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

As soon as Shem mentioned the angel, I knew it had to be Uriel.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” asked Mara.

“Because while Ana was here, I wanted your reactions to be genuine,” said Lucifer.

“So what was that all about then?”

“Ana now feels betrayed by Uriel, which will drive a wedge between them and serve as a useful ‘fuck you’ to that prick,” said Lucifer.

“So what will you do?” asked Mara.

“Exactly what Uriel wants,” said Lucifer. “I’m going to Hell.”

8

“I don’t understand,” said Mara. “All this time, you’ve ruled out returning as the last thing you would do. Your commitment to that idea even caused Belial to rush out. So why the sudden change of heart?”

Lucifer had his phone in hand. He was busy typing a message and quickly sent it out. Then he addressed Mara’s question.

“Shem and Ham were just the beginning. In time, Uriel will grow bolder in his attempts to get me to return to the throne. And if I’m going to have to make this trip eventually, then I’d rather it be on my terms and not his,” said Lucifer.

“Which means…?”

“Which means I have no intention of reclaiming the throne,” said Lucifer. “Cross sits on it and he can keep it. The plan is to return to Hell, restore my powers, then resume the hunt for the Cocytus escapees.”

“What happens once you’ve got them all?”

“Then it’s time for Uriel to face some consequences for his actions,” said Lucifer. “And at that point, I promise you that he’ll regret attempting to play these little games with my life.”

“Wouldn’t that be taking a massive risk, going after an ambassador of the Choir?” asked Mara.

Lucifer smiled. “Not if he’s fallen out of favor.”

“And just how will that happen?”

“In due time,” said Lucifer.

There was a burst of hellfire that started to take form right in the middle of the basement. Lucifer wasn’t the least bit surprised, suggesting that he had expected this to happen. Within moments, the hellfire had become the form of a figure with demonic wings. They receded into the back and Belial stood before them.

“Ah good, you got my message,” said Lucifer. “I was worried you would just ignore it.”

“You’re serious about this?” asked Belial. “You really mean to return to Hell and reclaim what’s yours?”

“If by ‘what’s mine,’ you mean my powers, then yes. But I don’t want to hear any talk of the throne,” said Lucifer.

“Understood. And in this matter, of course I shall accompany you.”

“Actually, you won’t,” said Lucifer, then pointed at Mara. “She will.”

“What?” The question was posed by Mara and Belial speaking in unison.

“Is this due to my recent behavior? If so, then I assure you, it was only because I felt it was the best course of action,” said Belial.

Lucifer stepped up to his bodyguard and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I appreciate that, sincerely. But that’s not the reason why. You’ve been working a lot with Odysseus and his men recently, and should you suddenly disappear without explanation, it might raise some questions as to what you’re up to—or more specifically, what I’m up to. And I can’t have that.

“But as Lilith’s representative here on Earth, Mara has a lot more freedom. She can move about without questions being raised. And as such, she still has more connections with Hell that may be of use to me,” Lucifer continued.

“I can understand your logic, but it feels like there’s more involved,” said Belial.

“Oh, there assuredly is,” said Lucifer. “I want you to use your connections with Black, see if you can get into Eden.”

“I need no invitation,” said Belial.

“Not if you want to cause trouble, true,” said Lucifer. “But I don’t want you to do that. Instead, I want to know what transpires between Anael and Uriel.”

Belial grumbled. “Why should it matter what those two discuss?”

“I’ll explain later. But for now, I need you to just focus on that,” said Lucifer.

Belial’s expression revealed his feelings on the matter, but he ultimately nodded. “I understand. I’ll keep my eyes and ears open and report back once you return.”

“Thank you,” said Lucifer before he turned to Mara. “With all that said, you’re my ticket to the netherworld. So shall we begin?”

“There’s something else to worry about,” said Mara. “You’re not going to Hell as a demon or even an angel—you’re entering as a human. The experience can be pretty overwhelming.”

Lucifer scoffed. “I think I can handle some travel sickness.”

“There’s also the matter of what exactly your plan is. Do you know how you’re going to restore your powers?” she asked.

“Erebus knew that it was your abdication which weakened Cocytus. Presumably he may also know how to restore your powers,” said Belial.

“He’s right, this all feels connected to that place. And so that’s where we’ll venture first,” said Lucifer.

Mara took a breath and sighed. “It won’t be easy. Even before you left, you didn’t really travel much through Hell. To get to Cocytus, we may need to travel through some unfriendly territory. Maybe if we went to Cross first?”

Lucifer shook his head. “As far as I’m concerned, there’s no reason for Cross to even know about any of this. I promised him his rule would be free of my interference and I don’t want even the appearance that I might be going back on my word or attempting a return to the throne.”

“That’s understandable, but no matter where you go in Hell, people will know it’s you. You’re going to need some protection from a Hell Lord,” said Mara. “It’s not the same place it was under your rule.”

“Is there even any Hell Lord you’re certain you could trust?” asked Belial.

Lucifer stroked his chin while trying to think of someone who might be willing to work with him. His eyes met Mara’s and he asked, “What about Lilith?”

Mara had to cover her mouth to stop herself from laughing at the suggestion. “Sorry, but I doubt Lilith would be willing to do anything for you.”

“I helped her secure Asmodeus’s former realm,” said Lucifer.

“Yeah, but she’s