Page 23 of Lucifer's Redemption

Lucifer

“AreyounotMichael?What happened to the badass Archangel from twenty-five years ago? You gotta take your mate by her ass and tell her how it is! Chicks dig that kinda shit.” Ares plopped down on the thick leather chair, unconcerned that sweat and blood dripped on the expensive upholstery.

“Can’t act like that anymore!” Michael through his hands up in the air. “I’ve got a daughter now. I’ve got to be a bit more civilized than that.”

Ares huffed, rubbing the sweat off his brow and slapping the table. Opening his mouth, he paused, whipping his head back to Michael. “You got a kid? Fuck man, congrats!” Ares stood to shake Michael’s hand before my father exploded.

“If you were at the party, you would have known!”

Ares scratched his head. “Oh, that was today?”

Father rolled his eyes, falling back in the chair as Mariah, Ares’ mate and the head warrior of Mother’s pack, appeared in the doorway. She was sweaty and covered in dirt and sand from the sparring arena in the basement.

“Um, sorry, but whoever you guys have locked in the guest bedroom has been banging on the door.” Mariah’s thumb stuck out behind her with her other hand on her hip.

“Oh, there you are baby!” Mariah walked in, swiftly sitting her rear on Ares’ lap.

“Yeah, here I am, baby!” I rolled my eyes at the two of them.

They had yet to have children, despite being together for all these years. They wanted their alone time for a while before they had children. When I say ‘alone time,’ I mean ‘bang each other’s brains out every five minutes.’ Father had to erect a soundproof barrier in their room just so everyone could sleep.

“Not here,” she whispered seductively. “I don’t think Athena would appreciate it.” Athena looked on in disgust, willing earplugs to her ears.

Michael straightened up, tightening his robe around his waist. “I’ll talk to her.” His voice now held confidence.

Ares gave him a thumbs up. “Show her whose dick is longer, yeah?” he said.

Michael, who was giving himself a pep talk, had his butt slapped by Ares as he charged out the door to face his mate. Ares leaned back in the chair, his mate promptly sitting back on his lap, stroking his cheek.

How my father saw him as one of his best friends, I’ll never know.

Father rounded the desk, leaving Mother to feed the baby herself. He approached me, both hands landing on my shoulder, his face to mine. His hot breath fanned my face, his smell fanning all around me. He was letting his guard down, his power weakening by the second, something he never did, unless it was for Mother.

His emotional wall crumbled. I felt Father’s love for me, for all his children, deep within me. I dropped my wall as well; he could see the blackness hovering over me and the pain I felt every day.

Eyes softening, he pulled me into a hug. “I don’t remember the last time you let me hold you like this,” he whispered in my ear. “She’s already changing you, even if you don’t fully realize it, she has.” Father stood back, looking deep into my eyes.

I didn’t want to believe that one simple, innocent girl could affect me as she had, but she already did. I didn’t kill her when she said my nickname. I wasn’t repulsed by her touch. I wanted her to stay, and I wanted to protect her.

“What have I missed, exactly?” Ares broke our moment, like usual.

“Uriel is Lucifer’s mate,” Athena said eloquently, taking a teacup from the cart. “I could see it in his eyes as soon as he saw her.” She chuckled. “I am curious to know why you didn’t tell her father though?” Athena looked at my mother, the Goddess of Empathy and Bonding.

“Well,”—she burped Lilith on her shoulder—“the timing never really seemed appropriate, and I think that is something that Luci should explain, when the time is right, of course. I mean, Uriel isn’t quite prepared to complete a bond yet.” Mother glanced to Father, who was shaking his head and pinching his nose.

“Why the hell not? Is she still a baby or something?” Ares wrapped his arms around Mariah.

“Sort of.” Athena sat back down in the chair, sipping from her cup.

Father explained Uriel’s home life, which consisted of nothing but waking up in the morning, studying, doing chores, and even doing her mother’s accounting work. She was extremely sheltered, and Hera did an excellent job keeping her in her own bubble for years. No matter how much she and Michael tried to do the right thing, it burned me hotter than anything ever had before.

“That blows,” Ares huffed. “Guess you get to play doctor with her then, huh?” He winked.

I threw a fireball at his chest. He quickly pushed Mariah out of the way, catching my fireball and slamming into the wall.

Uriel

“Whoa! Your room is huge!” My bare feet hit the lush, green carpet as I examined Loki’s room which had golden walls with hints of forest green throughout. Posters of animals that I had never seen before were pinned to the walls, small knickknacks of human model cars sat on shelves, and a large desk filled with books occupied the corner. Along with all the neat stuff, there was tons of junk. It covered most of the carpet besides the two paths: one that led to the bed, and one that led to the bathroom.

---