Dance of Wings (Curse of the Guardians #7)

42. Lucifer

Chapter 42

Lucifer

“ H oney, I’m home!” he called, loving how his brothers tensed as if to attack before realising it was just him. “Sorry about not calling. The signal in Hell was atrocious.”

Kace jumped, his body bursting into light before his beast appeared on all fours. Scarlet immediately stepped in front, holding out her knife as if that little thing could stop him.

Honestly, it was a little cute.

Kace’s beast snapped his teeth in warning before Riley appeared to pull him back by his scruff. It wasn’t long before Kace re-appeared, naked as the day he was born and cursing like a sailor.

“What the fuck?” Xander pulled Lucifer into a hug, but was quickly released only to be grabbed by Sythe.

“You want to tell us how you planned to kill yourself this entire time?”

“You’re so dramatic,” he grumbled before being grabbed by Axel next.

“Glad to have you back,” he said. “The place has been too quiet without you.”

“Yeah, it’s called peace.” Titus raised his brow towards Scarlet.

“Guys, give us a minute.” He waited until his brothers had given them some privacy before returning his attention to Scarlet.

He could sense her nervousness, despite her expression being so cold she represented a porcelain doll. She still gripped the dagger like a lifeline, her body protectively close to his.

She was going to fit in perfectly.

Scarlet stood stiff, and following her line of sight he found Kyle. “Glare at him again like that, and I’ll get jealous,” he whispered against her ear.

She pursed her lips, turning slightly to face him. “You’re delusional.”

“Always.” He pulled her into a kiss, catching her gasp. It was quick, and a blatant claim to everyone in the room. He pulled back, only to find her glaring at him. Which was exactly what he’d wanted.

“Hey baby,” Ruhne purred, appearing in a burst of glitter between them. He hovered in front of Scarlet, hands on his hips. “I hope you know CPR, because you’ve just taken my breath away.” Looking over his shoulder he looked at Sam, who gave him a thumbs up.

“Hi,” Scar said, clearly unsure how to handle the horny pixie.

Lucifer swatted him away. “Mine,” he growled.

“What?” Ruhne said, shrugging. “I don’t see a ring on her finger.” He grinned at Lucifer’s next swipe, leaving a wake of glitter as he returned to where Sam, Eva and Hunter sat.

Lucifer reached for her arm, gently brushing his fingers along the skin to make sure she was okay. Her eyes snapped to his, and after a second her shoulders relaxed.

“You ready for this?” she whispered, anxiously looking towards his brothers.

“My love, I was born ready.”

The Vault had been cleared of all seating, the cages opening up to display a selection of weapons and explosives. The beginnings of the circle had already been carved into the floor, Kyra arguing with Kyle over the shape while Alice watched on with a frown.

“Go, I’ll be okay,” she said, pushing him towards his brothers.

“I’m not happy with this plan,” Kace growled, tossing a homemade grenade between his hands as if it were a ball. “You said only one syphon. Not fucking four.”

“Hey, did you add glitter to that?” Lucifer went to grab it, only for Kace to swat his hand away. “How mad was Hudson when I suggested using the Vault to summon a homicidal Daemon?”

“We’re not letting you do this,” Axel snapped, waving down Riley. “Ri, tell him he can’t do this.”

“This is my fucking choice,” Lucifer growled. “Daemons are already against the natural rule of balance. We’re not supposed to exist, and now Gideon fucked all over that and evolved far beyond anyone thought capable. It’s now or never.”

“The power’s going to kill you,” Sythe added, crossing his arms. “There has to be another way.”

“We’re out of time and we’ve already discussed this,” Riley said, walking up behind. He held an aura of control, his beast prowling behind his irises. It would usually settle his brothers, Riley the Alpha amongst the beasts. But today, they all seemed on edge. “It will work.”

“It will work,” Lucifer repeated, sharing a look with Riley. An understanding passed between them, one that eased the weight on his chest enough that he could draw in a steady breath. “Just so we’re all on the same page,” he said, addressing his brothers. “I don’t plan on dying, not when I have so much to live for.”

He found himself searching for Scar, finding her talking softly with Faye and Leo.

“Does your girl know what you’re planning?” Jax jerked his head towards her.

Scarlet turned then, seemingly as drawn to him as he was to her. “She’s a fighter,” Lucifer said. “She knows what I have to do.”

What he has to risk.

Her eyes moved from his to his brothers, and turning, Lucifer found they’d all fallen to their knees. As one they placed their right hands on the centre of their chests before bowing their heads.

“What the fuck are you doing?” he asked, realising they’d moved themselves into a circle surrounding him.

It was Riley who spoke, the voice of them all. “Your mate has chosen a worthy warrior. Whatever happens, she will always have family amongst us.”

Lucifer felt heat against his cheeks, his throat suddenly dry.

“You may not have a beast, but you are our brother, and we will fight with you to the end.”

“I swear if you make me cry, I’ll save Gideon the job and kill you all now.” Reaching for Riley, Lucifer clasped his hand and pulled him onto his feet. “Just think, it wasn’t that long ago when you all tried to eat me.”

