The Angel Side Page 18

  Father’s creased brow indicated I had hit the nail on the head. He assumed I’d be so grateful to be pulled from utter darkness that I would fall in line. How little He knew about me. My life had been nothing but bleak lifelessness since my children, husband, and family were taken from me.

  “Well then, I shall leave you to do what it is you do, Daughter.” Father pursed his lips.

  “See you soon, Father.’ I winked as he and his revered slaves left.

  With Him gone, I dropped onto my throne, catching my breath. It had taken every ounce of energy I had to keep up the appearance that I had come back as strong as I had left. Truth be told, my journey from death had taken a toll on me. Leaning my head back, I attempted to will my headache to fade away, but it only throbbed harder. As I laid back, the sudden realization that I didn’t know the outcome of the battle in Hell came over me. Had Etta destroyed Lucifer or had Lucifer escaped death yet again. I doubted Lucifer had the capability to dodge the bullets Etta would fire his way. As a Wraith, she held the power to wipe him and his legions off the face of our worlds.

  I had crossed paths with three other Wraiths in all my years. The same as every other male I’d known, they too wanted a male dominated world. Unwilling to step down from my throne, they had forced my hand to rid our world of their mediocre existence.

  Having extinguished them so easily, I assumed Etta would be as easy if not easier due to her incessant loyalty to the males in her life. That had not been the case, however. Once I plunged my sword into her bosom, a great energy pulsed within her. Tremors rippled through my body as the power emanating from her swelled to great proportions. Lucifer and I had severely underestimated what we had been up against.

  However, with Etta being so young and naïve, it had been simple to make a few changes to our plan. With her marriage to an Arch and a High Knight Templar as a father, the Heavens wouldn’t rest until Etta had been made whole. With a little charade, Etta had been fooled into believing we were allies. With her misplaced trust, I’d taught Etta as much information as safely possible about the true power a Wraith wielded. Of course, for my protection I had left quite a bit out of our ‘training session’ but had given her enough to accomplish the task I had for her. Now the question remained, had Etta followed through with her end of our supposed deal?

  Jumping from my throne too quickly, I had become light headed as I stumbled to the golden, gem encrusted throne room door. I hadn’t quite recovered from my restoration. Leaning my head against the cool metal, I fought to regain my composure before opening the portal. With a few deep breathes, I flung the door open to find the usual protection detail surrounding the doorway. As I stepped over the threshold to greet them, my female warriors snapped to attention, clenching their polearms.

  “Bring him to me.” I commanded.

  With my weakened condition I had no way of knowing if Lucifer passed through my gates, but I hadn’t been one for showing weakness. I had to project an air of confidence. Relief swept over me as two guards snapped their heels together, bowed their heads, and took off toward the direction of my intake lobby.

  Etta had done it. Someway, somehow, she had conjured up the courage to kill her own twin brother. She had chosen her Heavenly family over her own flesh and blood. Stepping back into my room, I waited for Lucifer’s arrival.

  I hadn’t waited long. With a knock, a guard opened the door as two others dragged Lucifer in and threw him to the floor. With a dismissive wave, I signaled for the guards to return to their station.

  “Really? I should rip their spines out for putting their hands on me.” Lucifer bit out as he took to his feet, dusting himself off.

  “Well, here you are. It seems everything is going according to plan.” I said with a wry grin.

  “Did I not tell you family would be her greatest weakness?” Lucifer closed the gap between us.

  “I will admit I had my doubts. It appears I had been wrong about you. Maybe you are useful after all.” I moaned as he kissed and nibbled on my neck.

  “I’ll show you all the many ways I can be more than simply useful.” Lucifer lightly whispered in my ear.

  “Where is it?” I asked as he fumbled with the bronze straps of my brigandine.

  “Where is what?” he replied as he finally conquered a strap.

  Not one to be so easily seduced, I raked my hand through his sandy blond hair. Grabbing a fistful, I wrenched his head back until he fell to his knees. There had been one piece that would make or break the rest of our plot against the Heavens. If he had failed to retrieve it and bring it with him, I would be forced to throw him in the valley with the rest of the wretched souls I ruled.

  Lucifer’s gaze burned into me as he reached into his belt. With anticipation, I waited to see the weapon that would cause Father’s kingdom to collapse. Opening the palm of his hand, Lucifer revealed a small red shard of what had once been part of Etta’s soul.

  Euphoria blazed within me as the ruby shimmered under the light of the chandelier. Biting my lower lip, I yanked Lucifer up by his collar, pulling him firmly into me.

  “Now let’s see some of your other skills.” I said, raising a playful brow.

  The End?