windows, too, so sitting by the fire watching it snow would be perfect. A few of my favorite authors just released a holiday anthology with little Christmas stories about some of their previous characters. I preordered it months ago and kinda forgot about it until now.”
“Then read,” he says with a smile. “I’d like to do a bit more research, and then I can join you with a book of my own.”
“That would be really nice.” I cut off another slice of my pancake.
“Do you want me to start a fire for you?”
I shake my head. “I can get it.” I wave one hand in the air, wiggling my fingers. “It’s easy to start fires with magic. I honestly don’t think I could start one without it.”
“There is a technique to it.”
He goes back to his desk, and I finish my food, watching the snow fall. Scarlet races ahead of me when I take my dishes into the kitchen and barks by the door leading to the covered back porch, needing out.
“Give me one second,” I tell her, getting the boots I took off and left in the kitchen last night. I hurry to put on my winter coat and go outside with her, unable to keep the smile off my face as I look around.
I’m not the biggest fan of the cold weather, but I’ll be the first to admit how gorgeous fresh snow is. It muffles everything, and the earth feels still and peaceful. Scarlet jumps down the stairs, leaping and bounding around the yard, stopping to eat snow before taking off again. There are only a few inches, and it’ll probably melt by tomorrow.
I inhale, soaking the silence in. It’s definitely not going to last long, and when I look out at the woods behind the house, my anxiety goes through the roof. Just last night, we almost died in that spot.
Just last night, a powerful demon broke himself out of a demonic prison because he found a loophole that would enable him to bind my angel powers so he could possess me. If he figured it out, others will, too, and it’s only a matter of time before they do.
Michael warned me more demons will seek me out. They’ll want to destroy me before I can sit on the throne, but they could also want to do what Bael wanted to do. And before we knew Bael’s true plan, we thought he was going to try to force me to be his demon-bride, which is another very real possibility.
And that’s not to mention if my angel side of the family finds out about me, I’m toast.
I swallow hard, trying to push the lump that’s rising in my throat back down. I suck in a shaky breath, curling my fingers into my palms. I can feel magic humming around me, and I don’t want to send off another blast of power that will alert anyone—or anything—that I’m here and I’m not who I’m pretending to be.
Because right now, I’m the Queen of Hell, and part of me is craving to feel the crown of hellfire surround my head again. But then something else occurs to me, something I don’t think any of us have considered yet. If I’m the Queen of Hell, doesn’t that make my daughter next in line for the throne?
The porch lights behind me start to vibrate and glow, fueled by my fear. Demons have wanted me dead for years. It’s no walk in the park, but I can handle it. Demons going after my newborn baby? No way. I can’t handle it, and more importantly, I don’t want to do anything that puts her at risk.
I close my eyes, trying to release the energy I’m collecting before I blow something up. My friends put themselves at risk by hanging around with me, but like Kristy said, it’s her choice.
It won't be my baby’s choice.
And as much as it breaks my heart to even think about it, there’s a very real fact that my baby won’t be safe with me. Michael hid me in plain sight, and it worked for years. If Lucifer doesn’t get back on the throne, maybe it would be for the best if we did the same with my daughter.
Chapter 6
“Too much?” I stand back, tipping my head. “No way, right?”
“It’s a little much,” Nicole says and then winces. “That’s a lot of garland and decorations.”
“Nearly a thousand dollars’ worth,” Lucas grumbles, and I give him a pointed look. We’re