Revealing the Monster (Playing with Monsters #4) by Amelia Hutchins

“Makenna,” Lucifer whispered, blood splattering from his lips to paint my face. I pushed him away, rushing to the babe.

No sooner had I reached her and tossed her at the barrier that Asmodeus got to me. My wings flared, and I rounded, sending them cutting through the air. He shrieked, jumping back as his eyes turned red and his wings exploded from his spine.

Asmodeus lunged, and I backed up, dodging one attack after another while he tried to stab me with the golden dagger, pulsing with untold power.

His hand sliced through the air, forcing me to go in the opposite direction, but he grabbed onto one of my wings. Bone snapped, and he laughed as if we played a game.

A shrill cry of pain escaped my chest as he twisted my wing, sending my body flying to the floor. I arched off my spine, tears blinding me as I stood.

My wing hung limply behind me as the other flapped, unbalanced without the other one. I slid my gaze to Lucian as he and the others remained motionless, watching me lose against a much stronger creature.

Lucifer had taken a dagger to his chest for me and he was down. Lucian couldn’t get through the barrier, which left me fighting alone.

“He can’t save you.” Asmodeus pulled out what resembled a music box and held it toward me. “Open it so that I can kill you and end your suffering.”

“I’m not an animal, bitch. I don’t need to be put out of my misery.”

“Touch the fucking box!” he snarled.

I shot forward, slamming my hand against his arm, which sent the tiny box sailing to the people outside the ruin-covered barrier.

Asmodeus howled, turning to look at them as we fell to the floor. His wild eyes came back to mine, narrowing as he peered between our bodies.

“You stupid bitch, why would you do that?” he asked.

“Because you don’t get to rule my world. Enjoy Hell, asshole,” I whispered, coughing up blood before I glanced down, staring at the dagger protruding from my chest. “You lose.”

“You’re fucking dying, and you think I lost?”

“Do it,” I growled, sensing what was about to happen.

Fire erupted around us, and Asmodeus howled in pain. Twin swords scissored through his neck, removing his head as I fell toward him. Lucifer plucked me up, falling to his knees as he held me.

“I’m sorry, Lena. I had to get that dagger away from him,” Lucifer whispered through his pain. There was a black hole in his chest, one that spider-webbed through it. “I had to protect my daughter from him. I’m so sorry I failed you both.”

“Bring Lena to me, now,” Lucian snarled, his eyes landing on the dagger that remained in my chest. “Luc, if you ever want to see your daughter again, bring her to me.” His voice shook with emotion, and yet he remained emotionless on the outside.

Lucifer pushed up from the floor, teetering on his feet while he carried me toward Lucian. He skidded his foot against the runes, and then Lucian yanked me from his arms.

I watched Lucifer fall to the ground; his shoulders slumped in defeat. Demons slowly started flittering into the room, whispering their plans for him.

“Bring him, Lucian.”

“No,” he hissed, shaking his head at me.

“He saved me, or tried to. Bring Lucifer so that he can heal and the balance isn’t destroyed. The world has enough horror happening. Don’t let this add to it. The world doesn’t have Alden anymore, and I’m dying. I’m asking you to protect him until he can face what he created.”

“Grab him,” he snarled, holding me tightly. “I have a plan, Lena. I need you to trust me. Please trust me.”

“I trust you because I love you. And I know you love me too, even though I’m reckless and fucked up bad this time. I messed up the backup plan.”

“Plan B isn’t going to work now,” Spyder stated.

“Then we go with the original plan I had,” Lucian announced. “Get the others to Club Chaos, now. Time is running out. I am calling in all the favors I have collected since the beginning. Find the debtors, and tell them I am collecting.”





Chapter Thirty-Six




In no world was Lena leaving me again. I’ve plotted and planned, and I had no intention of ever letting go again. ~Lucian



There was a somberness that came with dying. I’d made a choice, and I didn’t regret it. I’d protected Makenna from death or the Prince of Lust to be more accurate. Asmodeus had turned against Lucifer, who had tried to protect me. I hadn’t anticipated it, nor expected the Devil to intervene on my behalf.

Lucian cradled my limp form in his arms, and I did my best to ignore the pain slicing through my chest. It felt as if the dagger was trying to tear itself into my soulless body. I whimpered, unable to stop it from escaping as he jostled me.

Blood pounded in my ears, obscuring my ability to hear what the others said around us. I could feel the immortals’ power and knew everyone sensed they were fighting a losing battle.

Lucian’s lips brushed my cheek before he placed me onto a stone altar, peering down at me with pain burning in his stare.

“Hold on for me, Lena. Just stay with me a little longer,” he whispered, pressing his forehead against mine.

“I love you,” I murmured. I lifted my hand, curling my fingers around his cheek while fighting to stay conscious. “I will always love you, Lucian. From now until forever,” I finished, coughing blood droplets into the air.