“Can you stand here?” He directs me to a space in the library that is open. I watch with wide eyes as he grabs a crystal chalice, cutting his wrist and bleeding into the cup. His blood is dark and thick as it fills the crystal. “This won’t hurt,” he tells me. I close my eyes as I feel his blood circle around me. I feel the substance leak into my pores. If I thought I felt powerful before, this is nothing. It’s like a hit of complete overwhelming strength.

I gasp, opening my eyes. My body is still mine, but more. Like it’s been reinforced, I feel impenetrable. My father’s eyes are still closed as he concentrates. Looking down at my skin, I look the same, but I feel more like everything that has held me back on earth has been washed away and I’m in my ultimate form. Like I no longer have to pretend. I know what I am and my full potential is ready to be released.

He exhales as he sits down on the chaise behind him. He doesn’t look worn, just tired.

“Are you okay?” I ask him. It’s the first time I see him smile. It’s small, but definitely a smile.

“I’m fine, darling. How do you feel?”

“Whole.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t do it sooner.”

“Better late than never,” I say, shrugging.

“I hope that you and Mara find you want to spend time here with me. That’s all I want.”

“Maybe we can do Sunday dinners or some shit?” I watch as Lucifer laughs. It’s rumbling and deep as he clutches his stomach.

“You, darling, are definitely mine. Now, let’s go see the others.”

I nod my head as he directs me out into the hallway. I take in more of the place than I did last night. It’s a beautiful and opulent estate. Clearly Hell, well at least this part of Hell, isn’t what most people would assume.

We stride past the room where Dax and I stayed last night. “Whenever you want to visit, that room is there for you. And Daxaddon,” he says the last line with a little disdain.

“Do you not like Dax?” I ask him.

“Daxaddon is a fine demon, good at what he does. He is certainly not age appropriate,” he says.

“How much older are you than Lilith?” I ask him. He glares at me.

“Fuck, the apple did not fall far,” he says, holding open the door to the formal dining room. Dax looks relieved to see me as I come and sit down next to him.

His gaze is assessing as he looks at me head to toe. When his hand touches my thigh I feel his magic more strongly than ever before. He acts as if the touch shocked him and his eyes are cautious as he looks over to my father.