Aquifas whispered an explanation so Lucifer could re-evaluate their plan. Taking on Asmodeus with Diana present would be easy. She’d never be in any danger. Not really, unless their passions got away with them and Asmodeus killed them in the throes of lovemaking.
Sathanas changed everything.
Olivier stepped over to Lucifer, concern etched into deep lines across his forehead. “You felt it, too? I thought I was becoming impatient for battle, for vengeance. I should’ve known something more nefarious was behind the rise in my foul temper.” He threw an arm over Lucifer’s shoulder. “Brother, we are not equipped to battle both. Not with these numbers.” He inclined his head to their paltry hunting party of a handful of angel soldiers, a goddess, and a whatever-the-fuck Puck was. “We should retreat.”
Lowering his voice so the others wouldn’t hear, Lucifer responded. “I don’t see how we have that option. This could very well be the one time in existence these two demon princes are in the same realm, much less the same star system and planet.”
“But”—Olivier tapped a finger to his chin—"what if you were wrong the first time? Perhaps it is just Sathanas. What if you were made to believe that Asmodeus was the enemy as a trick?” His eyes flicked to Diana—his implication clear.
On impulse, Lucifer wanted to jump to her defense. Why would she deceive him? But a kernel of doubt had taken root. His mouth opened to say it wasn’t possible. No words poured forth.
He had been the one to realize Asmodeus was behind the angel slayings.
...Right?
Now, he couldn’t recall.
“So, what’s the plan?” Diana’s voice broke through his rampaging thoughts. He hadn’t even sensed her drawing near. “One or two demons, doesn’t matter to me. However, you are more familiar with both. I’ll leave it to your judgment.”
There were creases around her eyes and lips. A nerve twitched under one eye... once. For the first time, uncertainty flickered in her demeanor, even a touch of fear.
He reached down to cup her chin, his thumb grazing her lower lip. A tremble washed over her body, but she didn’t move away. “You didn’t sign up for this, Diana. I think it’s best if you find a place to hide while we wait to see who and what approaches.”
Fire flared in her honeyed eyes and a deep crease formed between her eyebrows.
“What do you think I am? Some damsel in distress? I’m a fucking goddess, not some cowering porcelain doll too fragile to play with, only good for looking at.” She threw his hand off her face. Instead of stepping back, she rose up on her toes and shoved her finger in his chest. “You do not get to decide my fate. If you fight, I fight. End of story.”
They both startled as loud clapping met her declaration.
“Bravo, little one!” Olivier nudged Lucifer to the side. “You truly are a gift from the gods. Such fiery magic as I’ve never seen in any other deity before. Yes, I do believe you can still be a vital asset in the battle. My brother”—he clamped his hand on Lucifer’s shoulder—“meant that since it has been our own kind being slaughtered, not any of the gods or demigods, that with the uptick in danger, it wasn’t worth risking your beautiful neck. However, I don’t see how we can’t take you up on your kind offer.”
All his words were right. Smooth and spoken in a non-condescending tone. Olivier had a diplomatic air about him, always had. But something didn’t sit right with Lucifer. His brother, unwittingly or not, had just placed Diana in dire peril. Lucifer’s instincts were to protect her at all costs. Not that he wasn’t convinced she could handle herself. However, if she was vulnerable, he knew one thing with crystal clarity—he’d abandon all others to be her savior, her hero.
And that made her dangerous.
Chapter 33
Bringing It All Down
Without another word—it was useless to talk sense into these misogynistic angels anyway—Diana stalked away from them and through the tiny crevice in the mountain side. A small part of her brain screamed that impulsive action without strategy was nothing less than a suicide mission. That voice sounded exactly like her brother, Ares, when he would ridicule her tantrums as a child.
Yes, maybe this was a tantrum. But dammit! It was time for action. Time to take a stand. Time to... prove those bastards wrong about her being the weaker sex.
Definitely a tantrum.
Foolhardy or not, she was committed to action. She’d rather be ripped to pieces by each of Cerberus’s three heads than bow out now.
Her anger had dulled her senses, but that didn’t last long enough. The stench inside the mountain was far worse than what she’d experienced at its entrance. Perhaps Cerberus was here. Certainly smelled like his dung was piled up in a corner next to a giant windmill blowing the foul odor around so that it filled the cavern.
A hand landing on her shoulder forced a frightened shriek from her lips. She whipped around with no weapon to defend herself, only to find Lucifer standing before her. In his hand was a dagger, hilt end toward her.
“Thought you could use this, if needed. Although your charms could have entire nations worshipping at your feet, I doubt Sathanas or Asmodeus will fall to their knees with devotion. You might need something to defend yourself with.”
She snatched the blade from his grasp, then pointed it at his throat. “Who’s to say they are the ones I need protection from?”
His eyes widened before a smile curled his luscious lips.
Damn, she really needed to stop thinking of him in that way!
