You know what you have to do, don’t you?”

Eros sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. “I hoped that it wouldn’t come to this so soon.”

Lucifer waved a dismissive hand in the air. “Yes, you were. That’s why you summoned me. You have the woman. Now, all you need is the kingdom.”

Eros leaned back in the booth. It was like he couldn’t sit still tonight. “Lust will never follow me.”

“The kingdom was hysterical after they banished you. Many would follow if you reclaim your place.”

“Which entails?” Eros asked.

Lucifer leaned across the table, and I inhaled the scent of apples. “Don’t be stupid. The only way you can do it is by eliminating Javier and your parents.”

Eliminating as in killing? My eyes widened. Eros had joked about killing before, but I never saw him really do it. I thought it was a joke, and I—sure as Hell—never even thought I’d be a part of a plan to murder anyone.