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

Heaven. Never shall you cross these gates. Never shall you infect the minds of your fellow angels with lies and deceit. You wanted freedom. You’re free to roam Earth as you please, but do not forget your duty, Lucifer. Do not forget you owe your life to Hell.”

He put his hands out. I felt myself falling, falling and I could not beat my wings to fly back up. They burnt with an intensity I’d never experienced before.

Where was Azrael? I can’t see him. My vision went dark around the edges.

I landed with a thump. When I opened my eyes, I found myself surrounded by blackened earth. Rising to my feet, I looked around.

All I could see is fire.

The fire which never dies.

And I know.

I am in Hell.

§

Lucifer felt dampness on his hand, pulling it away, he found Candace’s face wet with tears. He hadn’t noticed, so lost in the day the Devil was born.

She opened her eyes, staring up at him.

“I had no idea,” she whispered. “I should never have asked you to tell me.”

She reached up, holding his face and pressing her forehead to his.

“Humans think their God is benevolent. To them, perhaps, but to His angels, never. Especially not to the one He called His favourite son.”

“He was right about one thing… You are unbreakable.”

He laughed. It was hollow.

“Perhaps that was true before, but not now. You see, I gave my soul to a witch and if she leaves me, I’ll break and the pieces of my soul will scatter in the wind.”

Her bottom lip trembled. A sob escaped her perfect mouth. He cupped her cheek, knowing she wasn’t able to speak at that moment.

“Shh, don’t cry any more for me.” He wiped her cheek with his thumb. “Showing you my worst memory was not meant to upset you. I trust you, little witch, with everything. I want you to remember that when you’re afraid.”

She pressed her mouth to his. Her lips were damp from her tears.

“Thank you for trusting me. I won’t be afraid any more. Next week, I’ll tell my mother then we’ll have forever.”

If only that were true. They would have years, but forever wasn’t on the cards. Not when he knew her soul belonged in Heaven.

Chapter Twenty Seven

Lucifer watched her hands shaking as they walked down the long corridor. The double doors at the end were dark wood with intricate carvings of the fae. Beyond lay her mother’s dining room.

“I don’t want to do this,” she whispered.

He put a hand on her arm.

“I’m here, little witch. You need not be afraid.”

She looked at him, violet eyes betraying her inner turmoil.

“I don’t want to pretend. She’ll have invited the royal families. I can’t stand any of them. Stuck up wastes of space. They think I’m polite, courteous and obedient. I never gave them any reason to think otherwise.”

“Then they’ll just have to learn who their princess truly is.”

She half smiled at him, turning back to the doors. They opened as they drew closer. Most of the seats were already filled. Her mother sat at the very head of the table. The laughter and voices rang through the room as they neared the doors.

And then, everything froze. Lucifer stopped, the hairs on the back of his neck pricking up. He eyed Candace, but she’d been frozen in place too. There could only be one explanation.

“Father.”

“Hello Lucifer.”

He stiffened.

What the fuck is He doing here? Of all the times He could have come, why now?

“I am here because the time has come for you to learn your final lesson.”

He’d forgotten he couldn’t hide anything from his father. It had been so long since he’d heard the Divine’s voice. So long since he’d been in his presence, he’d forgotten what it felt like.

“And what lesson would that be?”

Fuck His lessons. It’s just another way to punish me for my inability to be His perfect son.

“I’m going to give you a choice. Either way, you will have to sacrifice something you care about.”

Candace.

His heart constricted painfully. Anger blazed in his veins. His father using the woman he loved against him was a whole new low.

“She has always been the one you must sacrifice.”

“Haven’t you done enough? Do you want me to break, Father? The son you called strong willed and unbreakable now has a weakness and you clearly intend to exploit it. Your cruelty knows no bounds.”

His father said nothing in response.

Sacrifice. Sacrifice.

The realisation dawned on him like a ton of bricks slamming down on his heart.

“She who is born under the two stars. She who belongs to two worlds. She who comes to you in darkness. She who comes to you in light. She will bring the dawn and cast out the night. She will restore you. She will be your sacrifice.”

The air around him seemed to drop a few degrees. The lights flickered.

That idiotic prophecy. Why am I not surprised? I should’ve known it was about us.

Darkness. Light. Dawn. Devil. Light bringer. Morningstar. The references were clear as day now.

“It is your choice, Lucifer. Is she really worthy of you?”

“Of course she’s fucking worthy. It’s me who’s not worthy of her.”

“You would place a half witch, half fae girl above yourself? That is… unexpected.”

He rarely surprised his father. He supposed this was a change in pace.

“If you’d bothered to look in my head, you’d know why. I love her.”

“The last time we spoke, you hated mortals. Tell me. What changed?”

Everything. She changed everything. And I don’t hate her for it. I always needed her. She fills the void in my soul.

“I don’t need to