Her Deadly Angels by Ginna Moran
Chapter 26
For Hell’s Sake
RAVEN
THE FUCKING ANGELS just love ruining everything. Not only did they kill my spirit boner, they decimated any chance of corrupting Micah and bonding with Elias. Tonight was incredible with them, and I felt like everything would work out with our eternities since Micah and Elias seemed to be getting along.
Damn Cassius.
Damn him to Hell with Lucian. The two of them deserve each other and can spend the rest of eternity arguing over who’s right and wrong while I help my guys bring real balance to the universe. Because Elias was right. There is no way there will be balance if the saviors were guiding the devils’ rule over Hell. And for me to kill Kase and Dante in the process? That would be like ending a piece of myself. They hold a piece of my soul as well as my heart, and I will not destroy the two men who have been fighting against the entire universe for me while managing to fulfill my needs and also welcome in the other devils as part as our family. I don’t know how else to describe it. We’re together and will rule together. I can’t just give in to the righteous bastard who tried to tell me there was no hope in saving me. Who threatened to make it his sole purpose to end me. Who went through great lengths to try to set things his way, thinking he knows it all, and what he knows is all.
“Raven,” Micah says, his low voice wrapping around me a second before his arms do.
I twist around and fall into him, desperately wanting him to pick me up and hold me. To drown me in affection and anything else he can do to pull my mind out of my spinning thoughts.
“Why don’t you come to my room and get some rest. Elias is already in there, and I think he could use your attention. He doesn’t look great.” Micah eases away and peers into my eyes. “I’m not sure what to do without my grace.”
My heart stalls, my soul screaming in fear that maybe I pushed him too far earlier. Maybe Cassius and Zade stressed him out. Whatever it is, I can’t help worrying that something will happen to him before Kase, Dante, and Andre return. I need them here. I need to be surrounded by the strength of all the devils to ensure everything goes as planned.
Micah groans and hugs me tighter. “Relax. He’s not dying tonight. Soon but not before Kase and Dante return. I would sense it. See it even. His soul clings onto his body.” Micah scoops me up and carries me from the balcony of Dante’s room. “He just needs you. Your presence helps.”
I rest my head on his muscular shoulder, savoring the sensation of his protective arms around me, and within them, the promise of a powerful eternity with him by my side. “How much longer do you think the others will be?” I ask, wishing Micah would just bring Elias to me, so I can continue to watch the summoning circle.
“I don’t know. They’re not as connected to Hell as Lucian is. It could be hours or even days, but don’t worry. The longer it takes, the more powerful they’ll grow. And who knows, perhaps they’ve chosen to check in on their kingdoms.” Micah clicks open his bedroom door. “It’s an enormous place, you know.”
“I really don’t, though,” I muse, straightening up to catch sight of Elias, lying on his side on the edge of Micah’s bed. “Not yet, at least.”
Micah crosses his room and climbs onto the bed with me in his arms, sandwiching me between him and Elias. I turn on my side and caress my fingers to Elias’s cheek, stirring him awake long enough to smile at me. Sadness clings to my soul, seeing him like this. Some moments he seems fine, well even, and then in others such as now, he looks fragile and weak, summoning sorrow from my soul.
Pushing away my morbid thoughts, I lean in and caress my lips to his as Micah spoons me from behind, twining his fingers through one of my hands while I cup Elias’s hand in my other. The soft sounds of crickets chirp in through the open window, allowing in fresh air from outside. I tilt my head, letting my hair fall away from my neck, and wait for the sensation of Micah’s lips on my throat.
How can a moment feel so good yet so...miserable? I shouldn’t worry about Kase and Dante. I shouldn’t worry about Andre taking his throne in his kingdom forged from lust. I damn well shouldn’t allow Cassius and Zade to take up any more of my headspace either. But fuck.
“Raven, can I ask you something?” Micah’s voice trickles into my mind as he opens his thoughts to me. “It’s about Cassius’s offer.”
I close my eyes for a second, trying to summon my nerve to let him open this door. “Yeah, sure, but there isn’t much to talk about.”
Sliding his arm under me, he gets me to roll over and face him. I rest my head on his pillow and lose myself in his gorgeous brown eyes, lit with soft firelight. We share the same breath, his scent still crisp and fresh, though hints of smoke, like a bonfire on the beach, waft over me. In this moment, Micah looks nearly angelic again—his features soft, his expression embodying concern with his furrowed brows and oh-so-pouty full lips.
“I just want to know what your soul is worth to you,” Micah says, surprising me. “If you didn’t have a contract with Lucian, what would you exchange it for? Family? Elias’s life? Something I have yet to learn about you?”
I pucker my lips in thought. His question throws my guard off that I have no idea how to respond. What would I trade my soul for? Had he asked me weeks ago, I’d have said nothing. I didn’t want the contract with Lucian in the first place. But now? I don’t know.
“If I had a soul, I’d trade it for you. I’d give up everything to ensure you could find peace in your eternity. It’s why I fell, Raven. You were my purpose and still are. I feel my darkness siphoning your light, and as much as I enjoy it, the part of me still clinging onto my life in Heaven’s grace knows that I’m bad for you now. I don’t want to see you in Hell, even if it means I lose you.” Micah’s words crack as his eyes sheen over.
