Chapter 46
One day turned into three.
It hasn’t felt that way, though. No—if anything, it’s felt like months. I couldn’t believe how much anxiety I was carrying because of it. And sure, I could blame it on being trapped in a home in the Beyond, but that would be a lie.
I was genuinely concerned for Lucifer, and oddly enough, I missed him.
“I’m alright, dollface.”
“I’m sorry this is taking me so long.”
“My father’s… a difficult man.”
“What’re you doing?”
“How’re you?”
“Do you mind if I ask what you’re wearing?”
He’s kept in contact with me through the Nitelink, as Zuhara calls it. She warned me not to spend too much time with him in there—at this distance, it can exhaust him. I tried to keep our conversations short…
But why was it impossible to actually do that?
I understand Kayn wanting to talk with him too, and I tried to use our bonds to connect them, but the best I managed was letting Kayn hear Lucifer’s voice.
If it weren’t for having my Vampire around, I think I might’ve gone crazy.
We’ve kept each other entertained, and it’s the first time we haven’t been on the move.
It’s given us time to actually learn more about one another—our likes, our dislikes.
He told me about where he grew up, and that he used to be in a band—which, for some reason, didn’t shock me at all.
Apparently, he played the guitar, and I’m pretty sure my pussy was instantly wet.
He smelled it immediately… and then showed me exactly how good his fingers were.
He asked about the night I met Lucifer, and how I lost my family. I gave him the smallest pieces of the truth I could. I’d needed the mirror to try to stop what was coming, so I made a deal with him. While I was with Lucifer, someone went to my family and killed them.
Slaughtered them like fucking cattle past their expiration date. As though they were nothing. My mother, my father, my brother. All gone.
Talking about it hurts, and he sensed that, so he steered us away from it.
I told him a little about my upbringing. Leaving out specifics that would lead to far more questions than I’m ready to answer. If, at the end of all this, I survive, I’ll gladly tell him where my family came from and everything that follows from that.
Zuhara has also helped with my anxiety, and I’ve developed quite the attachment to the giant housecat.
At first, I thought she hated me because she called me Witch instead of my name, but it turns out she was being respectful.
I hadn’t given her permission to use it, and she was waiting for me to offer it.
All it took was a lion appreciating my traditions to bring me to tears, and here I thought I was stronger than that.
I’ve definitely cuddled with her more than I have with Kayn, and I think he’s irritated about that.
“I see…”
Speaking of snuggling, I’m currently sprawled on the couch with said cat between my legs, her massive head on my chest. She’s basically suffocating me, but it’s a death I’d welcome because Gods, it’s so damn cute hearing her purr.
“I was wondering why it felt like months instead of three days.”
“Everything moves slower here, but it doesn’t mean you don’t feel the movement of your world.” I scratch between her eyes, and she gives a long, satisfied rumble. “Your mind can’t process that it’s only been a few days; it’s still running at the speed of your mortal world.”
“Is that why…”
I pause, glancing over at Kayn, who’s flipping through a book I know he isn’t reading. Something about mortal history. Earlier he had commented, three times in ten minutes, how the war was “so fucking stupid” and “not surprising considering how ignorant the government was.”
“Never mind.” I decide not to go there with Zuhara. I’m a little worried she’s already relaying all my feelings for Lucifer to him.
“Speak it, Amarah. It’s alright.” She nuzzles her nose against the underside of my breast.
“I’ve never been so quick to trust someone. I feel like it’s silly to be this attached, this trusting, and… in need of someone I just met.” I sigh. “Is it the time thing?”
“Hmm.” I shift my hand to scratch over her ear, then around her cheek.
“That has something to do with it. But, if I had to guess, the bond with Kayn likely amplifies that and you’re connected with your feelings.
Witches are very adept with their minds.
” She pauses, but very briefly, before continuing, “That day in the field when he requested your presence. You held no fear of the son to Belial, and you even let him touch you.”
That brings heat to my cheeks, and I look up at Kayn ready to defend myself, but he’s still nose-deep in the book.
“You would’ve had Thornwyn bind him if you weren’t sure of the feelings you were having. It may not have been anything other than lust in that moment, but over time, maybe you are realizing it’s more than that. That, we can associate with the time shift.”
I’d not looked away from my brute, so I see when he lifts his head and offers me a smile.
“I was instantly attracted to him, and after a few minutes made him mine.” His wink has a stupid smile crawling across my lips. “Maybe he put a spell on us both.”
