Chapter 21 Lucifer
LUCIFER
“I’m meeting another demon today to see if he’ll support me,” Luc said as Dex finished the last of his coffee. “Would you like to come with me?”
Dex set his cup aside. “Now?”
Luc pulled out his phone. “Yes. Onyx confirmed he’s ready to see us.”
Dex hesitated, readjusting the positioning of his cup. “You want me to come?”
“More than anything.” Luc captured Dex’s nervous hand. “Your support means the world, but if you don’t want to meet more demons, especially ones who hate me, then I understand.”
“You’re going to ask someone who hates you to help?”
Luc shrugged. “If I didn’t, I’d have no potential allies.”
Dex’s face fell. “Doesn’t being hated bother you?”
Luc opened his mouth to deny it, but his mate deserved the more complicated truth.
“Yes, it bothers me deeply, but I can’t think about the love I lost or how I turned everyone against me without getting sucked into a very dark place.
I can’t dwell on it if I want to do anything about it, and if I don’t do anything, it will always be this way. ”
Dex’s hand tightened in his. “I’ll come with you.”
Luc raised Dex’s hand and kissed his knuckles, taking great pleasure in the flush darkening Dex’s cheeks.
He led Dex back to his loft, where they could take off from the roof.
Luc hadn’t dared hope he’d have not one, but two people on his side, supporting him after everything. Onyx might grumble every step of the way, but Luc wasn’t as afraid he would change his mind anymore. Onyx’s fierce affection hadn’t gone anywhere, even when Luc had trampled all over it.
And his mate. Dex’s belief that he was redeemable pushed him to new heights.
He wanted to be everything Dex saw in him.
He could be good and loving, a positive force like he’d envisioned himself to be when he first had the idea to fall.
An idea that hadn’t been as horribly flawed as he’d believed for the past thousand years.
He hadn’t been wrong to flee a controlling society.
Luc had questioned many things in his life. Challenging authority had always been a point of pride. But he’d never questioned the fundamental facts defining his world.
Dex’s fresh eyes had opened Luc to new truths. Pulled back blinders that Luc’s mind hadn’t even conceived of. Luc would change the realms for Dex, but he couldn’t have done it without him.
Magic had always existed on Earth. Mortality and mystical forces had always been combined. The fabric of the universe had never been binary. It wasn’t some delicate balance that needed to be guarded. Something that Luc could ruin. Why couldn’t beings exist in many forms on a spectrum of life?
“Thank you.” Luc cupped Dex’s cheeks. Wind swirled around them on the exposed rooftop, wrapping them in scents of earth and fire.
Dex’s brow quirked. “For coming with you? No problem.”
“Not only that.” Luc’s fingers tightened. His fire swelled, chest tightening and eyes burning, but not with flame. Luc blinked, and a tear fell hot down his cheek. “For showing me the truth.”
Dex gripped Luc’s sweater, tugging him closer. “What truth? That magic was always here?”
“Yes.” The tension in Luc’s chest released, and a lightness radiated outward, filling him with intense relief.
“For millennia, I believed I’d led the way to destroying the sacred balance of the universe.
It was one of my greatest mistakes. The one that triggered all my other deepest regrets.
The one that proved I was wrong to fall.
That I was wrong at my core. But it wasn’t a mistake.
I couldn’t have destroyed a sacred balance that doesn’t exist. Coming to Earth wasn’t inherently wrong.
The rise of witches wasn’t a blight on humanity.
You called this a richer, more diverse world. ”
“It is.” Dex’s determination could have taken Luc to his knees.
He stood strong for his mate. “That’s the truth you showed me. The explanation of the realms I was raised with is just that, an explanation, not an inherent or irrefutable fact. I didn’t ruin something that can never be fixed. I’m not worthless.”
A heavy weight lifted from Luc and crumbled into dust. He wasn’t suddenly perfect, all his actions excused, but the guilt that had poisoned so much was gone, and without it, Luc could see a path to redemption.
He could make up for all of his real mistakes. Atone and humble himself to the people he’d wronged. And one day, he might be free of it all. Nothing had been so deeply destroyed that he couldn’t try to undo it.
