Chapter 29 Onyx #2
Onyx caught Nico’s eye. They couldn’t do that. They had to resolve this, not act like the enemies Valac accused them of being. Nico’s understanding radiated through their connection, even though they couldn’t share precise thoughts. He seemed determined to see an end to this, too.
Before Onyx could speak, Luc shouted, “They won’t imprison you. That’s what I’ve been trying to say.”
Everyone’s attention zeroed in on the Devil. Luc’s spine straightened, and his captors jostled him into a tighter hold.
“Onyx, Ash, and Dante never wanted to imprison anyone. They didn’t believe banning demons from Earth served any purpose. I forced them to go along with my plan by stealing pieces of their magic.”
“What?” Maxwell staggered back, eyes wide.
Pamala covered her mouth, her yellow wings ruffling. “Stealing magic is unheard of.”
Luc grimaced. “I used our combined power to create the seal around the Realm of the Damned. I couldn’t have done it on my own, but I had no voluntary supporters.”
“So what?” Valac snarled. “You still did it, and now you’ll pay.”
The two holding Luc rumbled their agreement, eyes glowing.
Onyx lunged toward Luc, pulling Nico with him. “Not with his life. Please.”
Valac clenched his fists. “Why not? He’s admitted to violating you—his most loyal friends—and stealing pieces of your very being. Why do you care what happens to him?”
How could Onyx not care? His soul cracked. Compassion flooded the bond, and Nico squeezed his hand. How could he get Valac to understand?
“It’s a crime to kill an Eternal being,” Dante reminded everyone. “You risk the council’s wrath if you go through with this, and they are never forgiving.”
The first shadow of doubt crossed Valac’s face. “They’ve washed their hands of us.”
“Have they?” Dante cocked his head. “I wouldn’t bet my life on it, though I’ve been tempted. I know what it’s like to want to kill Lucifer. But nothing is worth forfeiting my own existence.”
Valac blinked in surprise. “You were going to kill Lucifer?”
“Yes. In a fit of rage, before Onyx reminded me of the reality.”
Valac hesitated.
Counting on the council’s retaliation wasn’t enough. They had to resolve this between themselves, or one day, they might find themselves back here again.
Onyx fixed Valac with a fiery stare. “Luc gave me my magic back.”
“So?” he sneered.
Onyx narrowed his eyes. “So, genius, how can he reimprison anyone in Hell without it?”
Valac opened his mouth and faltered. “Th-there isn’t enough power without yours?”
“Onyx is right,” Luc said desperately, “and what’s more, I’ll give Ash and Dante their magic back too. Take this collar off, and I’ll do it now, in front of you as witnesses. It will be impossible to reimprison anyone in Hell once their power is restored. You’ll be utterly free. Forever.”
Lucifer’s captors’ grips slackened, and he broke free, stumbling forward.
The air grew tense. Onyx pulled Nico close. He never dreamed Luc would give away such an advantage. Fuck, he may have changed after all.
“You could be lying,” Valac countered. “Without the collar, you might attack. Maybe giving Onyx’s power back still leaves you with enough to rebuild.”
Luc clenched his teeth, his lip curling. “I’m not lying. How can I ever prove it’s the truth if I’m not given the chance?”
“You’ve had an awful lot of chances,” Ren pointed out. Fuck, she was fierce. Onyx liked her more each time he saw her.
Luc glared at her. “I won’t attack. I’ll give the remainder of the stolen magic back, and I will never be able to re-steal it. This will end here and now.”
Nico huffed. “How can we be sure you won’t go back on your word?”
Luc turned toward Onyx’s mate, and a growl ripped from Onyx’s throat.
“To steal my brothers’ magic, I had to be close to them.
And I don’t mean in proximity. You can’t take magic with a spell.
Magic is part of who we are, our essence.
To even touch their magic, I had to be held within their hearts.
I don’t harbor any delusions that I’ll ever be that close to them, or anyone, ever again. ”
Heavy silence fell on the courtyard. The raw devastation in Luc’s words scraped over Onyx’s skin and sent shivers coursing through him.
Luc’s admission was heartbreaking, and the fact that his loss was self-inflicted came as no comfort.
Ash pulled Valac to his feet. “Undo the collar and let him give our magic back. You want guaranteed freedom? This is the only way to do it without tempting your own execution.”
Valac ran a hand through his hair. “Fine.” He gestured to his supporters, who removed the collar.
Luc ran a hand over his neck, his eyes fluttering closed. “Step forward.”
Ash and Dante did so without hesitation.
Onyx gripped Nico tight. No longer able to hold his protective instincts back, he encased his mate in protective fire. No one seemed to notice, all eyes on Lucifer.
Luc raised his hands in front of him. Above the right, a ball of orange power appeared, and above the other, a ball of black shimmering power. Ash and Dante’s essences. Both demons stood stock still, fixated on the glowing orbs.
With a murmur too quiet to hear, Luc sent the power forth, magic shooting toward its owners like lost dogs racing home.
Ash and Dante gasped as their magic collided with their chests. Luc fell to his knees, panting as if in pain. Ash staggered to the side, gasping. Dante caught him and they held each other tight.
No one else in the courtyard moved a muscle.
Dante sputtered, the sound turning into a strangled laugh. “It’s back. My power. Fucking hell, Luc, you’re not a total liar after all.”