Chapter 17 — It’s beyond complicated

Lana:

Looking, I blink my eyes, shocked to find myself in the middle of an empty street. My chest heaves and my body hurts as I rush through the streets. The sound of rushing feet behind me makes my heart beat wildly inside of my chest, and glass shatters around me, making me cry out with fear as I run into a building.

Slinking down on a nearby wall, I look around and make sure that I wasn’t followed. After a minute, I rest my head against the wall and close my eyes. I touch my cheek and wince when I hear a sound nearby. Reaching for a shard of glass on the ground, I lift it like a weapon. I look at the glassy surface and see that my ebony hair is tousled, my large, and my hazel eyes look sunken from lack of sleep. Let’s not forget how much my body aches from the beating I took before I ran. I’ve been running for hours without stopping. I couldn’t risk being found. The hardest part was sneaking out of the compound without him finding out. “El Demonio” This Demon has made my life hell for years. As soon as mama passed, he found the means to control me. The only thing that kept me going was the possibility of finally being free. Once the acceptance letter came, I knew it was time to run. All I have to do is make it to the airport, and I will be free.

I can finally get away from him. I can stop feeling the paralyzing fear that he’ll barter me to a creature who will finally go too far and kill me. I made sure not to leave any clue of where I was running to. I paid cash, changed my appearance and got a fake ID to use until I reach my destination. It’s going to be a long trip, to a foreign land, but I’m ready. I didn’t expect to go where I’m going when I took a chance and sent a piece of myself and proved what I’ve suspected all along. Something told me that this is the place that I have to go to. It was almost a compulsion that I couldn’t deny.

“Es hora,” It’s time. I think.

I’m about to leave my hiding place when I hear the sound of footsteps nearby. My heart pounds wildly in my chest, and my body stills. As the voices grow closer, my body begins to heat, and my eyes begin to burn. Rage, as I’ve never known, infuses me. My fists tighten, and my blood thrums as I prepare to tear through whoever is coming for me.

Just then, a large form with red eyes appears before me. But I’m not scared. I look at my hands and shudder when I see that they’re claws. As the creature grows closer, I smirk and pounce.

I shoot up from the bed, my chest heaving and my head pounding as I look around wildly. Lucifer rises beside me and gives me a concerned frown. “Are you alright, luv?”

I swallow hard as I review the dream. Somehow, I know the dream wasn’t mine, but I’m still unsettled.

“I…I had a dream, but it doesn’t make sense,” I mumble, forlornly.

“What was it about?” he asks.

I rub my throat and rest my elbow on my knee, trying to come to grips with what I saw.

I glance up at him and recount the dream. “I don’t know, but she was speaking Spanish and seemed to be supernatural because she could feel herself changing when some kind of creature threatened her. By the way, I don’t speak Spanish, which she was sometimes speaking in my head. She—the girl was running from someone. She talked about a foreign country and finally finding her freedom.”

Lucifer pulls me into his arms and soothingly rubs my spine. “Do you think it was a vision?”

I nod, “Yeah, I guess. I mean, I don’t speak Spanish, so I have to be seeing through someone else’s eyes.”

His arms tighten around mine. “Don’t stress, luv. We’ll figure it out.” He glances around the shadowy room. “It’s still very early. Go back to sleep,” he says as he pulls me back down on the bed. As my eyes begin to droop closed, I can’t help but wonder who she is.

Lucifer and I were having breakfast this morning when Michael appeared before us. His expression was shuttered, and his shoulders were stiff when he sat across from us. Reaching forward, I patted his hand and offered him a cup of coffee. Michael accepted the cup and took several sips before he spoke. “I found Gabriel. He’s actually in Egypt dealing with a horde of Ammit demons who are terrorizing the desert tribes. He wasn’t very happy to hear from me, but he agreed to meet with us.”

Lucifer nods, “I’m surprised he agreed. He was always the broody wanker in our group.”

I arch a brow, “So he’s like the serious one?”

Michael snickers, “That’s a kind way of putting it, chérie. Of all of us, Gabriel was the most rigid. As you Americans say, he was a company man, which explains why he is the only one who didn’t fall. He never questioned Le Créateur’s edicts. He was also the solitary one of all of us. Whereas Lucifer and I were close, Gabriel was more standoffish. Rafael, on the other hand, was strong and capable but also compassionate.”

Lucifer nods, “Rafael was the epitome of what an angel should be.”