Dex embraced him, and he buried his face in Dex’s hair. “You’re not worthless, Luc. You never should have believed that breaking the Eternal Realm’s rules made you less than.”
“No,” he agreed. He shouldn’t have.
Luc had still done bad things and gone against his own morals. But he would never act like that again. Nothing was ever so ruined that you should stop trying to be better. And it was never too late.
Luc landed on Onyx’s roof, with Dex cradled in his arms.
Onyx tapped his foot, arms crossed, and scowling, but his pissy look cracked as Luc set Dex on his feet. “You didn’t say you were bringing anyone.”
“I’m not bringing anyone. I brought my mate.”
Onyx’s eyes widened. “You told him?”
“I’m right here.” Dex gave a breathy little laugh. “I guess that answers my question of whether everyone knew.”
Onyx turned to Nico, who waited patiently beside him, a smile breaking out on his face.
Luc’s heart constricted. Onyx was happy for him, overjoyed even.
A silent conversation seemed to pass between Onyx and Nico, and when their attention landed back on Luc, they were both grinning.
“I can change the name of the group chat back.” Onyx dug his phone out of his pocket.
Nico laughed. “That’s your first priority?”
“Shut up,” Onyx muttered without malice.
Luc didn’t ask.
“How are you feeling?” Nico asked Dex.
“Good.” Dex shifted closer to Luc, Nico’s attention following the movement.
“You’re bringing Dex to help?”
“Obviously.” Luc wrapped his arm around his mate. “Dex’s insight is key.”
Nico gave a small nod as if he approved, and Luc found it encouraging rather than an irritating reminder of judgment, as he might have before.
“Done.” Onyx pocketed his phone and flung himself on Dex, hugging him tight. “Welcome to the mate club.”
A surprised laugh burst from Dex, and he hugged Onyx back.
Luc’s cheeks ached from smiling so hard. Onyx may have never longed for his mate the way he had, but he clearly loved everyone’s mates as much as he loved his brothers.
They parted, and Onyx narrowed his eyes at Luc, a petulant growl filling the air. Then, like something snapped, Onyx flung himself on Luc and wrapped him in a crushing hug. If he’d been human, Luc would have popped.
“Stupid, miserable brother,” Onyx growled. “You better be happy.”
Luc ruffled Onyx’s hair, and his growl turned to a snarl. He lurched back, fixing his hair, his eyes burning.
Luc shook his head, warm fuzzy tendrils enveloping him. “Love you, brother.”
Onyx’s face softened, color creeping into his cheeks. He sniffed, his nose lifting. “You better. Let’s get going. Nico…” He turned and grabbed his mate, pulling him close before scooping the bigger man into his arms.
The warm fuzzies continued to spread. Onyx’s hug—his love—was a gift Luc hadn’t believed he’d receive again.
He gathered Dex into his arms, and they flew across the city. Luc could face any task with these men at his side.
“Didn’t think I’d ever be back here,” Luc said as he landed beside Onyx in a familiar courtyard.
“Right?” Onyx set Nico on his feet. “Seems rude to ask us to meet at the place he held us captive.”
“Captive?” Dex gripped Luc’s arm.
“Don’t worry. Valac agreed to a truce. We’re safe.” He wouldn’t have brought Dex otherwise.
Not that Luc had spoken directly to the demon who’d planned to permanently kill him. Onyx had arranged this, but Luc trusted Onyx with his life. And his mate’s. Onyx was good to his core and wanted this to work out as much as Luc did.
His love ran deep, and Luc wished he’d never taken it for granted or taken advantage of it.
Luc looked around. The courtyard was deserted, as bare as he remembered, nothing but dirt and drab buildings on all sides.
A door to the right opened, and Valac strolled out, his white wings folded at his back, and gray horns standing tall. The demon, Isaac, followed close behind. He’d helped Valac imprison Luc and Onyx. The others in their gang were absent, at least for now.
Dex pressed close to his side, and Luc settled his hand on his mate’s lower back.
