Demon King (Claimed By Lucifer #1) - Elizabeth Briggs Page 0,52

laughed heartily as I sat on the bed and drew on my socks and shoes. Perhaps she had some of my predilection for torture after all. “That sounds perfect.”

Then I leaned over and captured her mouth for a long kiss that I hated to end. Too many years had passed with a hole in my heart, but for the first time in ages I felt alive. I only ever felt this way when I was with her. The rest of the time, during the many long years alone, I was empty, a husk of a man simply waiting for the next time I would be with her. When she brought me back to life again.

But this happiness wouldn’t last. It never did. I had to do whatever I could to defend what we’d just reclaimed. To stop her from being lost again.

I had to somehow delay the inevitable.

Damn this curse.

I touched her cheek lightly as I pulled away. “I’ll see you after your adventures with Azazel.”

She sat back against my pillows. “Have fun doing…whatever it is you do. Things I probably don’t want to know about.”

I gave her a wink. “Oh, I definitely will.”

In the kitchen, I poured myself a cup of coffee, as strong and dark as my soul. Azazel was already there, and she gave me a salute as she drank her own black coffee.

On the way out, I found Gadreel perched outside the penthouse door, guarding it. He straightened to attention as soon as I approached.

“Good morning, my lord.”

I paused a moment as I took a sip of my coffee, then addressed him. “Please stay with Hannah today. I want to make sure no harm comes to her.”

He bowed his head in submission to me. “I will protect her with my life.”

As I knew he would. I nodded in acknowledgement and headed straight for my war room to find Samael. Last night Gadreel had mentioned a captured shifter, and by now Samael should have questioned Asmodeus too. Someone had better have some fucking answers for me.

“Report,” I barked as soon as I walked in the room.

As always, lights flickered over giant screens and cameras showed various views of the city, but I wasn’t interested in any of that. Demons and Fallen scurried all over the place, some to get out of my way, and others simply to showcase how busy they were.

Samael walked toward me and gestured for us to enter the conference room, then shut the door. “Good morning.”

“You have news?”

“We’ve captured an imp, a shifter, and a gargoyle, all of whom we believe were connected to the attacks.”

I sat at the head of the conference table. “And?”

“Nothing. They won’t talk.” He drew up a chair, joining me as he spoke again. “Perhaps you can persuade them.”

I steepled my fingers. I could be very persuasive. “And Asmodeus?”

Tension tightened around the corners of Samael’s mouth, the only sign he was angry. “My son knows very little, unfortunately. He was investigating rumors spreading among the Lilim about some demons turning against you, and he thinks that’s why he was kidnapped. The shifters tortured him for information on you while he was being held hostage, but he doesn’t know who they’re working for.”

“How is he doing now?”

“He is…refusing to feed completely.” Samael shook his head with a hint of disgust. “I think he has feelings for that mortal woman.”

My eyebrows shot up as I leaned back in my chair. “That won’t end well for either of them.”

“Obviously.” Samael grimaced, but then he returned to being all business. “He also claimed to receive a text from me ordering him to seduce this woman, but I never sent it. I suspect someone is trying to overthrow you again. Possibly one of the Archdemons.”

“I suppose we’re overdue for another attempted coup.” This happened every century or so, but I’d been the King of Demons for thousands of years for a reason. It would take more than a few pathetic attacks to overthrow me. The only reason this was a problem now was because it put my mate in danger.

Perhaps that was the point.

“The timing of this coup is suspicious,” Samael said, echoing my thoughts. “I believe Brandy was deliberately kidnapped to lure Hannah here and distract you. They likely think Hannah will weaken you, or divide your focus.”

“Nothing weakens me.” I drummed my fingers on the table. “I’ve been thinking the same thing though. Something about this situation seems like a set-up, meant to bring Hannah to me and then take her