Premonition of Peace (Her Immortal Monsters #3)

Chapter 9

nine

NATHALIE

I stood in front of the mirror, turning this way and that, adjusting my crew neck sweater. I’d curled my hair and even went through the effort of putting on some very light makeup. You could clearly still see the dark circles under my eyes, but at least I looked a little further from exhaustion. I hated to admit it, but I slept like a baby in Lucifer’s arms last night.

Our encounter in the memory loci had been a little awkward, but when we’d both come out of it, the tension had mostly dissipated. Thankfully he hadn’t asked me any more about Rage. Lucifer had a lot of good qualities, but his impulsivity wasn’t on that list. He didn’t know the extent of the damage Rage could cause, and to push for her release was something I didn’t tolerate, even from my others.

“You’re putting more effort into August’s breakfast than when I took you to lunch,” Lucifer remarked casually from his spot on my bed. He was naked with only a sheet draped across his waist, displaying his body. I was pretty sure he had been the inspiration for some marble statues thousands of years ago. Lucifer had abs without needing to try, toned leg muscles, and smooth unblemished skin—apart from his white brands. His perfectly chiseled jawline and hooded golden eyes made him otherworldly, even amongst supernaturals.

My demon of desire was physically perfect in every sense.

I turned my eyes to him in the mirror and tried not to be distracted.

“Stop being jealous, Lucifer. It’s not a good look on you,” I retorted.

Lucifer said nothing but continued watching me as I finished getting ready in silence. I repressed a sigh and decided to just let him sulk.

When I moved toward the bedroom door to leave, Lucifer intercepted, appearing in front of me, blocking my path. He reached out, pulling me close for a deep kiss that took me off guard.

“Have fun,” he murmured against my lips before releasing me.

I blinked, slightly dazed by his sudden intensity, then composed myself. “Uh, yeah, thanks.”

With those stumbled words, I headed out of the door. Despite the fact that the diner wasn’t far away, I decided to drive. It was chilly outside, and I just didn’t feel like showing up with a runny nose and red cheeks.

In my short commute, I mulled over how to broach the subject of Sasha and Not-Sasha with him. There was still a lot that had been left unresolved regarding us. Things like their mate bond, my own bond with August, and what that meant for all parties involved.

The bell above the door tinkled softly as I walked into the upscale diner. There was a hum of conversation in the air, and the entire room was full of supernaturals—as was obvious to me because I could see the many shades of swirling magic. Unsurprising, honestly. It was hard to come across nice restaurants like this since the Magic Wars, but of the ones that did exist, it was generally only supes that could afford them.

Soft, ambient lighting streamed through large, arched windows adorned with lace curtains, casting a warm glow over the whole place. I spotted August sitting at a corner booth, giving him an unobstructed view of the entire room. As I approached, his face lit up with a warm smile.

August was always handsome, with curly black hair, glamoured slate blue eyes, and earthy brown skin. I found myself breathing easier in his vicinity, as if my body recognized a safe harbor.

“Hey,” he greeted, rising slightly to kiss me. Our lips met and sparks ignited. I had to hold back a groan as his tongue slid against mine. The kiss was over too fast, and it left me breathless.

“Hey yourself,” I breathed, sliding into the seat opposite him.

“You look beautiful, as always.”

“Beautiful and tired,” I added, trying not to scoff at his compliment. I didn’t mean to be dismissive of his flattery. Around August, I just felt like I could be more honest about these things.

“Okay. And tired, though it’s not something I would have said,” he amended, placating me. “How are you holding up?”

“Fine,” I replied, trying to muster up a smile, but I knew it fell flat. August’s eyes narrowed slightly, seeing through the noncommittal answer easily.

“Did you just use the vague female go-to? ‘ Fine ?’ he said, tilting his head. My cheeks flushed. I had indeed. He tsked. “Try again.”

“Things are less than fine. Happy?”

“Have you slept?”

“I’ve slept.” I winced and picked at my nails. I slept great with Lucifer, but it felt like fatigue was a shadow, clinging to me. I couldn’t seem to escape it, and ultimately I didn’t have the time. “Have you?”

I wasn’t the only one showing signs of being tired. August was sporting a five o’clock shadow despite it being nine in the morning. The corners around his eyes crinkled more, making him look years older despite the fact he couldn’t age.

“Like absolute shit,” he said, reaching across the table to link our fingers together. He squeezed my hand when I looked at him with concern. “I sleep better when you’re next to me.”

That feeling was mutual. I felt heat creep over my skin as memories flooded me. All the things we do before we sleep. I mentally chastised myself. That was the exact reason we were meeting in public. We were far less likely to start fucking on top of the table in a crowded diner. The chances were slim, but they still weren’t none.

“Enough about me, though. Your thinly veiled attempt to turn this around won’t work. You said you’re less than fine. What’s going on?” he asked.

“What’s not going on feels like a safer question these days,” I murmured.

“Are you going to tell me what that means, or did you want me to ask you what’s not going on?”

There was no reason to drag this out with small talk. Whether I wanted to or not, I had to tell him about it. I sighed. Taking a deep breath, I let it out, telling him that someone came back in Sasha’s body, catching him up on every detail that had happened since then.

