Page 83 of Revelations

“Do not misunderstand me. I have an excellent deal here. Tormenting mankind, causing all sorts of natural and unnatural disasters, and just in general breaking my Father’s favorite toys.” His lips curled up at the corners, so high it contorted his perfect features. “It is all good, but now Olivier wants to ruin it all for everyone but himself. Which is why, you see, I cannot allow that to happen. I will not. If that means killing off a Nephilim or two or twenty, so be it.”

Seeing where he was going with this line of conversation, Greylyn jumped in. “No offense, but death didn’t seem to take last time. What makes you think it will now?” She gulped down the knot in her throat. If anyone could find a way, it’d be Lucifer. “But, you don’thaveto kill anyone. Particularly, you don’t have to kill me just to thwart this prophecy that Olivier is so infatuated with.”

He reached out a smooth hand and placed it on top of hers. Again, alternating heat and cold flowed through her body.

“You do not truly care about your own life. I have watched you long enough to figure that out. No, you have a different agenda. You do not want the lives of your descendants to be snuffed out, because they would be Olivier’s next targets to fulfill the prophecy and, in turn, my next targets for death.” Pausing, he gazed into her eyes for the truth.

He wasn’t wrong. He had her on that count.

“So give me a reason tonotkill you all.”

A moment passed in silence as she fully contemplated part of what he’d just said. Her descendants? Kelly and her son? It had not really hit her until that moment. On some subterranean level, yes, they were related. Across many generations, but still related. That was why Olivier had targeted them in the first place. Only a descendant from the one remaining Nephilim line could fulfill the prophecy.

Unexpectedly, a smile played at the corners of her mouth.

Lucifer waved a hand in front of her face then snapped his fingers. “Hello. Hello. Satan to Greylyn…Hello.”

“Oh, sorry about that.” Again, she shook her head to refocus on the task at hand—lulling Lucifer into cooperating with her to bring down Olivier.

“I have a proposition for you. One you’ll do well to accept.” Greylyn could not believe that she was about to initiate a deal.Can we say, “Deal with the Devil”?

Looking the Devil directly in the eyes, she laid out her plan. “If Olivier wants something to happen, then I assume that the something really shouldn’t happen at all. Considering both Heaven and Hell agree that the something shouldn’t happen, that adds credence to my hypothesis. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“True. Do continue.” He flicked away an imaginary piece of lint from the pocket square of his suit jacket.

Having Lucifer staring at her with such rapt attention caused butterflies to erupt in her stomach. It was one thing to interact with another fallen archangel. But this…this was Satan. Chills ran up her spine, causing her to stop and rethink this strategy. With no other course of action coming to mind, she continued.

“If I die, Olivier moves on to Kelly and her child. Let’s say you get to them first. Then what? That doesn’t guarantee that the prophecy fades away, just like it didn’t when I died as a human. Even if you or one of your minions didn’t do the deed, my ultimate demise should’ve ended it. Am I correct?”

Thoughtfully, he nodded and motioned for her to go on with a wave of his hand.

“The prophecy found a wayaroundmy death then. What’s to say it wouldn’t do the same again? Who’s to say my original death wasn’t part of the prophecy in the first place?” She waited for him to nod again before continuing. “The only way to truly end this thing is to put an end to Olivier.”

Lucifer’s eyes widened in admiration.

She continued, “Make him believe I’m seeing this through. So while I untangle the web of clues scattered around the globe to do whatever it is I need to do, we also look for a loophole; a way out. Completely. No going back. No resurrections to keep the dream alive. It ends.”

Shrugging, she waited for him to speak. He, in turn, said nothing.

“Or, you can do away with me right now, and the threat remains. Olivier is determined. He’ll find a way, unless…we defeat him in the process.”

Her case made, she waited apprehensively for Lucifer to respond, hoping that he didn’t ask too many questions—such as how does one find a loophole in something ordained by Heaven.

His head nodded up and down, as a far-off look reflected in his eyes while he contemplated what she offered. Greylyn almost swore that she saw flames dancing in his pitch-black orbs.He had to buy this. Otherwise, he might as well kill her now.

“Snapping my brother, Olivier, in half like a twig and using him to roast marshmallows for s’mores sounds lovely, I must admit. However, you are all big picture right now. I got to be this successful by paying the utmost attention to all the little details. I believe there’s even a saying about ‘the Devil is in the details’; something which your plan lacks.”

He had a point. She was all talk, without a clue as to how to make any of what she’d just said actually happen.

“Well, I would love to have every ‘I’ dotted, and every ‘T’ crossed, but I’m working with limited information availability. An aspect that youcouldhelp me with, if you chose to do so. Any details you have about the prophecy would be greatly appreciated. Hell, I don’t even know what it’s supposed to accomplish.” Her voice rose in obvious frustration.

Lucifer crossed his arms across his chest. His expression radiated plain doubt. “No offense, guardian angel, but how am I supposed to trust you once you have all the ingredients for the prophecy? You could easily turn on me, and then Olivier wins.”

Greylyn couldn’t help it. It started low in her belly and grew. Unable to stop it, a giant giggle bubbled up.

“Trust?” Her hands grabbed her midsection as she doubled over with the force of her laugh. “Oh, that’s hysterical! The Devil has trust issues with little ol’ me! Perfect!”

His eyes narrowed. “You are quite the crude little creature, are you not? You may be the first to ever get away with laughing at me. Ever.” That last word held sinister emphasis.

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