Free The Demon and the Succubus by Cassie Ryan Page A

his, knowledge and memories came rushing back, crashing over her in crippling waves.
    She saw herself inside Lucifer’s lair, a gilded room full of opulence and self-importance—totally unlike even the affluent office space she’d just left—and knew she was reliving a forgotten experience.
    Power prickled against her skin stealing her breath until she had to force air into her lungs and blow it out slowly just to keep it from overpowering her.
    “Welcome, ladies.”
    Amalya started at the respectful greeting and glanced to the side as her hands were clasped from both sides in a silent show of comfort and support.
    She squeezed each hand lightly recognizing the familiar presence of her sisters on either side of her.
    Amalya swallowed against the vertigo that came with this too vivid memory and instead enjoyed the sensation of having her sisters around her again. She hadn’t seen them in over seven hundred years, so even though this was only a memory, she clutched it to her like a comfortable blanket.
    “That is something we’ll soon find out, Jezebeth.”
    Amalya frowned wondering what question Lucifer was answering. She turned to glance at Jezebeth, who had paled.
    “Yes, within my lair, I can pick up strong thoughts from others.”
    Apparently, I’m not the only one who fell into that trap.
    Lucifer’s green gaze met hers and a quick smirk curled his lips as if to say he’d heard her thought too. The intensity of all that awareness concentrated on her sent a wave of power biting at her skin in tiny little stings that morphed into one large discomfort.
    When he finally dropped his gaze to motion off to his side, the sensation receded and Amalya sighed as cool relief slid through her.
    “Michael, join us.”
    Amalya frowned as the name he’d spoken registered. Michael?
    As in Archangel Michael?
    Her sisters gripped her hands tighter as confusion sent Amalya’s thoughts spinning. What had they gotten themselves into?
    A large Archangel with a muscular, sleek build, mocha skin, and piercing green eyes joined Lucifer. Standing side by side, their eyes were identical, even though the rest of their features were very different. They were a study in dark and light, but while Lucifer’s power bit at her making her resist the urge to shudder and cringe away, Michael’s power flowed over her in a seductive, enticing warmth. Amalya wondered why Lucifer’s power hadn’t felt like that back inside his office, but her musings were cut short when Michael spoke.
    “Greetings, followers of Lilith.” Michael’s deep voice washed over her, calming her and chasing back her fears. When her sisters’ grips on her hands loosened, she knew they were experiencing the same thing.
    “We have come to ask—”
    “We already know why you’re here.” Michael’s voice was kind but firm as he cut off Jezebeth’s words, the calming effect of his presence increasing until Amalya felt boneless and relaxed.
    Lucifer paced a slow path back and forth in front of them giving the impression of languid, slow movement, while still seeming impatient. He moved like liquid sin, but the eerie energy pouring off him was enough to remind her that for all his beauty, there was something evil lurking beneath that handsome exterior. “Ladies, we are well aware of Semiazas’s activities, and they will be curtailed . . . for now.” He stopped in midstride and met each of their gazes in turn.
    Amalya bit her tongue against demanding to know what “for now” meant. She squeezed Reba’s hand, hoping the small gesture would remind her headstrong sister that if there was ever a time for them to be diplomatic and not anger either Michael or Lucifer, now was the time.
    “Why only for now?” Jezebeth’s clear voice rang through the large room echoing Amalya’s thoughts, and she was sure Reba’s and Galina’s too.
    Lucifer cast Jezebeth an impatient look and the edges of Michael’s lips quirked as if he were trying to hide a smile.
    “Semiazas