Lucifer (Brimstone Heat Book 1) (14 page)

The demon nodded its head. It raised a skeletal arm and pointed a boney finger toward the woods behind Lucifer’s house. Before Lucifer could say anything, the demon turned and walked to the edge of the woods. It turned and looked at Lucifer, and gestured for him to follow it.

Without a word to his brothers, Lucifer went with the demon into the woods.

“Did anyone besides me think that was just a little too freaky?” Phoenix looked at his brothers.

“Definitely not the demons we’re used to dealing with,” said Onyx.

Diablo slapped the back of Phoenix’s head. “Do something about the fire. We need to go after Lucifer. If Angie is not okay, there is no telling what he will do.” He took off at a jog to catch up with Lucifer.

“That hurt!” Phoenix rubbed the back of his head. “Why do I always get stuck dealing with the fires?” Phoenix asked Onyx.

“Maybe it’s because you’re the Fire Chief of Briary Creek,” said Onyx. “Or maybe it’s because you were always playing with fire and causing Father problems. His brothers are still giving him hell about what you did to the library at Alexandria.”

Phoenix rolled his eyes. “I didn’t do it on purpose. It was dark and I needed more light so I could finish reading the scrolls I was studying. I didn’t realize my powers were going to do a surge at that exact same moment I lit the oil lamps. How many times do I have to explain? It was an accident.”

“And now you’re a fire chief. It’s kind of ironic. Don’t you think?” Onyx rolled his eyes and followed after Diablo.

Phoenix shook his head. “It was an accident,” he grumbled under his breath. He stared at the fire and snapped his fingers. Instantly, the fire went out. He took off jogging to catch up with his brothers.

*****

The demon stopped a few feet before the trees opened up to the clearing where Lucifer had Angie practice using the power of fire and brimstone. It pointed to the center of the clearing.

Lucifer stopped next to the demon. Angie was on the ground in the middle of the clearing. From where he stood, he couldn’t tell if she was breathing or not. His eyes narrowed when he saw the two people standing not too far from her.

“You should have left her in the fire.” Calista’s sharp voice bounced across the clearing. “If you had left her, we wouldn’t have to worry about anyone coming after us. You ruined my plans by not letting her burn to death.”

“She will be dead soon enough, but it will be by my hands and mine alone. I don’t need a fire to destroy a body for me.” The deeper voice of the nearly bald man grated on Lucifer’s nerves.

“See that you do kill her, and no playing around. I want her dead. If it doesn’t happen, you will find yourself back in that tiny jail cell or worse.” Calista curled her lip up in distaste as she looked at Angie before she disappeared.

Ted Whitley turned and glared at Angie. “Somehow I will kill that witch, but first you and I have a long overdue date. I really wish you were awake for this, but I can’t have everything, can I?” He pulled out a knife and stared at the blade. His lips turned up into a huge grin. “For every year I was in prison, I’m going to slice into your fat body, and when I’m done, I’m going to sit here and watch you bleed to death. The only thing that would make it perfect was if you were awake so I could see the light leave your eyes just like I saw you mother’s.” He laughed.

“Step away from my lifemate.” Lucifer appeared about a foot away from Ted Whitley.

Ted spun around and stared up at Lucifer. “Who are you?” He swung the knife.

Lucifer easily caught the man’s hand. “I’m your worst nightmare come to life.” Lucifer slowly squeezed the man’s hand, forcing him to drop the knife. “You should not have messed with my woman.” His eyes were solid black. Before Ted Whitley could say or do anything, Lucifer leaned down and whispered in Whitley’s ear.

Ted Whitley paled and screamed as he burst into flames. The sulphuric smell of brimstone filled the air.

“That was a little anti-climatic. I expected more of a fight from him,” said Phoenix as he walked into the clearing.

Lucifer ignored his brother and stepped over the pile of ashes. A couple of demons appeared and started scooping up the remains. He didn’t pay any attention to the demons. His only concern was Angie.

He knelt down next to her, and put his hand on her neck. She had a pulse, but it was extremely low. She was breathing, but each breath she took seemed to be a struggle. Lucifer sat down and cradled her in his lap. “Angie, you need to wake up.” He gently caressed her cheek. “I need you to open you beautiful blue eyes for me.”

Diablo knelt down beside Lucifer. He sniffed. He frowned and put his hand on Angie’s forehead. He spotted a bruise with a red mark in the center on Angie’s left shoulder. “She was drugged, but whatever it was he gave her was mixed with black magic.”

