Of Light And Shadows
Chapter Forty Five...

Jia and Lucifer stayed locked in his room behind their enchanted shield for the rest of the night, deciding not to come out until it was time for the ceremony with Jezebeth. Lucifer didn’t want to risk any of the other Devils being accused of knowing their plan when Satan finally realised he couldn’t have Jia.

When morning rolled around she was stood at Lucifer’s window looking out, having had no sleep at all that night. Her body and mind were exhausted but fear had kept her eyes from closing. Would Satan and Louie really fight? And if they did would Lucifer win?

A thousand what ifs tormented her until she’d eventually kicked off the covers in frustration and stalked to the window. Lucifer had watched her go but said nothing, allowing her to have the space to process everything that had happened.

“Jia,” he said eventually, rising from the bed to stand behind her and pull her back against his chest. “We can do this.”

“I’m just so worried. What if your father really is angry enough to try and kill you for good?”

“Then I fight him,” Lucifer replied simply. “The thing about my father is that his anger often gets the better of him. He’s clever, but when his temper rises enough his judgement becomes clouded. I can beat him, Jia.”

“I hope so.” She turned to face him and rested her head in the crook of his neck, savouring his familiar scent. “I don’t want to lose you after I just got you.”

“You won’t,” he vowed, kissing the top of her head. His eyes strayed to the window and he sighed. “We should go.” He waved a hand and the sheen over the door disappeared at his command.

“Can I go change?”

“Of course. Just make sure you wear something that shows your mark.” She nodded and kissed him quickly, slipping out of the room and heading down the hallway a moment later.

When the door closed behind her she let out a heavy sigh and pressed her face into her hands, overwhelmed all at once by a confusing mix of giddiness and abject terror.

Her heart pounded hard against her ribs, making her breath come in quick gasps. She slid to the floor and hugged her knees to her chest, breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth while the room spun around her.

After several moments of deep breathing her panic attack subsided enough to stand. She dressed mechanically, working through the motions with a sense of detachment the way she used to after a particularly nasty beating from Abaddon.

One thing was different though. When she was dressed she walked to the new mirror in the corner of the room and forced herself to look.

She was shocked by what greeted her. Her bruises were gone, along with her sunken eyes and prominent bones. Her skin was soft and creamy, her hair was shinier and her body was slender rather than skinny.

The bond mark was identical to Lucifer’s, swirling whimsically over her skin and across the back of her hand for everyone to see. For the first time she looked in the mirror and she liked what she saw.

Confidence blossomed in her chest, small at first, but the longer she looked the more the flame fanned to life, bursting into an inferno that filled her veins. With a smile on her face, she left the room and greeted Lucifer where he waited outside her door.

“I looked in the mirror.” He nodded, waiting patiently for her to continue. “For the first time in as long as I can remember, I forced myself to look in the mirror and I didn’t see Lisbeth. I saw Jia. I’m strong, Lucifer. We’re strong. We can do this together.”

His smile was broad as he held his hand out in answer. She twisted her fingers through his and let him guide her into the shadows.

They stepped out of them a moment later, appearing in the large ballroom that usually doubled as a cafeteria for Apollyon’s students to eat in. Today it was decorated with innumerable flowers in the deepest red that seem to have sprung up out of nowhere.

Rows of black chairs were arranged with an aisle down the centre, leading to an arch of yet more red roses crusted with diamantés. Jia shuddered at the site.

Every seat was filled, and when they appeared at the far end of the aisle every face in the room turned to look. The room had been quiet before, but it suddenly became deathly silent. Jia lifted her chin and walked with her new mate to the rose arch where Satan and Jezebeth were standing.

True to form, Jezebeth was clad in a figure hugging red dress absolutely encrusted with sparkling stones that spread out behind her in an elegant train.

She looked incredible, like she belonged on the red carpet at the Oscars, but Jia could see her poisonous nature bleeding through the mirage.

Satan looked triumphant until he saw the mark on her arm. When his eyes fell on the swirling black lines he frowned.

“What’s that?” he demanded. Instead of speaking, Lucifer shrugged off his jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeve, exposing his own brand. Satan’s confusion switched to fury. “You bonded with her?”

“Yes, he did,” Jia replied, stepping forwards. “He won’t be marrying anyone else today.”

“I warned you what would happen, boy,” Satan hissed, leaning towards Lucifer as though he wanted to strike him. The prince simply folded his arms across his chest and arched an eyebrow.

“You can’t take me from Lucifer now,” Jia told him, taking a step closer to the white haired beast. “If he stands against you then so do I.”

“And what good would that do when I can command you like any other person here?” Satan sneered.

