Chapter 26 #2
I rolled my eyes. The walkways weren’t narrow by any means, but they had no guardrails.
I imagined that if the Devil wanted us in that lava pit, he could make the bridges tip right over so we would slide in.
It was best to comply with him, to humor him, since he would do whatever he wanted to in his realm anyway.
“And to what do I owe this unexpected visit?” Lucifer asked as soon as we’d crossed the pit and stood mere feet away from him.
I exchanged a look with Freya.
“He clearly wants his soul, Father,” Abigail said, huffing, as if that should be obvious. “He met your terms. His side of the contract is now complete.”
“Is it, now?” Lucifer asked, watching me closely. “Did you not interfere with Erik? Or was that some other rash, handsome witch who tried to free Augustus?”
It didn’t escape me that he’d called me rash, a term I would have applied to Auggie as of late.
I bet Auggie would be proud that I’d earned the descriptor for turning on the Devil.
I straightened, trying not to get distracted.
“We’re here because trouble is brewing, and it’s headed your way.
In fact, it just made a pile of mush out of Samuel.
If he’s reached the bottom of the staircase by now, that is. ”
“Oh?” Lucifer sounded intrigued. “I do love a good spot of trouble.”
“I doubt you’ll like this.”
“But the matter of Callum’s soul,” Abigail interrupted. “He’s earned it back fair and square.”
As much as I appreciated Abigail’s insistence, her father was correct. “I’m afraid I did try to liberate my charge after delivering him to the address. That’s one of the reasons I’m here.”
Abigail smiled politely, as if she was speaking to a child and didn’t look like one herself. “You fulfilled your end of your bargain the moment you delivered Augustus to the address. What happened afterward was of no consequence, at least not in terms of the deal you struck.”
Lucifer appeared livid, his face flashing for a moment as I’d seen previously, presenting a rotting visage with hot coals for eyes, before his youthful, handsome face returned.
He smiled tightly. “Daughter, you have some things to learn about negotiating. Remind me to teach you them in a way you will not soon forget.”
Abigail smiled back at him, showing off her teeth. “I believe we will all learn lessons today. But first, Callum’s soul?”
Lucifer sighed heavily, looking at me with regret.
He lifted a hand and waved it, a book appearing before him, floating in the air.
The pages flipped open, pausing on a page somewhere toward the end.
Lucifer reached out and yanked the page out, holding it up for me to see my contract with him.
I’d signed that horrid thing over a century ago.
And in the blink of an eye, fire rushed up the page, devouring it eagerly and reducing it to ash that slowly fell to the floor.
My heart leapt as I realized that it was done. I was … free. A bark of laughter escaped me.
And then a shimmering butterfly appeared before me, sparkling with radiance. I only caught the shortest glimpse of it before it flew directly into my chest, my body seeming to sigh upon contact. I felt so much lighter all of a sudden. I felt … whole, reunited with my soul.
I turned to Abigail, overcome. “Thank you so much.”
“Oh, don’t thank me just yet.”
I raised an eyebrow at her words.
“Now, what was it you were saying about trouble?” Lucifer asked, examining his nails. “I hope something interesting happens soon.”
I licked my lips, wondering where to begin.
“While I was escorting Auggie to London, there were several attempts by witches to capture him for themselves. The necromancer Ambrosia said that a bounty had been placed on Auggie. Someone wanted him for themselves rather than let your plan succeed. A rival, someone willing to challenge you.”
Lucifer waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, hardly. That was me.”
It took a moment for his words to fully register. They didn’t make sense. “What?”
Freya stiffened beside me as Abigail laughed with delight.
“Why would you …” I was flabbergasted. Just what was he playing at?
Lucifer snorted. “Clearly, I didn’t want to lose such a competent employee. I could just as easily have someone else ensure he made it to Erik in New York. Then, I would retain your services.” He glared at Abigail, who looked all innocence. “And it almost worked too.”
I was shocked by his admission, but it made a certain amount of sense.
Freya crossed her arms. “If that’s true, then why did the Ice Queen hinder Erik? She foiled his plot completely. Isn’t he a client of yours?”
Lucifer sobered quickly. “The Ice Queen. Yes, Erik said he was having trouble with the witch.”
“More than mere trouble,” I corrected him. “She succeeded. Erik is dead and she’s on her way to take over your kingdom now.”
Lucifer frowned at me. “What’s this?”
Freya took a step closer to him. “She just killed Samuel and is freezing over Hell at this very moment. It’s only a matter of time before she comes for you. She’s powerful now, more powerful than ever.”
“And in the service of someone,” I said. “A true rival. I thought it was the same person who’d put the bounty on Auggie’s head. Apparently, I was wrong about that. But it stands that you are in danger.”
As if on cue, a thundering crash boomed behind us, and the doors to the throne room were thrown wide. A chill beat back the humidity of the room, tamed with ease as frost danced across the floor.
The Ice Queen appeared in all her glory, beaming. Vapor rolled from her in waves, she was so cold. “Oh, my. I wasn’t expecting such a reception,” she said. She put a hand to her chest. “Now, I think it’s about time for another Ice Age, wouldn’t you agree?”