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

seemed like forever. She felt it the moment he entered the room. Everything centred on that damn angel when he was near her.

“Mall,” Lucifer said, his voice cold. “I have been waiting for you.”

Mall stood, bowing to him.

“I apologise my Lord. Your lady friend wanted some company.”

His eyes narrowed, falling on Candace. The hairs on the back of her neck stood to attention.

“Well, I suppose I have been neglecting my guest of late.”

Mall bowed again, giving Candace a little wave before she slipped from the room. Lucifer waved a hand and the plate in front of her disappeared. She’d long finished her meal anyway.

She stood up, facing him.

“Don’t be mad at Mall,” she blurted out. “I was asking her questions about Hell. I’m sorry I kept her away.”

His mesmerising eyes raked across her, taking in every inch of her body before falling on her hair. She hadn’t changed the colour. There was no way she could after what he’d said. She always matched her hair to her outfits, but now, she had no choice but to deal with it.

“If I had known you lacked for company, I would’ve asked her to stop in with you sooner.”

“Is she the only one who knows I’m here?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

He took several steps forward but came to a halt a few feet away from her. Even from this distance, he was too close. Her body thrummed.

“Do you realise how it would look to my demons? Protecting a girl from Earth for no good reason.”

“I never asked you to protect me.”

“And yet, you’ve never thanked me for it either.”

He had a point. It would look bad if they knew she was staying here with him.

“Thank you.”

“Was that really so hard?”

She wanted to throw something at his head. Why did he have to be so obnoxious and sarcastic? She was trying to be civil and polite. It wouldn’t do to engage in a battle of words with him again.

“No, but I still don’t understand…”

He arched an eyebrow. How could she finish that sentence? She’d been about to tell him she didn’t understand why they couldn’t stay away from each other. Why every time she looked at him, her whole world flipped on its axis and all she wanted was to drown in him.

“Understand what?”

She took a step towards him.

“This,” she whispered.

“This?”

“You. Me. This.”

Why the hell did I just say that? I’m such an idiot.

He smiled a little, but it was a sad smile.

“Why are you doing this? Why me? What do you have to gain from protecting me?”

“Who said I had anything to gain from it?”

It was his turn to take a step towards her.

“You don’t seem like the type to do anything for anyone else unless it’s of benefit to you.”

“You have a low opinion of me.”

“You’ve done nothing but live up to your reputation.”

“Have I not taken care of you? Is that the type of thing the Devil would do?”

That brought her up short. She stepped back, suddenly finding it hard to breathe. His very presence suffocated her. Heat pooled everywhere. His eyes darkened further as if they weren’t already almost black as it was.

“As to why I am doing this… I thought you’d have understood by now. Did I not make myself clear?”

He advanced on her. She backed away until she felt the counter behind her. She had nowhere left to go. He rested his hands either side of her, I caging her in.

“Tell me, Candace, would you like to be treated as one of my subjects?”

“No,” she whispered.

“No? So, you do want me to treat you like you’re my guest.”

“Yes.”

“I think you want more than that from me.”

Fuck him. I hate him so much, but I want him all the same.

Her chest felt tight. She clenched her legs together, trying to stem the raging tide of her desire. He was much too close. All her senses went into overdrive. She needed this man. Needed him to tear off her clothes and fuck her with ruthless abandon. It’s what she wanted.

There was no point in denying it to herself.

But admitting such a thing to him?

Impossible.

“You don’t know anything about me.”

“Oh, I know plenty about you. Candace Cadmi Highmore, daughter of Gallian Highmore, head of the Grand Coven.”

She went deadly still. He knew who her father was. How did he know? She hadn’t told him. He reached up, tucking her hair behind her ear.

“Did you think I wouldn’t discover your true identity? I am the King of Hell, girl. You should know better. Quite the scandal your father caused, bringing home a half fae daughter and yet no one knows who gave birth to you.”

“He didn’t tell me.”

His hand cupped the back of her neck, forcing her to look at him.

“You’re lying to me. Who is your mother?”

“What makes you think I’d tell you anything?”

He gripped her neck tighter. She tried not to wince.

“You’re far too stubborn.”

“You might know who my father is, but you still don’t know a thing about me.”

She reached up, grabbing his hand and pulling it away from her neck. She held it between them.

“Is this why you’re denying me? Because your father wouldn’t approve?”

“You can look up all the information about me you want, that doesn’t change anything between us. Of course, he wouldn’t approve if he found out, but that’s the thing, he doesn’t approve of anything I do. I am his biggest disappointment. No matter how hard I try to live up to his standards.”

His eyes widened a fraction. She didn’t let go of his hand despite the electricity sparking up her arm.

“If you’d bothered to ask me about him, to ask me