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

the head of the table. His elbows were propped on the armrests, his fingers steepled together. The Morningstar’s eyes were shut and his face bore a look of exhaustion.

“This is what the reality of ruling Hell is, Raum,” said Lucifer. “Presiding over an unruly group of egomaniacs who all think they should be in charge. Arguments like this would happen every single time the Infernal Court held session. Border disputes, accusations of fomenting dissent, petty feuds, you name it.”

Lucifer walked closer to the memory of himself. He looked at his own face and his expression reminded him of the dejected melancholy he had felt in those days.

“This was when it happened,” said Lucifer.

“When what happened?” asked Raum.

“Lilith had been imprisoned in Cocytus, we allied with Heaven to overthrow the Nephilim and I signed the armistice which proved unpopular, and which in turn led to more sessions just like this.” Lucifer turned and looked at his tormentor. “This was when I truly gave up all pretense that I was ruling anything. After this day, I essentially quit and resigned myself to my tower.”

The landscape changed again and now they stood inside that very same tower. The Morningstar’s memory was on the top floor, staring out over the landscape. Raum and Lucifer watched as someone entered the room. Seeing an angel in Hell was a strange sight, but there was Gabriel himself, casually strolling up to his brother.

“Lucifer,” he said. “How are you, brother?”

“What is an angel doing in Hell?” asked Raum. “Is this what the Choir talked about? Have you been serving them the whole time?”

“Don’t be an idiot,” said Lucifer. “Gabriel had tried to be a mediator between Heaven and myself. He could understand my rebellion, even if he didn’t agree with it. And the Choir felt it was useful for him to act as a liaison.”

“Thank you for coming,” said Lucifer’s memory to Gabriel. “Before I tell you why I’ve called you here, I want to start by saying that I’m not accusing Heaven of anything.”

Gabriel sighed. “That’s not a good start.”

“Asmodeus is missing,” said Lucifer.

“What?” There seemed to be genuine concern in the angel’s voice. “Since when?”

“I’m not certain, all we know is that he was last seen on Earth. And I just wanted to be sure—”

“Heaven had nothing to do with it,” said Gabriel. “The Choir knows what a violation of the armistice capturing or killing a Hell Lord would be. In fact, we’re currently missing one of our own, too.”

Lucifer’s eyebrow raised. “Who?”

“Raziel,” said Gabriel.

“Do you think it’s related?” asked Lucifer.

Gabriel shrugged. “Possibly. But there’s a more immediate concern. If Asmodeus is gone…”

Lucifer sighed. “Lilith, I know.”

“She’s your responsibility, brother,” said Gabriel. “You know the agreement we came to.”

“Agreement?” asked Raum.

“When she was human, Lilith had an affair with Asmodeus. She gave birth to the first cambions, some of whom evolved into the first monsters. The angels killed her and her soul ended up in Hell, becoming the first human who was transformed into a demon,” said Lucifer. “After we cleared the field of the Nephilim, one of the terms of the armistice was confining Lilith to Hell. They felt she was too great a threat.”

“So you betrayed one of your own in order to maintain positive relations with the very enemies you rebelled against?” Raum shook his head in disbelief. “You are an unbelievable hypocrite.”

“I did what at the time I felt had to be done. Politics is about compromise. Sometimes it makes for strange bedfellows,” said Lucifer. “It’s easy to be critical when you have none of the responsibility.”

The memory continued and Lucifer had said to Gabriel, “I’ll see to it Lilith is contained. You have my word.”

“Thank you,” said Gabriel. “And if I learn anything about Asmodeus, I’ll bring it directly to you.”

Lucifer’s memory gave a nod of understanding. Some silence passed before he then said, “How is she?”

Gabriel looked down at his feet. “Why do you want to know?”

“You know why.”

“Lucifer…”

“Please.”

“No, she hasn’t said anything about you. Anael has maintained her vow to never speak your name,” said Gabriel.

“You’re still obsessed with the angel you left behind,” said Raum. “One of your loyal soldiers was missing. Heaven was demanding you keep a demon in check. And in face of that, your biggest concern was whether or not your ex still talked about you.”

Lucifer turned angrily towards Raum. “You have no idea what you’re saying!”

“Anael betrayed you and you still care more about her than your own people,” said Raum. “Even now, you’re associating with her after leaving Hell in the hands of a half-breed.”

“I failed, okay?” said Lucifer. “I know I failed as leader. That’s why I felt Hell could use a different perspective on the throne, and so I gave it to Cross. You may call him a half-breed, but he’s the son of Abraxas. He has the blood of The Fallen in his veins. What are you, Raum? Just a damned soul that used to be human.”

“I see that streak of heavenly elitism is alive and well in you, Morningstar,” said Raum. “I know now what an idiot I was to believe someone like you could ever stand up for the rest of us. Even in Heaven, you were considered to be one of the privileged. So what exactly was it that made you decide to rebel?”

Lucifer turned away from Raum. “You know what. I saw the spark of free will in humanity and I wanted the same thing for us.”

“No…you’re lying,” said Raum. “I can see it now. You’re trying to hide it from me, aren’t you?”

“You’re in my mind, Raum. I can’t hide anything from you.”

“Liar!” Raum jumped on Lucifer and somehow, was able to make contact when Lucifer couldn’t do the same earlier. Raum’s hands were around Lucifer’s neck, squeezing it tightly. “Enough with these digressions, Morningstar! Show me what you’re trying to hide! Show me why you rebelled!”

Lucifer had a sensation that felt like hot spikes being driven into his head. He had managed to keep