“You kidnapped her. Her and Pan. You have them locked up somewhere to help you in your cause. Now, tell me where they are so we can get them back.”
Lucifer stared at me blankly. “I haven’t the foggiest what you’re talking about. There’s only one uterus that concerns me, and it’s in the other room.”
There was the unmistakable ring of truth to his words.
“If you didn’t take them, then who would dare?” I demanded, curious if he also suspected the horsewomen or if there might be other players we didn’t yet know about.
Lucifer spread his hands. “Literally anyone. The hordes of hell are running free in my absence. I’ve been a little out of pocket lately, as you may recall. Seeing toourmate’s needs took all of my focus.”
“Why should I believe you?”
“What reason do I have to lie?”
I studied him, trying to suss out just that, but again coming up empty. If he really was here for Merri, maybe there was a way to use that to our advantage. Work with him rather than against him to get Sunday and Pan back.
“Help us find them, then.”
“What’s in it for me?”
“Freedom from this cell, for starters.”
“Not enough.”
“Time with Merri. On her terms.” I didn’t really have the authority to speak on her behalf, but that wasn’t going to stop me from bluffing my way through this negotiation.
“That’s a given. She’ll require it soon enough.”
“Then what do you want in exchange for helping us stop this apocalypse?”
“Free will and unlimited access to Merri. Visitation rights for the four of you on my terms.”
“The only person who can decide for Merri is Merri. She’s not a bargaining chip.”
“That’s rich, coming from the person who did exactly that.”
The fucker had me on a technicality.
“I will speak to Michael and Gabriel about your situation. I can’t grant you anything without their approval. In the meantime, you need to do something for us. A good faith gesture.”
He sighed and rolled his eyes. “Fiiiine. I’ll locate your missing breeder. How’s that?”
It was more than I’d hoped for.
“That’ll do.”
“Peachy. Tell my mate I’ll be back in a tick.”
Before I could ask what that was supposed to mean, he fucking vanished, the chains that had been locked around his wrists dropping to the ground with a loud clang. Despite allof Lilith’s assurances, I should have known they wouldn’t have been enough to keep him put. Last time it had taken an entire coven and a magic cage buried deep in the earth.
“Motherfucker.”
Chapter
Ten
MERRI
The last thing my mates needed from me after that bombshell was to be forced to wait while I rushed out of the room to check on Luc. But every instinct I had screamed for me to do just that. He was close by but imprisoned. Out of my sight.