Free The Demon and the Succubus by Cassie Ryan

beautifully sculpted lips she stiffened in her seat and glared across the desk into his amused green gaze. “And I would be a much better conversationalist if I knew they were all right.” Her words were soft and nonthreatening, but she infused them with certainty.
    She held her breath as she waited for an outburst of anger. After all, Lucifer wasn’t known for his patience and sparkling personality.
    When the room filled with his dark, rich laugh, Amalya sat back in her chair, confusion eroding her certainty like rushing water against a sand castle.
    “It always amazes me how those who are technically on the lower end of the power chain are usually so much stronger of character than those on the upper end. It does actually make what I do more enjoyable.” He tapped the end of the pen against his smiling lips before dropping it on his desk and lacing his fingers in front of him. “And my Father mistakenly thinks the humans are the most fascinating beings He created.”
    When Amalya didn’t offer any comment, he continued, his expression a mask. “Yes, both men you mentioned are currently alive. Is there anything else you need to know before we can resume our conversation?”
    Cool relief slid through her. They were alive. Now all she had to do was figure out how to find her way back to them without running into the shades again and winding up right back here. When she realized Lucifer still watched her closely she raised her chin and met his gaze. “Are you aware Semiazas has escaped his prison?”
    Lucifer’s expression never wavered. He pierced her with his too-perceptive green gaze and Amalya shrugged away the sensation that he could see straight through to her soul—especially since it wasn’t clear if succubi even had souls.
    “Maybe when this is all over, I’ll answer both those questions for you, little one, but right now time runs too short for small talk.”
    She started. Both questions?
    She ran through the conversation in her mind, realizing he meant both the question about Semiazas and her internal wonderings about succubi having souls. Could he read her mind?
    An impatient frown darkened his expression. “Yes, little one. You currently reside in my lair. My power base is here, so I can read strong thoughts that come my way.”
    Then something else Lucifer had said came clear.
    Small talk?
    Lucifer considered Semiazas escaping and tracking her and her sisters down for revenge small talk? She bit back the churning ball of anger that filled her chest. Lucifer was the only being that could control Semiazas. She had to remind herself that angering the prince of darkness wouldn’t be a good move at this point.
    Maybe she was becoming too much like her sister, Reba, but if the situation weren’t so dire, she might enjoy lashing out instead of bottling the anger that currently churned inside her like acid.
    Amalya took a deep breath, battling back her anger until she was confident she could control her emotions. “All right. Why am I here?”
    “I need you to keep your word.”
    “My word?” Shock slapped at her as she searched her memory for anything she could’ve said that might have been construed as a promise. High-level supernaturals operated by their own set of rules, which they often made up as they went along. “My word about what?”
    “Such a low opinion of us. Although I’m sure a well-earned one in most cases.” He shrugged. “If you’ll take my hand, all will become clear.”
    Amalya eyed Lucifer’s long-fingered hand as she would a poisonous predator ready to strike. When she glanced up, his expression seemed to mock her, although it was probably only her own pride. After all, he’d admitted she wasn’t his creature, and since she was beginning to think that she and her sisters, once reunited, might have to return to ask for his help with Semiazas, it wouldn’t do to anger him now.
    She steeled herself for his touch and reached out to take his hand. As soon as her skin touched