Lucifer looked at Diablo. “Are you sure?” Even as he questioned his brother, Lucifer knew his brother was telling the truth because of the four of them, Diablo could literally sniff out even the smallest hint of black magic.

Diablo nodded. “The human doctors are not going to be able to help her. She needs—”

“She needs to drink this.” Hades shimmered as he stepped into the clearing. He looked at his sons and then focused his attention on Lucifer and Angie. He walked over and knelt down beside his oldest son. “You will have to force it down, but she needs to drink it all.” He held out a vial of bluish-gray liquid.

“What is it?” asked Lucifer. He stared at the vial.

“It is one of Paieon’s concoctions,” said Hades. “He said this will cause the human drug and the black magic to leach out through her pores. He also said you need to make sure she rests, eats, and gets plenty of liquids.”

Lucifer took the vial from his father.

Hades stood up. “I need to get back to your mother. She is ready to hunt Calista herself. Be careful. Calista is hiding, but she will strike again.” He looked down at Angie. “When you are ready, bring my daughter home so she can recuperate.” He turned, shimmered, and vanished.

“Let me have the vial, and hold open her mouth.” Diablo held out his hand.

Lucifer handed him the vial.

Diablo uncapped it and wrinkled his nose. He held it up to Angie’s lips. “Massage her throat so she will swallow this stuff.”

After Angie swallowed the last of the bluish-gray liquid, Lucifer picked her up. “I’m taking Angie to Hell. Right now, I think that is the safest place for her.”

“We’ll take get your house rebuilt while you are gone,” said Phoenix.

Lucifer nodded and carried Angie away from the clearing.

Fear.

Memories of pain.

Regret.

Loss.

The emotions rolled through Lucifer’s brain along with a kaleidoscope of images. Joy and relief almost dropped him to his knees. He crawled into bed next to her and cradled her in his arms. “You’re safe now,” he whispered as he kissed her forehead.

Angie heard Lucifer’s voice. She fought her way through the fog to reach it. Slowly, she opened her eyes. “Lucifer.”

Lucifer gazed into her stormy blue eyes. “We need to find you a new occupation. Being a librarian is just too dangerous.” He gave her a devilish grin.

She blinked, and then snorted. “When you stop being the sheriff of Briary Creek, then I will quit being the librarian.”

“Stubborn woman.”

“Get used to it.” She snuggled closer to him. “I thought I was going to die.” She trembled as she remembered what had happened to her. “It was Ted Whitley. He’s caused all problems since I came to Briary Creek.”

“You don’t have to worry about him. He will never be able to harm you. In fact, I’ve never seen demons so enthusiastic about torment a soul before.”

“So he’s dead?” asked Angie.

“Yes, and his soul will never be able to leave the pits here in Hell.” Lucifer pulled her close to him.

“Good,” said Angie. “Don’t let me go.”

“Never.” He captured her lips.

Desire surged through Angie as she responded to Lucifer’s touch. “I need you,” she said when Lucifer pulled away from her.

“You need to rest.”

She shook her head. “I need you.” She felt his cock pressing against her hip. “And don’t tell me you don’t need me too.” Her voice was husky with desire. She reached up and touched the side of Lucifer’s face with her hand. “I thought I was never going to see you again. I love you. I need to feel you inside me.”

Lucifer carefully positioned himself between her legs. “You own my heart and my soul. I love you too.” He captured her lips with his. The kiss was filled with hunger and desire.

Angie moaned.

Lucifer deepened the kiss. He lowered his body until his hard cock rested against her wet pussy. His hand skimmed across her stomach and up to her heave breasts. He kneaded the huge mound. His fingers strayed down to the beaded nipple and gave it a squeeze.

Angie’s body flared to life. She moaned and arched her hips.

He broke the kiss and stared down into Angie’s face. “You need to be resting.”

Angie shook her head. “I need you.” She reached for his cock and caressed it. “I want to feel this inside me. I want you inside me. Now.”

“Put your hands over your head.”

“Why?” asked Angie, though she had a good idea of what he was planning.

“Just do as you are told.” Lucifer leaned down and nipped her breast.

The surprise and the sting caused her to arch up. Pleasure rippled through her body. Slowly, Angie put her hands over her hand.

Lucifer trapped both of her hands in his large hand. “You are mine. You belong to me and me alone.”