“That’s a hell of a lot to process,” he admitted a few moments after I’d finished, his hand still holding mine.

“Yeah, it is,” I agreed, leaning forward in my seat, “That’s why I haven’t been around. I’m not avoiding you. I’m truly just busy.”

“What does this mean for Sasha? The real one.”

I bristled slightly, instantly feeling annoyed at myself for the hint of jealousy his question stirred up. I had no reason to be jealous. I knew that. It wasn’t even my place to be jealous. He wasn’t mine. Finally, I shook my head. “I don’t know. Honestly, that’s the answer to just about everything right now, but I don’t know if she’s capable of coming back.”

I waited, thinking he was going to turn this into a conversation about the aurae bond.

He nodded a few times, thinking about what I’d said. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

Before I could respond, we both lifted our heads to the obnoxious sound of a chair dragging across the floor. My mouth hung slightly open as Lucifer plopped down between us in a chair stolen from the occupied table behind us.

“I think it’s time we officially met,” he said, holding out his hand to August. “Lucifer Morningstar.”

August didn’t move, just looked between Lucifer and me. I’d caught him up on every detail . . . except one.

“He was dead,” he said flatly. His jaw sharpened like he was clenching his teeth, and the hand holding mine squeezed a fraction tighter.

“ Was . I’m not anymore,” Lucifer replied smoothly, tucking his hand away.

“Did you bring him back?” August asked, his voice laced with surprise and a hint of accusation.

“No—well, yes? Sort of, but not on purpose, and not in the way you think,” I explained quickly.

“How many ways are there to bring someone back from the dead?” August asked. “I thought the only way a witch could is through resurrection.”

Running my free hand through my hair, I pulled at the tangles that had managed to appear in the last half an hour since brushing it. “Um, usually, yes. This situation is a little different, though. Lucifer is a demon and feeds off desire. He used Samhain to cross the veil.”

“She’s shortening the story,” Lucifer butted in. “Leaving out all the best parts aren’t we, little witch?”

I cut my eyes to him in a way that absolutely screamed, “Shut the hell up.” Lucifer looked completely unbothered in the face of my ire and August’s irritation. Of course he would. Fucking devil.

August’s thumb brushed over my hand gently in a calming manner. Lucifer leaned forward, his eyes locking onto August’s.

“We need to have a talk,” he said, ignoring my death glare. “Since we’re both going to be with Nathalie, everyone should be on the same page.” He said it like it was the most normal thing in the world, and I wished the booth cushion would just swallow me whole. August looked at me, my face undoubtedly red.

“This is not, ” I emphasized in a lowered hiss, “what I had in mind for how to tell August.”

Lucifer shrugged. “I’m saving you the stress of the conversation and ripping the band-aid off.”

August didn’t react outwardly. He kept stroking my hand as if Lucifer didn’t drop a bomb on him. “What’s there to get on board with? We’re both with her—well all three of us, if we’re including the kid.” I lifted my eyebrow at the way he addressed Marcel.

“You do realize he’s three years older than me, right?”

“Physically. You’re an old soul and wise beyond your years,” August responded.

“Sharing isn’t in my nature. My little witch is quite attached to you, though, so for her, I’ll make this work.” Lucifer pointedly ignored me until he tacked on, “So long as things are kept fair.”

“What the hell does that mean?” I demanded, feeling my face heat up even more.

“I’m not sure yet. It can look many ways. We could always trade off days or nights with you,” Lucifer replied.

“No,” I said firmly, pulling my hand gently from August’s so I could get my point across. “I’m not a toy you can schedule time with. That’s not how this is going to go. I still have free will, and if I’m pissed at someone”—I shot a pointed look at Lucifer”—then I’m not spending time with him just to suit a stupid schedule. This also isn’t a priority right now. ”

Lucifer’s expression softened slightly. “It’s my priority,” he said, then turned to August. “What about you?”

August met Lucifer’s gaze, his resolve clear. “Nathalie is my priority,” he said simply. “Which brings us back to my original question: can I help you at all, Nat?”

Lucifer scoffed. “She doesn’t want help. She thinks she should go it alone.”

“I was speaking to the lady,” August said, keeping his cool as he spoke curtly to the devil. “When I address you, you’ll know it.”

I gritted my teeth, not liking Lucifer’s tone, or his presence. Before he could respond to August, I laid into him. “That is not what I said. I said don’t want your help because you have a tendency to act without thinking.”

“Actually,” he protested, “I put the perfect amount of thought in.”

“Really? So you put thought into how you were going to approach all of this, and somehow you still managed to come across rude?”

Lucifer raised an eyebrow. “I’m being rude?”

I sighed, turning back to August. “I appreciate the offer, but right now, I want to keep you away from Not-Sasha. Your mate bond with Real-Sasha complicates things. She claims to have gotten over it in the veil, but she would know that you would immediately recognize it wasn’t her, which means whoever is inside her would know the jig is up. Right now, they think they’re getting away with it. We don’t know who it is yet, or what they want, so we need to keep it that way.”

August nodded, though he clearly didn’t like it. “I can understand your reasoning, but if you won’t accept help, who’s going to keep you safe?”

“I—”

My phone buzzed with a text from an anonymous number. I opened it and my blood ran cold. It was a picture of Carissa.

Dead.