Lucca (39 page)

Arizul drew near then, taunting him.
“Christopher Marlowe would have introduced her to you
properly.”

Lucca’s eyes narrowed as the horror of his
father’s confession took hold in vivid reality. “So you had Kit
murdered because of it.”

“It was for your own good.”

“Yes, father. Do tell. All you’ve done for
me has been for my own good. It was your fall from grace that began
this horror. Your lies and your abuse were only afterthoughts. I
could have done without your fatherly affection.”

Kasadya came into view clapping his hands in
a methodical sarcastic display. Lucca forgot the Satan was in the
room. “I do so love family gatherings. We’re not in church and this
is not a confessional, Arizul. No one cares about your woes of
trying to save your son. I want the book.”

Arizul took a step back as Kasadya drew
closer. Sweat glistened his father’s forehead and he licked his
lips nervously. His father feared the Satan. Lucca used to believe
his father never feared anything.

“Do what you must,” Kasadya hissed. “Flay
him, gut him, I don’t care, but you find out where he’s hidden the
book or you’ll pay the price.”

“I will not disappoint you.” His father
bowed.

“See that you don’t.” Kasadya whirled
around, his long coat flying behind him as he left the room.

His father turned toward Lucca, his eyes
cold and unyielding as Lucca remembered them to be.

“Let’s get reacquainted, shall we, son?”

Chapter Forty-Seven

Chaz listened to Zaiden’s plan with
surprised interest. Being one of the appointed elders for the
Grigori court, he would make the final decision if a covert
operation would go into effect.

Zaiden wanted to hide Owen, the son of
Raziel, at the Grigori Keep while his band of makeshift warriors
went off to find Kasadya. The Satan governed hell’s minions that
were worse than any nightmare and all damned difficult to kill. How
did they think this plan would work?

Chaz gaze shifted to Juliet Romeo, a
beautiful female in her own right. Her modern clothes of jeans and
T-shirt did not take away from the regal air about her. She was a
lady in her time, but carried the lethal grace of a born warrior.
Chaz kept his wings folded behind him, but he knew this human
didn’t fear what he was. “Why do you risk your life for Lucca?” he
asked her.

The room fell silent as if everyone forgot
to breathe. She looked him in the eye, another brave quality he
admired about her. “I love him.”

Zaiden let out a groan, but Chaz silenced
him with a lift of his hand. He approached her, wanting her to
speak. “You love Lucca, a Nephilim who has been banished from here.
His wings are bound. He’s been disgraced.”

She stood up straighter, this daughter of
Eve. “Not in my eyes.”

Chaz’s lips curved. He paced in thought
before speaking again. “Eli suspected Lucca found his soul mate, I
was not so sure. What say you to that?” he halted his steps and
faced her again, wishing to see her expressions, wanting to witness
the truth in her eyes. “Is Lucca your soul mate, would you take him
as yours?”

“I already have.” Judging by her
don’t-mess-with-me
stance, she told the truth.

Chaz glanced at Zaiden who rubbed his hand
across his face as if he liked to clasp the hand over Juliet’s
mouth to keep her silent. “Don’t look so worried, Zaiden. This
isn’t an inquisition.”

“Bloody hell feels like it,” Blaize uttered
his opinion under his breath.

Gideon elbowed him, but Chaz didn’t comment
on the behavior. He looked at Juliet again. “And what of Lucca?
Does he love you as well?”

“Yes.” Her nostrils flared as if his
question had cast doubt and she didn’t like it. He pushed on
anyway.

“No hesitation. You believe him. You don’t
have doubt that he has betrayed you?”

“Sir… uh… Elder,” she corrected with
impatience. “Lucca is my mate. End of story.” She yanked her
T-shirt down to reveal the mark he left. “Now if we’re done with
the questioning I’d like to get him back, and I do believe you owe
him his wings too.”

“Do I?” His brows lifted high on his
forehead. Along with all the other qualities, the female was brazen
as well.

“Yes. His banishment was to atone for his
lack of understanding and respect to his human side.”

“I’m impressed Lucca confessed his sins to
you. He’s usually a private sort. Emotions are… well, alien to
him.”

“He wanted me to know who he was, what he
was, and accept him for him. I do,” she clasped her hands behind
her back, her feet slightly spread apart, giving her the appearance
of a soldier facing her superior. “I accept him, all of him, his
good and his bad faults.”

