Reign of Night (Thorne Hill #7) - Emily Goodwin Page 0,48

know what’s considered a lie and what should be withheld for their benefit. The more you know can be dangerous when it comes to magic and demons, and now that word is spreading through the underworld, more and more demons will come looking for me.

With roughly four months left until I give birth, I’m sure I’m going to be calling on Melinda and Easton for help again. I’ll have to tell them everything, though if Lucifer would just get his ass back down to Hell, it would put an end to this all.

Though I know it’s not that easy.

He can’t go back to Hell—where demons have organized a revolt—snap his fingers, and have things go back to the way they used to be. Or can he? It would be really nice, Dad, if you could pop on over and stay long enough to actually answer some of my questions, dammit.

“And you haven’t heard from…from…him in a while?” Easton asks, meaning Lucifer. He’s had the same piece of pizza on his plate since we sat down, evidence to how shocked he is. I’m right about there as well, though I did eat a full-course meal at a fancy restaurant only a few hours ago.

“Right,” I tell him. “I haven’t heard from him or my father since the day after Thanksgiving. And I have a feeling we won’t hear from them anytime soon. Every time Michael comes to earth, it puts us both at risk of being discovered.”

Again.

“Even Julian just flies in and out now. Today was the first time I’ve seen him in a while, and he just came to dump some information and fly off again before anyone noticed he was hanging out with me.”

“How did Bael figure out who you were?” Easton asks. He knows Bael is dead because I let him know, but he doesn’t know the details of it.

“There are a handful of demons who believed the Nephilim child has never been murdered, like I was supposed to be, and have been looking for me.”

“Do you think more will come looking?”

“I’m sure of it,” I say and pick a pepperoni off my pizza. I’m not really hungry, but the pizza smells good. Plus, I can’t drink away my nerves, so I might as well binge eat. “And they either want to use me or kill me. Assholes.” I let out a breath. “So I need to find this new boss and kill him before he raises hell in, well, Hell.”

“Really? You need to find and kill him?” Lucas asks pointedly. He wanted me to swear off demon hunting the second we found out I was pregnant, and I don’t blame him, really. I’d love to take nine months off, but we both know I’m the best and possibly only one for this job. As the possible candidate to be next in line to rule Hell, I could use this as an example of why you shouldn’t mess with me.

Queen Callie takes no demonic shit, and all.

“I think this is a lot bigger than you’re making it out to be,” Easton finally says, having to force each word out because he doesn’t want to admit it himself.

“No,” I immediately counter, ignoring Lucas’s gaze on me. “Someone wants to take over Hell. I find him, I kill him, and there’s no new boss to bring Hell to earth. Easy-peasy. It’s not like I haven’t killed demons before.”

“Let me know how to help,” Easton quickly responds. “And I’ll be there.”

“I don’t know.” Melinda nervously folds her napkin in half and then half again. “Angels…Lucifer…it is way bigger than anything we usually deal with. And I know you’re going to hate me for saying this, Easton, but we’re human. Yeah, we’ve been training for this since we could walk, but I can’t hold hellfire in my hand. I’m not going to run away with my tail tucked between my legs, but I’m feeling a little helpless here, and I think you should be, too.”

She looks at her brother, and I feel bad for the fear I see in her eyes. It’s not my fault Lucifer is free, not at all, and I’m getting more and more pissed at him as time goes by. I get it, to an extent at least, and I wouldn’t want to be damned to Hell, either. But doesn’t he know the risks he’s imposing on not just me but the whole freaking world?

“It might not even come to it,” I rush out. “Lucifer has returned to