Free Hell's Bells: Lucifer's Tale (Welcome to Hell Book 6) by Eve Langlais Page A

a good thing. All things require balance. It’s how nature works. If something skews too much one way, the whole ecosystem collapses. Same thing with Heaven, Hell, and the mortal realm. We need a Lord of Sin.”
    “I thought my niece had taken over his job?”
    “She did, but she doesn’t have the special brand of evil needed to lead the army of darkness.” But Muriel did try. Unfortunately, she’d succumbed to the pressure a few times and decimated a portion of the army.
    “Surely you can find another sociopath to help out your progeny.”
    “You don’t get it. You can’t just replace Lucifer. He is one of a kind.”
    Dishes hit the ground with a clatter and crashing of porcelain. She whipped around in a froth of green skirts to see Lucifer staring at her.
    His eyes shone. His arms opened wide. The smile on his face practically split his head in two. “Pookiekins, that is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever said. I think you’re one of a kind too. Come here and give me a big smoochie.”
    She found herself propelled forward, Lucifer’s beckoning fingers drawing her much like a magnet did with metal. A moment later, his arms wrapped around her in a gentle hug. No more rib crushing from him. The kiss he bestowed was soft and gentle too. No passionate plunder of her lips. No sinuous foray by his wickedly long tongue.
    It was also short-lived, a tease of an embrace, and then he set her away from him.
    With a snap of his fingers, the tray he’d dropped reformed and balanced on his palm. With a whistle and a swagger that needed more bad to make those pants work, Lucifer rejoined his brother.
    Looking at the two of them conversing, she was reminded of something Nefertiti had told her many years ago over a different round of drinks.
    “Jealousy is a magic all its own. If properly set, it can prompt men to do just about anything.”
    The pictures she’d posted hadn’t worked, possibly because no one had showed him.
    Or he doesn’t care.
    She refused to believe that. She had to find a way to draw her evil overlord from where he hid inside because she knew Lucifer was still in there somewhere. She kept catching glimpses, despite the purity of his false heart.
    If only she could coax that side of him to the surface. Surely if anyone could possess his own body, it was her Dark Lord.
    Give him the right incentive.
    In person, not via social media. Time to ignite the fuse that would turn on the tap for his covetous side.
    “Do you mind I join you boys?” she asked brightly.
    “Of course, lovely lady. Have my seat,” Elyon graciously offered.
    Looking utterly startled that his brother had stood first, Lucifer followed, but she’d already turned a smile onto Elyon. “Thank you. That is so kind of you.”
    What wasn’t so kind was her intentional trip and fall into the heavenly deity. She hit him and clutched at his white robe. His hands steadied her. She remained close and peered into the visage of her bearded ex-boyfriend. But not lover. Elyon respected her too much for defilement.
    “Oops. Clumsy me,” she said with a giggle.
    “No harm done,” he said, clearing his throat with a small cough.
    “I hope I didn’t damage your robe.” As she smoothed her hand down the fabric, she caught a whiff of smoke.
    She bit her inner lip, lest she giggle. It was working.
    “Robe is fine,” Elyon managed to say in a strangled voice.
    Tented, too, and Gaia made sure to whirl away in such a way that Lucifer noted it too.
    A quick glance showed that smoke curled from Lucifer’s ears and nose, but just in case he needed a little more nudging, she bent over right in front of Elyon.
    “I should check my shoes. Maybe it was a loose lace tripping me.”
    Not very subtle as ass waggles went, but it resulted in Luc, in a tight tone, reminding, “You are wearing sandals.”
    “Goodness me, I am.” Titter. She straightened. “You know what, instead of me stealing your seat, why don’t we share it? Luc says sharing is