Page 23 of Unbroken

“It’s something,” Esme mutters under her breath.

Lucifer finds her easily, his eyes widening a fraction as he turns his attention back to me. “I thought I was a collector, Micah, but my, your collection of Mates is impressive. A Blue Mountain seer, three Nephalem, and two extremely powerful Demons. Oh yes, let’s not forget your ex-Light Guardian brother and an Alpha wolf.” He whistles. “It’s as if someone has given you a small army at your back.”

I don’t know where this is coming from but I’m not going to let him get under my skin. If he wants to play, then I’ll play. I stare directly into his eyes, unafraid. Lucifer or not, I will face him down just like Michael. “Well, some of us have God’s favor. Some of us don’t.” I shrug carelessly, standing my ground as his nostrils flare and he leans in as if he’s going to reply, eyes hard and menacing.

Rodyn coughs, making himself known beside me as Ty and Trys push against my back. Lyrik’s hand still holds mine on the other side; their presence and love strengthen me more and I give him my full on don’t-fuck-with-me smile. Lucifer straightens, smoothing his hands down his black tux as he flicks out his wrist, showcasing huge ruby cufflinks. He smiles and nods. “I guess you’re right. Fair play, Miss Jones, fair play.”

“My Lord.” A tiny Imp appears beside Lucifer, he bows low then stands as Lucifer looks down to acknowledge him.

“Yes?” he asks, sounding very annoyed by the interruption but I am grateful for it. I don’t need his attention tonight. This ceremony is for Ty, Trys, and Rodyn. I just want them to get what they need so we can get the hell out of the Underworld. The sooner we can get back up top, the better.

“The ceremony, my Lord. The guests.” The poor Imp looks terrified as he bows once more. The sight makes me sad. The Imps and Demons in Bishop’s palace are wary, but they are not afraid.

“Yes. . .yes. . .I am aware.” He brushes off the Imp dismissively and the little guy scurries away. “Let the festivities begin.” Lucifer claps his hands in excitement. “Gentlemen, if you will,” he says gesturing for Ty, Trys and Rodyn to lead by stepping aside and let them go into the room first.

“Kitten, join us, please.” Ty holds out his arm for me to take and pulls me away from Lyrik, sandwiching me between him and Trys as Rodyn stands on the other side of him.

Lucifer sighs in annoyance and rolls his eyes. “Do you need her to wipe your asses too? This is the Underworld’s first glimpse of my heirs and—"

“Then the Underworld should see that we are a package deal,” Rodyn says, cutting him off.

“I don’t leave my sunshine behind, not for anyone, especially you,” Trys says with a feral smile on this face.

“Guys, I can walk with Lyrik, Esme, Marcus, and Sam. He’s right, go ahead, I’m not going anywhere,” I reply, eyeing Lucifer warily. I know he reacts impulsively; I’ve pissed him off enough tonight. I don’t want to fight and have him withhold his blood from them because of it.

“No. Absolutely not, kitten.” Ty’s grip on my hand tightens and I sigh. I look at Lucifer and give him an I tried shrug, but his face is an impassive mask as he regards us. Double doors swing open wide, allowing us to see a large ballroom beyond the entrance. The room is packed with regal looking Demons and Demonesses who watch us expectantly.

“Fuck. I didn’t expect this,” Ty whispers. I can feel his anxiety through our bond. My broody Tether is not a people person, and it shows. Sweat breaks out on his brow and I can feel his heart rate pick up through our clasped hands. I have never witnessed this side of him before, but with all the eyes on us suddenly, it’s too much attention. Ty is used to lurking, quiet, reserved, and neither he nor Trys were raised to take center stage, thanks to their god-awful mother and her favoritism.

Sensing his brother’s distress, Rodyn steps in front of us, buttoning his suitcoat in a flourish and looks over his shoulder. “I’ll take the lead, stay behind me, Ty,” Rodyn says as he stands straighter, transforming into the charismatic, arrogant, asshole I’m all too familiar with. He turns around, with his head held high, as he passes between the lines of Lucifer’s waiting guests as if he owns the place. He doesn’t wait for us to follow as he walks ahead of us. I feel both Ty and Trys relax beside me. I watch Rodyn go and my heart doesn’t know how to respond to what he’s just done for his brothers. This is not the same man I met weeks ago, I know he has changed, but to see him shielding Ty confirms it. Now I know I need to open my heart and let him in, or maybe he’s already there.