“You know what you know, Amarah.” I gaze back down at Zuhara. “While this is optimistic thinking on my part… you’ll have time to explore whatever it is you feel for my master.”
Heat stings behind my eyes. I want that. Time with them both. Whether Lucifer and I end up compatible or not, I know Kayn can give us what we want. Even if what the Incubus and I share is nothing more than lust.
“Tell me, Zuhara, did he ever mention…”
Her head snaps up just as a loud thump echoes from upstairs.
“That piece of shit. I’m going to murder—”
She cuts herself off and launches off my lap. In a blink, she jumps through a portal—back into the Phantasm, I assume. It looks exactly like the one she dragged Kayn through when we first arrived.
Speaking of that Vampire, he’s already on his feet. “It’s Lucifer. Stay here.”
My heart betrays every calm front I try to maintain. He’s insane if he thinks I’m not going with him.
He’s much faster than I am and vanishes up the stairs. I follow, but by the time I reach the top, he’s already disappeared down the hall.
The sound of my bare feet on the hardwood does nothing to mask the worry in Kayn’s voice when he says, “What happened? Are you alright?”
I’m three doors from his room when Lucifer groans. “Yes… Bloody Beyond, I hate him.”
As I step into the doorway, I catch Kayn on his knees, one hand supporting Lucifer’s head while he braces himself against the floor, turned away from me.
His shirt is torn down the back—two large slits starting at his shoulder blades and running halfway down. The horns on his head are pulling back into his skull, and a chill crawls down my spine. I don’t miss the deep shade of black slowly peeling back from him, revealing the pale skin I’m used to.
There wasn’t a na?ve part of me that didn’t expect he’d have a demonic side, but unlike his father’s, his is not red. It’s black.
“I think he told you to stay downstairs, dollface,” he murmurs, voice soft and utterly exhausted.
“What happened?” I echo Kayn’s earlier question.
Lucifer lets out a pained groan and, with Kayn’s help, pushes himself upright on his knees. “Nothing.”
“Bullshit.” Our brute doesn’t bother softening his tone. “You’re completely depleted, Lucifer.”
The Incubus only shrugs his shoulders. As he does, I step cautiously into the room.
There are still patches of black across his skin, and his fingers—his nails—have extended so far, they tap against the floor where his palms brace him.
He still won’t look at me. I can see the angle of his face, the way he keeps it turned just enough that I won’t catch his eyes…
even though I already have, just barely, from the corner.
They’re a deep, glowing red, no evidence of the violet color that’s so similar to mine, I’d even question who I was looking at.
“Just trying to keep…” He cuts off with a raw cough, then forces himself to continue. “Keep her safe… I’m sorry.”
Lucifer doesn’t look up at me, but instead straight into Kayn’s eyes. “Tomorrow, I have to bring her with me to his estate…”
The vein in Kayn’s neck pops as he stiffens. When his gaze meets mine, a million apologies sit in them. I don’t want him to be sorry. I’m glad we got to Lucifer—but this is all fucked.
Why does he care that I’m here?
Suddenly, Lucifer’s hand curls behind Kayn’s neck and drags him closer. “He sent me on tasks that took me across this realm for no fucking reason…”
The moment they’re close enough, their mouths meet in a kiss.
Every inch of my skin lights on fire.
“He’s kept me this way,” Lucifer murmurs as he turns his head, pulling Kayn back in.
“Exhausted. Drained.” His voice transitions as he keeps his lips on Kayn’s, now speaking through our link.
“Not letting me feed. He knew I’d never be strong enough to keep him safe if I defied him.
Now, he’s doing it so I can’t keep you protected. ”
I’m not entirely sure if he’s sharing it through their connection or not, but judging by the intensity of their kiss, I think he is.
Kayn grips the back of Lucifer’s head and practically shoves his tongue into his mouth.
I should feel like I’m intruding. That maybe I should leave and let them have this moment. I’m still not sure I’m ready for Lucifer to touch me… Not in any way beyond the small, careful moments he already has.
But every butterfly capable of flight erupts in my stomach, and heat like the scorching sun coils low in my abdomen. Gods, even my clit tingles when Lucifer slides his hands up Kayn’s thighs and squeezes.
“I can feed now… untapped…” His breathless tone paired with that accent actually makes me whimper. Oh, fuck me. Why is this so hot? “So I can keep her safe, Kayn.”
Kayn hums, then wraps his hand around Lucifer’s throat with a slow, wicked grin. “I know you would do everything to keep our girl safe.”
Our girl.
Oh… oh, my heart.
Yes… yes, please…