“Do you think my father sensed me too?” I ask a little apprehensively.
“I don’t know, kid.”
I bite my lip and lean back in my chair, wishing I could suck down a cocktail—or three—like Lucifer.
“If he did, he’s busy trying to deflect the situation,” Lucifer adds. “I’m never one to sing any of my siblings’ praises, but what he did for you—defying direct orders for the first time—I admire. He cares.”
“Everyone keeps saying that, yet where is he?” I sigh and flick my eyes to Lucifer. “Can I ask you some questions?”
“Ask away.”
“Why did you escape Hell?”
“I already told you,” Lucifer says patiently. “I was lonely. And bored. You try living out an eternal punishment.”
I slowly nod, mind racing with so many more questions about Hell itself, but I think that’s a conversation for another day. Besides…I have one more pressing matter I can’t not ask about.
“Am I immortal?” My heart speeds up, and I almost don’t want to hear the answer.
“No,” Lucifer says right away. “You can be killed.”
“So, can I,” Lucas interjects. “Yet I’m considered immortal.”
Lucifer wrinkles his nose. “The definition is a little fuzzy, I suppose. Vampires do not age, cannot fall ill, and will only cease to exist if they are murdered or willingly expose themselves to sunlight.” He leans in, resting his hands on the table, and looks at me. “Do you fall ill?”
“Not easily,” I tell him.
“What about aging?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know. My friends always tell me that I look like I don’t age, though.”
Lucifer taps his chin, thinking. “Half of you is human.” His eyes narrow. “But the other half is archangel and we’re…we’re strong. I suppose it just comes down to which side of you is stronger.”
I swallow hard. “So, you’re saying I could be immortal assuming I’m not murdered?”
“Yes.” Lucifer raises his hand, signaling the waitress. “You are the first child to be born with an archangel counterpart,” he reminds me. “And you’ve been kept away from your own kind all these years. I am sorry,” he says sincerely. “You shouldn’t have been sheltered.”
“I turned out all right,” I say, hating that I want to agree with him. “I’m happy with where I am now at least.” I look at Lucas and Lucifer makes a gagging noise. “What?” I ask, rounding on Lucifer as Lucas’s words echo in my head, telling me never to be ashamed of how I feel. “You don’t believe in true love?”
“No,” Lucifer tells me, becoming sullen once again. “All I’ve ever known is betrayal and hatred.”
My heart hurts, and I can’t help but reach out and rest my hand on top of his. “I’m sorry. I can’t compare our lives, mostly because you’re an archangel and it’s not like you had family meals around the dining room table…unless you did, and then I’d have to reprogram the way I think about celestial beings. But…I know how much it hurts to have your own family kick you out.”
Lucas’s fingers press into me slightly, and I don’t know if it’s because he’s uncomfortable with me showing sympathy for the devil or if he’s trying to comfort me.
“I have a question,” Lucas says, deep voice rumbling right through me. He takes his arm from my waist and folds his hands on the table. “Bael.” It’s a statement, not a question, but it makes Lucifer sit up a little straighter.
“I haven’t spoken to him in decades. Mostly because he’s been incarcerated, and I’ve been a tad incarcerated myself. What about him?”
I shift my gaze to Lucas and give him a tiny nod.
“Do you know what he plans to do with Callie?” Lucas asks, and my heart skips a beat. This is a moment of truth, and I have to remind myself that Lucifer will probably lie. He’s been very open about not wanting to be in Hell…and Hell needs a ruler.
And he’s got a potential one right here.
Lucifer picks up an empty glass and swirls the melting ice around. With a sigh, he sets it back down and looks right at me. “Yes,” he tells me, blue eyes cutting right though to my soul. “I do know his plans, and I have to agree.” His lips pull up into a smile. “Callie would make a fine queen of Hell.”Chapter 22Lucas draws his fangs and makes a move to stand up, but I catch his arm. With a growl, he hefts back down, staring down Lucifer.
“What do you mean?” I ask, voice thin. “I’d make a good queen of Hell?”
“Well, you would.” Lucifer’s eyes light up. “You’re smart,” he starts. “Fair and just from what I’ve seen, yet you don’t hold back. You’re exactly the type of ruler Hell could use. My demons need a heavy hand, and I know you’d be one to lay down the law.”
“So what?” Lucas spits. “You’re going to hand her over to the demons so you can stay on earth?” He leans over the table. “I won’t let that happen.”