There was a collective groan, followed by a few slaps on the back.

“Good choice with choosing the Vault,” Riley said. “The walls are reinforced steel. It won’t stop him, but it should definitely slow him down.”

“See? I know what I’m doing.” Probably. “Hey, have you seen Blaze?” He was the only person missing, and he was kind of important to the plan.

“He’s sulking in Hudson’s office,” Riley said. “So it’s only a matter of time until everything is set up.”

Lucifer nodded, finding his attention drawn back to Scarlet.

“Go, we’ll let you know when everything is ready. Spend some time with your new mate.”

“Yeah, thanks,” he said absently, not giving Riley much attention. Forcing his eyes away from her, he waved over at Jax. “Can you come have a look at something for me?” he asked, his voice low.

His brother nodded, following him across the room to where Scar was. She eyed them with a little bit of frost, but luckily that was more towards Jax.

“Can J look at your wings?” he asked, ignoring Jax’s frown. “He won’t hurt you, scouts honour.”

Scarlet stilled, the frost melting slightly. With a gentle nod she turned, and Jax let out a growl.

“What the fuck?” He went to touch, but as soon as his fingers brushed the gold that was twisted around her wing anchors Scarlet hissed out in pain.

Lucifer pulled his brother back. “Scar?”

“It burns,” she said. “Whenever someone touches it, it feels like my nerves are on fire.”

“Everyone? Or just me?” Jax asked, looking towards Lucifer.

He hesitated, waiting for Scarlet to nod her consent before he brushed his fingers across the metal.

“Everyone,” she confirmed. “Kit said Cassiel enchanted it.”

Jax swore low under his breath. “If we try to remove the wiring without breaking the enchantment, we could risk damaging her wings permanently.”

“You seen anything like this before?” Lucifer asked.

Jax tilted his head, brows drawn together in thought.

Scarlet angled herself away. “It doesn’t matter, because my wings aren’t a priority right now.”

“Your wings are important, angel.”

“Not compared to you.” She lifted her chin, and he wanted to kiss her all over again. “They can’t be damaged if I keep them tight. I’m luckier than others because I’ve retained them, rather than become Fallen.”

“She’s right,” Jax said, not flinching at Lucifer’s growl. “We need to concentrate on Gideon. Afterwards, we’ll figure out how to release your wings.”

“Thank you,” she said, and Lucifer was surprised with how quickly he wanted to punch Jax in the face just so she’d stop looking at him. Which was ridiculous because Jax was already mated to Thea, and Scarlet was his.

Luckily his brother stepped away, taking with him the sudden need for violence.

“So, my family is a lot to get used to,” he said, feeling like he was vibrating. His family meant everything, and her meeting them just solidified that he wasn’t going to let her go.

Scarlet didn’t smile, but her soul beamed with light against his own. “That’s because they care.”

Lucifer brushed his thumb across her cheek. “Yeah, they do. I’m grateful that they have my back, even for the short time I’ve had them.”

“They’re lucky to have you,” she said, her voice quiet as she watched them.

Lucifer just stood, taking in the room. His brothers may be a bunch of rejects, a family chosen rather than born. But they were his rejects. “No one has ever said that to me before.”

“Doesn’t make it any less true.”

The room had become hushed, the tension palpable.

Riley stood behind Alice, his hand on her hip as they shared a quiet moment while Xander watched Kyra finish the circle, his gaze possessive. Kace had prowled to where Eva sat with Hunter, and from the way Eva’s fangs peeked from between her lips Lucy was sure he’d sneak her off before showtime for one last feed.

“What do you see?” he asked Scarlet.

“Love.” Scar licked her bottom lip, and his eyes were drawn to the movement. “We don’t really have this type of love in Aetherna.”

Sam’s laughter broke through the quiet, his head thrown back as he wrapped his arms around a smirking Axel. Rae and Titus stood beside them, clearly involved in the joke.

Sythe and Harper were in the corner, her blush evident even from a distance, and then there was Jax, who stood with his eyes solely on Thea as she animatedly moved around him.

“We don’t mate, we simply marry, and even then it’s not for love,” she continued.

“How sad, and very unsexy.”

Scarlet laughed, just a gentle puff of air. “You could say that.”

“Is that what you want?” he asked, turning to study her profile. “To love?”

“Isn’t that what everyone wants?” She turned then, her blue eyes meeting his with a calmness that washed over him. Tension no longer tightened her shoulders, embracing the carnage that surrounded them.

It only emphasised how little time they had left.

He held out his hand, waiting for her to take it. “Can I show you something?”

SCARLET

“Why are we here?” she asked, the wind rustling through her feathers. She peered over the edge at the blue clock face. “You should be with your brothers.”

“Maybe I have someone else I want to be with.” Lucifer stood to the side, watching her from the corner of his eye. “I wanted to show you my favourite view of London.”

“It’s beautiful.” Even as black marked the distance, evidence of Gideon’s damage as well as grey plumes of smoke darkening the sky.