My lip quirks at the thought of who they were, “So, it was like high school. You were the bad boy that mommas warned all girls away from,” I point to Lucifer then look at Michael. “You were the handsome quarterback that had all the cheerleaders swooning. Rafael was the nerdy, trendy guy who the girls proudly presented to their families, and Gabriel was the psychotic straight and narrow, asshole, class pet.”

Michael snorts with amusement, and Lucifer arches a sardonic brow. “Though I have never attended such educational facilities, I have seen several of them at the cinema, and I’d agree to your estimation.”

I chortle with amusement at the idea that my thousands of years old boyfriend would watch high school-themed movies.

I almost choke on my coffee when Michael says, “Like Ridgemont High or Grease. Those were amusante movies.”

Lucifer shakes his head, “I prefer Breakfast club or Clueless. Those were quite entertaining.”

I give both men an incredulous look as I wipe coffee from my nose. “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I’m listening to the king of hell and one of the most acclaimed archangels in history discuss high school-themed movies. Am I still asleep?”

Both men chuckle at my bewildered tone.

“We should go if we want to speak to Rafael and Gabriel,” Lucifer rises from his chair and takes my hand.

As Lucifer, Michael, and I trek through the Scottish wilderness, scenarios of who my sisters are run through my head. Clotho said that they wouldn’t have known what they were until the seals were broken. I can’t even imagine how they’re feeling right now. I mean, I’m still reeling over the whole thing, and I’ve known about the supernatural world for a year.

I look at Michael’s stoic expression and can’t help but empathize with how he’s feeling.

Last night’s dream slinks back in my mind. I can’t help but analyze the dream. It wasn’t long, but some clues tell me she might have been one of my sisters. Based on her thoughts, she was suffering some form of abuse.

As we make our way to Rafael’s cabin, I take in some of the natural landscape and take pictures of plants and animals that we encounter.

Lucifer’s hand reaches for mine as soon as we reach an area deep in Montana’s woods. “You love this, don’t you?”

I lower my camera and nod, “I’ve always loved being in nature. When I was little, I’d walk through the Arcata trails and pretend that I was an explorer.”

He kisses the palm of my hand and smiles, “It suits you, luv.”

Michael signals for us to halt at that moment and searches around the area. “We’re here.”

I look around, but all I see are trees and grass. “Where’s the cabin?”

Just as the words leave my lips, the air begins to shift like waves around me. After a moment, a cabin appears, and the door opens. A gasp escapes my lips when I take in the majestic man before me. Rafael looks like he’s in his early twenties with flawless chestnut skin and stylishly cut, short, dark hair. He has a five o’clock shadow, plump, kissable lips, and his eyes are the color of rich chocolate. He looks like that hot Duke from the Netflix show Bree and Zoe made me binge-watch last summer. I was hooked the moment the show began. I liked it because it had a diverse cast who lived in Jane Austin times. We couldn’t stop drooling over the main character; I think the actor’s name was Regé-Jean. Rafael is definitely swoon-worthy with his six-foot-something frame and sinewy body. The way his jeans and flannel top mold to his body is sinful.

Rafael’s eyes run appraisingly over his two brothers before they stop on me and widen. “Apolliana?” he mutters. “But how is it possible? Yer dead.”

I give him a shy smile and wave. “Hi…I’m actually…my name is Lana,” I sputter nervously as a blush crawls up my cheeks. He might look like the actor, but his melodic voice is different. Where the actor was British, Rafael has a light, Scottish lilt. It’s not as obvious as Lucifer’s or Michael’s, but it’s there.

Lucifer gives me a bemused snicker and whispers, “Stop ogling my little brother, lest I get jealous, luv.”

I give him the stink eyes before I look back at Rafael and smile.

Michael walks toward his brother and pats him on the shoulder while Lucifer gives him a wicked grin.

“It’s been a long time, little brother,” Lucifer states.

Rafael’s eyes remain on mine as he replies, “Yeah, it has. It’s good to see ye.”

Michael leads him to us until Rafael is standing in front of me. “Lana is the reason we are here, frère. It would seem that Le Créateur has deceived us all, and our mates have paid the price.”

Rafael’s gaze snaps back to Michael with confusion. “What are ye speaking of, Michael? What mates?”

Lucifer waves his hand toward the cabin’s door, “Perhaps you should let us in so we may explain what has been occurring.”

Rafael nods his head warily and gestures for us to enter.

