Rage and Ruin by Jennifer L. Armentrout Page 0,188
I doubt my father will bond me to another Warden. It’s too much of a risk if Gabriel senses him and decides to use his blood instead of mine. I’m not weak, but I’m not as strong as I was when I was bonded. Even then, I couldn’t beat an archangel alone.”
“So, we need to find a way to weaken or trap him,” Layla suggested. “There has to be something.”
“There is,” Roth said. “I know of one thing that can take down an archangel.”
My gaze shifted to him. “What is it? Another archangel? Obviously none of them want to get involved. My father didn’t even—” I pressed my lips together, wincing as my jaw ached. “They’re not stepping in. It’s up to me.”
“I’m not talking about any of those self-righteous and seriously unhelpful bastards who created their own little homegrown terrorist.” His amber eyes glowed. “I’m talking about the one being who’d love nothing more than to take down one of his brethren.”
Layla twisted at her waist, understanding creeping into her pale face. “You can’t be thinking what I’m thinking you’re thinking.”
“I’m not just thinking it,” he said. “I’m planning it, shortie.”
“Lucifer,” I whispered. “You’re talking about Lucifer.”
“Holy gumdrops,” Peanut whispered.
Roth’s smile was pure violence. “I’m not just talking about Lucifer. I’m talking about releasing him. All we have to do is convince him, and I don’t think that’ll be hard.”
“But he can’t walk Earth in his true form,” Layla reasoned as I eased back against the pillow. “If he does, it forces the biblical Apocalypse into play. God would never allow it.”
“Call me crazy, but I doubt God is okay with Gabriel attempting to give Heaven an STD,” Roth argued. “If Heaven closes its gates, no souls can enter. Those who die will be trapped on Earth. They will either turn wraith or, worse yet, be dragged into Hell and corrupted. Beyond that, there’d be no point in anything. Life would essentially cease upon death. And death will happen at a rate we’ve never seen before, because with the angels locked away, there’s nothing stopping demons except Wardens. Earth would become Hell.”
Gabriel had said as much.
“But why would Lucifer want to stop that?” Layla demanded. “Sounds like a great time for him.”
“Because it’s not his idea,” Roth said. “If Gabriel and Bael succeed? His ego will take a blow I’m not sure he could survive. There’s only space for one Hell and one ruler of Hell. His throne room is lined with the heads of demons who thought they could take over.”
Was it disturbing that I sort of wanted to see his throne room?
Probably.
“So, we’re stuck between one possible Armageddon and another possible Armageddon?” Layla sat back.
“Pretty much.” He nodded. “Either we sit back and wait until Earth goes to Hell—”
“Or we bring Hell to Earth,” she finished. “You think you can convince him?”
“Pretty confident.” He rubbed his fingers under his chin. “I just need to talk to him and hope he’s in a good mood.”
Layla laughed, but it was that slightly crazed-sounding kind of laugh.
“Do it,” I said, spine straightening even though it caused immense pain. Bambi lifted her head, eyeing me like she didn’t think sitting up was a wise idea. “Talk to Lucifer. Convince him. But there’s something else I want.”
“Anything,” Roth swore, and I doubted that was something he did a lot. Perfect.
“I want Zayne,” I said.
“Trinity,” Layla whispered. “He’s—”
“I know where he is. I know that he’s gone. I want him back.” My heart started pounding, Zayne’s voice so painfully real in my thoughts that I sucked in a sharp, brittle breath. There’d be nothing that would stop me. “I will get him back.”
Roth came to the bed and sat. His familiar wiggled on the other side of me. “Trinity, if I could do that, I would. I would do it for both of you. I swear it, but I cannot. No one—”
“Not true.” I met his amber gaze. “Grim can. And before I do a damn thing for my father or for the human race, I want Zayne. I want him back, alive, and I don’t care how selfish that makes me, but he deserves to be here, with me.” My voice cracked, and Roth lowered his gaze. “I deserve that, and the damn Grim Reaper will give him back to me. Tell me where to find him or how to reach him.”
Layla closed her eyes for a long moment and then she asked, “Have you seen him since you woke up?”