Page 153 of A Deal in Darkness
“WHERE. IS. SHE?”
The Princes of Hell fan out as they stare at me, enraged, curious, and amused. They’re delighting in this spectacle and relishing watching someone else being the target of Lucifer’s anger.
A small whimper sounds through the room and everyone’s eyes dart to the door on one side.
“Adriana?”
She groans and I brush past Lucifer, heading toward the bathroom. My girl’s having another attack and the sound of her distress is more than I can bear. I’ve savored the cries of thousands of tormented souls, but I cannot stand to hear her cry.
Lucifer follows, and I open the door.
Adriana’s curled up at the edge of the bath, leaning over the top of it and retching into it. She’s wearing a thin top and shorts, cooling her sweaty body on the cold marble beneath her. And she's still wearing the collar—my collar—and Lucifer snarls, well aware that Lilith covets it.
My girl looks ill.
“I said…”
“SHUT. UP.”
Adriana retches again, and her fingers turn white as she grips the rolltop bath. Thin strands of spittle drop from her mouth and her far from glamorous appearance is not in keeping with the way I wanted to present her to Lucifer.
I wanted him to revere her—as I do—and instead he’s looking at her like she’s an object of curiosity. An unappealing one, too.
Maybe it’s better that he isn’t interested in her.
Not that I’d give her up.
But I could do without the fucking headache of competing with him for her affection.
I take a step toward her and he grabs me, stopping me from going any further.
“I’ll take it from here, Amaymon,” he says in a voice that’s cold and calculated.
“Lord, she’s not up to this right now,” I plead. “She’s dealing with a flashback.”
Lucifer’s eyebrow rises and he tsks, ignoring my protests as he leaves me standing between the other princes and Adriana. His head tilts as he walks over and Adriana doesn’t lift her head, staring at the plughole like she wants to disappear down it.
“Lucifer, please…”
“I said shut up, Amaymon. I don’t like repeating myself.” He inches closer. “I suggest you shut the fuck up if you know what’s good for you.” He bends down next to Adriana. “For the girl too.”
Adriana vomits again and the princes behind me snigger.
“Hello, sweetheart,” Lucifer says, running his hand over her hair.My girl’s hair. “Let’s take a look at you.”
He lifts her chin and turns it to face him. Adriana’s eyes lock with his and she meets his gaze, refusing to cower or show any sign of fear. Lucifer tilts his head in the other direction and she follows him. He smirks as if he’s got everything he wanted and he’s about to take it from me, and Adriana smiles back at him.
And then she vomits on him.
Startled gasps and growls of indignation sound behind me and I tense, reaching for my magic and preparing to use my talons on anyone who threatens Adriana. The Princes of Hell are readying themselves to strike in retaliation for the insult she just leveled at Lucifer, and there’s not a chance I’m letting that happen.
“Let’s get you out of here,” he says, surprisingly softly. He turns to face me and waves his hands dismissively. “Pick her up then.”
I race forward and grab Adriana, hauling her into my arms despite her protests that it makes her nausea worse. She groans every step of the way to the sofa and I set her down carefully, trying to do anything I can to help her settle.
Lucifer stares at the scene playing out before him, crossing his arms and shaking his head in annoyance. He waits until it’s apparent that Adriana isn’t settling and clicks his fingers, summoning some tonic that I don’t recognize.
He hands it to me and I stare at it like it’s poison.