Once again, I find myself surprised at what I see. The cabin, which looks like a rundown shack from the outside, is a tastefully decorated palace inside. Well, not a palace, but close to it.

I run a cursory gaze across the gleaming distressed floors as I follow the guys inside a large living room. The cabin has large picture windows, a cozy fireplace on the east wall, and a large leather sectional in the middle of a Moroccan patterned rug.

“Would ye care for a drink?” Rafael asks.

We shake our heads.

Silence reigns as we sit there, unsure of where to begin. Rafael exhales a breath. “Are any of you going to explain why yer here?”

Lucifer sits forward in his seat and places his hand on my knee. “As you can see, Lana—Apolliana and I have found each other.”

Rafael nods, “I’m glad that ye found yer soul mate and that she is indeed alive. I’m also happy to see that she is not insane as she was in heaven. However, I don’t see what that has to do with me.”

Jaw tight, Michael looks down at his hands. I can see that he’s feeling too emotional to speak, so I intervene. “We’re here because The Creator lied to all of you…”

Rafael’s eyes widen as I recount all of the events leading up to us finding out about my three sisters—their mates. As soon as he hears about The Creator’s plans, his expression hardens.

“Are you telling me that I have a mate and The Creator hid her from me?”

Everyone nods.

Rafael shoots up from his seat and begins to curse, his expression becoming further enraged. “I should have known there was more to his duplicity!”

Michael’s brow furrows. “What do you mean? Did you know about this? Is this why you fell.”

Rafael shakes his head, “No, I didn’t know about this.”

Lucifer narrows his eyes, “But you knew about something else?”

Rafael puffs out a breath and nods, “Soon after Michael’s fall, The Creator asked me to spy on several ruling deities. He said that he had received word of an uprising and wanted to make sure that it wouldn’t affect heaven. At first, I didn’t think much of it. I did as was asked until I began to notice that some of the deities were getting executed soon after I’d share intel on them. You know that the Pantheons had accords they had to follow or be brought forth for treason. Apparently, The Creator executed those he perceived to have broken accords and absorbed their pantheons under his rule. After further investigation, I realized that beings from other pantheons were being eradicated without cause, and The Creator was amassing an army with those he let live. When I discovered The Creator’s intentions, he declared me a traitor, ripped my wings off, and cast me out of heaven.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Michael asks.

Rafael’s jaw clenches, “Because I didn’t think ye would believe me.”

“You don’t know that.” Lucifer retorts.

His body vibrates with rage as he continues, “But I did know that!” he cries out angrily. “You fell without giving a thought to who you left behind. Neither of you cared that ye left me. You were always so close, and I was always on the outside. But it still hurt me to lose ye. Not even Gabriel believed me. All of you abandoned me!”

Michael places his hand on Lucifer’s shoulder, halting his next words. Rafael’s pain is clear to see. Moving forward, I look into his eyes. “It looks like The Creator did a number on all of you, Rafael.”

His solemn expression brightens a little as he looks into my eyes. “No more than he did to ye, Apolliana.”

I nod, “Yeah, this whole situation sucks.”

Lucifer’s rigid expression falls as he gazes into his brother’s eyes. “You’re right, Rafael. We—I was thoughtless. I should have come to you as soon as you fell. My only excuse is that I assumed you wouldn’t want to speak to me after what I did,” he points to Michael, “When I spoke to Michael, he thought I was angry at him. I guess we all assumed the other would not be welcomed.”

He rises from his perch and places his hand on Rafael’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, little brother. I was thoughtless, and I never considered you’d suffer from my absence.”

Rafael places his hand over Lucifer’s and gives him a fond smile. Michael mirrors Lucifer’s gesture and mutters, “Je suis désolé, petit frère. Je t’aime vraiment. J’étais juste trop stupide pour réaliser que je t’avais abandonné aussi.” I’m sorry, little brother. I really love you. I was just too stupid to realize that I had abandoned you too.

I don’t know what Michael said, but I can tell it’s an apology. Tears gather in my eyes as the brothers embrace. And just like that, their bond is restored.

Rafael’s jaw ticks. “Are ye planning on speaking to Gabriel?”

Michael nods, “Oui, he agreed to speak to us.”

Rafael snickers, “Gabriel has always had a blind spot for The Creator, and he might not believe ye.”

Lucifer shrugs, “It doesn’t matter if he does. He has the right to at least know that he has a mate out there and that she might need him.”

