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

way, I’m happy to never see Him again.”
    “When have you known our father to ever let us do something He doesn’t agree with, at least not on a global scale? He always has a scheme or two up His sleeve to stop us, and I’m afraid He’s just thrown His aces on the table to win the game against you.”
    This reality’s Lucifer looks at me, as if he knows I’m one of God’s aces. I suddenly feel as though I have a red target painted on my chest now.
    Lucian phases over to me and grabs me by the throat, slamming me hard against the wall at my back.
    “Did my father send you back here to stop me?” Lucian demands, tightening his grip on my neck, which seems counterproductive if he actually expects me to answer him.
    “ Let…her…go… ” Lucifer demands menacingly.
    “Why should I?” Lucian asks, tightening his grip and completely cutting off my ability to breathe. “If she’s a threat, I should end her here and now. She might have Michael’s soul inside her but, when it comes down to it, she’s just a filthy little human.”
    “She’s my human,” Lucifer growls. “If one of us is going to kill her, it’ll be me, not you.”
    Lucian looks at Lucifer and smirks.
    “Maybe I’ll finally do what you seem incapable of doing,” he states condescendingly. “End her.”
    In one swift motion, Lucifer reaches behind me and pulls my sword from its sheath. He instantly places the blade against his counterpart’s throat, and I notice a crackling of electricity at the point of contact.
    “As I said earlier,” Lucifer snarls, “ let her go .”
    “If I were you, I would be careful, brother,” Lucian says. “You know what might happen if we were to physically touch.”
    “I’m well aware of the outcome. I don’t have to be told,” Lucifer replies, sounding annoyed with his alternate self.
    I have no idea what they’re referring to. I’m just trying to stay conscious from the lack of oxygen.
    Lucian throws me at Lucifer’s feet.
    “You need to decide whose side you’re on,” Lucian says to Lucifer.
    “At the moment, I’m on my side.”
    “I can’t let her leave here alive,” Lucian declares. “You have to know that. If she’s a threat to my plans, I have to eliminate her now .”
    “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that.”
    “Why?” Lucian questions incredulously.
    I have to admit, I’m curious to know the answer to his question myself.
    I look up at Lucifer, who is still standing beside me with my sword in his hands, pointed directly at Lucian’s chest. As I look between Lucifer and Lucian, I notice something odd about their auras. Lucian’s is so black, I can’t see through it at all. It’s the way I remember Lucifer’s appearing when we first met. Lucifer’s aura is still black but not nearly as opaque. The difference between the two makes me realize Lucifer isn’t the same as he was at our first meeting. He has evolved, even if it’s just a little bit.
    “That’s no one’s business but my own,” Lucifer tells him.
    “If you’re thinking you can just phase her to safety, think again. You haven’t been to many places here, and I’m afraid the same rules apply in this reality as your own. You can only phase to the places you’ve physically been to. There’s nowhere you can hide her that I can’t go.”
    “I hate to disappoint you,” Lucifer tells him, “but actually, there is.”
    Lucifer reaches down and grabs me under one arm to help me rise to my feet. He keeps my sword pointed in the other’s direction.
    “Here,” Lucifer says, handing me back my sword. “Chop their heads off if they get too close.”
    Lucifer bends at the waist and easily lifts the black leather loveseat sitting in front of the glass wall. With a small grunt, he throws it against the wall, shattering the glass as the small couch passes through to fall from a height of fifty-five stories. The wind at this elevation fills the room.
    “ Go ,” Lucifer practically orders, standing between