That Old Black Magic - By Michelle Rowen Page 0,97
The warmth of his touch was enough to calm her for the time being, but only slightly.
She turned to meet his eyes and felt the sting of tears. “He didn’t want me.”
“His loss.”
Daniel laughed then, a sharp crack of sound that made chills run down Eden’s spine. “This is rather awkward, Lucifer. Shall we get on with it?”
“What?” Darrak snarled. “You’re going to do it right here, right now? Drain Eden’s angelic energy and then attempt to swap places like this is some sort of relay race?”
“Yes, that’s the plan exactly,” Daniel said.
“This doesn’t have to be unpleasant,” Lucas soothed. He was speaking to Eden directly. “It won’t hurt you. And there are ways to keep your soul from turning darker without the angelic energy to balance you. I promise no harm will come to you.”
“How can you promise that?” Darrak demanded.
Lucas’s jaw clenched. “I’ll discuss this matter with Eden alone.”
“Not going to happen.”
“Don’t stand in the way of this, Darrak. I’ve given my word that Eden and your unborn child will be protected no matter what happens.” Lucas shook his head. “I still don’t understand how something like you could have created a new life.”
Darrak glared at him. “It’s kind of sad, if I gave a moment’s thought to feel sorry for your hellish ass. You’ve never felt true love, not a moment in your entire existence. It’s all been about serving your own interests. Your own worldview. Oh, you have a shitty job. Boohoo. I had the worst job ever for hundreds of years and did you ever hear me complain?”
“Yes,” Lucas replied. “Constantly.”
“Yeah, well, I like to air my grievances. It’s healthy.”
“Are we finished here?” Daniel asked. “I’ve sacrificed much and am not in the mood for a pissing contest.”
“You think that’s what this is?” Lucas’s tone turned sharp. “A pissing contest? Be patient or you will get nothing from me at all.”
Daniel looked cowed by this. “My most sincere apologies, my prince.”
Eden couldn’t help but be disappointed. Her father was a wussy peon who caved at the slightest challenge. She’d thought he might be able to help her, but she saw that was only a pipe dream now. She had to figure out how to save herself and Darrak and she needed to do it now.
If that required her giving up her celestial energy in order to get everyone out of this in one piece, then that was exactly what she’d do. But first she needed to know something.
She turned to Daniel. “Why are you willing to become the next Prince of Hell? Is this an official assignment? A changing of the guard?”
That would be enough to reassure Eden that this was the right thing to do. After all, Lucas had served in Hell for a very long time. She had to admit, even he deserved a break.
Daniel moved closer to her and gently cupped her face in his hands. This close to him she could feel the celestial energy radiating off his tall and strong angelic form. It felt nice and warm and safe.
“Yes, that’s it,” he said softly. “It is my time and I shall do what I must to help the greater good of the universe. Do you believe me, my daughter?”
She dug her fingers into his hand and wrenched herself away from him. “Nice try. But you’re a very bad liar. What the hell are you?”
The warmth in his expression and from his heavenly energy had never once touched his eyes.
“Eden!” A shout came from the room down the hall. It sounded like Ben.
She didn’t wait; she ran directly over and pushed the door open all the way.
Ben, Leena, and her mother’s rented aspiring-actress body were tied to three wooden chairs. Standing next to Ben, her fingernails digging into his throat, was Sandy, a gray witch Eden had met before. She’d helped Eden escape once when she’d been in a bit of a bind.
She took the entire room in in a split second.
“See, Ben?” Sandy purred. “I told you I could make you scream her name if I wanted you to. Looks like I was right.”
Magic sparked into Eden’s hand and she focused it at Sandy without a second thought. She didn’t need a program to tell who the players were here. Despite her issues with Ben, he was in trouble, big trouble. And so were Leena and her mother.
Sandy flew backward and hit the wall hard enough to knock her out.
“Eden!” Caroline called out to her. “You need to run! This