I thought seeing an angel cry was heartbreaking. But this? It’s torture. I hate it. “Micah, please never try to do that, and especially not for me. I know you think I deserve more than Hell, but it sure as shit isn’t Heaven. Not with fucking Cassius. Not without all of you.”
His frown deepens. “But—”
I cut off his complaint with a kiss, waiting until his muscles loosen and he pulls my body closer, pressing his hardening cock to my pelvis. “I have made my decision. Purgatory is mine. I’m tired of the fighting between Heaven and Hell and all the assholes in between, which says a lot considering I’ve only known about this crap for weeks. If I traded my soul for anything, it would be for Purgatory. It would be for the chance for souls not to feel stuck like I feel I am under Lucian. I’d trade my damn soul to get Lucian to knock his shit off and let us finish the plan he, Kase, and Dante came up with before Hell got to his head.”
Micah’s eyes flicker with a dozen thoughts. “Heaven really screwed up, losing you. That is the most unselfish thing I’ve ever heard. Cassius was wrong. He thought you were selfish for not sacrificing yourself for Heaven, but in reality, what you want is far more powerful and greater, no matter what anyone thinks.”
“Which is why Lucian doesn’t want it. He doesn’t want me to have Purgatory. He doesn’t want Purgatory at all.” I crinkle my nose at the thought.
“I didn’t jump from Heaven to see you lose your soul to him. I will fight with everything in me to see it come to fruition, if this is truly what you want, my beautiful heathen,” Micah says, closing the space to caress his lips to mine again. “My queen.”
“Say that again,” I tease, smiling.
“You’re my queen. My purpose. My everything. I’ll even bow.” Micah hooks his arms around me and rolls with me off the bed, setting me on my feet.
I have no idea how Elias sleeps through my laughter, but I cover my mouth, trying to muffle the noise as Micah gets on his knees in front of me. He bows forward and kisses my feet. My laughing turns into psychotic cackling that only worsens when he crawls forward, grabs my leg and puts it on his shoulder, looking ready to devour me like he survives off eating me out.
The scent of sulfur trickles to my nose, and I grip Micah’s head, stopping him from continuing. He flares his nostrils and glares toward his window for a moment before pulling himself together.
“It’s them,” I say, excitement coursing through me. “Save that tongue. I’m going to want it later.”
Micah chuckles and shakes his head, smiling at my happiness instead of getting annoyed. I beat him to the door and dash ahead of him, teasing him by swaying and spinning and ensuring he gets a show as I rush downstairs and toward the backdoor.
I hesitate and spin toward him. “Let me handle telling Kase and Dante about Cassius, okay? I don’t want them to inadvertently take out their anger on you, especially with everything you’ve been through. I’m afraid you’ll say something that will end with one of them stabbing you or some shit. I don’t want them worrying, okay?”
Micah cocks an eyebrow. “If they’re that insecure—”
“Micah, stop,” I say, clasping the doorknob. “I don’t want them to think you’ll do something insane. Not that you will, but you all just started getting along.”
“For your sake.” His jaw twitches with his words.
It’s like something shifts inside Micah, his devil side threatening to steal away the softness he’s been showing me tonight. Firelight dances in the corner of my vision, and I realize why. Hell’s gate is open, and as much as I want to pretend it doesn’t mess with him, I know it does.
“Well, keep it up.” I twirl my finger at him. “And maybe stay here until the gate closes. You’re hot enough.”
That gets him to smile, and he remains firmly in his spot a couple feet away with his muscular arms crossing his chest. I fling the door open and stride outside, only to slow down at the sight of the summoning circle lit with no one inside. My stomach twists, my nerves tightening. If Kase, Dante, and Andre were returning, they would’ve put that shit out and be waiting for me.
I stop in my tracks, glaring at the flames of Hell as they explode and reach toward the sky. I open and close my mouth, trying to summon my voice to call for Micah, but Lucian’s hulking form appears before me, his horns glowing like molten lava swirls within them. He stomps his hooves, shaking the ground hard enough to send me to my knees. I scramble away, trying to get up. The world quakes again, and the earth splits open, shooting a crack right toward me. Hell peeks through, the fire burning away from the gateway and to me.
“This is not how you should greet your master, Raven. Bow forward and worship the ground before me until I’m content,” Lucian says, his grumbly voice humming through the air.
I tip my head up and glower. “What the fuck?”
A smile curves his lips, and Lucian shudders, ridding his devil façade to take on his human form. “Crawl forward to me. Do it now before I make you.”
My heart ricochets around my ribcage and my mind whirls with a million racing thoughts. What is going on? Where are Kase, Dante, and Andre? If they’re not here, does that mean...no. I refuse to believe it.
“No,” I say, pushing up to my feet. “You actually can’t make me. You can’t leave that damn circle.”
