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

“And she’s just here to help me, since my powers are still lost,” said Lucifer.

“If not revenge, then why am I here?” asked Anael.

“Because I was attacked,” said Lucifer.

“Is that really a cause for surprise?”

“Not exactly, but it is a cause for concern,” said Lucifer. “Especially considering that only a few individuals are aware of my present condition. So the question is how did two incompetent demon-hunters not only know my address, but also that I couldn’t defend myself?”

Anael shrugged. “How should I know?”

“Because you’re the one who sent them,” said Mara.

Anael glared at the demon. “That’s quite an accusation. Would you be so confident making it if not for this barrier?”

“We questioned them, we know their information came from an angel,” said Lucifer.

“And so naturally you believed them and are now prepared to string me up,” said Anael.

“I don’t see a flaw in this plan,” said Mara.

“The flaw is that I had nothing to do with any attack on the Adversary,” said Anael.

“Motive and opportunity,” said Mara, holding up a finger to count both points.

“You’d also be wrong on both,” said Anael. “I’ve made it quite clear that my goal is to see the Adversary return to Hell. What exactly do I gain by having him killed?”

“I have no idea, but I also don’t understand Tom Cruise’s scientology boner,” said Mara. “Cultist behavior has always been a mystery to me.”

“And yet you worship the Devil,” said Anael.

Mara’s eyes flashed with anger and hellfire began crackling around her fingers. Anael’s azure eyes responded with a similar display of power.

“Go on,” said the angel. “Let’s see how tough you are when there’s not a magic wall for you to hide behind.”

“Ladies, please,” said Lucifer. “Although it would be entertaining, there are unfortunately more pressing matters that take priority over a catfight.”

“This is insanity,” said Anael. “You know me. You know that despite our differences, I have no desire to see you dead.”

“I don’t think you’re responsible, Anael,” said Lucifer. “But I also don’t think whoever it is intended for me to be killed. Otherwise, there would be no reason to send two of the dumbest, most incompetent hunters I’ve ever seen.”

“If you’re not blaming me for this, then why summon me? Why bind me like this?”

“The barrier was just to keep you in place so I’d have a chance to explain. I didn’t want to run the risk that you’d fly off the handle.”

“Fine, then how about taking off the locks?”

“Oh, you can’t be serious…” said Mara.

“It’s fine,” said Lucifer. “If Ana says she’s willing to play nice, then I’ll take her at her word.”

Lucifer knelt down beside the sigil and scraped off some of the paint with his fingernail. With the line broken, Anael was free to step out of the circle, her wings receding into her back as she did.

“That’s better,” she said. “Now, why summon me?”

“Even though I don’t think you’re behind this, you’re the only angel who knew of my condition,” said Lucifer.

“You never considered that these two might have been lying?” asked Anael.

“Even without my powers, I’m a fairly good judge of character. And these boys are too stupid to convincingly lie to me,” said Lucifer. “Besides you and Belial, the only other people who knew were a pair of government agents, and they have no reason to go to these lengths. So my question for you is did you tell anyone else about my condition?”

Anael shook her head. “No.”

Lucifer raised an eyebrow. “You’re certain of that?”

“I think I would remember if I mentioned it in passing. You’re not exactly a topic I like to spend much time discussing.”

“Fair enough,” said Lucifer. “But what about Uriel? He is your commanding officer, so to speak, isn’t he?”

“Yes, but we have an arrangement. When it comes to the subject of the Adversary, he’s allowed me full autonomy. I haven’t told him anything about your condition.”

“And why not?” asked Lucifer.

“Because it’s frankly irrelevant,” said Anael. “Whether you’re powerless or not wouldn’t change the Choir’s position. They want you back in Hell, period.”

Lucifer paused, dwelling on those words. They want you back in Hell. It was true, that’s what the Choir wanted more than anything else. The Devil to use as an existential threat to keep the other angels in line. And Uriel’s purpose was to see to it that Lucifer returned to Hell.

“Of course,” said Lucifer. “Uriel sent them.”

“What makes you say that?” asked Anael.

“Think about it,” said Lucifer. “Uriel sends two hunters after me. His contacts could have easily found out that Belial is now working with Black on the side, perhaps even pay off Black’s men to arrange for a job to take Belial out of the house at a certain time.”

“And without protection, you’d be vulnerable,” said Mara.

“Precisely. Uriel hired those two because he knew they would fail,” said Lucifer.

“Why would he do that?” asked Anael. “What’s the point of arranging a hit that’s designed to fail?”

“Because of what I’d do next,” said Lucifer. “I’d wager that Uriel believed I’d be so shaken up by the event, that I’d immediately return to Hell.”

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” asked Anael. “How would Uriel have known if I didn’t tell him?”

“So you say,” said Mara. “I maintain you’re still the most-likely suspect. Wouldn’t be the first time you betrayed the Morningstar.”

“No, she’s telling the truth,” said Lucifer. “But Ana, answer me this—when Belial told you about my condition, were you in Eden?”

Anael nodded slowly. “Yes, but what does that mean? We were alone.”

“So you thought,” said Lucifer. “You think Uriel doesn’t have secret surveillance in that place? Nothing is said that he isn’t aware of.”

“You’re saying he spied on me?”

“Clearly,” said Lucifer.

Anael’s face was a mask of barely restrained rage. Her eyes flashed with blue light as her wings extended and enveloped her. Inside less than a blink, she was gone.

“That was rude,” said Mara.

“It was also according to plan,” said Lucifer.

“Huh?” Mara rubbed the back of her neck. “According to what plan?”

“According to mine.