Page 50 of Unholy Night
As we pass through the flames I feel the familiar whisper of Lucifer’s magic and then we’re standing in Hell. People--I should probably say beings-- part as we walk through a crowd. Demons are interspersed through the masses and Mandy waves happily at them all.
Lucifer stops and introduces us to one magical creature after another, keeping us close the entire time. I have a feeling this possessiveness is actually a compliment amongst the immortals we’re meeting. As if he’s saying we’re privy to all his lifestyle entails. I try to not ogle at the Easter Bunny whose ears moved independently of each other. Even as a child, he’d been my favorite. Mandy finally loses her calm when we meet the Tooth Fairy. She’s everything I would expect of the Tooth Fairy. An ethereal beauty, shimmering skin and wings, and the sweetest, calmest voice I’ve ever heard.
“Oh my God!” Mandy lets go of Lucifer and covers her mouth. “You’re the Tooth Fairy! The real Tooth Fairy!”
“It’s lovely to meet you, Mandy.” The tooth fairy is barely taller than my daughter, but I can feel the weight of her years.
“You know my name!” Mandy squeals.
“Of course. I have several of your teeth.”
I blink. She does? What the hell have I been saving in that little box all these years?
“We’ll leave you to chat,” Lucifer smiles. Mandy waves a hand at us as Lucifer steers us away and I cringe when I hear my child asking questions about wings.
“It’s fine,” Lucifer whispers in my ear. “Aletta loves talking about her wings.”
“They’re very beautiful,” I reply.
“Not nearly as beautiful as you.” He takes my hand and spins me out to arm length. “Let me look at you. I don’t feel I have seen nearly enough.”
I blush as his eyes travel from my head to my toes. I look around, but no one is paying us any attention. I look back at him and decide to let myself revel in the heat of his gaze and return his admiring stare. His tuxedo is well tailored, fitting his tall, lithe frame perfectly. I let my eyes linger on his broad shoulders, the sharp edges of his cheekbones and chiseled jaw, and stop on his eyes. I feel as if I’m falling into his soul, seeing all the dark and bright pieces at once. I want to explore them, ask him questions.
With the flick of his wrist he brings me twirling back into his arms and music begins. He spins me about the open area between trees and other couples join us. The music is beautiful, magical, and reminds me of wind chimes, but fuller. The field is lit by the soft glow of the souls floating above and I really do feel like a fairy princess. We move over the grass in smooth, easy steps. I’ve never learned any ballroom dancing, but Lucifer makes it easy.
“I will talk to Father Time about Mandy, if you would like.” His breath stirs the hair on the top of my head and goosebumps breakout on my arms. “He may be able to make it so she will still grow and mature at the correct rate while in Hell.”
“You think he would help?” I look up at him.
“I would ask tonight, but it’s his busiest business day.”
I laugh softly. “That makes sense.”
“Are you sure, Lyla?” His eyes stay on mine. It’s the first time he’s said my name tonight and my eyes flutter shut as heat fills my core. His voice is sinful.
“About what?” My voice is high and wispy.
“Us.” He spins me once and then brings me back to his arms. “About being in a relationship with Satan. I’m not exactly a well-loved immortal. And I’m being incredibly selfish for trying to keep you for myself. I tried to let you live a normal life, but I’m not strong enough.”
“Areyousure?” He misses a step and looks down at me when I throw his question back at him. “Are you sure you want to open your life to a mortal single mom and her daughter?”
“I have no doubts.” He stops dancing and pulls me close. “And, as I said, the mortal thing is not a big deal. The more magic you are around, the more you will absorb, and Hell is full of it. Even without time standing still in Hell, you would stop aging. Is that an issue for you?”
I lay my cheek against his chest and think about it. “No, not if I’m with you. But Mandy needs to be able to make her own decision when she is an adult.”
“The decisions will always be in your hands. And then hers.” He lets out a breath and I feel him shudder. “I will admit to you, the past few days--which have stretched long and wide, damn near an eternity--have been horrible. I’ve been impossible to work with as I contemplated you telling me no. In fact, I had convinced myself you would turn me down flat.”
“How could I with all your sweet words?” I trace his jaw with my fingers.
The chime of a large bell fills the air and I look around in confusion.
“The countdown has begun.” He hooks a finger under my chin and lifts it. “Are you ready to start a new chapter with me?”
“Yes.” The twelfth toll of the bell fills the clearing and his lips claim mine. It’s not slow and sweet like the one we shared on Christmas Eve. This is a kiss of claiming, deep and thorough, leaving me breathless.
When something comes hurdling at us and hits us at full speed we’re knocked apart.
“Happy New Year!” Mandy has an arm around both of us.