Infernal God (Claimed By Lucifer Book 3) by Elizabeth Briggs (summer reads TXT) 📕

“We already have a plan in place for Pestilence’s return.’ Hannah looked at me as she spoke, then turned to the table. “But I think we should have something else ready if it doesn’t work.”

"Somehow I doubt Adam has any interest in fighting off Pestilence's control, like you two did," Samael said.

"No, that won't work. We need another plan." Hannah turned to me. "Oberon said you once had a key to Void. Do you still have it?"

A chill ran down my spine. Whatever I’d expected her to say, it hadn’t been that. "We're not using that."

“But you’ve been to Void before," Baal said.

“Yes, thousands of years ago, and I risked a lot by asking Nyx to make the Fallen into demons so they could survive in Hell. I'm lucky I made it back at all."

"How did you even get such a thing?" Romana asked.

"My father, Death, gave it to me. Before we became bitter enemies."

“It might work," Samael said, his voice thoughtful. "The key is the only thing that can send the Elder Gods to the Void.”

I cast a hard look around the table at my allies. "Yes, but opening a portal to Void could also let other Elder Gods out. We don't need any more of them on our hands, now do we?"

They all murmured their agreement, and I considered the matter dropped, but I sensed they were all still wary. They wanted an easy solution, but when facing threats such as these, there wasn't one. It was always a matter of choosing the best option between multiple shitty situations, then praying you made the right decision.

I rose to my feet, forcing them to look up at my full height as I towered over them like the king I was. "Now that Hannah and I have the powers of War and Famine, Pestilence won't be able to stand against us. In the meantime, use all of our resources to hunt down Fenrir. I want him brought to justice immediately."

Hannah looked at me and nodded, before I sat beside her again—in my rightful place as Demon King.

Damn, it was good to be back.

16

Hannah

As we stepped through the archway that led to Persephone's Garden, the first hint of nervousness took root in my chest. Lucifer had given me this space six months ago, back when it was nothing more than an empty lot and a dream. He'd known I would miss the flower shop and would need a connection to nature even in the middle of the Nevada desert. But then he was gone, and I'd had to design and implement the garden all by myself, trying to make it a place that the guests of The Celestial Resort & Casino would enjoy. Now I dearly wished for his approval.

It had been two days since Lucifer had become himself again and things were starting to feel normal once more. Azazel had fully recovered, thanks to my gift of energy, followed by Marcus's healing. Belial and Damien were staying in the hotel for now, though I doubted they would stay for long. The meeting with the Archdemons had gone well, and Lucifer and I were getting used to being Elder Gods. There were definitely some benefits to not needing any sleep.

Lucifer held my hand as he let me lead the way through the winding paths, under the dense trees and past the perfectly arranged plants toward the waterfall. "It's gorgeous."

"You like it?" I asked, turning a big smile on him. The sound of the waterfall soothed me instantly, and I inhaled the sweet fragrances of the flowers.

He nodded and raised my hand to his mouth, brushing his lips over my knuckles. “It’s beautiful. Just as I knew it would be. As all your gardens have been.”

"I was nervous doing it without your approval since this hotel is your baby," I said, as I walked to my bench. After I sat, I patted the smooth stone beside me. “This is my favorite spot.”

“Might be my favorite spot, too.” He grinned and sat as close to me as he could, pulling me into his arms. He dipped his head and kissed my neck, a promise of more to come. "You didn't need my approval. You had my complete faith when I gave you the project."

I arched my neck to grant him better access to my skin. "I know, but it would have been nice to be able to run decisions by you first..."

"I doubt I would have been much help. You know I'm not good with all this...nature. I leave that to you."

I rolled my eyes. It was true, Lucifer couldn't name any of the flowers near us if he'd tried. He was completely useless in that area. "We're hoping to open it to hotel guests next week."

"They're going to love it. It's really going to elevate the hotel's profile."

I practically beamed with pride at his comments, but then I noticed his frown as he stared at the waterfall. "What is it?"

“I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think we should move away from Las Vegas.” He looked out over the garden like he could see the city itself through the foliage. “I love the very air here. It’s saturated in sin, but I want to concentrate on you, and on our daughter.”

I leaned against him, finding that spot on his chest that seemed to have been made just for me to snuggle against. “I've been thinking the same thing. We need a fresh start. The Celestial is great and all, but a casino is not the best place to raise a child."

"No it's not, and I'd like to move somewhere safer, and more easily defensible." He gave a rueful glance up at the building. "Those damn floor-to-ceiling windows."

I let out a laugh. "I know! We must have spent a small fortune repairing them over the last year or two."

"It's like no one knows how to