Epilogue
ONE MONTH LATER
The past month has been a whirlwind, rounding up the remaining traitors and bringing them to justice. In between helping in Hell, I’ve been back and forth to the reaper kingdom, learning about my people and getting to know my mother.
Today, my mother has called a meeting with Lucifer and the archangels to announce her plans and where I fit into them.
“I’ve called you all here because I have decided not to retire.”
The angels murmur their surprise to each other, but it’s River who has my attention. His eyes are wide, signaling this is the first he’s heard the news.
My mother has made it clear to me that whatever was between her and the reaper is over. She doesn’t wish to give him false hope, and as much as my heart hurts for him, it’s for the best.
I’ve come to know Camille, and her heart lies firmly in Michael’s hands, even if her love is unrequited as far as she’s concerned.
It isn’t. I see the way that even now, he can’t take his eyes off of her. His back is straight and his hands are clenched at his side. His typical scowl isn’t present. In its place is a longing so fierce, it cuts the air around us.
“My only goal in doing so early was to get Victoria back. But I never needed to retire for that to happen.” She smiles at me, and I return it. “I’ve spoken with Victoria, and she has agreed to serve on my council.”
River finally looks my way and nods his approval.
“She has some wonderful ideas that I think will truly make a difference in the reaping of souls. She brings with her youthful, bold ideas that I think the whole of the universe will benefit from.” She turns to me. “But I’ll let her share those ideas with you.”
She sweeps her hand out, effectively turning the conversation over to me.
I clear my throat, wanting—no needing—every being in attendance to jump on board.
“My goal is to remain here in Hell alongside Lucifer, as queen.”
Gasps replace the murmurs as the weight of my announcement settles over the room. It’s mostly coming from the archangels, as Camille has already been briefed on my plans.
Although she remains skeptical, she’s come to realize that I can’t be persuaded otherwise.
I’m in love and she can either accept my choice and get to know Lucifer as I do, or we can be estranged. My choice is him. Always.
“He’s asked you to stay in Hell?” Leeanna asks.
I flash my left hand, showcasing the gleaming black diamond that’s far too big for my liking. Luke’s the flashy type, and he claims that the queen of Hell must have the appropriate diamond. I smile at him, remembering the night he asked me to be his forever.
Luke had arranged a picnic, complete with all of my favorite things. Beignets from Café Du Monde, ripe strawberries dipped in decadent chocolate, the finest champagne I’ve ever tasted, and a host of other finger foods to keep us sated during our tryst.
Hell is a dark abyss, but somehow, he managed to lasso stars into the black sky. They shone down on us as though Heaven itself was giving its blessing. We made love underneath the star-blanketed sky, basking in our unending love and devotion to one another.
Throats clear, bringing me back to the present. I sigh, continuing on.
“I will be given passage to the reaper kingdom to serve on the council, and when the time comes, hopefully not for centuries”—I grin at Camille—“I will rule from both kingdoms.”
More murmuring flits through the room, but I don’t pay attention to any of it. My gaze is locked on Luke’s.
“How do you plan to do that?” Leanna asks.
I blow out a breath. I should’ve known this wasn’t going to be as simple as saying it.
“I have time to determine how that will work best, but at this point, the way I see it, I will have a chancellor, or someone who rules in my absence. I have no idea yet who that will be. It will take a great deal of trust,” I say, glancing toward River, who sits stoically.
“However, that’s not a conversation that needs to happen today, as Camille has no intentions of retiring for some time. ”
Camille nods. “I shall help in securing a trusted board of advisors along with whatever additional positions she requires, when the time comes.”
“You mentioned a change in how reaping is conducted. What does that include?” Leeanna asks, sounding like a human reporter rather than an angelic being.
“I’ll let Victoria take that question,” Camille says, motioning to me to go on.
“There needs to be reform. The way reaping works right now doesn’t make sense. Souls who deserve pardon are taken directly to Hell, without their full story being known.”
“Not all who are condemned are truly bad,” Lucifer chimes in. “We’ve all spent enough time on Earth to know that there are forces pressed upon humans that bend them to do things outside of their norms. It’s not right to automatically condemn every soul.”
“How could we manage that?” River asks. “There’s nothing that can be done quickly enough. With souls wandering Earth and not being placed immediately, that puts humans at risk.”
“I have some ideas,” I jump in. My excitement can’t be contained.
I’ve pored over this for the past month, trying to determine a solution. While there is work to be done with it, I do believe I’m on the right path.
“Purgatory needs an overhaul. Its current use is pointless and ill-managed.”
River and Zeke share skeptical glances, but I ignore them.
“Right now, those who don’t choose to go to the light end up in purgatory and lose their minds. This turns into a poltergeist situation, because there’s no one there to guide them. Those souls who run from Heaven ultimately go insane.”
“Yes, but those are not condemned souls,” Leeanna says. “They’re simply wanderers.”
“Correct, and they’re few and far between. Purgatory is too big a place for those souls. It allows too much room, and thus time, for them to go mad. There’s plenty of room for the condemned too.”
“How will that not result in the lost souls being corrupted?” Zeke asks dubiously.
