Hell's Throne (The Devil's Assistant Series - 5 ) - Unedited

Hell's Throne - Chapter 23

Lucius's breakdown went as quickly as it had arrived. The familiar cheeky spark reappeared in his gaze as we talked. Something within my chest loosened. My Lucius was still in there. I had him back. The only question was - for how long? It seemed the fates were against us. We had finally reached a good place for us both; we had been open about our feelings, agreed to this relationship, and then things had started going wrong.

It was as if the threads that bound us to one another were pulled taught and starting to fray. Maybe the fates were trying to tell us something?

I wouldn't let it happen. I couldn't. If I did, everything we had been through to get to this moment would have been for nothing.

Reaching up, I stroked my hand down his cheek. He leaned his face into my touch and shuddered, as if he had been out in the cold and had suddenly been dunked into a hot bath. A frown formed on my brow. There was something deeply wrong but I couldn't even begin to tell what it was.

Thud. THUD.

Turning my head towards the door, I sighed. Glancing back at Lucius, I caressed his cheek one last time, using my thumb to brush away any signs of his tears, before pulling away. He smiled sadly, lifting his hand to hold mine. Then, ever so gently he pressed a kiss to my palm.

Leaving him to compose himself, I walked to the door and yanked it open. Sonakshi stood on the other side, her hand raised in preparation to complete another round of knocks. Her eyes widened and she halted before her hand could strike me instead. Abruptly she let her hand fall to her side.

Dipping her head in a bow, she greeted, "Good morning, milady."

"Good morning, Sonakshi, " I replied with a smile. And yet, as I watched the usually stoic warrior shuffle from foot to foot,  the smile swiftly left my face. "Is everything okay?"

"Castiel sent me. There's been an incident and we need you both to come." She stated, her eyes searching over my shoulder.

"What's wrong?"

"I think it's best if you see if for yourself, milady." Sonakshi replied, her voice low and grave. Her expression said a lot more than her words did. Her mouth was turned down and her eyes held a sadness I had come to know far too well.

"Someone's dead. " I stated as Lucius stepped up behind me. Even the warmth of his body behind mine could do nothing to soothe the fear which had surged within me as the young warrior nodded stiffly. "Who is it?"

"I think you need to see for yourself." Sonakshi stated, her lips pressing together as she glanced behind her.

Just fifteen metres away a young male demon pushed a trolley full of cleaning supplies and, just a bit further along, there was another demon sweeping the floors. I nodded my head. Some information was not meant for everyone to hear.

Glancing over my shoulder at Lucius, I felt the knot in my chest pull tight once more. His expression had become distant again; his eyes cold and his lips thinned. The stranger was back.

Unable to look at him any longer, I turned swiftly on my heel and stepped out into the hallway. "Let's go."

Lucius followed close at my heels, the door clicking shut behind him to conceal the mess within. Neither of us had made any attempt to clean up the aftermath of Percy. The floor was still littered with discarded food, abandoned trays, and shattered china plates. It felt inconsequential when there was yet another death.

"Where are we headed?" Lucius asked, taking his place at my side and threading his fingers through mine.

"To your quarters," Sonakshi replied calmly as she set off at brisk walk.