Chapter 26
SIMONE
Three days. Three days since my world shattered. Three days since I learned the man I loved—the father of my child—is actually Asmodeus, Archdemon of Lust. Three days of hiding in our bedroom, alternating between sobbing and staring blankly at the ceiling.
I haven't seen him since we returned from the Burning Pits. He’s stayed away, giving me the space I demanded. And while a part of me is relieved, another part feels hollow, like something important is missing.
I've barely left this bed, barely eaten, only moving when I need to use the bathroom. And when I do, each time I catch my reflection, I hardly recognize myself. I look healthier, stronger. And my stomach... I run my hand over the swell. My baby. Our baby.
An archdemon's baby.
“What are you going to be?” I whisper, the first words I've spoken aloud in days.
I force myself to sit up, wincing as my head spins. I need to eat something, for the baby if nothing else. Pushing aside the silk sheets, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and rise unsteadily to my feet.
As I reach for the robe draped over a nearby chair, the silken garment suddenly flies into my outstretched hand.
“Putain de merde!” I stumble backward, dropping the robe like it's hot.
Did I just...? Did I use the ether without even thinking?
Cautiously, I step toward the vanity across the room. My hairbrush lies there, and I extend my hand toward it, focusing intently.
Nothing happens—bien s?r que non. I'm being ridiculous.
Sighing, I pick up the robe and slip it on. As I turn toward the door, I spot a glass of water on the nightstand. I don't remember getting that.
Did he leave it? Has Az been in here while I slept?
A surge of anger rises in my chest at the thought. I told him to give me space!
The water in the glass suddenly boils, erupting into hissing steam that curls up into the air.
I freeze, staring at the empty glass.
“C'est quoi ce bordel?” I whisper, backing away from the nightstand.
The soul bargain. Az—no, Asmodeus—said I would get a portion of his power. I just didn't expect it to manifest so... dramatically.
My heart hammers against my ribs as I look around the room with new eyes. What else can I do? What else did he give me?
I focus on a pillow on the bed, extending my hand toward it. Nothing happens. I concentrate harder, imagining it lifting into the air.
Still nothing.
“Come on,” I mutter, frustration building.
The pillow suddenly launches across the room, smacking into the wall hard enough to burst its seams. Feathers explode, drifting slowly to the floor like snow.
A hysterical laugh bubbles up from my throat. I can use the ether. Not just the healing abilities I displayed at Abaddon, but real, useful power, like my Fallen mentors. Maybe even more.
My stomach growls loudly, reminding me of my original mission. Food. I need to eat.
The kitchen is immaculate as always. Whatever Az does to make food appear still works—there's fresh fruit and still-warm bread. Definitely not months old, if what Lucifer said is true and that much time actually passed.
As I eat, I try to sort through the tangled mess of emotions and revelations.
Asmodeus. Not just a fallen angel's son, but an archdemon. Father of incubi and succubi. A creature of pure evil, if everything I've ever been told is to be believed.
Yet he's the same man who eased me back into intimacy and held me through nightmares. Who spent three years learning my favorite foods, my favorite books. Who built this entire manor with a dedicated design room just for me.
Who kept the truth from me for three fucking years.
My fingers tighten around the apple core, crushing it to pulp. Juice runs between my fingers, dripping onto the counter.
“Merde,” I mutter, reaching for a cloth to clean up the mess.
I'm going to need some time to get used to being a true immortal now. Didn't the Devil say Lana made a soul bargain too? Is she going through the same changes? Is her archdemon by her side?
“What am I going to do?” I murmur, rubbing gentle circles over my protruding belly.
I need answers. Not just about my new abilities, but about everything. About the child growing inside me. About what it means to be soul-bound to an archdemon.
I've been hiding again. Hiding in that bedroom, hiding from the truth, hiding from decisions that need to be made.
But I'm not that scared girl from Abaddon anymore.
I need to take control of my life, of this situation.
And I can't do that cowering in a bedroom, no matter how comfortable the bed is.
“I'll keep you safe,” I whisper to my unborn child. “Whatever you are, whoever you become.”
First things first. Let's see if I can leave.
The front door feels miles away as I approach it, my hand trembling as I reach for the ornate handle.
It opens easily, and cool air rushes in, carrying the scent of the Lethe.
I step onto the porch. Take one more step.
Then another. Soon I'm on the gravel path, standing in front of the fence that used to keep me prisoner, the iron spikes gleaming dully in the strange half-light of Hell.
The memories of my last escape attempt are vivid in my mind.
The makeshift rope. The climb. The fear.
This time, I just push on the gate. It swings open.
I could leave. Right now. I could walk through that gate and... and do what exactly? Go back to Abaddon? Wander Hell alone with my unborn child?
Putain. I have nowhere to go. Even if I could suddenly use the ether to transport myself to Purgatory, what then? Would they welcome a woman carrying an archdemon's child? A woman soul-bound to Asmodeus himself?
Would they look at me with pity or disgust or anger? What did Lana do?
I let the gate swing shut, the clang of metal against metal echoing across the garden.
I'm not staying because I'm trapped. I'm staying because I'm choosing to… for now. There's a difference.
I walk back to the house, taking measured breaths. I don't know what comes next between Asmodeus and me. I don't know if I can ever forgive his lies. I don't know what kind of being my child will become.
But I do know this… I am not helpless anymore.