Page 31 of Unholy Night
“Thank you, I think?” I can’t really look at the little demon since he’s on my shoulder and others are starting to find their courage.
“It is good. It is a good change.” I feel his little hand clutch onto my ear and I turn my head. “They’re not used to it. The smell. It’s sweet.”
“Oh, I guess we still smell like peppermint.” I grimace.
“No, no. Not that. Happy. You smell happy.” Gurch leans close and whispers. “And so does Master.”
I look at Lucifer. He’s standing next to Mandy, making sure she’s not overwhelmed. His smile is so bright it’s almost blinding.
“Is he not usually happy?” I whisper back to Gurch as another demon grabs my hand and shakes it vigorously. “Nice to meet you, too.”
“No. Not for Gurch to say.” The little green demon moves so I can just barely see him out of the corner of my eye. “Stay. Stay and Master will be happy.”
I don’t respond to that. What can I say? I’m mortal? I have a daughter to raise? We have to go back to our depressing and increasingly more difficult life. And that’s a sad, sad thought. It’s not like we can stay even if we want to.
And Lucifer hasn’t said anything about us staying. Why would we? I shake my head as if that will clear it of thoughts. We just need to get through tonight.
“It’s okay.” Gurch pats my ear as another demon steps forward. “It will be well. Tonight, you help Gurch with the stockings. Fuchsia says we must make magic.”
“That’s right.” I shake a scaly hand with red claws.
“I have plan. You look it over.” Gurch jumps down from my shoulder and looks up at me. “Come. Come.” He beckons toward the palace.
“But…” I look at Mandy and Lucifer.
“Do you trust me, Lyla?” He steps closer and reaches for my hand. It’s the same thing he asked Mandy. Do I trust him? Trust is so much harder for me. I’ve been burned, badly. When I was younger, trust cost nothing, I gave it freely without thought, expecting everyone to treat me the way I would treat them. Boy did I learn my lessons the hard way.
But standing here, in Hell, holding Lucifer’s hand, surrounded by demons, I feel that dim light grow in my chest. Do I trust the way I did when I was younger? No. But I do trust this man. This angel. The Master of Hell.
“Yes.” I reach up with my free hand and place it over his heart. “I trust you, Lucifer.”
He covers my hand with his and leans down until our foreheads meet. “Thank you.”
The emotion in those words reach deep into my soul and heal some of the cracks. I close my eyes and inhale softly. He has a spicy scent and the faint smell of campfire smoke.
He pulls away, but dips his head and brushes his lips across my cheek bone. “If we didn’t have an audience, I’d be kissing you until you forgot where you began and I ended. I know what offering your trust means to you.”
I suck in a breath. I really, really, really want to kiss him. But he’s right, now isn’t the time. Lucifer steps back as if putting distance between us will help. I realize Mandy is watching us with wide eyes. Not sure what to expect, I’m surprised when she hides a giggle behind her hand and turns back to her newly made demon friends.
“Trust me and I will keep Mandy with me while you assist Gurch. He knows more English than most of the others.” He lets go of my hand and takes another step back as if having trouble distancing himself from me. “We will make some much needed alterations to the sleigh while you get organized.”
I swallow. “Okay.”
He takes another step back with a small smile. “I think you should leave first. I’m not making much progress.”
His words break the tension between us and I laugh. “I think you just want to watch me walk away in this suit.”
“I hate for you to leave, but I do think I’ll enjoy the view.” He winks.
My laugh grows louder and some of the demons look at us curiously.
“Mandy,” I wave her over. “I’m going to the castle with Gurch to work on the list. Mr. Lucifer wants your help here. Is that okay?”
Mandy nods. “Do I get to paint the sleigh?” She points to some demons carrying canisters and brushes.
“You listen to Mr. Lucifer and if you’re not sure about something, you ask him, okay?”
“Yes, Mommy.” She grabs my waist in a quick hug and then disappears into the milling demons.