Rafael’s expression falters, “How do we save them—ye,” he gestures to me.

I clench my jaw tightly. “Right now, we don’t even know where they are. Clotho said that once the seals have broken, they’d find me, but I have no clue how they will. With Apolliana growing stronger, we are trying to find a way to circumvent the apocalypse.”

Rafael’s brow furrows as she rises from his perch. “Before my fall, I visited the hall of records and read everything I could find in hopes that I could stop The Creator. Once I settled on earth, I recorded it all in journals if I ever needed the information. Perhaps there’s something in those journals that we can use?”

Lucifer rubs his palms together, “Anything you can show us would be helpful.”

Rafael leads us to his extensive library and hands us several dozen journals.

Lucifer takes a seat at one of the wide tables and muses, “Now that I think about it, I believe The Creator amassing and army might have something to do with Lana and her sisters.”

Rafael gives us a wary nod. “It would make sense. I mean, he did it after he disbursed Apolliana to heaven. Perhaps the army is meant to help them finish cleansing the world of all living creatures.”

My lips tighten with fury.

Rafael meets my eyes at that moment. “Do you have any idea who the other three women are?”

I shake my head, “No, I wish I did, but Clotho was pretty vague.”

Rafael leans close and pats my hand. As soon as he does, my head begins to feel like it’s being bombarded by waves of electricity. My body seizes, and my vision dims. Lucifer stops in front of me and speaks to me, but I can’t hear him over the pounding in my ears.

Everything fades around me, contorting into blobs of color until it comes back into focus. But I’m no longer in Rafael’s house.

I look down at my hands, then around me to see bodies littering the beach. My chest heaves and my body quakes as a mournful cry escapes my lips. I was sitting by the shore thinking about what to do next when my body began to vibrate, and my eyes began to burn. Since it’s cold out, the beach was nearly empty, save for two shady-looking men who attacked me. One moment they were trying to drag me to a dark corner of the pier, and the next, they’re lying dead on the ground. Swallowing deeply, I look around the sand and choke when I see dead fish floating around my feet. As I gaze into the water, my once green eyes glow with an unearthly light, and my red hair looks like blood. A scream lodges inside of my throat as the fire spreads inside of my body until I’m lying senseless on the ground.

“Lana! Lana, look at me!” Lucifer calls out, startling me out of my vision.

As everything comes back into focus, I look at Lucifer. His expression is shuttered as he gazed down at me. Michael and Rafael stand beside him, looking leery.

“What...? What happened?” I ask.

Lucifer swallows deeply before he responds, “One moment you were speaking to Rafael, and the next your eyes began to change color, and your body began to seize. What happened, luv?”

I bite my lip, “I…I think, I saw one of my sisters. I saw your mate.” I look at Rafael and mutter. “I saw her. She was so scared.”

I look at Michael and gasp, “I think I dreamt about your mate too.”

“Was it the girl in your vision?” Lucifer asks.

I nod, “Yeah, It makes sense now. This is the second female I’ve had visions of.”

Michael’s jaw ticks, “Did you see where my mate was? What did she look like?”

Inhaling hard, I take a seat and rub my palms across my face. “She was running from someone. She kept looking at a letter and thinking that she’d be safe once she reached the airport. It has to be somewhere in Latin America because she spoke Spanish. She was hiding when a red-eyed creature tried to hurt her, and she attacked him.” I touch my hair. “She e looked into broken glass, and I was able to see her. She’s beautiful with dark hair and Hazel-brown eyes.”

“Where did you see my mate?” Rafael asks.

I rub my temple as the vestiges of a headache begin to awaken in the fringes of my mind. “I think it was the beach. She was walking on the beach thinking about college when some men tried to hurt her. Then, everything went dark, and when I—she opened her eyes, everyone around her was dead. The men were dead, and dead fish were floating around me—her.” I mumble tearfully.

Michael and Raphael seem disturbed by my words.

Lucifer pulls me into his arms and kisses my temple. “It’s alright, luv.”

I cling tightly to his chest and let him comfort me. “We have to find them,”

“We will, luv. We’ll find them. But first, we have to find Gabriel. The Moirai said they needed us to come together and form a united power.”

Everyone nods in agreement and readies to see Gabriel.

Unlike Rafael, Gabriel chooses to meet us at Lucifer’s London home.

