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

were killed and I was knocked out by a hellfire blast.”

“And the Morningstar?”

“Kragmor said no one else was found.”

“So the Morningstar could have died in the raid?”

“Possibly, but I think there would have been some remains,” said Mara. “Yet raiders aren’t known for taking prisoners.”

“No, they’re not,” said Lilith. “Which means this may not have been a simple raid. It may have been planned.”

“Beelzebub mentioned something about a threat rising in the Badlands,” said Mara.

“Yes, I’ve heard those rumors, too. In fact, that’s why I was away when they brought you back. I was actually meeting with Cross about this very matter.”

“But that means someone knew Lucifer was in Hell and that he was being transported by Beelzebub’s people,” said Mara.

“A potential traitor in Beelzebub’s kingdom,” said Lilith. “But why were you going to Cocytus in the first place?”

Mara sighed. “There’s something you need to know about that…”

16

Raum’s followers had dragged Lucifer to a small chamber within the cavern. It was far smaller than the ones Lucifer had seen up until now and there was nothing really in the room other than some shackles hanging from the wall. They affixed the manacles around his wrists and ankles and then left him hanging limply, his body still weak from the beating he’d experienced and pain continuing to lance throughout his body.

Raum entered the room once they left and closed the entrance behind him. It was just the two of them now. He approached Lucifer and grabbed his chin, holding his head up so Lucifer was forced to look at the demon.

“It’s sad, really. To see how the light has gone out of your eyes. To see how far you’ve fallen from the leader we all expected you to be,” said Raum. “And now, what are you? A rebel who forgot his cause? A king who gave up his throne? A celestial who’s weaker than a kitten? Such an absolute waste.”

Lucifer began to chuckle.

“Something funny?” asked Raum with a tilt of his head.

“Ever hear of Gehenna?” asked Lucifer.

Raum nodded. “Heaven’s prison. What about it?”

“Before the war began, the Divine Choir attempted to imprison me there. The tortures I experienced were unlike anything you’ve ever imagined. After all, where do you think the first demons learned the art of torture from? So if you think you can put me through any kind of suffering, just know this, boy—pain and I are old friends. There’s nothing you can do that I haven’t seen before.”

Raum studied Lucifer’s face for a few moments and then began to snicker himself. He patted Lucifer’s cheek.

“Oh, my friend,” said Raum before he gestured around the room. “Look at this place, what do you see?”

“Nothing,” said Lucifer. “Nothing other than a pathetic demon with delusions of grandeur.”

“That’s right, you see nothing,” said Raum. “No knives, no whips, no electrodes to be hooked up to genitals…none of that. No torture devices of any kind.”

“I assume you’ll be approaching something resembling a point soon?” asked Lucifer.

“I’ve never really been a fan of physical torture,” said Raum. “At some point, the body eventually shuts down. The pain just becomes like white noise. You adapt to it, you become used to it. And what fun is there in torturing someone who can no longer react?”

Raum leaned against the wall beside Lucifer.

“No, I’m not interested in that sort of torture. What I prefer is to torture you with your own mind. Because it’s true what they say—the greatest enemy we ever face is ourselves. So let’s have a look at what’s inside your head, shall we?”

“Do your worst, you little pissant,” said Lucifer. “But just know that when I get my powers back, filleting your soul will be the first thing I do.”

“I’m quaking.”

Raum placed his hand on Lucifer’s head, his fingers spread out over the Morningstar’s scalp and digging into his hair. Lucifer felt the pressure on his head, like Raum’s fingers were trying to burrow into his skull. But the sensation changed. It was as if white-hot needles were drilling into his brain. He opened his mouth in a silent scream and then his vision faded.

Everything turned white for Lucifer and slowly, his vision came back into focus. He was in a room constructed completely out of crystal, with an open balcony attached and perfect blue skies beyond that. As he looked around the room, his memory was triggered.

“Isn’t this cozy?”

Lucifer spun and saw Raum standing behind him, leaning against the wall with his arms folded. Raum stood upright and looked around the room, nodding appreciatively.

“So, this is what the homes are like in Heaven. Very impressive,” he said.

“What is this?” asked Lucifer.

“Isn’t it obvious? This is your memory,” said Raum. “We’re inside your head right now, rooting around.”

Lucifer heard a rustling sound coming from behind. When he faced the direction, he was surprised to see a large bed with white sheets. And a figure beneath those sheets, stirring awake. A man rose from the bed and stretched out his arms and yawned as large, feathered wings emerged from his back and reached their entire span. He moved past Lucifer and Raum and stepped out onto the balcony, then leaned against the railing and looked out over the Elysium skyline.

“That’s me,” said Lucifer.

“Back in your more innocent days, I’d wager. But I’m curious why this specific day is the one that we’re seeing.”

Another sound came from the bed. Lucifer and Raum looked at it again and they both realized that there was still someone lying under the sheets. The memory of Lucifer came back into the room and looked at the dark-haired woman that awoke in his bed.

“Anael…” whispered Lucifer as he watched the memory of the angel with a soft smile on her lips. A smile he hadn’t seen since that day.

Raum gave a wolf-whistle. “Normally I’m not one for angels. But I’d definitely make an exception for her.”

Lucifer ignored Raum’s comment and watched the memory of his interaction with Anael. He moved closer to them and reached a