Lucifer Reborn by Dante King (the reader ebook .TXT) 📗

Maddie’s safe,” I said, nodding. Relief flooded me as the remaining demons walked or crawled away—last to go were the cheerleader and her varsity demon boyfriend, each carrying the other like battle wounded. A big, angry lump stood out on the cheerleader’s forehead where Christina smacked her, almost like a third horn.

“I tucked her away in the subspace,” I said.

Just then Mareth came up beside us, still rubbing her head. “I cannot believe,” she muttered, sounding hungover, “that you brought a mortal with you to the Academy…”

Christina and I shared a look. I squared my shoulders, rising to my full height like a true candidate for the position of Archlord of Hell.

“The responsibility is mine,” I agreed with a nod. “I didn’t know she was there, but I should have guessed it before opening the trunk. If I’d have known that you and the other demons would have that kind of reaction to her, I’d have driven back out of here first…”

Mareth met my gaze for a moment, still angry, then sighed. “It is so dangerous to bring a mortal to Hell,” she explained, holding her hands out in front of her. “Particularly an unbound mortal.”

“Yeah, everyone kind of blew their tops,” Christina said, watching the cheerleader and the varsity demon disappear around the cafeteria building. “What the fuck was that, anyway? I don’t remember the demons on the surface acting like that around mortals.”

“Things are different in Hell,” Mareth agreed. “Bringing an unbound mortal down here without demonic protection, like Lucifer’s blessing, is a very good way to get them killed. In an exceedingly gory fashion, I might add. It’s like throwing a rabbit to a pack of wolves. Surface demons have practiced controlling their urges—it’s one of the things you learn in the Academy, actually—but having a fresh, nubile young woman shoved in a demon’s face…”

“Like popping a bottle in front of an alcoholic,” I guessed.

Mareth blanched in response. “Something like that.”

Two figures emerged from around the other side of the hot rod. I hadn’t even realized Xora was still here. After I pulled Maddie into subspace, she must have gone nuts for a while—she and the valet looked like the co-eds I’d seen doing a ‘walk of shame’ after a weekend-long frat party. I chuckled a bit at the sight, but inside I remained wary. This woman had tried to hurt Maddie. Sure, she couldn’t control it, but still—that put a serious black mark on her resume, as far as I was concerned.

Xora seemed aware of this, as well. She kept her eyes focused on the ground as she came around to the back of the car, twirling a lock of long blonde hair between her fingers. Her hair was decidedly less snake-like than it had been while she’d been trying to get to Maddie.

“That was…unpleasant,” the rusalka said—which was as close to an apology as I was likely to get from her. “The mortal you had in the trunk, was she…?”

“She’s not hurt,” I said, watching Xora relax visibly. “You tore her clothes up something awful, though.”

“Knowing you, that was probably not a drawback,” the rusalka said, her dark eyes sparkling. “I doubt she would wish to remain clothed long in your presence, Luke…”

“If you’re trying to flatter me in the hopes I’ll forget you tried to kill my friend,” I said, cocking my head to the side, “keep it up. It’s not going to work, but I do enjoy it.”

Xora’s face fell. “Yes, well—now that this bit of action is out of the way, we can continue our tour,” she said quickly, resuming her professional facade. “Assuming none of you are in need of medical attention…?”

Mareth shook her head. “Just a little frazzled,” the succubus whispered.

“I’m pumped,” Christina growled, grinning from ear-to-ear. “Shit, I feel like I could go another few rounds. I know you mentioned there’s a swim team at the Academy. Is there boxing, too?”

“There are a number of options for someone with your love of physical combat,” Xora said with a secretive smile. “Luke. May we continue the tour? Or do you wish to make a claim for satisfaction, first?”

All three sets of eyes turned to me. I could see that it was more than a simple request as far as Xora was concerned.

“Satisfaction?” I asked, chuckling a bit. I expected Xora to laugh along with me, but her expression was deadly serious. “What, you want me to slap you with a glove and have an old-timey duel?”

“I was the only demon who managed to harm the mortal,” Xora said smoothly. “Which means you have the right to retribution, should you so wish.”

With a start, I realized I was probably well in my rights to demand satisfaction from her. She’d attacked a woman connected to me—a woman who might very well end up next to Christina and Mareth on my team.

In other words, she’d just asked if I could forgive her—or if I was going to try and kill her.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of the Academy,” I told her, filing the information into the back of my head. I might forgive, temporarily at least, but I never forgot. If Xora wanted to join me later, she had some making up to do. Miss Rusalka had her work cut out for her. “But first, I’m going to head back to the subspace and make sure Maddie isn’t freaking out too much. Can we hold off on the tour for a bit? Time works differently in my subspace, so I shouldn’t be more than a few minutes.”

“And how exactly are you intending to comfort Maddie?” Christina said, arching a perfect eyebrow.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” I said with a smile. “I’ll be back soon.”

Xora nodded at me, clearly feeling a little ashamed at wanting to eat Maddie.

I closed my eyes, concentrated,