Eyes wide, I bite my lip as soon as I catch sight of Gabriel. Like Lucifer, the man has a very confident swagger and ebony eyes. However, where Lucifer has dark hair and pale skin, Gabriel has a halo of golden curls and an olive complexion. He’s also several inches above six feet and perfectly muscled. There’s no doubt that all four males are gods among men with their ethereal beauty. What is most impressive, though, is his black, matte armor and Ivory wings.

Gabriel’s eyes travel across the foyer until his standing in front of his brothers. It’s only when his eyes land on me that he shows any true emotion. His brow furrows as he appraises my appearance. “Apolliana?” he murmurs with astonishment, “You’re alive…how?”

Unlike the others, Gabriel’s voice is clear of an accent.

I lean my head against Lucifer’s forearm and wave. “Hi, Gabriel,” At this point, I don’t try to argue about who I really am. I mean, I am both Apolliana and Lana.

“Hello, Gabriel.” Lucifer mutters, “Shall we move this conversation to the drawing room?” He says as he slides his arm around my waist and leads me to a comfortable love seat where he takes a seat next to me. Like his fortress in hell, his house is tastefully decorated. Thankfully, his gaudy throne is nowhere to be seen.

Michael and Rafael take a seat on the comfortable chairs next to the love seat and look at their brother.

Gabriel’s eyes narrow as they run appraisingly across his brothers’ faces as he takes a seat across from us. “Do what do I owe this sudden reunion?” he asks.

Michael’s jaw ticks, “Thank you for meeting with us, frère. I know that this is not what you wished but what we had to say is of la plus haute importance.” Of utmost importance.

Gabriel’s lips tighten with rage. “I certainly won’t say that reuniting with my traitorous brothers and what I thought was Lucifer’s long-dead and insane mate was at the top of my list, but here I am. What do you want?”

My jaw clenches at his arrogant tone. He seems so callous when he speaks that I want to punch him in the face.

Before any of the men can reply, Lucifer straightens in his seat and states, “You have a mate, and The Creator kept her from you the same way that he kept Lana from me.”

Gabriel’s face becomes thunderous as he rises from his seat and jeers. “I knew that you hated The Creator, but I didn’t think you’d slink so low as to make up such accusations.”

Michael shakes his head with disappointment, “He’s telling you the truth, Gabriel. Are you so blinded by your loyalty that you’d disregard the possibility?”

Rafael nods, “They’re not lying, Gabriel. You have to listen to us.”

Gabriel’s gaze meets Rafael’s, “You’ve fallen quite far conspiring with these two, brother. But then again, you’re also a traitor.”

“They’re not lying,” I reply. Before he can answer, I rise up and wrap my hand around his wrist. As soon as I do, my vision hazes again, and I’m transported somewhere else.

I look down at my heels and sway to the vibrating music as it thrums through my drug-filled haze. I feel nearly weightless as the men “he” sent me to usher me to one of the rooms. I want to cry and run away, but all I can do is hang there listlessly as they tear at my clothes. I didn’t really want to do this, but he says it’s the only option. I can’t let anyone else die. I have to pay the debt that is owed. Even if it was not my debt.

He smiles as he extends a finger toward my swaying form, “She’s all your boys.” As one of the guys pushes me into the bed, another one grips my hair, tearing light-brown strands from my scalps as he straddles my waist, “No, please,” I beg him, “Please, don’t make me do this.” But it’s no use; my body fails me as one of the men pries my legs open and lowers his jeans. He’s about to mount me when flashes of lights begin to burst inside of the room. A flame kindles inside of my chest and spreads through my body until my eyes begin to burn. Looking up, I meet the eyes of the girl standing in the corner, “Help me…”

My body rears back as I snap out of my trance. I look at Lucifer, “She saw me.”

Lucifer’s brow furrows. “Who saw you? Was that another vision?”

Before I can answer, Gabriel angrily interjects. “It seems that your mate is still insane. Is this why you brought me here? To hear your mate spout nonsense?”

I shake my head, “It’s not nonsense. I saw her. I saw your mate!”

He scoffs and takes a step back, scowling angrily, “Of course you did. Well, if that’s all, I shall take my leave.”

He moves toward the door, but before he can leave, Lucifer calls out, “You may not believe us, but what if it’s true. What if you have a mate out there who is suffering, and you won’t be there to help her?”

He takes my hand and squeezes it tightly as he calls out to Gabriel, “I can guarantee you will regret it if you do not even try to find her. Aren’t you even the least bit curious that Lana might be telling the truth?”