“And you belong to me. You are my lifemate for eternity,” whispered Angie.

Lucifer pressed the head of his cock against her entrance.

“Please, don’t tease me. I need you,” begged Angie.

His eyes turned black. With a deep growl, Lucifer thrust his cock deep inside Angie. He leisurely pulled out and thrust into her again. She cried out in pleasure as she arched to meet his thrust. A look of wild abandonment filled her eyes. Lucifer increased his pace, burying himself deep inside with each thrust. 

He heard her gasp and felt her body spasm. Her muscles tightened around him. Angie screamed his name as her orgasm swept over her. Lucifer increased his pace, hammering into her until her body convulsed with her second orgasm. Lucifer roared her name as he released his seed deep into her womb.

Tremors racked their bodies as the last waves of their releases faded away. Lucifer released Angie’s hands and rested his weight on his forearms. He pressed his lips against Angie’s lips. Gently, he kissed her already kiss swollen lips as his eyes returned to normal. Slowly, he pulled out of her body and collapsed next to her.

“I love you.” Angie snuggled up against Lucifer.

Lucifer wrapped his arms around her. “I love you,” he whispered in her ear as she drifted to sleep. “And I’m never letting you go.”

*****

“Why am I having such a difficult time with the language? It should be so simple, because it’s written right here in front of me.” Angie held up the leather bound book in her right hand. She still couldn’t believe one of the demons had actually rescued it from the fire.

Lucifer shook his head. “I honestly don’t know why it’s so difficult for you. I say the words and let the fire and brimstone flow through me. It goes directly into whatever I’m touching.”

Angie wrapped her arms around herself. “I feel like such a failure.”

“You are not a failure. We will figure it out,” said Lucifer. He took a step toward her when his cell phone started chirping. He pulled it out of his back pocket. “Sheriff Fitch speaking.” He shook his head as he listened to the person. “I can be there in ten minutes.” Lucifer ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket.

“You have to go?” asked Angie. She knew the calls were a part of his job, but she still hated them.

“I shouldn’t be gone too long.” He walked over to Angie, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her.

Angie felt the kiss all the way to the tips of her toes. Liquid heat flooded her body, making her wet for him. “Do you really have to go?”

“Yeah, I do.” Lucifer grinned. “You liked that, didn’t you?”

“You know I did,” said Angie.

He caressed her cheek. “I’m afraid that’s all you get until later.”

Angie growled at him. “You are such a tease.”

“Keeps you coming back for more.” Lucifer wiggled his eyebrows at her.

“You are so funny. Ha! Ha! Ha!” Angie rolled her eyes.

“Do you want me to walk you back to the house?” asked Lucifer. He glanced around the clearing and then the trees surrounding it.

“I think I’m going to stay out here for a little longer, and try practicing some more. Maybe, if I keep trying, I’ll finally get it right.” She shrugged. “At least I hope so.”

“Are you sure?” Lucifer frowned. “I really don’t like you being outside by yourself. Too many things can happen.”

“I’m sure.” Angie smiled. “Besides, I’m not going off the property, and probably thirty minutes max, I’ll be in the house.” She rose up onto the tips of her toes and kissed Lucifer. “I’ll be waiting for you to return. Be careful.”

Lucifer kissed her again. “I’ll be back as quick as I can. Do you have your phone?”

Angie nodded. “I always have it on me when I leave the house.”

“If you need me for any reason, call.”

“Any reason?” She gave him her best seductive smile.

“You know what I mean.”

“I know.” Angie shoved a strand of hair out of her face. “I will call you if I need your help. I love you,” said Angie.

Lucifer caressed her cheek. “I love you too.”
Be careful. I don’t want you getting hurt.

Always.
Angie winked at him.
You need to go so we can get this over and done with once and for all. I’m tired of constantly looking over my shoulder and worrying about who she is going to attack next.

“Don’t stay out here too long. You’re still recovering from breathing in all that smoke.” Lucifer turned and walked down the path leading to their house…their new house.

Angie still couldn’t believe how fast Lucifer’s brothers had rebuilt their home. They did the work while she and Lucifer were in Hell visiting his parents and giving her the opportunity to recuperate from the attack and the claiming. The changes her body went through were difficult, more so because she was human. But she had survived, and they had an idea what to expect when the other brothers found and claimed their mate.

