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

tell you anything. What is this choice you wish me to make?”

His father sighed deeply. Lucifer didn’t turn around to look at him. He had no wish to see the one who’d taken everything from him.

“That girl is more powerful than she realises. If she is truly worthy of being your queen, then she must prove it. She stands at a crossroads. She can turn her back on her people and live a lifetime with you before I take her soul to Heaven. The second option requires her to take a life. Her mother’s in exchange for eternity. To live and rule by your side, she must commit a mortal sin. The choice is yours.”

He almost fell to his knees at his father’s pronouncement.

He expects her to damn herself to prove she’s worthy of me? What the fuck kind of sick joke is this? How can He ask me to decide? How can I ever force her to kill her own mother to be with me forever?

“You’re sick, you know that, right? After you forced Azrael to murder the woman he loves I thought you’d be done with punishing us. Clearly, I was wrong.”

“This isn’t a punishment.”

“It fucking feels like one.”

His heart broke. This wasn’t a decision he could make. And there was one very important thing she didn’t know.

“Let me talk to her.”

“No.”

“Let me speak to her. I won’t tell her what you’ve said. I just need a moment with her, please.”

If He’s going to make me go through with this, it’s the least He can fucking do.

Why did his father always have to make things so difficult? He’d taken Azrael’s warning about God being restless seriously. This was why. He was sure of it.

“If you attempt to tell her about it, I will take away your choices.”

“I’m not stupid,” Lucifer muttered.

Candace unfroze, blinking rapidly. Her eyes went wide. He turned to her, taking her hand in his.

“What’s happening? Why is… Are they frozen? What’s going on?” she said.

“Shh, look at me, little witch.”

She turned to him, confusion in her expression. His heart lurched.

“Why are they frozen?”

“It doesn’t matter, I need you to listen to me carefully.”

He let go of her hand, cupping both her cheeks.

She’s so beautiful, so pure, so perfect. How can I ask her to damn her soul for me? How can He ask me to make this choice on her behalf?

“Do you love me?” he asked.

“You know I do. What is this about?”

“Just listen and answer my questions.”

“Lucifer, you’re scaring me. Why is everything frozen except us?”

See what you’ve done, Father? She’s not ready for any of this. Fuck.

He didn’t want to make this choice. She should decide. This was her life and her soul on the line.

“I’m sorry, please don’t be afraid. You said you wanted forever with me. How much would you give up for that?”

“Everything.”

There was no hesitation in her voice.

Fuck. She has no idea what that really means.

“Little witch, are you sure you wish for eternity in Hell with me? Am I really worth giving up your entire life for?”

Her violet eyes widened.

“Why are you asking me this? I thought it’s what you wanted. You told me you couldn’t live without me.”

“Please, just humour me for a moment.”

His father had so many things to answer for. This most of all. He couldn’t come out and tell her why he needed to know. He just had to be sure of her answer. Sure of her resolve.

“You are worth sacrificing everything for, Lucifer. You know how I feel. I love you. My soul is yours. I am yours.”

Her soul.

She’d given it to him. That’s why his father was forcing him to decide. He knew what he had to do. He pulled her closer, pressing his mouth to hers. She kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Please don’t hate me.

“How could I ever? You’re everything. Nothing you’ve done or will do can change that.”

When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers, staring down into her violet eyes.

“Promise me you’ll do what’s necessary, little witch. Do what you need to survive. Show me how much you love me.”

“I promise even though I don’t know why you’re being like this.”

“Lucifer, it’s time,” his father said.

He stiffened. There was only one thing left to say and he had to do it now.

“Little witch… Candace…”

“What is it?” she asked.

“There’s one thing you should know before you go in there.”

She blinked, her lip twitching.

“I love you.”

There was a moment of silence. Her eyes fixed on his.

“You what?” she whispered.

“I love you, my little witch. I always will.”

Tears pricked at her eyes.

“Shh, don’t cry,” he said.

“You… you love me.”

“Yes.”

Her hands came up, capturing his face before she kissed him. There had been no reason to keep her in the dark any longer. She needed to know before she went in there and changed her life forever. He’d made a decision. He could only hope she kept her resolve never to hate him for anything he did.

I love her and she loves me. That has to be enough.

“I grow weary of your stalling, Lucifer,” his father said.

Lucifer pulled away from Candace.

“It’ll be okay, little witch, I promise,” he whispered.

She nodded, staring up at him with adoration on her face.

Fuck. I hope you still look at me in the same way when this is done.

“Have you decided?” his father asked.

“Yes. Don’t make me say it.”

“Who are you talking to?” Candace said.

“It doesn’t matter. Remember I love you. Remember that when everything seems dark, okay?”

She nodded again.

Just do it, Father. You know my answer.

“Let go