Gabriel’s back stiffens as he turns to face us again, “Let’s say that I believe you. What evidence do you have that might prove you’re not deceiving me?”

I shrug my shoulders as I recount my vision, “All I have are my visions. When I touched you, I saw her. She had long golden-brown hair and multi-colored eyes. One was hazel, and the other one was pale grey.” I think over what I saw, “She was at some kind of party. She kept referring to a man and a debt …” I swallow the bile that threatens to collect in my throat, “…they were going to rape her, but she turned...”

“What did she turn into?” Lucifer asks as the men listen attentively.

I shake my head and shrug, “I…I don’t know.”

Michael curses, “Merde!”

Gabriel snickers, “This just becomes more ridiculous by the moment. Are you telling me the women are the horsemen of the apocalypse?”

I nod, “That’s what the moirai, Clotho said they were.”

He crosses his arms in front of his chest and scowls, “Really, so where are they?”

I clench my jaw tightly, annoyed by his questioning tone. “I don’t know. It’s not like they’re thinking about where they are. That’s not how it works. I know one of them was at the beach, and another one spoke Spanish. The one at the club spoke American English, so I’m going to assume she’s in North America somewhere.”

Gabriel hisses as he comes closer to me, making Lucifer stiffen beside me. “Do not come closer to her, you wanker!” he growls.

Gabriel holds his palms up in a calming motion, but his expression is still hostile. “Here is another question for you then. If indeed there was a possibility that I have a mate out there, why would The Creator deceive me? Why would he lie to one of his most loyal generals in such a manner?”

Rafael stops next to me and waves a hand in my direction, “Are ye going to deny that he didn’t create Apolliana for Lucifer?”

Gabriel shakes his head, “It’s difficult to do that, considering she’s standing in front of me. However, my situation is different than yours; I never betrayed The Creator. It might be that Apolliana’s existence might be a form of punishment for you and the others.”

Lucifer sneers, “Do you truly believe The Creator would give us mates as punishment? Think about it, Gabriel. Why would he give us mates and not you?”

Rafael nods, “Ye think The Creator is so benevolent, but he’s not, Gabriel. I told ye why he cast me out, but you refuse to believe me when it’s all true.”

Michael steps in front of Gabriel and steadily says, “You can believe us or not, frère. However, we are telling you the truth. We wouldn’t go through this much trouble to convince you if it wasn’t. However, it is up to you. We will not be affected one way or the other. We just felt that you should know in case you have a mate out there. After all, the only one who will be affected will be your mate.”

Gabriel’s expression is steady as he takes a step back. To my disappointment, he nods and mutters evenly, “Be that as it may, I’ll keep my trust in The Creator rather than a group of traitors.”

I want to argue, but Lucifer tightens his grip on my hand and gives me an imperceptible shake of his head.

Once Gabriel has left, I turn to each man, “I can’t believe he didn’t believe us.”

Lucifer shrugs, “Gabriel was always the most loyally staunch one in our group. Unfortunately, he will have to learn the hard way. I just hope his mate does not suffer for it.”

The others nod.

Puffing out a resigned breath, I think through our next step. “Well, I guess we tried. For now, how about we focus on Rafael’s journals?”

Everyone disburses to the library and begins to sort through the files.

My hand continues to wander to the Siphon necklace around my neck every once in a while. Lucifer and I agreed that it’s best if I keep it on until we find a solution. I’m glad that I did, too, since I could feel Apolliana try to break through my barriers several times throughout the day. She was especially prominently banging through my mental walls when I had visions of my sisters. Somehow, the necklace is weakening her powers, but I know that it would be for long. I can feel that necklace’s tenuous hold weakening by the moment. I just hope that it lasts until we find a solution.

As the evening progresses, I become more comfortable with Rafael. He’s a Little broody, but in a sweet way that tells me, he’s coming out of his shell.

Michael seems more preoccupied, which I think might have more to do with his worry for his mate. Lucifer is, well, he’s Lucifer. Unlike the others, he’s slumped on a chair, turning pages without a care as he caresses his other across my shoulder. My body heats as I take in his sinewy frame carelessly strewn across the cushioned chair.

He must notice my stare because he looks at me and gives me a knowing smile.

Smiling back, I rise from my chair and mutter, “I’m going to take a break. I feel like every word in these books is blending into one big ball of gibberish.”

Lucifer closes his book, stands next to me and huskily mutters. “I’ll join you, luv.”