“I don’t know,” Lucifer replied quietly. “Why don’t you try it and replace out?” Jia’s stomach flipped, but she held her ground and stared Satan down. Jezebeth watched the whole exchange with a furious expression, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

“Don’t test me,” Satan warned.

“I am testing you, father. I’ve had enough of you. Show me what you’re made of, or get out. This is my academy, these are my students, and Jia is my mate.

"If you want me to formally challenge you today for the right to rule Apollyon then I will. But you know that if that happens it means one of us is going to die today. Are you ready for that risk?”

Lucifer’s true form crept to the surface as he spoke, his wings unfurling and the horns sprouting from his head. Black mist rose from his skin and hellfire snapped and sparked in his eyes. Jia had never loved anyone more in her life.

“You’re willing to risk everything for her?” For the first time a hint of uncertainty showed in Satan’s expression.

“And all the people I care about, yes. My brothers, the other Devils, everyone you’ve tormented since the Uprising you started. You have one minute to leave or I’ll accept your challenge and we’ll fight until one of us dies.”

He uncrossed his arms and looked at the silver watch on his unmarked wrist. “Your minute starts now, sir.” The last word was said with such scorn that even the guests sitting in the chairs several feet away could tell it was an insult.

“The next time we meet, I’m going to destroy you,” Satan hissed, and then he disappeared in a swathe of black smoke, leaving Jezebeth standing alone at the makeshift altar.

“Get out,” Jia demanded. The red haired woman looked like she was going to retort, but then she glanced at Lucifer’s blazing eyes and outstretched wings and she thought better of it, disappearing just as quickly as Satan had. As soon as they were gone raucous laughter issued from the front row.

Mammon was doubled over in his seat, giggles shaking his shoulders. After a moment he stood and clapped a hand on Lucifer’s shoulder.

“That,” he said, “was excellent.” He turned to the crowd and spread his arms wide. “Well how about it, folks? Our Louie sent Satan running!” As he started laughing some of the others in the crowd joined in, and then Beelzebub stood.

“Are you really going to challenge him?” he asked, towering over the others sitting in the same row as him. All eyes turned back to Lucifer. He surveyed his students for moment.

“I am,” he replied eventually. “I won’t let him torment any of you again.” Bee nodded, and then he inclined his head.

“Thank you.” Jia watched in shock as the rest of the students stood, one by one at first, and then in large groups until all of them were on their feet.

Once they were all standing they copied Bee’s stance, bowing their heads towards Lucifer in a sign of mutual respect. Jia saw that even his brothers had their heads bent. She copied the gesture, but he lifted her chin.

“Don’t bow to me,” he said softly. “You’re my equal now.” She smiled and squeezed his hand. “Thank you, all of you. I hope you know that I’ll protect each of you with my life. Now I think we’ve all had enough excitement for the time being. No classes today,” he called out.

A resounding murmur of appreciation echoed around the room before the students began filing out, murmuring and glancing at Lucifer in all his winged glory.

When the chatter died down, only Jia, six of the Seven Devils, Sellik and Evander were left in the room. Evan sauntered over to Lucifer and nudged his wing with an elbow.

“Huh, they’re solid,” he mused. Lucifer frowned.

“Did you think they were fake?”

“No, I just thought they were, you know...ethereal,” the Vampire shrugged. Mammon started cackling all over again.

“I like you, bloodsucker,” he chuckled. “Anyway, now that your whole face off with Satan is over, I’d like to impart my good news to you.” He glanced at the mark on Jia’s arm. “Oh, and congrats of course,” he added quickly.

“Congratulate us later. What’s the news?” Lucifer asked, his true form finally fading away.

“Jia, you’re gonna like this one the most,” he grinned, his amber eyes flashing. Sellik rolled her eyes.

“For God’s sake Mammon, just tell us already!”

“The Witches found Abaddon. They know exactly where he’s holed up and where he’ll be in the human world tonight.” He looked proud of himself.

“Tonight?” she asked, her eyebrows rising slowly.

“That’s right. Lanthia scried me herself this morning.”

“Why didn’t she contact us directly?” Jia asked.

“Because Lucifer locked you both in his room using a barrier rune,” Belphegor replied. “Witches can’t communicate through that sort of magical shield.”

“We don’t need the how and the why,” Sellik interrupted, setting her hands on her hips. “What’s important now is getting our hands on Abaddon. When do we leave?”

“Well?” Lucifer asked, turning to Jia. “Are you ready for another dangerous adventure?” She looked at each of her friends in turn before turning back to him with a nod.

“Let’s do this.”