but certainly not something you should be embarrassed of. Your father struggled with his demon for many years. He would understand and be most capable of helping you.” He took a sip of the caramel-colored drink and returned it to the coaster.
My head whipped back and forth. “Please, don’t tell him, Luci—or my mom or Emi. I just couldn’t bear them knowing what I did.”
He shook his head. “For the record, I think it’s a mistake, but I will abide by your wishes. Now, tell me what I can do for you? Break you out of here? Convince the SIA to set you free? Bribe some Etrian Assembly members perhaps?”
“No.” I gritted my teeth as indecision threatened my resolve. “I don’t want you to get me out of here. I need to pay for my sins. What—or rather who, I need help with is one of the other inmates, Delacroix Balthier. Can you get him off my back? And maybe spot me some spending money for my comm account?” I threw him a weak smile. I wanted to do my time—okay maybe not all ten years of it, but at least until I had a better grip on my powers. I also wanted to get out of here alive after I’d done that.
Lucifer arched a dark brow, his long lashes fanning over his porcelain skin. “I don’t know much about this Delacroix fellow, but I conferred with Thax, the Underworld warlord that presides over the hellus demon, and he’s agreed to provide assistance. I, of course, did not divulge our relation as I feared that would only put you more at risk.”
“Great.”
“And as for the cash, whatever I have is yours.”
“What will Thax’s help cost?” Logan appeared over my shoulder, his brows knitted. I guess he hadn’t completely abandoned me to Lucifer’s whims.
He steepled his fingers and smirked. “I was just getting to that.” Picking up the tumbler from the coffee table again, he brought it to his lips, sipping slowly. “Delacroix is an up and comer in the Underworld. He’s used his considerable influence to his advantage within these very walls. His connections run deep, his reach uncanny and Thax isn’t willing to burn him without a good reason.”
Wasn’t I a good reason?
“Listen, Lucifer.” Logan rounded the couch and sat in the leather chair across from us. “Delacroix has been a thorn in my side since I arrived. I was sent here to clean this place up, and that isn’t possible with that demon terrorizing not only the other inmates but also my guards. I’m in the process of swapping out the entire staff, but the SIA and Etrian Assembly are giving me a hard time.”
“I don’t doubt Delacroix has men inside the agency as well—maybe even the Assembly.”
“Seriously?” My jaw nearly unhinged.
Lucifer nodded. “He’s got his eyes on the next open warlord position according to Thax. He’s building up his army from the inside.”
“Can’t you stop him?”
“I could, but there’s no point right now. He’s locked up inside this very fine prison, right Warden?”
Logan shot him a sneer, and my gramps chuckled.
“I find the less I interfere with my warlords, the less I have to worry about.”
“That’s because you don’t care what goes on in your realm,” Logan bit out.
Luci’s lips curved down as he shrugged. “Ruling the Underworld is highly overrated. I spent centuries on my ashen throne, and I greatly prefer my new one in Azar.”
“You’ll never head up the Etrian Assembly,” Logan hissed. “You were lucky you were granted a seat all those years ago.” Because of my parents.
“Anyway, I believe we’ve gotten a bit off topic. I came to help my young granddaughter, and I’d like to focus on that.”
“Yes, please,” I interjected.
“As I was saying, Thax will recommend that Delacroix give you wide berth in exchange for some intel on him and his crew.”
“This warlord wants me to spy on Delacroix?”
“Yes, apparently. You see, a new warlord may only be crowned when one of the six relinquishes their throne. And that only happens upon their death. Thax is merely watching his back. He wants to make sure Delacroix isn’t gunning for his position.”
“Gotcha.” This was way twisted.
Logan sat forward in his seat. “This sounds much too risky. Your parents would never be onboard for this.”
Lucifer cocked a brow and crossed his long legs. “We can always run it by them and see what they say.”
“No!” I shouted, jumping up. “I’ll do it.”
“This is not a good idea, Azara. We don’t even know Thax’s