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

said with a nod. Long ago he'd had numerous children with different women, forming an entire line stretching back thousands of years, known as The House of Baal. Of course, he also had a teenage daughter with Lilith named Lena, who was only now coming into her demon powers. It still remained to be seen whether she would be a vampire or a succubus— demons could only be one type, and it emerged when they were eighteen.

"Yes, they are," Samael said. He donned a rare smile, his eyes landing on Asmodeus and Brandy, who was holding their newborn son, born a month after my own. "I look forward to getting to know mine."

"May I hold her?" Lilith asked.

"Of course." I started to pass Aurora to Lilith, but then Zel popped up.

"Careful!" Zel said, making Lilith jump.

"I assure you, I know what I'm doing," Lilith drawled. "I've had many more children than you, my dear."

"Zel takes her godmotherly duties very seriously." I waved at Zel to back off. I often wondered if someone told Zel that godmother meant twenty-four-hour bodyguard. I loved Zel, but sometimes it was a bit much.

“Just looking out for my girl,” Zel muttered, before slinking away with a scowl.

Samael came to stand at Lilith’s elbow, and Lilith and her mates all gazed down at my sleeping baby. Baal stroked her head softly, and Gabriel touched her little hand. It struck me then that years ago, none of this could have happened—angels and demons celebrating the birth of one that shared both their blood.

"She's gorgeous," Lilith said, as she handed Aurora back to me. "Thank you for letting me hold her."

She headed off to speak with Romana, who stood with Theo and some other gargoyles. Her entourage followed behind her, and I could barely hold in a giggle at the sight of all of them, even stoic Samael, acting like puppies at her heel.

Lucifer wrapped an arm around me and drew me close. “Did you ever think we could pull this off?”

“Hmm?” I half turned to him, enjoying the faint scratch of his cheek against mine.

He waved in the general direction of our guests. “Angels and demons at a party together, honoring a child born of both races."

I shook my head with a smile. "I was just thinking the same thing."

When Lucifer had first found me as Hannah, this sort of thing had been impossible to even consider. Angels and demons had been at war, and we'd had to hide our relationship for fear of what would happen if anyone found out that the devil was in love with the daughter of an Archangel. Now such pairings were becoming more and more normal.

"It's all thanks to you," I said, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "You brought peace to our people. It was no wonder you were able to defeat War. You're the opposite of him in every way."

"Just as you're the opposite of Famine." He lifted a shoulder in a casual shrug. "But I only did it out of love for you and hope for a future where we could be together."

"Now we're living in that future." He and I would do everything in our power to keep this peace too, especially now that we had Aurora. Years ago, she would have been forbidden. An abomination. Some might have even called for her death. Now she would live in both the angel and demon worlds, like me, and I hoped she would be embraced by each side.

Suddenly the sky darkened as large wings covered the sun. Three dragons flew overhead, circling down to us, and everyone went on alert. Weapons were drawn, wings expanded, and claws came out. Lucifer and I were ready to unleash the Elder Gods inside us, if needed. But then the dragons set down calmly on the beach, shifted into their human forms, and began walking toward us with no obvious hostility. The man in front was tall and muscular with short black hair and a sharp jaw, and though I'd only seen him in his dragon form, I knew this was Valefar, their leader.

"We come to pledge the dragons' loyalty to the Demon King and Queen," Valefar said, as he dropped into a bow before us, his fist over his heart. The man and woman behind him did the same. "And to pay our respects to the little princess."

We'd long been hoping the dragons would finally join us again, but I'd never expected them to show up today like this. Lucifer had one hand on me, gripping me tight as I held Aurora protectively, and he glanced at me with one eyebrow raised. Silently asking me if Valefar spoke the truth. Though Valefar's words had all been honest, I checked his aura anyway, and saw no deception or malice there. I gave Lucifer a subtle nod in return, and he let me go and took a step closer to Valefar.

"Welcome, Archdemon Valefar," Lucifer said. "We're pleased you could join us, and we accept your loyalty oath."

Valefar rose up and gestured at his companions, who each offered a small, wrapped present. "We've brought gifts for your daughter."

"That's very kind of you," I said, as Lucifer took the gifts. "Please enjoy the party and make yourselves comfortable."

"Yes, later we can discuss how best to return the dragons to the fold," Lucifer said. "For now, grab some champagne."

"Thank you." Valefar and his companions gave us another bow, and then they headed for the bar. Romana walked over and began talking to him while the bartender poured him a drink, and it was clear the two of them knew each other already. Perhaps she'd convinced him to side with us.

That only left the imps and shifters unaccounted for, but the imps still had no Archdemon to lead them, and no one had seen Fenrir since he'd leaped through the portal out of Faerie. Even the other shifters we'd spoken to, some of whom still sided with Lucifer, had no clue what he was up to at