Valac stopped squarely in front of Luc, his arms crossed. “I hadn’t planned to take this meeting.”
Luc swallowed a cutting retort. “I appreciate you changing your mind.”
Valac rolled his eyes. “That’s got nothing to do with you.”
Onyx sighed like he’d had enough a century ago. “Yes, yes. Animosity is running high. We’re all well aware that none of us are friends. Can we move on?”
Valac grunted. “Fine. But only because doing the right thing is more important than anyone’s personal feelings.”
Luc cut a look at Onyx. He’d said he’d kept the details of their plan quiet when contacting Valac. How did Valac know how important their quest was?
“I was suspicious when I heard you wanted to meet,” Valac went on. “Surely you weren’t trying to rally supporters so soon after claiming you weren’t after power. And you wouldn’t come to me with any bullshit. This stunk of a trap.”
Couldn’t he see it wasn’t a trap now that they were here? “This isn’t a trick of any kind. I can explain.”
“Yeah.” Onyx rushed to Luc’s defense. “I’d have given you more information if you’d asked.”
“Would you?” Valac cocked his head. “It doesn’t matter. I doubt you’d have brought your mate to anything that might go wrong.” His gaze strayed to Nico, then to Dex. “Who’s the human?”
Luc swallowed a growl, his hand flexing on Dex’s back. It wouldn’t do to snarl and egg Valac on. He said calmly, “Don’t be rude. Humans aren’t beneath us.”
Valac’s lips parted as if in shock. “My apologies.” He tipped his head to Dex. “I didn’t expect any humans to be in on this, that’s all I meant.”
“I’m surprised as well.”
Luc had been so focused on the demon in front of him, he hadn’t noticed anyone else enter the courtyard.
Rowan strode toward them, the same three companions he’d kept close in their previous meeting at his heel. The vampire went straight for Nico, and the two embraced.
“What are you doing here?” Nico asked.
“Valac called to warn me that Lucifer was up to something, and I said I had a good idea of what it was.”
Luc hadn’t heard anything from Rowan or his coven. If he’d decided against helping, convincing Valac would be more of a challenge.
“You could have told me,” Nico chided.
Rowan huffed. “Where’s the fun in that?” He turned his attention to Luc. “I’m in. The four of us”—he gestured to his companions—“will go with you to the gateway, but no one else from my coven is permitted. I won’t risk them.”
Luc bowed his head. “I understand. Your support is no small offer.”
“No, it’s not. But this is too big to ignore. I can’t pass this by and claim I stand for what’s right.” The vampire’s impeccable posture became even straighter, his hand smoothing the front of his pristine suit.
“So you already know what we’re planning?” Onyx asked Valac and Isaac.
They nodded, though Valac added. “I’m not sure I believe it.”
“Why?” Dex asked, and all eyes turned to him.
“Rotten people don’t do good deeds.”
“He’s not rotten.” Dex’s voice didn’t waver, and pride filled Luc to the brim.
Pity transformed Valac’s stern face. “Do you even know who you’re standing beside?”
Dex wrapped an arm around Luc. “My mate.”
Valac’s eyes narrowed. “Is that supposed to sway me?”
Luc tensed. He was so tired. He’d schemed for so damn long and would be happy never to do it again.
“I’m not here to sway anyone, and neither is Dex.
You don’t have to help, Valac. I’d like to show that demons support everyone’s right to enter the Eternal Realm, but it’s more important to have vampires and witches make a stand.
We’re doing this for them and for our mates, and because we want to. ”
“I believe witches and vampires should enter the Eternal Realm,” Valac said, like he was offended Luc might think otherwise.
“Gee, thanks,” Nico said.
There was a tense moment of silence, where Valac looked distinctly guilty.
Rowan prowled forward, challenge hardening his features as he fixed a glowing stare on Valac. “Will you join us, or are old grudges too strong?”
Valac growled. “I told you, I stand for what’s right. Same as you. But I don’t believe the Devil does.” He jabbed a finger at Luc.
“Then let him prove it,” Dex said.