Michael and Rafael snicker at his sensual tone, making me flush with embarrassment. However, I don’t argue as I let him lead me out of the room.

I follow him up the stairs and smile when he leads me to a nearby bedroom. The door barely closes behind us before he’s pushing me against it and crushing his lips against mine. My hands instantly go to his shirt and push it up. Lucifer slips it off and rests my hands across his chest with a groan. “Touch me all over, luv. I love having your hands on me.”

As I slide my hands up his chest, I lean close and lay kisses across his firm pec and neck. His hands move down to my jeans and lower my zipper while he buries his head between my neck, Licking and sucking the sensitive skin. Within moments, we’re both naked and hungrily kissing any skin we can reach. Lucifer falls to his knees and opens my legs with a growl. Closing my eyes, I let my head fall against the door as he drags his tongue across my folds. I moan as he spins me around and rests my leg on a nearby footstool. His lips sear my molten core as his tongue dances over my clit. “You taste so sweet,” he mutters with a swipe across my throbbing bud. Mewls of pleasure escape my lips as his tongue swirls and strokes my clit before he plunges into my tight sheath. His palms grip my ass cheeks tightly, and a growl escapes his lips with every swipe of his tongue against my pleasure center. My cries of bliss resound against the room as I grind myself against his delicious strokes. I shiver and whimper as he teases my bud until I’m quivering. Breathing harshly, I bite my lip as my climax rapidly approaches. The sinful feeling roars through my core when he sucks my clit into his mouth and glides his tongue against me until I completely fall into a blissful orgasm.

Chest heaving, I melt into the door, my hands clawing the hard surface. Lucifer lays gentle licks and kisses against my core, ass and back as he rises and unzips his jeans. His hard shaft plunges inside of me a second later, making me cry out with pleasure as he fills me to the brim. I moan eagerly and push back as his strokes hit every pleasurable nerve inside of my needy core. My walls cling to his thick shaft as his thrusts speed up into a blissful rhythm. I never knew that sex could be so all-consuming. The heat in my body sizzles with every push of his cock inside me. My sheath quivers as his crown pushes against my g-spot until my eyes are rolling to the back of my head. Lucifer gasps and groans as he lengthens his strokes and pushes my head to his, and slams his lips against mine. A light sheen of sweat coats our bodies, and our tongues duel, mirroring the movements of his shaft inside my molten walls.

I’m mindless with pleasure as a second orgasm erupts inside my belly. My sheath pulses and quivers around his hard cock until he stiffens with a groan and empties his essence inside of my body.

Breathing raggedly, we both cling together and let ourselves become lost in the after-effects of our blissful release.

After a moment, Lucifer wraps his plan around my neck, pulls my head back and whispers, “You’re so beautiful, luv.”

I smile as I wrap my other arm around his neck and savor being held by him. Lucifer’s hands gently caress down my neck and breasts as he cuddles me close and leads me to his bed. “We should probably get back to Rafael and Michael,” I mutter half-heartedly.

Lucifer shakes his head, “They can wait a couple of minutes more. Right now, I want to hold my mate.”

I smile as he carries me to the bed. I’ve never felt so happy in my life as I do at that moment, and I know why. As I look at my lover’s profile, I can’t help but feel my heart stutter with emotion. “Lucifer,” I whisper huskily.

Lucifer arches a brow, “What is it, luv?”

I swallow hard, feeling my mouth go dry, “Do…do you care about me?” I ask hesitantly

Lucifer’s lip quirks, “Of course I do,” he mutters. “You’re my mate.”

My mood instantly dives at his congenial tone. I know that I should have been clearer with my question, but I’m scared of laying myself bare without reassurance. Jaw tight, I tuck my head beneath his chin. Emotion clogs my throat, but I tamp it down. I want to tell him how much I love him so badly. However, I’m scared that he’ll rebuff me, so I remain silent. I never thought I’d be in such a situation, which is made harder by the fact that he has so much more experience.

“Are you alright, luv?” he lifts my chin up and meets my eyes.

I nod my head, “Uh-huh…” I reply vaguely.

Before he can call me out for lying, I pull him to me and kiss him. He’s stiff for a moment until he lets himself go and drowns in our kiss.

As we make love, I try not to let my doubts overwhelm me. I figure I’ll just enjoy it while it lasts.

When we appear an hour later, Rafael and Michael give us a knowing smirk. I can’t feel bad about it, though. Not when I have the most amazing man holding me close.