Court of Sunder (Age of Angels #2) - Milana Jacks Page 0,37
it. I moved her behind me.
“Michael came into my realm,” Lucifer said.
“The mortal realm. Not yours.”
“It was mine. Father sent me here.”
“As a punishment.”
“I took advantage of my circumstances.”
I walked up to him. “What did you give up for access to souls?”
“Everything.” His eyes slid to Nevaeh, then back to me. “Everything.”
I tilted my head. “Father gifted you a soul’s mate, and you traded her soul for power?”
“All Father’s gifts are tricks meant to restrain our power and the possibility of what we could become. Don’t look so surprised. My brothers invaded my territory and locked down my power. The only thing I got in return is a mortal soul to toy with. What the fuck do you want me to do with a barely adult mortal virgin? Grab a shack in the Veil, surround it with a white picket fence, and let a golden retriever guard me? You took everything from me, and I will take it all back.”
“Take Gortem Castle and the surrounding estates.” A rich land in the territory Ariel believed she occupied. Lucifer slayed the female battle angel and not the male, choosing to wound me in such a way on purpose.
He snorted. “A castle? Brother, please don’t offend me.”
“What is it that you want?” I knew what he wanted, though. A Court of his own where he could grow his army and eventually take over the world.
“Sanctuary, nothing more.”
Inwardly, I rolled my eyes. “I am giving you land.”
“Which Michael can take at any time.”
“It is your job to strengthen your defenses.”
“You owe me for preserving your mortals. I could’ve taken this entire Court, every mortal in this land. They were desperate, Lord Sunder, and desperation led to drinking, murdering, anarchy on your streets.” He inhaled and looked up as if having a nostalgic moment while recalling beautiful memories. “It reminded me of the Veil. Sins, violence, and corruption. I resisted it all.”
“Resistance isn’t something you’re used to. Restraint either. Congratulations, you grew up. I’ll craft you a medal. As for Michael, you weren’t supposed to kill the girl in plain sight, and I paid for your mistake. Besides, if you’re toying with souls, how is it you didn’t know hers was immortal?”
“I’m not the all-knowing.”
Julia was immortal. I was certain now. The day of the battle, after the blow that should’ve killed her, when I placed my hand on her leg to try to heal her, I felt the faint buzz of a body that had started regenerating, and I knew we’d lost. There was no going back from Lucifer’s failure. She was supposed to die in battle. “Take the castle as your sanctuary and leave it at that. You’ve lost leverage over Michael and most of his soldiers.” He couldn’t reach Julia anymore. That much was certain, or Michael would’ve behaved differently.
“You tempt me to prove you otherwise.”
“You couldn’t mark Julia,” I said. “Admit it.” If he couldn’t mark Julia, he shouldn’t be able to mark Nevaeh even if Nevaeh was mortal. Her soul was glued to mine, and I wouldn’t let go. Perhaps Michael wouldn’t let Julia’s soul go either. Perhaps the body of a mortal soul who belonged to an immortal archangel couldn’t be harmed. Perhaps he couldn’t mark Julia because of her full memories. Perhaps and perhaps would drive me insane! Nevaeh was a mortal, but her body didn’t buzz with the same regenerative power as Julia’s. Why?
Lucifer chuckled. “Don’t tempt me when your soul’s mate is within arm’s reach.”
“Oh my God,” Nevaeh said. “Raphael?”
I levitated and started circling Lucifer. He sprang into the air too, and we spun, first slowly, then faster like a merry-go-round. He wanted privacy, and so did I. Nevaeh had heard enough.
“You didn’t tell her?” Lucifer asked, laughing.
“She isn’t my soul’s mate.”
Lucifer ground his teeth. “You offend me. I know she is. Admit it.”
“Stay at the castle. When Michael comes, I will defeat him on my Court and settle this war before it destroys the realm.”
“You cannot defeat him alone. You will need me, brother, and I have the means to kill him forever.”
“Your means are forbidden, and you will cause this realm’s collapse. We have nowhere to go, Lucifer.”
“Stop lecturing me about what is forbidden and what is not while sucking the life out of the mortals in your Court. You broke the rules of Mickey’s world.”
“This is not his world.”
Lucifer stopped. “Exactly.” He clapped his hands. “I know what you’re thinking, brother. You’re thinking if you outwit me and bring him my head, you’d