Demon King (Claimed By Lucifer #1) - Elizabeth Briggs Page 0,85

sure about much of anything anymore, except that I only felt like myself when I was by his side. Maybe he was a villain to the rest of the world, but to me, he’d always been a hero.

I went inside and put back on the sparkling black gown and uncomfortable heels from the ball, leaving Jo’s clothes behind. Then I shoved my phone back in my tiny little purse and checked my cash. I had plenty to cover gas money and a pair of flip-flops, because no way was I driving for hours in these freaking heels.

I stepped out into the hallway and glanced around, but didn’t see or hear Jophiel anywhere. I considered finding her and explaining that I had to go, but I honestly wasn’t sure she’d let me leave. She’d try anything to make me stay. Anything to prevent me from returning to Vegas—to Lucifer.

But fuck that. This was my life, and I was taking control of it.

Yesterday Jophiel had given me a brief tour of her gigantic mansion, including her four-car garage, and that’s where I was headed now. Once there, I found a panel by the door that had a row of key fobs, which no doubt unlocked one of the ridiculously expensive cars before me. I took a moment to eye up the cars—a burgundy Porsche SUV, a black classic Rolls Royce, a yellow Lamborghini, and a silver Audi—and then grabbed a pair of keys. I rushed over to the Lamborghini, because when you’re stealing a car from your angelic ‘sister’, you might as well go big.

When I got on the street, I found the button to put the top down and cranked the radio. My hair blew out behind me, immediately getting tangled up, and I kicked off the heels and tossed them to the passenger seat.

Vegas, I was coming for you. Consequences be damned.

29

Lucifer

After my encounter with Jophiel, I returned to Vegas, keeping my word to give Hannah some space even though it tore me apart to do so. Besides, my people still needed a king, and Samael said he wished to speak with me. I had some questions for him too.

The sun had barely risen by the time I arrived in his office. He was on his computer, completely absorbed in whatever he was looking at, but he glanced up sharply as I entered.

“Did you find Hannah?” he asked.

“Yes, she was taken by Jophiel.” I slammed my hands down on his desk, making him jump. “The Archangel gave me back my memories. Turns out, my mate was once an angel, and we were together before the Earth Accords were signed, when our relationship was forbidden. No one knew about us, except Jophiel…and my most trusted advisor.”

Samael’s chair squeaked as he rolled back and looked at me in alarm. “Lucifer, I can explain—”

I clenched my teeth. “You kept this a secret for years. Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I thought the pain would be too intense. I thought it might be better if you didn’t know. Less agonizing. For both you and Hannah.” The look on his face, the twist to his mouth, said he was tortured by the decision, but that only made me angrier.

“Keeping those secrets was not your decision to make.” I kept the desk between us, or I would've been too tempted to grab his throat like I’d done with Jophiel. “Did you set up Brandy’s kidnapping to bring Hannah back to me? Are you behind the attacks on my mate’s life?”

He held his hands up in supplication. “Of course not. I wanted to keep Hannah away from you, not bring you together. I assumed Jophiel had her hidden somewhere, but that suited my ends. It kept you both safe and alive.”

“Not safe enough. Someone found her and brought her here.” I fixed him with a glare as I asked questions I’d never wanted to voice. “Have you ever thought about taking my place? Or becoming the leader of the Fallen?”

He drew his shoulders back. “I’m offended you would even ask me such a thing. I’ve been your closest friend for thousands of years and have always served you well. You’re questioning my loyalty when I’ve never given you any reason to do so.”

“You’re the only other person who knew about Hannah’s life as an angel. What was I supposed to think?”

“There is someone else who knew. Adam.” Samael returned to his desk and took a seat. “That’s why I asked you to meet me, actually. At the ball,