Demon King (Claimed By Lucifer #1) - Elizabeth Briggs Page 0,5
irony.
I took the elevator down one floor to my war room. As I stepped inside the large space, I could almost inhale the power of my rule—a heady scent indeed. I paused as I took in the room, dark lord of all I surveyed. Live feeds and surveillance footage filled huge TV screens, and my industrious staff operated computers on too many desks to count as they followed every thread and whisper of sin this city had to offer. Greed, envy, lust…all mine, mine, mine. A huge switchboard took up an entire wall as they made connection after connection, following people, emotions, and things. Flashing lights moved around on a large world map on the wall, showing various demon, angel, and fae activities.
Samael was in his office, as I expected him to be, from where he oversaw everything in the command center. He acted as my right-hand man in most matters, and he’d been by my side ever since I left Heaven to rule Hell. Gadreel was in there too, looking at an open file atop the black desk. He was one of the younger Fallen, only about two centuries old, but he’d proved his loyalty many times and had risen in the ranks to become Samael’s assistant.
I poked my head into the office. “Meeting. Now. Get Azazel too.”
They both snapped their heads up, one dark and one light. Samael furrowed his brow. “What’s this about?”
“She’s returned.” I didn’t need to elaborate. They knew who I meant.
Gadreel’s blond eyebrows darted up. “Are you sure?”
I thought of the sparks I’d felt when I touched Hannah’s hand. “Yes, I’m certain of it. Funny enough, she found me this time.”
Without waiting for a response, I turned and headed for our meeting room. The windows facing out to the rest of the command center turned opaque as soon as I flipped a switch, giving us complete privacy. The room was soundproof too, even from supernaturals with enhanced hearing. I took my seat at the end of the conference table, sinking into the plush leather executive chair. Seconds later, Samael walked inside, followed by Gadreel and Azazel. They shut the door behind them, and took seats around the table.
“I hear she’s back,” Azazel said, as she kicked her legs up on the table, showing off studded black leather boots. She was my top security official and my fiercest blade, able to wield any weapon with ease. Tight black leather was her armor of choice and anger her fuel to fight.
“Yes, and I need you to guard our new guest,” I said. “She’s in my penthouse, and I can’t allow her to leave it unless you’re by her side. I want you protecting her at all times.”
Her face twisted with annoyance, but she nodded. She would never disobey a direct order from me, even if she didn’t want to follow it.
I leaned forward and caught her eye. “I realize being a bodyguard may seem beneath you, but in truth I’ve given you the most important task of them all. Hannah’s life will soon be in danger, and you’re the only one I trust to keep her safe.”
Her annoyance faded and she bowed her head. “I won’t fail you, my lord.”
“What is her name now?” Samael asked, his hands folded calmly on the table.
“Hannah Thorn.”
“Ah. The woman asking about her friend.”
I should have known Samael would already have some information on her. Little happened within these walls that he didn’t know about. “Yes, and we need to find this friend with all haste. She went missing in The Celestial a few days ago.” I pulled out the pad of paper and handed it to him. He scanned it quickly, while I continued. “I also want everything you can dig up on Hannah’s life. Family, boyfriends, work, what she eats for breakfast—I want every single detail.”
"It will be done,” Samael said, with his usual smooth confidence.
I pulled out Hannah’s car keys and room key next, then tossed them to Gadreel. The blond man caught them with quick reflexes. “Gadreel, I need you to go to the Double Down Motel” —I shuddered simply saying the name— “And retrieve her things, along with her car. I trust you can figure out which one it is.”
“Won’t be a problem, my lord,” Gadreel said, as he examined the room key with distaste. Hannah had referred to the Double Down Motel as this cheap place off The Strip. That description oversold it.
“You have your orders. For the time being, let’s keep Hannah’s presence