Lucian’s eyes flash with firelight, sending my heart sinking into my stomach. Oh, fuck. Ah, Hell. Damn it. Something has changed, and the dread coursing through me explodes into full-blown panic.
Snarling, Lucian gathers hellfire in his hands and winds it into a whip like the one he threatened me with before. The same whip he’s lashed across both Kase and Dante’s backs. “It is your last chance to bow to me willingly, Raven, or were you deceiving me when you asked to be by my side as I destroyed Heaven and took Earth in my control?”
“I—I wasn’t,” I lie, choosing to be smart over brave in this moment, watching as the fire around him lowers to a circle of calm flames. “I’m just—where are Kase and Dante? Andre?”
“I said to bow!” Lucian flicks his wrist, lashing the whip at me.
To my utter horror, it breaks through the barrier and stings across my shins, knocking my legs out from under me. I shriek in pain and drop to my knees as tears burn my eyes. I toss my hair out of my face, tipping my head back, my body stiffening at the sight of the summoning circle extinguishing completely.
And then Lucian strolls toward me, leaving the closed gate and Hell.
I cover my mouth, trying not to lose my shit. “Oh, God.”
“Don’t speak of the Higher Power!” Lucian roars, his devil façade rippling over his skin as his horns jut from his forehead as the rest of him remains in his mortal form. Fire licks over his smooth, bald head and dances down his thick beard. Locking his fingers into my hair, Lucian drags me upright and bows into my face. “Do you understand? You are no longer in control, and it’s time you realize your place.”
I swallow and inhale a few deep breaths, staring at the empty ash ring where the gates of Hell would be, praying that I’m hallucinating or something. “I don’t understand,” I repeat, wishing the fucker would answer my questions.
Lucian releases an exasperated laugh as if my comment is the stupidest thing he’s ever heard. Tightening his fingers through my hair, he yanks me closer until I look directly at his cock, the hunk of flesh growing immediately under my attention. I stretch back, afraid he might poke me in the eye to fuck my brain, not caring what hole he puts it in me because he can surely ravage my body with just a flick of his finger.
“What is it that your mortal brain can’t comprehend? You are mine to do with as I please until you complete your mission—if I allow you. Perhaps you can earn the chance. Show me that you’ll be an obedient soul now that there won’t be any interference from those who wouldn’t fall where they should’ve.” Lucian guides my head back, forcing me to look up at him. “What will it be, Raven? Earn my forgiveness by worshipping me as your master and show me what it is about you that had my brethren swollen with lust and with clouded judgment or be a petulant, weak mortal who never rises to your feet again and will die on your knees. I don’t care either way. Your body and soul are mine. You will give me what I want.”
I blink a few times, trying to process his words. Fury explodes through me, and I yank away, wincing through the pain of getting some of my hair ripped free. I crawl until I manage to get to my feet and dash away, running toward the house.
“Micah!” I screech, trying to see his towering frame. Where the fuck is he? “Micah!”
I try to pull the door open, but the knob doesn’t turn. I’m locked out. A burst of pain lashes across my calves, the fire of Lucian’s whip lassoing around my legs. He drags me away from the house and across the grass. My dress rolls up, exposing my ass, and I cry out, wishing with everything in me that this is a nightmare. That I’ll wake up at any second to realize I had fallen asleep waiting for my devils to return.
The heavy foot kicking my side jolts agony through me, proving that this isn’t in my head. This is real. Lucian has managed to escape Hell.
“Stop acting like you don’t want me, Raven,” he says, his guttural voice vibrating over my skin. He stands above me, naked and terrifying, just as he was the first moment we met. “I’ve felt your soul. You resist only because you cling to your humanity. Let it go and give in. This doesn’t have to be torture unless you make it that way.”
I shield my body from him, curling in on myself. “Please, Lucian. Where are the others? If you tell me, then I’ll stop resisting you. I just need to know.”
“Gone,” he responds. “They are finally where they belong. Now be an obedient soul and come here. It’s time for me to truly claim you how I desire. How you crave in the dark facets of your soul.” Grabbing his cock, the bastard strokes himself like he gets off on my shock and disbelief. On my anguish.
I guess he would, seeing as he is the notorious Lucifer after all.
I lick my lips, peering around the quiet yard. Regret courses through me. What if this is it? What if this is my eternity now and I just lost my chance at redemption because I refused to think of any other possibility.
“Come on, Raven. Don’t be shy for your master,” Lucian says, his voice turning from sharp to teasing. He enjoys this way too much.
I shake my head. “Fuck off, Lucian. You’ll never have me.”
His eyes narrow. “Want to bet?”
Launching from the ground, I crash into him, the strength of my connection to Hell giving me the chance to catch him off guard. “I’d rather go to Hell than be with you here.”
He growls and grabs the front of my dress. “You’re lying.”
I lock my fingers around one of his horns and jerk it closer to my stomach. “I’m not. At least now that you’re here, going there means I can get away from you. I know you won’t fucking follow. You think you know me, but I know you too, Lucian. I’m not worth you returning to Hell for.”
“Raven, stop,” Lucian says, grabbing my wrist.
I close my eyes.
I brace for death.