“Come now, Zeke. You and I both know that Purgatory is a vast land. With the proper organization, surely, the two groups can be kept separate,” Luke says.
“We need to fortify the barriers and get the lost souls to Heaven by educating them on what’s to happen,” I cut in.
“They’re scared. That’s why they’re running from the light.
There’s no explanation. We need counselors of sorts, something like what humans have.
Beings to help guide those spirits, as opposed to letting them wander and cause problems.”
“That explains reforms of the current use of Purgatory, but what of the condemned?” Michael asks, seemingly interested.
“The souls who are condemned should be placed in Purgatory while an assessment of their past is carried out to determine whether they are truly worthy of redemption.”
“That’s all well and good, but that would be a large operation. We don’t have the manpower to do something like that,” Michael drones.
“I believe I can help with that.” Luke comes to stand next to me, joining our hands together in solidarity.
“I spent centuries here getting to know my subjects. Only the truly vile are tortured. The rest of them, like Azazel, live freely in Hell. I believe they would be on board with serving a sentence in Purgatory, doing the leg work of determining whether the new souls should be condemned or given access to Heaven.”
“What’s in it for them?” Zeke butts in, arms crossing over his chest.
“I wasn’t finished, Ezekiel,” Luke groans. “In exchange, after a certain period of time served, they should be given access to Heaven.”
More murmuring, as they all deliberate. No one outright refuses, which is a good sign.
“How could we ensure there’s not a coup?” Lee asks haughtily.
“What exactly are you implying?” Azazel—my grandfather—grinds his teeth in anger.
I’ve gotten to know him a little over the past month, and I think he’s an amazing ally to Luke. He has Hell’s and Earth’s best interests at heart, which is rare from a high demon, even one who hasn’t truly earned his place in the underworld.
“How do we know that the demons here won’t use the opportunity to turn all the souls to Hell’s cause?” She doesn’t so much as flinch at the glare that Azazel rains down on her.
“Hell’s cause?”
“Enough,” I yell, garnering all of their attention.
I soften my tone before addressing Leeanna.
We’ve made big strides in rekindling what we once had, and I don’t want to argue with her now.
But I need her cooperation. It’s important.
“This isn’t helping, Lee. God himself saved Lucifer.
Would he have done that if he truly thought him unworthy? ”
Lee nods, considering my point, but doesn’t say another word. She doesn’t do it for Luke’s benefit, but her own. It wouldn’t be a good idea to question God’s choices, and she knows it. A part of me believes she remains quiet for me too. We’re both trying.
“I volunteer to lead the experiment in Purgatory,” Zeke says, raising his hand.
I offer a sad smile, because it can’t be him. “No, Zeke. You’re needed on Earth.”
The words come to me as if I’m simply the puppet, and a ventriloquist is doing the speaking.
“The Nephilim need somebody to help guide them into their powers. Someone to keep humans safe. You’re the only one I trust to do that.”
“If not him, then who?” Michael asks.
“I’ll go,” River says, speaking for the first time.
Camille’s gaze snaps to his. “River, Solis needs you.”
He doesn’t turn to her, keeping his eyes trained on me.
“The reaper kingdom has plenty of amazing guards, but I’d recommend that Caterine be moved into my position.
” He takes a step toward me, voice lowering.
“I need some time away from Solis, and I think this would be a worthy assignment, if you agree, Victoria.”
I nod once, because he would be perfect, and I know he needs to get away from Camille. She’s broken his heart by calling off their pseudo-relationship.
“Then it’s all set. Michael and the angels will help River fortify the barriers of Purgatory, and Luke and I will speak to the subjects of Hell about the opportunity to gain their wings. We’ll all meet back here in an Earth month to give updates on the progress.”
“Anything else?” Michael asks, looking at me with something akin to pride.
I’ve gotten closer with Camille, but I’m still keeping them both at arm’s length. Michael, even more so. A day will come when I’m ready to put the past in the past, but it’s not today.
I shake my head. “That’s it for now.”
Michael and Camille come to my side despite my standoffish behavior.
“We’re very proud of you, Victoria. God is too,” Michael says, and I offer him a small smile. “Camille,” Michael says, tipping his head.
“Michael.” Camille says his name curtly, and I wonder how long she’ll hold on to this unaffected facade.
I know how she feels about him. It’s intense. Reckless.
Much like my feelings for the devil who’s beckoning me toward him.
“Excuse me,” I say, not waiting for a response from either of them.
My reason for breathing is staring at me like I’m the flame and he the powerless moth, but it’s the other way around. All reason escapes me when I look at him.
It’s always been this way, and I don’t doubt it always will be.
“Love … if you keep gawking at me like that, I’m sure to incur the wrath of your father when I strip you naked right here and have my wicked way with you.”
I pull him to me, wrapping my arms around his neck, breathing in the scent that is all him.
“You’re not wicked, Luke.”
He raises a brow in protest. “Care to tempt me into proving my wickedness?”
“I’ll take whatever you offer. I’m yours for the taking.”
He grins, sealing his lips to mine.
He doesn’t need to say the words. I know what he’s thinking.
Mine. Forever.