Free Cataclysm (Alternate Earth Series, Book One) by S.J. West Page A

looks at me more closely, as if he can discover how I cheated death by just gazing into my eyes.
    “She doesn’t look like anything special.”
    “Looks can be deceiving,” Lucifer assures this Earth’s version of Gabriel.
    “Do you want me to kill her for you?” Gabriel inquires, making a serious offer. “In the spirit of a possible new friendship between us and all, of course.”
    “Thanks. But that won’t be necessary.”
    Gabriel shrugs. “Suit yourself.”
    The three of us are soon joined by a fourth.
    This reality’s Lucifer.
    “Well, well, well, you did have a surprise waiting for me, Gabriel,” the alternate Lucifer says. “The vessel of Michael is back for another visit, and she’s brought along a special guest this time. My goodness, what an unexpected pleasure. I have to say, I never thought I would meet my counterpart from the Origin.”
    “I hope you’re calling yourself something other than Lucifer here. I seriously doubt you can live up to the name,” Lucifer says snidely to his doppelganger.
    This reality’s Lucifer narrows his eyes at my Lucifer.
    “I chose to have everyone call me Lucian instead of Lucifer a few years back. I would hate to be associated with someone who has failed so miserably to bring Hell to Earth in the Origin,” Lucian says, doing nothing to hide his disdain for Lucifer. “I wondered why the Tear simply disappeared when it did. I’m surprised you have the nerve to show your face here, after such an epic failure.”
    My Lucifer used the name Lucian when he first introduced himself to me. I’m silently grateful this reality’s Lucifer has chosen to go by that name. It makes keeping them separate a whole lot easier.
    Unexpectedly, I hear Lucifer begin to chuckle.
    “What’s so funny?” Lucian questions harshly, not seeing anything amusing about his condemnation.
    “Oh, I just found your last statement…extremely ironic, considering your current situation.”
    “My current situation? What is that supposed to mean?”
    “What? And ruin the surprise for you?” Lucifer says, aghast at such a notion. “That would be akin to jumping to the end of a book and ruining the story. Oh, no, I’ll let this tale run its natural course. Though, I have to admit, I can’t wait to see you fall on your face.”
    “You do realize that I am you, right? A win for me is a win for you.”
    “No, I don’t see it that way at all,” Lucifer tells his alternate self. “Because, you see, dear boy, I’m the only version of me that actually counts. You’re just a weak facsimile of who I am. Everything you are or ever hope to be is because of me .”
    “And what have you done lately?” Lucian asks. “Because I haven’t felt many ripple effects since the Tear closed. There’s only been one, and that was a few years ago. There was a worldwide earthquake for a few seconds, but then it stopped. It’s what gave me the notion to start opening the seals in this reality.”
    I know the exact moment he’s talking about. It was when Caylin and Asmodeus fought, and she damaged the seal that particular prince of Hell had in his possession. Asmodeus actually stabbed himself in the hand to stop the seal from opening completely.
    “Which shows just how foolish you are,” Lucifer says scathingly. “The seals aren’t ready to be opened, you half-wit. I assume you haven’t opened many of them yet, or you would have noticed they’re not nearly as effective as they could have been if you had just bided your time for another millennium or two.”
    “They’re effective enough,” Lucian replies bitingly. “At least I’m not twiddling my thumbs and waiting for opportunities to present themselves. I’m actually doing something destructive in my reality.”
    “Our father doesn’t take kindly to our interference with the human world,” Lucifer says. “You should know that by now.”
    “How could I? I haven’t seen Him in eons, and I have no desire to. As long as He stays out of my