“So, what are your plans after? To go home?”

“Aetherna isn’t my home anymore.” It hadn’t really been her home in a long time.

“Well, maybe you can find one here?”

Scarlet wanted to smile, realising that was why he’d brought her back here. To show her his city that was as beautiful as it was in the day, as it was at night.

“You don’t have to do this, you know,” he said. “I’d understand if you just wanted to leave.”

“I know.” She hadn’t planned to stay, but Lucifer was making it harder for her to want to leave. “But we’re partners, remember?”

He smirked, his head dipping towards hers. “Just think, if I die, you get your soul back.”

“You’re not funny.” She wanted to stab him.

“What? I can keep it if you prefer?” he purred. “I wasn’t planning on giving it back anyway.”

She settled on smacking him in the chest, which only made him laugh.

“It’s mine, even if Gideon falls and you managed to get it back, I plan on tricking you out of it again.”

Scar fought her smile, not wanting to encourage him. She’d never met anyone quite like Lucifer before. His energy was unmatched, like a dark, energetic puppy that was prone to biting. He used his sense of humour as a shield, but there was more to him than what he presented, layers she’d want to explore in another life.

Which was ridiculous, because maybe she could explore him in this life.

“Let’s make a deal,” she said, turning to face him fully.

“Has no one ever told you never to make a deal with a Daemon?” he teased, reaching over to pull her against him. She went without protest, sinking into his warmth. “Fine, I’ll play your game. If I die, you get your soul back. But if I survive, I get to take you on another date.”

“Am I not supposed to state the terms?” She refused to even acknowledge the death part. “Fine, we’ll have it your way. But if you survive, I want to dance with you in the way of celestrials.”

His expression brightened. “Is that you admitting you like me?”

“Is that a deal?” she laughed as his head dipped closer, the tension between them tightening into a perfect moment.

But it wasn’t enough. She wanted him closer. Needed him closer.

This was the same man that had cuddled her as she’d cried, a man who went out of his way to ensure she was okay while suffering himself. He wasn’t the monster others believed him to be.

Or even how he perceived himself.

He was worth love.

Lucifer pulled back an inch, trailing his lips across her jaw before moving to kiss and suck on her neck. “Mine.”

Heat burned behind her ribs. “Lucifer…” she moaned even as the bell chimed loudly. The floor beneath their feet vibrated, and she forced his lips back to hers with a sharp tug of his hair.

He’d once told her to live in the moment.

And that moment was always going to be with him.

“Step away from him, Scar,” a familiar voice warned.

Scarlet jerked back, her hand reaching for a bow that wasn’t there. Nahal stood at the other side, a large sword clutched in his fist. He was dressed as an officer, with his golden armour and wings held neatly to his back.

“Archangel Cassiel has asked for your return.”

“Cassiel can go fuck himself,” Lucifer growled, turning his body so he stood slightly in front. “Where is that snivelling cunt?”

She stepped to the side instead, and red flashed in her peripheral. Lucifer noticed, turning with a snarl as Zaph descended with his own sword drawn.

“Wait!” she screamed, but it was too late. The sword hit down, aiming for Lucifer who’d pushed her to the side, only for her foot to slip and fall off the edge.

The wind bit at her, tangling her limbs as she twisted and turned with the force. She automatically opened her wings, the pain radiating along her spine as she met resistance. The earth was growing bigger, plummeting at speed which only slowed down by the little expansion of her feathers.

“I’ve got you.” Lucifer wrapped his arms around her, and she immediately attached herself to his neck.

“My wings,” she whispered, gritting her teeth. She’d felt the metal slice into her muscles, pushed by the force of her weight as she fell.

Lucifer growled, his expression black when he drifted back onto the ledge and faced the two celestrials. “You’re fucking dead.”

“Wait!” Scarlet snapped, pushing through the pain that threatened to take her to her knees. “That’s enough.”

It was Zaph who responded. “If you return without protest, Cassiel said he will forgive your insubordination.”

Arcane ignited up Lucifer’s arms, the flames threatening.

She gently placed her hand on his chest. “Don’t.”

Lucifer was rigid beneath her palm, but he didn’t move as she explained exactly what Cassiel had done. Heat dripped down her back, but she ignored it, knowing there wasn’t anything she could do.

“I’ll never go back, and if you value your wings, or your life, I suggest you don’t either unless you want to become like Aeron, and all the other officers he’s mutilated.”

Zaph and Nahal shared a look.

“Decide your loyalty before I kill you for hurting my mate,” Lucifer snarled.

Mate.

It was something she’d never wanted, because with it came with expectations she’d fought so hard against. But Lucifer wasn’t a celestrial male who thought she was beneath him.

He treated her as an equal.

Nahal was the first to drop his sword, and after a pause, so did Zaph.

Lucifer didn’t relax, but he didn’t make a move to attack, either. “Where’s Cassiel?”

“We don’t know,” Zaph answered.

“But if you want him,” Nahal added. “We can find him.”