Lucifer Damned (Morningstar Book 3), Percival Constantine [electric book reader .txt] 📗

to the rule,” said Mara. “So they would send the experts, they wouldn’t go to just these two.”

“There’s also the question of what would Heaven gain by killing me,” said Lucifer. “The Divine Choir enjoys having me as their boogeyman. Killing me would undermine that.”

“Could be a rogue angel, not the first time one of them has gone insane,” said Mara.

“True,” said Lucifer. “But this feels different somehow.”

“So what now?”

“Anael,” said Lucifer. “She knows about my condition—in fact, she was the one who first realized it. And Belial went to her for help when I was injured, but she refused.”

“You think she’s responsible for this?”

“I doubt it. Anael believes I should face culpability for my actions and that can’t happen if I’m dead. And this kind of duplicity isn’t her style,” said Lucifer. “But it does seem like the kind of thing a lesser angel would attempt. The only question is who suddenly wants me dead? And why use Bill and Ted’s idiot cousins? Anael might be able to answer those questions for me.”

“You’re not seriously thinking of going to her, are you?” asked Mara.

“Of course not.”

Mara breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. For a second, I was worried.”

“No, I’m going to summon her,” said Lucifer. “That way, we can meet away from Uriel’s prying ears and I can find out what she knows. See if she was aware of what he’s been up to.”

“I’m not so sure I like this plan, sire,” said Mara. “I understand the relationship you two once had, but you’ve been through a lot with each other just in the past few months.”

“I know, but I don’t have a whole lot of options here, Mara,” said Lucifer.

She sighed. “Fine, but you have to let me help you with it.”

Lucifer nodded. “I was actually hoping you’d say that. Without my powers, my access to magic is a bit limited, too.”

“One more thing, though.” Mara jerked her thumb over her shoulder, pointing back at Shem and Ham. “What about those two?”

“Drop them off at the nearest police station,” said Lucifer. “That van of theirs is no doubt registered in one of their names and should have been picked up by the cops by now. And as I recall, Chicago has very strict gun laws. So let the humans deal with them.”

“And you’re sure torture is out of the question?”

“Please, Mara, just do as I ask,” said Lucifer. “And make it quick. It’s probably best if we summon Anael from my home instead of this place.”

Upon returning to the mansion, Lucifer began the preparations for the summoning ritual. He painted a sigil on the floor in the basement and lined it with candles. Mara stood in the corner of the room with her arms folded, watching him go about his work with a sense of apprehension.

She was no stranger to magic or summoning rituals, but the notion of summoning an angel left her feeling uneasy. There was no telling what would happen once Anael materialized in that circle. And though Lucifer assured her that Anael would be constrained within the boundaries, Mara still wasn’t very comfortable.

Lucifer stood once he lit the final candle and did a final look at his work. He gave a nod and then glanced in Mara’s direction. “All set. I’m ready for your part in this.”

Mara was apprehensive as she moved from the wall and over to the edge of the circle. “Have I mentioned yet that I don’t think this is such a good idea?”

“You offered to help,” Lucifer gently reminded her.

“I know, but it doesn’t mean I have to like the plan,” said Mara. “Maybe we should at least call Belial. Or some of the demons from Lust. Having some back-up isn’t a bad thing.”

“I don’t want Anael to view this as some sort of attack,” said Lucifer. “Bad enough she’ll be restrained within the circle. Having a squad of demons gathered around could make her uncooperative.”

Mara sighed but ultimately acquiesced. “Okay, what should I do?”

“Get on your knees, facing the circle.”

Mara moved to the circle’s edge and carefully got down first on one knee and then brought the other one in. She sensed Lucifer moving behind her and then she felt his fingertips gently touching the sides of her head. Lucifer started chanting in Enochian and Mara closed her eyes.

Power started to flow from Mara’s body into Lucifer’s hands. He continued chanting the spell and the energy moved from the pair and into the sigil, which started to glow as it charged. The candles flickered and the intensity of the tiny flames grew.

Within the circle, the air distorted and bright, blue lights started to flash. Wind started to blow, moving rapidly inside the confines of the circle and the sigil faded as a figure took shape.

As the energy died down, the figure came into full view, kneeling in the center of the sigil, feathered wings wrapped around her form. She slowly rose to a standing position and looked at the two who stood before her. Anael tried to step forward, but found herself blocked by the invisible power of the mystic boundary.

“What’s the meaning of this?” she asked. “This some sort of payback because I refused to help Belial after you were attacked?”

“No, it’s got nothing to do with that,” said Lucifer. “Although now that you mention it, thanks ever so much for your lack of assistance. Truly, I was touched by how little you cared.”

“It’s not my job to bail you out whenever you have to face the consequences for your own actions,” said Anael.

“Never said it was. But a little aid when I was trying to do the right thing would have been nice.”

“Ever consider that perhaps the right thing would be returning to the throne?”

“I hate to interrupt your lover’s quarrel, but is this really the best use of our time?” asked Mara.

Anael turned her attention to the demon and narrowed her crystal-blue eyes at her. “And who is she?”

“Her name is Mara—” began Lucifer.

“Please don’t