“So you would take him even if he did not
have his wings?” Chaz lifted one brow in question.

“I would take him any way he would come to
me, but I know if you would grant it, he would be forever grateful
to have his wings restored. He put his life on the line for me. The
least I can do is petition on his behalf for you to give him back
his wings.”

Chaz nodded, hearing her plea and liking
what he heard. No human could love so deeply without the adoration
being returned. Perhaps Lucca had indeed learned his lesson and had
found his soul mate in the process. “So be it.” With a flick of his
hand a stone appeared in his palm. He used his other hand, hovering
above the stone as he chanted. The stone brightened and changed
into a dagger clear and glowing iridescent. He looked at Juliet.
“This is Angel blessed. When you find Lucca, you must thrust the
dagger into his neck, right above the collarbone. If he loves you
as you claim, his wings will be restored.”

“And if he doesn’t love her?” Gideon asked,
winning a dagger-like look from Juliet telling him to shut up.

“He will die,” Chaz said simply with a lift
of his shoulder. His gaze met Juliet’s. “The choice is yours.”

She didn’t flinch. Her hand whipped out and
grabbed the dagger, stuffing it into her pocket. Chaz prayed her
confidence in Lucca would be rewarded.

At that moment, the hall door swung open,
announcing the new arrivals. Eli strode in the lead, a proud
warrior who rewrote Grigori history with finding his soul mate and
being brave enough to challenge the centuries old rules. He proved
his point in taking Ryden as his mate. Ryden was a dark-haired
beauty and she walked not behind Eli, but next to him as an
equal.

The next to arrive was the Darklin, Sarice.
A raven haired female, a Dark Angel in every confident stride she
took. Chaz noticed her gaze first went to his Guard, Zaiden, before
her eyes shifted to her brother, Blaize, in recognition. Blaize and
Sarice were twins, a rarity among their kind.

Barachiel arrived last. The small band of
warriors hoped for the Archangel’s cooperation. His wings were at
his side and his yellowish green eyes were dim and not flaming with
unnatural light. At least at the moment there would be no fear of
lightning striking on anyone.

Barachiel paused with a respected few feet
from Chaz. “I’ve come only out of curiosity. Do not make me regret
it.”

Arrogant, Chaz thought, but he expected no
less from an Archangel. “We have the book you seek, but we are not
at liberty to give it to you at this moment.”

“Then this meeting is over,” Barachiel made
a move to leave, but Chaz froze him with his words.”

“We will, however, aid you in capturing
Kasadya and Arizul. We only ask that you help us free Lucca from
the Satan’s prison.”

Barachiel looked bemused. “A strange request
when it could mean your brethrens’ death. I would have thought
you’d be please Lucca would cause you no more trouble.”

“With all his misgivings, he is still one of
ours,” Chaz insisted. “We will not let Kasadya have him without a
fight.”

“No? If he didn’t go willingly, he’s been
with the Satan for half a day. I’m sure torture would be part of
the hospitality.” Chaz met Juliet’s gaze. She stood strong, but how
would she be if Lucca came back broken.

“We won’t know until we get him back.”
Juliet looked at Barachiel.

Chaz sighed, wishing she had not drawn
attention to herself, but it was too late now.

Barachiel’s gaze raked over her. “A human?”
He chuckled.

Chaz knew he wouldn’t be so humored if he
realized Juliet was one of the humans he sought and the other was
secreted away in his library. “Lucca is her mate.”

The Archangel looked at her again with
curiosity this time, but then he dismissed her to Chaz’s relief.
“Not my concern, but if your warriors help me send Kasadya back to
Hell, the least I can do is help you find what is left of
Lucca.”

“We’ll need Raziel’s help, too,” Blaize
spoke up.

Barachiel’s low chuckle fell short of being
humorous, his eyes spewing his true feelings of anger. “Raziel is
being questioned at the moment. He will not be joining us.”

“He must,” Blaize insisted. “Raziel knows
the portals the best. You may be able to locate Lucca because of
the tattoo you placed on him, but we can’t follow your blaze of
light. Raziel will be able to lead the rest of us directly to
him.”

