Page 367 of The Spider Queen
“So let’s make a deal,” I said.
“A deal?”
“Yes. That’s your MO, isn’t it? You like making deals?”
“You make me sound like a game show host.” He laughed. “Are you sure you want to make a deal with the devil?”
“I’m pretty confident we’ll both come out winners in the end.”
“I’m all ears.”
“I won’t be happy living in Hell,” I said.
“Why not?”
“The Tree of Life. It’s powerful. And I know its memories. I know Eve’s lust for knowledge. I know Adam’s anguish at being kicked out of Eden. I feel your hurt there, too. It’s too much for me.”
He nodded, his face solemn. “All right. Where do you propose we live?”
“A place where immorality and redemption converge. A place with the potential for havoc and healing.”
“Does such a place exist?” he asked, a grin tugging at his lips.
“Sin City, Lucifer.”
He let out a crack of laughter. “You want to live in Las Vegas?”
I nodded. “But I want to be able to travel the world with you. Doing what we both do.”
“What else?” He leaned forward, hanging on my every word.
“I want you to make peace with my parents. They’ve extended an invitation.” I bit my lip. “My dad wants to get in one good punch.”
“Stella—”
“Mom, too.”
“Well, if it’s for family peace…” His eyes flashed in humor. “Anything else?”
“You won’t stop me from going to other realms and aiding creatures who might need me. You won’t stop me from helping humans. You won’t stop my friendship with Jax. As in you won’t turn him into gravel. That extends to all gargoyles. They’re my people, too. And maybe, most importantly of all”—I stared him in his glowing indigo eyes—“you won’t punish me for choosing my freedom.”
We peered at one another until he said, “All right. I can give you all those things. Even the last one.”
“What do you want in exchange?” I asked.
His hand went to the back of my neck, dragging me closer to him. “You. By my side. Of your own free will. For all eternity.”
“My own free will?”
Lucifer nodded.
I exhaled a shaky breath and whispered, “Eternity is a long time. What if you get sick of me?”
“I won’t.”
“What if I get sick of you?”
He smiled devilishly. “You won’t.”
