Lucifer's Cage (After Dark Book 6) by Sarah Bailey (short story to read .txt) 📗

She chuckled, indicating to Neave to get them another tumbler. The vampire picked up a glass and slid it down the bar. Candace caught it and poured a scotch for Alistair.

“You know it’s funny seeing you all smitten with a girl.”

“Jealous, are we? You had your chance.”

He gave her a wink, taking a sip of whisky.

“And now I suddenly remember why I never wanted a repeat of that incident.”

He knocked his shoulder into hers.

“Say, why are you here alone instead of with Jax?”

She should’ve known he’d ask about that.

“I need to talk to you about something. This has to stay between us.”

She turned to him, her expression serious. He raised an eyebrow but nodded.

“Did Jax ask you how to create a portal to Hell and did you help him with it?”

He looked down at his drink for a moment before sighing and running a hand through his hair.

“He asked me some questions, but I don’t know why he wanted to know. What’s this about?”

“He sent me to Hell and I couldn’t get back for two months. Don’t worry, I’m fine, but my dad is pissed off for obvious reasons. And I really don’t want you getting in the crosshairs for being inadvertently involved.”

She took another sip of whisky. Warning him felt like the right thing to do.

“I’m going to chuck that idiot in the Thames. Wait, so the rumours were true? Hell was really sealed off? Shit. I mean after all that crap with the Darkness last year, I thought things had been too quiet on that front.”

“The Darkness?”

“Oh well, yeah. You must’ve been in Oxford when it happened. It was the end-of-the-world shit involving pretty much all of us. It was crazy. I’ve never seen so many angels and who’d have thought I’d actually get to see the Devil up close.”

Her heart thumped in her chest at the mention of his name. Was this what he’d been talking about the day they’d met?

“Lucifer?”

He eyed her for a moment, frowning a little.

“Yes. I didn’t speak to him, but he got into this huge fight with Azrael, you know, the Archangel of Death and then Michael turned up with Gabriel and Raphael. Also, in some crazy twist, Michael is actually Lukas’ father. So, Azrael had to kill his own girlfriend to stop the Darkness, but it’s all good. God brought her back to life and they live up in Heaven now.”

She stared at Alistair with wide eyes. What the actual fuck? She tried to process everything he’d told her.

“What exactly was the Darkness?”

“God’s wrath, though really, it was his punishment for Azrael siding with Lucifer in the war in Heaven on top of his exile. I’m just glad that’s all over. I mean, if the world had ended, it would’ve sucked.”

Her heart wrenched again.

Lucifer. It can’t be easy for him knowing he’s still exiled when his fellow angel had been allowed to go home.

All she wanted to do was wrap her arms around him. Tell him it was okay and she was here for him now. She couldn’t do any of those things. He was in Hell and she was back on Earth where she belonged.

“Shit. Can’t believe I knew nothing about this.”

“Say, why are you so interested in it anyway?”

“Oh, it’s just something he said when I was in Hell.”

She slapped a hand over her mouth. It had slipped out without her realising.

“Who said?”

Alistair had always been discerning even if he was constantly making crude jokes and talking about himself like he was the best thing since sliced bread. He was smart, powerful and she always went to him when she needed help with magic. They were pretty close friends.

“Lucifer,” she mumbled.

“You actually talked to him?”

“I spent two months with him, Alistair.”

He grinned and winked at her.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, not like that.”

It had been like that. She turned away, her face burning.

Damn it and now he’s not going to drop it either. Shit. Why did I have to open my stupid mouth?

“You’ve gone up in my estimation.”

Her head whipped around.

“What?”

“Was it good? I mean I can imagine he’s into some weird shit.”

Trust him to say something like that.

“Oh god, please stop talking.”

“Who’s into weird shit?” Neave asked.

Candace jumped, looking up at the vampire who was leaning on the bar in front of them.

“Candace did the dirty with the Devil when she was in Hell.”

“Alistair!”

Neave’s eyebrows shot up.

“Damn, he’s hot. I don’t blame you for getting a piece of that.”

She folded her arms across her chest.

“I did not sleep with Lucifer.”

“Says the girl who’s on first name terms with him,” Alistair said, grinning.

She was going to kill him in a minute. Why did he have to tell Neave? No one was supposed to know.

“Look, if I find out either of you has blabbed this to anyone else, I will hunt you down. Got it?” She looked between the two of them. They both nodded. “Yes, it was amazing. Now, kindly drop this subject before I bash your heads together.”

“I need details,” Neave said. “You fucked the Devil. If he batted his eyes at me, I’d come running.”

She bit the side of her mouth.

I’m not jealous. Not at all. Not one bit. Who the fuck am I kidding? I can’t stand the thought of him with anyone else.

She couldn’t expect him to be faithful to her. It wasn’t like they were in a relationship and she’d left him. Her heart contracted for what felt like the hundredth time that day. She had to stop thinking about him.

“Neave, with all due respect, fuck off.”

The vampire smiled wide, shrugged and walked away, hips swaying. Alistair turned to her.

“Sorry.”