Barachiel seemed to consider this for a
moment then he cursed under his breath as he realized the truth of
Blaize’s claim.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Lucca faded in and out of consciousness, the
scent of blood hitting his nostrils. His blood. Arizul stripped him
to his waist. His torso burned, his skin flayed in areas, revealing
bone. He blinked, his gaze picking up movement. It was Kasadya. His
instincts told him to run even though he knew it was impossible to
break the chains that bound him. Besides, just thinking about
moving sent white starbursts of pain to his brain.

“Now, now,” Kasadya cooed. He crouched down.
“Your father does know how to use the whip well. I might have to
recruit him for interrogations. I could always use another enforcer
to flay skin away.”

Lucca could feel himself slipping into
unconsciousness and welcomed it, but Kasadya wouldn’t allow it. His
finger poked into the open wound on his chest, twisting. Lucca let
out an agonizing scream.

“That’s more like it. I need you awake,
Lucca. You haven’t told me where the book is yet.” He dug his
finger in deeper. “I can end this torment. Just tell me what I want
to know.”

Lucca spit at him, not saliva but blood
spewed forth.

Kasadaya licked the blood away that landed
on his lips and smiled. “Your blood is sweeter than your father’s,
goodness flows in your veins. Yummy.” His hand caressed Lucca’s
sweat soaked hair away from his face before he grabbed his chin,
forcing Lucca to look at him.

Lucca struggled, knowing what would happen
next. “No!” But he couldn’t win this. He couldn’t stop the magic
flowing over him, a slow burn spreading through his veins,
jumpstarting his glamour to knit his bones and heal his wounds.

This was the second or was it the third time
Kasadya had healed him. Everything was blending together. The
healing wasn’t a blessing, but a curse. It meant his father would
be back to flay his skin all over again.

“You are beautiful,” Kasadya said, caressing
his face. Lucca jerked away. “All the children of the Angels are
so. My demons especially love Nephilim. Maybe we’ll have one of
them play with you for a while before your father exacts his
punishment again.”

Lucca fought the nausea that crept up his
throat like acid. He’d seen one of his demons, slithering dark
masses that sucked the air out of the room with their stench.

“Do you know what my demons do?”

No, and he preferred to keep it that way,
but it seemed Kasadya was in a sharing mood.

“They like to sink their teeth into flesh,
nice smooth flesh.” His finger slid across his chest.” His dark
eyes met his. “The eyeballs are delicacies to them, did you know
that?” He smacked his lips together. “The entrails are another of
their favorites.” His finger slid down to his stomach. “They like
to tear the flesh and suck the insides out like slurping a bowl of
spaghetti.” He patted Lucca’s shoulder. “A Nephilim can live hours
after his guts are devoured as a demon’s appetizer. I’ll heal you
again of course. Then we’ll start all over again. You see, Lucca,
you cannot win here. I have all kinds of tortures just waiting for
you.” He stood now, looking down at him. “I haven’t even told you
the best ones yet. Maybe I’ll let the Deviants have you for a
spell. Let them use you as a sex slave for a few days. I’ll let
your imagination fill in what they’ll do to you.” He patted his
head. “Think about it, my boy. Let me know what you decide. I’ll
give you an hour.”

He turned and strode out of the cell,
closing the heavy door and leaving Lucca in darkness. He leaned his
head against the wall, the coolness alleviating the pounding in his
head. How much more could he endure before he broke, before he told
Kasadya anything he wanted? A pit of hopelessness opened in his
stomach, but he clenched his teeth against the wave refusing to
give into the pain. If he did, it was over and he would fail
Juliet. He wasn’t going to let that happen.

A clanking of armor and steel drew his
attention, pushed him to his feet. Screams filled the quietness
like a river of agony. Who was out there? God, let it also be his
end. He yanked on the chains even though he knew he could not break
free. If he could not join the fight, let them come in and finish
him off.

As if God heard him, the door flew open. A
shift in the air told him magic was used to light the room. He
blinked against the brightness. His eyes focused, but he couldn’t
believe what he saw before him. “Juliet,” his voice sounded rough
and unused even to his own ears.

“My God, Lucca.” She ran toward him, but he
backed away, the chains rattling louder than the clanking against
metal out in the hall. She halted her steps and stared, really
looking at him. Kasadya had healed him, left his skin unmarred, but
the blood around him looked as if something or someone had been
slaughtered. “It’s me, Lucca.” She said calmly, her gaze focusing
on him only. Her steps were slow as if she approached a cornered
animal.