Revealing the Monster (Playing with Monsters #4) - Amelia Hutchins Page 0,141

make that happen, shouldn’t we, Lucian? Lucifer has been distracted by the monstrosity that he created, neglecting what’s really important. And you, Lucian? You're supposed to be inside your own realm. Your time is finished here, and with this soulless bitch out of the way, your reason for remaining has disappeared.”

“Fred, you’re so fucked if you think that shit will work,” Erie snorted. “You’re getting duct-taped to the freezer this time.”

“You’re just in time to watch me slaughter this bitch, imagining she’s you, Mórrígan,” he chuckled.

“You’ve been naughty, Fred. Do you honestly believe if you kill Lena, you get to walk away from this? I promise you; you don’t. There’s too many of us and not enough of you left to try your hand and think you have a winning one.”

“Let’s see, shall we?” Asmodeus lunged toward me, but something else slammed into my body before he could reach me. I gasped at the agony in my chest, staring into violet eyes that widened in pain. “You fucking idiot! You weren’t supposed to die yet!”

“Makenna,” Lucifer whispered, blood splattering from his lips to paint my face. I pushed him away, rushing to the babe.

No sooner had I reached her and tossed her at the barrier that Asmodeus got to me. My wings flared, and I rounded, sending them cutting through the air. He shrieked, jumping back as his eyes turned red and his wings exploded from his spine.

Asmodeus lunged, and I backed up, dodging one attack after another while he tried to stab me with the golden dagger, pulsing with untold power.

His hand sliced through the air, forcing me to go in the opposite direction, but he grabbed onto one of my wings. Bone snapped, and he laughed as if we played a game.

A shrill cry of pain escaped my chest as he twisted my wing, sending my body flying to the floor. I arched off my spine, tears blinding me as I stood.

My wing hung limply behind me as the other flapped, unbalanced without the other one. I slid my gaze to Lucian as he and the others remained motionless, watching me lose against a much stronger creature.

Lucifer had taken a dagger to his chest for me and he was down. Lucian couldn’t get through the barrier, which left me fighting alone.

“He can’t save you.” Asmodeus pulled out what resembled a music box and held it toward me. “Open it so that I can kill you and end your suffering.”

“I’m not an animal, bitch. I don’t need to be put out of my misery.”

“Touch the fucking box!” he snarled.

I shot forward, slamming my hand against his arm, which sent the tiny box sailing to the people outside the ruin-covered barrier.

Asmodeus howled, turning to look at them as we fell to the floor. His wild eyes came back to mine, narrowing as he peered between our bodies.

“You stupid bitch, why would you do that?” he asked.

“Because you don’t get to rule my world. Enjoy Hell, asshole,” I whispered, coughing up blood before I glanced down, staring at the dagger protruding from my chest. “You lose.”

“You’re fucking dying, and you think I lost?”

“Do it,” I growled, sensing what was about to happen.

Fire erupted around us, and Asmodeus howled in pain. Twin swords scissored through his neck, removing his head as I fell toward him. Lucifer plucked me up, falling to his knees as he held me.

“I’m sorry, Lena. I had to get that dagger away from him,” Lucifer whispered through his pain. There was a black hole in his chest, one that spider-webbed through it. “I had to protect my daughter from him. I’m so sorry I failed you both.”

“Bring Lena to me, now,” Lucian snarled, his eyes landing on the dagger that remained in my chest. “Luc, if you ever want to see your daughter again, bring her to me.” His voice shook with emotion, and yet he remained emotionless on the outside.

Lucifer pushed up from the floor, teetering on his feet while he carried me toward Lucian. He skidded his foot against the runes, and then Lucian yanked me from his arms.

I watched Lucifer fall to the ground; his shoulders slumped in defeat. Demons slowly started flittering into the room, whispering their plans for him.

“Bring him, Lucian.”

“No,” he hissed, shaking his head at me.

“He saved me, or tried to. Bring Lucifer so that he can heal and the balance isn’t destroyed. The world has enough horror happening. Don’t let this add to it. The world doesn’t have Alden anymore,