The Lure of the Devil (The Demons' Muse #4) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,30

harmless. A new and easily resolved pandemic. We'd just need to figure out how to 'expose' all of these people if we're going to send them back to Earth. Create or find something that can be medically detected."

"Or," Sam said, "we don't. We just drop them off in small groups over the course of a few days. Pick like five specific towns and space it out. Would also mean less work for the mind-fucking."

"Just one problem," I said. "We don't want to do this unless they agree to it. So what about the ones who want to stay with a loved one from a different plane?"

Bel chuckled once. "Then they can run Fire Island. Or you could make them actual fairies."

Everyone laughed at that, but I kinda thought he had a point. The bigger question was if it was even possible. That meant I needed to talk to Ron, because if I was this thing - this Ayala - then why not go all the way?

8

Satanael

That night, I watched Bel, Sam, and Ron all try to decide who was going to spend the night with Sia. Bel felt that since he'd gotten to cuddle with her the night before, he should let the others have their turn. It was Sam who pointed out that they'd all fit. Ron was worried about me, but I waved him off. I wanted to talk to Luke, and if she was occupied with a bed full of men, I wouldn't need to worry about what she might hear.

So, while they asked Sia if she'd mind, I focused on cleaning up the kitchen. Luke picked up the pillows and blankets from the living room, cleaning that area. The light from under Sia's door eventually went out, and I found myself breathing a sigh of relief. That meant she was ok. Not just with the guys, but with the information Luke had dropped on her without warning the rest of us.

Eventually, Luke made his way through the kitchen to put the extra stuff in the herb room. When he came back out, he paused, leaning his hip against the counter. I just kept washing the last of the dishes, trying to figure out how to start this discussion.

It was almost like he could tell. "You're mad," he said.

"Why did you tell her about Ayala?"

Like the angel he was, the asshole turned to get more comfortable, resting his ass against the counter where I could see him. "She's stronger than you think, Nick."

"And she's also more sensitive than you think," I shot back. "Luke, you just told her she's a monster!"

"No, I told her the angels think she's a monster. I also pointed out that the midworlders think she's a hero."

I tossed the spoon into the basin of water, ignoring the splash, and turned to face him. "And how will you explain it when she asks Uriel what that term means? Or maybe she just asks Kacira why she chose it? I mean, it's not like we can keep her from Angelis, and they've invited her back any time she wants to visit."

"They're her parents," he snapped. "Do you honestly think that either one is going to make the Ayala sound like a bad thing? The simple fact that Uriel allowed Kacira to pick that name proves it. Now, I know you've never had a kid, but let me make this clear. Parents do not want to hurt their children. They will tie themselves in knots to prevent it. I'm not worried about Uriel. He tried to hide from Sia that he was her father because he knew she hated angels!"

Ok, maybe he had a point. "But now that she knows it's a thing, she'll find out," I countered.

"Nick," he said, reaching up to scrub at his face. "Give her some credit, ok?"

"The Ayala is a nightmare," I told him. "Evil incarnate. A creature so hungry for aether that it will reap even those things that can't be destroyed. It is the devourer." And I lifted a brow. "It's also the destroyer, which is where you stole the title from."

"Not quite how that happened," he said, "but close enough. Michael mixed the stories of my defection, your power, Bel's strength, and the fear of the Ayala when he designed the Bible. That's how I got the title."

I grunted, not even caring if he was right. "Did you stop to think that if she's so worried about being bad, that it might bother her to know that she's