“If you really were Lucifer’s lifemate, you would have gained at least the ability to call fire and brimstone to you.” Laughter filled the air. “You are nothing but an imposter.”

Something about the high pitched voice grated on Angie’s nerves. She put on her game face. Slowly, she turned around and stared at the woman standing at the edge of the clearing. “I don’t know who you are, but you need to leave. This is private land and you are trespassing.”

“I am Calista. I’m Lucifer’s lifemate. You are the one who needs to leave.” Calista took a couple of steps toward Angie. “And I’m going to take great pleasure making you leave permanently.”

Angie shook her head. “I can’t decide if you’re just that ballsy to come onto my property and threaten me, or if you’re just that stupid. You should really know better than to threaten a person on their own land.”

Calista’s face turned red and her eyes narrowed as she glared at Angie. “I am not stupid!”

“Delusional?” asked Angie. She kept her eyes on the woman who had masterminded the attacks on her. Calista was nothing like she imagined. Her hair stuck out in every possible direction. At some point, Calista had dyed it a horrible red, but now black roots where showing.

“I am Lucifer’s lifemate! He belongs to me!” Calista screamed the words.

Are you?
Lucifer asked Angie through their connection.

You and I really need to talk about some of the choices you made. This one is certifiably crazy.
Angie shook her head. “No Calista. You are not Lucifer’s lifemate. You never were and you never will be either. I am Lucifer’s lifemate.”

Calista stared at Angie as if she had suddenly grown two heads. “You can’t be his lifemate. You are just a mere human. You are too weak for the Prince of Hell. There’s no way he would claim you. He is going to claim me. I just have to get rid of you.” She took a couple of steps closer to Angie.

“I wouldn’t come any closer to me. It won’t be good for your health.” Angie didn’t blink, afraid she would miss something that could cost her.

Calista sneered. “And what can you, a mere human, do to me?”

Angie smiled. “Whip your scrawny ass from here to eternity and not even break a sweat doing it.”

“You are so pathetic.” Calista cackled. “I will be doing the world a favor by killing you.”

“No, you’re the pathetic being if you think you can kill me that easily.” Angie shook her head. “Look around you.”

Calista looked at the edge of the clearing. Lucifer was standing behind Angie. Slowly, she turned in a circle. Phoenix, Onyx, and Diablo, along with three demons, had taken up positions around them.

“You will no longer be a threat to my lifemate. The game you have been playing is over. There is not escape.” Lucifer’s voice flowed with anger and power.

Calista looked at Lucifer. She shook her head. “I’m your lifemate, not her. She’s just a human. Humans can’t be claimed.” She looked at Angie. “She can’t even call fire and brimstone to her. She is weak. You need someone strong…someone who can used the power as it should be used and make these pathetic beings bow to us.”

Lucifer shook his head.

Calista stood up straight. “I’ll show you power. I’ll show you what a weak cow she really is. Her blood is the sacrifice that will make you mine.” A knife suddenly appeared in her hand. She raised it over her head and charged at Angie.

Angie held her ground. At the last possible moment she side step out of Calista’s path, but kept her foot in the way causing Calista to trip and tumble to the ground.

Calista screamed as she fell to the ground. The knife flew out of her hand and slid several feet away. She scrambled to her feet and launched herself at Angie. “I will kill you!”

Angie drew her right fist back and punched Calista as hard as she could in the face. The sicken crunch of bone filled the air. Calista abruptly sat down on the ground, holding her nose with a stunned look on her face.

“Nice punch,” said Onyx.

“Thanks,” said Angie. She knelt down next to Calista. “You attacked me. You endangered my friends. And you thought you could take Lucifer away from me. I think it would be a fitting punishment for you to work beside Ted Whitley for the rest of eternity. What do you think?”

“So you’re going to get Lucifer to send me there?”

Angie shook her head. She put her hand on Calista’s arm. “No, I’m going to do it myself.” Angie opened her mind to the fire burning inside her. The sulphuric odor of brimstone filled the air.

Calista’s eyes widened. “No, it can’t be.” In seconds, nothing but a pile of ashes where left where Calista had been.

Angie’s shoulders sagged as she stood up. She looked over at the smiley demon and his companions. “Would you take this to the pits where Ted Whitley is serving his time?” asked Angie as she stepped away from the ashes.

The demon gave her a thumbs up gesture and glided over to the ashes.

Lucifer pulled Angie into his arms and held her.