Page 106 of Demon's Desire
“No one else is inside,” Ren announced, her silver eyes glowing with satisfaction.
Ash pushed Valac to his knees. “You’re outnumbered. Release Onyx now.”
“No one’s holding him,” Valac sneered.
Onyx crossed the courtyard, and Nico stepped forward, his presence instantly soothing as he clasped Onyx’s hand.
He wanted to fall into Nico’s embrace and never leave. Soon. He cleared the lump in his throat. “You have to release Lucifer, too.”
“You said you weren’t on his side. Such a liar.” Valac spat into the dirt. The demons holding Luc landed, but didn’t relinquish him. Valac strained under Ash’s hold. “What are you going to do to us? Send us to a new prison?”
Onyx caught Nico’s eye. They couldn’t do that. They had to resolve this, not act like the enemies Valac accused them of being. Nico’s understanding radiated through their connection, even though they couldn’t share precise thoughts. He seemed determined to see an end to this, too.
Before Onyx could speak, Luc shouted, “They won’t imprison you. That’s what I’ve been trying to say.”
Everyone’s attention zeroed in on the Devil. Luc’s spine straightened, and his captors jostled him into a tighter hold.
“Onyx, Ash, and Dante never wanted to imprison anyone. They didn’t believe banning demons from Earth served anypurpose. I forced them to go along with my plan by stealing pieces of their magic.”
“What?” Maxwell staggered back, eyes wide.
Pamala covered her mouth, her yellow wings ruffling. “Stealing magic is unheard of.”
Luc grimaced. “I used our combined power to create the seal around the Realm of the Damned. I couldn’t have done it on my own, but I had no voluntary supporters.”
“So what?” Valac snarled. “You still did it, and now you’ll pay.”
The two holding Luc rumbled their agreement, eyes glowing.
Onyx lunged toward Luc, pulling Nico with him. “Not with his life. Please.”
Valac clenched his fists. “Why not? He’s admitted to violating you—his most loyal friends—and stealing pieces of your very being. Why do you care what happens to him?”
How could Onyx not care? His soul cracked. Compassion flooded the bond, and Nico squeezed his hand. How could he get Valac to understand?
“It’s a crime to kill an Eternal being,” Dante reminded everyone. “You risk the council’s wrath if you go through with this, and they are never forgiving.”
The first shadow of doubt crossed Valac’s face. “They’ve washed their hands of us.”
“Have they?” Dante cocked his head. “I wouldn’t bet my life on it, though I’ve been tempted. I know what it’s like to want to kill Lucifer. But nothing is worth forfeiting my own existence.”
Valac blinked in surprise. “You were going to kill Lucifer?”
“Yes. In a fit of rage, before Onyx reminded me of the reality.”
Valac hesitated.
Counting on the council’s retaliation wasn’t enough. They had to resolve this between themselves, or one day, they might find themselves back here again.
Onyx fixed Valac with a fiery stare. “Luc gave me my magic back.”
“So?” he sneered.
Onyx narrowed his eyes. “So, genius, how can he reimprison anyone in Hell without it?”
Valac opened his mouth and faltered. “Th-there isn’t enough power without yours?”
“Onyx is right,” Luc said desperately, “and what’s more, I’ll give Ash and Dante their magic back too. Take this collar off, and I’ll do it now, in front of you as witnesses. It will be impossible to reimprison anyone in Hell once their power is restored. You’ll be utterly free. Forever.”