Lucifer flies overhead, black wings spread wide as he glides above the crowd then lands on a raised circular platform in the middle of the room. All eyes turn to him as he clasps his hands in front of him, a look of pride on his face as he watches his sons approach. I still find it hard to believe, but as I lock eyes with my own father standing on the other side of the platform, I know anything is possible.

“Kings, Lords, Dukes, Demons, and Demonesses of the Underworld, I present my Nephalem heirs,” Lucifer croons and I can’t help my eye roll. This is a show to him, a display of power, and I am so over it. “Oh yes, and of course, their Soul Tether.” The room erupts in loud gasps of shock and surprise, and I groan. Here we go. “Lord Bishop’s daughter, the Nephilim, Micah Jones.”

Murmurs immediately break out all around us. A beautiful Demoness, with iridescent skin and bright blue hair, clutches her big giant pearls as we pass, like she fears for her life. This shit is laughable. Demons with giant horns, tiny Imps in tuxedos, Incubi, and Succubi all give us wide berth. We should be afraid of them, not the other way around. By the time we make it to the bottom of the platform the entire room has gone quiet. It’s like they’re all holding their breath waiting for some Demonic-Angelic hybrid bomb to go off.

Rodyn doesn’t hesitate to join Lucifer onstage, but Ty and Trys don’t leave my side until a very angry Bishop comes to stand beside me.

“I told him to keep your name and what you are out of his unnecessary introduction. This entire ceremony is a fucking farce. He didn’t need the entire Underworld here tonight. He wanted them here to be afraid. You four together are extremely powerful. There is no one in this room that would dare challenge the three of them, especially with you by their side. Lucifer isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so his place as King is secure.” Bishop blows out a frustrated breath as the others join us finally. So, all of this is for show, just like we thought. Another game that Lucifer has somehow won without even trying too hard and I only sweeten the deal with them being mine. I would never let anyone, or anything hurt them, and I hope he knows that includes him. I’m not his Supernatural bulletproof vest and I won’t allow him to use us in that capacity.

“Now the introductions are over, enjoy the rest of the party,” Lucifer bellows. The doors open wide once more and the room begins to empty as partygoers are ushered out. I guess they are going to join the naked festivities outside. Ugh, I know we’ve just arrived, but I am already done with this night.

Once the room is empty, Lucifer snaps his fingers and three shot glasses filled with amber liquid float through the air to hover in front of Ty, Trys and Rodyn. The rest of us stand around the platform to watch.

Lyrik moves in closer to my side, bringing Marcus, Esme, and Sam with him. “They need to consume the blood and it’s over,” he whispers. I nod as I watch them each pluck a glass from the air. I sense their unease through our bond but there is nothing they can do except down the contents.

“A little bit of whiskey helps the medicine go down,” Lucifer says in a singsong voice as he waits for them to drink.

I feel as if I can’t breathe as I watch them knock back the blood-infused alcohol together. The glasses vanish from their hands. For a moment nothing happens. Trys glances over at me with a bright smile on his face and gives me a thumbs up. I blow out the breath I was holding, finally relaxing now that I know they will be ok.

“Oh shit!” Marcus shouts as Ty hits the floor, then Rodyn, and Trys. Their bodies convulse on the floor as they writhe around in pain. I kick off the stupid stilettos I’m wearing and run toward the platform, but Rook appears in front me, blocking my progression.

“Rook! I need to get to them, let me go.” He wraps me in his arms, and I struggle against his hold. I can feel my power is ready, eager for me use it, but I don’t want to hurt my Mate. “Micah, wait. They are fine. Just wait,” he says urgently as he continues to hold me.

“This is normal, meus amor. They are going to be okay. They are being made whole, the battle of two sides. It happens to all hybrids.” Lyrik stands in front of me, blocking my view of the platform so I can’t see what’s happening to them, but I can feel it. They’re in pain. I can feel what they are feeling, a searing, ripping agony, like fire and ants shooting through my veins.

Tears sting my eyes as I shake involuntarily in Rooks hold. “She can feel their pain,” I hear Esme say from somewhere behind me. Her voice is like a soothing balm. I grab hold of it as I try to focus on anything but the agony. Then just when it starts to get unbearable, it stops. I open my eyes to see the panicked stricken faces of my brother, Lyrik, Sam, Esme, and Bishop. Rook releases his hold on me, and I don’t hesitate to maneuver around them to get to the platform.

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