Chapter 47 #2
When Azer’s eyes slide to me, I tilt my head slightly in return. “What’s your name, mortal?”
“Her name is mine. Now back off.”
“Laying claim? I’m sure Father would love that.”
Lucifer’s arm tightens around me. “Back off, Nothus.”
I swallow roughly at the slur. My gaze trails slowly back to Azer, who is grinning. His perfect white teeth gleam, fangs like a Vampire growing menacingly.
“Grown a pair, have we—”
“Son?” A female voice cuts cleanly through the tension, interrupting whatever back-and-forth these two would’ve spiraled into. “Oh! And you have your Witch with you.”
I’m grateful Proserpina read the room and didn’t shout my name. I’m still not entirely sure whether my traditions apply to them, but in this moment, I appreciate her calling me Witch.
I look past Azer—who’s shifting his gaze between us—and watch as Lucifer’s mother crosses the distance toward us.
Her long red dress complements her fair, flawless skin.
It’s cut deep down the center, exposing an impressive amount of cleavage.
Her long black hair bounces with each step until she reaches Azer’s back, and he immediately sidesteps out of her way.
It’s then she looks up at him, and an expression of derision flickers across her face. I don’t get much of a chance to analyze it before he steps back and bows.
“Prince. His queen…” He smirks directly at me. “Witch.”
“Be gone, Azer,” Lucifer commands.
And he does just that. Immediately turning from us and striding away. I shift my attention back to Proserpina, who is beaming up at her son.
“Were you coming to see me?”
Lucifer’s tone slips back into its usual calm, composed register. “No, Mother. But we can, if you’re free.”
“Is that alright with you, Amarah?”
I smile at her. “Of course.”
Her expression brightens even more as she moves to Lucifer’s other side and loops her arm through his. “Let us walk to the garden.”
We make our way in mostly silence, and I think it’s because of all the people we pass.
Lucifer explained that there’s a lot of foot traffic during certain hours, depending on what’s happening in the mortal world and here.
I was surprised when he said the Beyond is a world in its own right.
From high-born Demons like himself to lesser-born ones and the souls of the departed—it’s a civilization.
There are academies here, which I… honestly couldn’t believe. But he said they’re nothing like mortal schools. Rarely do mortal souls under eighteen cross into the Beyond, and those born here aren’t children in the traditional sense who need basic education.
He said it’s complicated, but the academies mostly teach about the mortal world and the Vayl.
Suppose that makes sense.
At one point I tried to ask who Azer was, but Lucifer brushed the question aside. He only said Azer is a troublemaker who enjoys taking what doesn’t belong to him, including people.
I could tell it made him uncomfortable, so I dropped the subject and didn’t ask about the name he called him.
Once we made it to the furthest part of the house, we stepped into that greenery dome he brought me to the last time I was here. I wouldn’t call this a garden, but I’m definitely not going to correct his mom.
“Thank you for heeding my request and staying,” she says as she picks up a rose and twirls the stem between her fingers.
“You’re… welcome?” I slowly shift my gaze to Lucifer.
“Not like she had a choice, Mother.” He says what I wanted to, which I’m grateful for. “I’d like to get her back to the mortal world as soon as possible. We do not want Vendra getting pissy with us.”
He stays beside me, never drifting more than a foot from my side.
She sighs. “He’s been such an asshole lately. I do apologize for him.”
“It’s not your fault, Mom.”
His hand drifts to the small of my back, brushing the curve of my ass. The dress he put me in today at least covers more than the last one—my back isn’t exposed—but it still dips pretty far down my chest.
“Do you mind if I ask you a question?” She looks directly at me, making it clear the question is meant for me.
I nod.
“Did you use the mirror?”
My heart stops. I swear it does.
There’s no way I can lie to her.
Can I? Should I? That’s probably not smart.
She turns to face us fully, still holding that single rose. The air around us suddenly feels a thousand degrees hotter. The scent of fresh grass shifts sour in my throat as I take a slow, shaky breath.
“Yes.”
I don’t look at Lucifer, but I feel his hand stiffen.
“Use… the mirror?” he asks. “It’s not just a mirror?”
“No, son, it isn’t. It’s probably one of the strongest weapons imaginable.” Proserpina actually giggles. “Alright, maybe that’s dramatic.”
Probably not.
I know why she had it in her possession. It’s the one thing that could have actually worked on her husband. I’m shocked he ever allowed her to keep it, considering he knew she had it. Unless he thought she meant a normal mirror when she mentioned it at dinner.
Who knows.
Who fucking cares. Because I’m terrified of what she’ll ask next.
“Do you think that’s why the Grimhorn attacked you?”
“What is she talking about?” Lucifer slips into my mind so seamlessly—just like Kayn does now with the bond—it’s honestly concerning. When I get my magic back, I’m going to have to figure out a way to rebuild my walls… even against him.
I try to keep my answers vague. “I believe so.”