As we approached the lake, I noticed several buildings that formed a loose ring around it; about two hundred feet from the shore. They appeared to be abandoned. In fact, there wasn't another living soul for as far as I could see. I analyzed the architecture; even that looked bleak. I got the sense of barracks from it; definitely military. Individual apartments stood in formation on each stone floor; no adornments, just rigid replication.

  “Did all the Demons move to Heaven?” I asked Raphael.

  He nodded grimly. “They've put up temporary shelters for them. Jesus is doing what he can to care for the refugees.”

  “Refugee camps in Heaven.” Cerberus whistled. “What has this world come to? The Host must be quaking in their expensive loafers.”

  “Heaven could use a little dirt on its streets,” I added smugly. “The Demons will likely spruce the place up.”

  Several angels laughed and nodded in agreement. I lifted a brow at that, but then again, it wasn't too surprising. If these were Raphael's most trusted friends, they'd likely share his opinion on Heaven and the Host, and it wasn't a good one.

  Then we reached the shore and the banter stopped.

  The center of the lake remained molten—a glowing carnelian to citrine ombré—but the edges of the lake hadn't just crusted over, they'd solidified. Rippling waves molded into midnight rock. The unforgiving black moved inward until it began to crack and simply crust the surface. Steam ghosted off the cooling perimeter and escaped in popping bubbles all over the lake. The liquid portion gurgled and rumbled like an upset belly; threatening to spew out a god. Despite our proximity to the lake of magma, the temperature had dropped significantly.

  “This is not good,” Odin murmured.

  “Best get to it, little bird,” Torin said as he kept his eyes on the center of the lake.

  All of our attention focused on the bubbling magma; it was impossible not to stare. I stepped closer to the edge, just shy of the rippled lava rock, and closed my eyes to direct my magic. As soon as I did, I heard a commotion behind me.

  “Elaria, flee!” Declan shouted.

  “Run and they're dead,” Raphael's voice had gone cold; completely unrecognizable.

  My belly clenched, and I turned around slowly, horror shooting through my body. My men, Cerberus, and Odin stood frozen before the Virtues. Every one of them wore a silver collar; gargoyle collars. Slate looked particularly perturbed. But it wasn't the collars that scared me as much as the glowing swords angled up at their heads; tips placed right at that vulnerable spot where throat meets chin. One thrust and those angelic blades would go straight into my lovers and my friends' brains. No beneather could survive that.

  “Thanks for the idea of the collars, El,” Raphael said with a cocky smirk as he stepped up beside me. “Kush got a good price for them from the Maryland Zone Lord.”

  “Howard,” Slate growled. “I'm going to kick his gray ass.”

  “How's it feel to wear one of your own collars?” Raphael sneered at Slate. “That's what you did to El, you bastard, and I'm all for retribution. It's kind of bred into me.”

  “Then you should be expecting some yourself because what you're doing now is far worse.” Slate lifted a scathing brow; somehow managing to look fully in control of the situation.

  “Raph, what the fuck?” I whispered.

  “Lucifer has a lot to offer, Ellie,” Raph said gently. “The most tempting of which is you.”

  “I fucking called it,” Darcraxis huffed at the other men.

  I paled as I stared at my ex-lover. With Darcraxis' blood, Raph could free Lucifer. And then there were the orbs. With a speck of relief, I realized that Raph didn't know Darc was carrying our orbs, and with the witch spells protecting them, he wouldn't be able to sense them. Darc widened his eyes at me; the same thoughts had occurred to him. We had to protect those orbs at all costs.

  “If you hurt any of them, I will never forgive you, Raphael,” I said calmly.

  “That's up to you, sweetheart,” Raphael said. “I don't need Darc's blood. I don't even need yours. All I need is for you to do what you do best.”

  “Sing?” I frowned; my eyes darting to each of the captive men.

  The men couldn't move; the sword tips pressed so tightly against them that trickles of blood already slid down their throats.

  “Lucifer showed me the way,” Raphael explained. “He spoke to all of us. The blood of a goddess isn't the only thing that can free him.”

  “You think I can spellsing Lucifer free?” I asked and gaped at him. “I needed all of them to put the last one to sleep.” I waved a hand at my men.

  “You were fighting Ortar,” Raphael pointed out. “Lucifer will be helping you. I even have the perfect song.”

  Go now, my love! Kyanite shouted in my head. We can come back for your lovers and friends, but if you free this god, all of the Realms will be in jeopardy.

  Shut up! RS said. If they kill even one of her men, I will be unbalanced, and Elaria will literally go down in flames!

  I went still. Out of options. I couldn't run, but I really didn't want to sing. Could I sing something to kill the Virtues before they were able to kill my people? I didn't think so. My magic generally took more than a few seconds to activate, and all the Virtues needed was a few seconds.

  “We weren't around when he was imprisoned,” Raphael went on. “Lucifer doesn't hold a grudge against any of us. In fact, he sympathizes with the way we've been treated by the Seraphim. He's going to remove them from power and restore the balance in Heaven, El. This is what we all want.”

  “And what about Earth?” I countered. “You don't think Satan will go right back to manipulating humankind?”

  “Not when his Angels properly respect him again,” Kushiel said. “You can help us free our people, Spellsinger. All it will take is one song.”

  “We don't want to hurt your friends,” Eremiel said gently. “We just want you to sing.”

  “And then what happens to them?” I asked.

  “We take them home,” Puriel said as he lifted a chain with Banning's traveling stone on it. “No one will be hurt.”

  My hand flew to my throat, and I realized that my stones were gone too. My startled gaze flew to Eremiel, and he held up two necklaces; one with my traveling stone and one with my contact charm. Fuck; I really was out of options.

  “We took all of your stones when we brought you here,” Raphael explained in case I didn't catch the ruse. “You're trapped in Hell, and your men have no magic. Sing, Elaria, or I will throw Darc into that lake.”

  “Why, Raph?” I whispered. “Why would you betray me like this?”

  “For you,” he said simply. “I might have resisted Lucifer's other promises, but when he offered me you, I agreed instantly. I told you I wouldn't give up, and I meant it, Ellie.”

  “Lucifer cannot give me to you,” I growled. “I'm not a statue; I'm a person!”

  “I know,” Raphael said gently. “I think you'll come around if you'd only spend some time with me and remember the way we were. You'll see this is for the best. But I promise you, if you don't want me after two months, I'll release you.”

  “This is madness.” I shook my head in disbelief. “You're smarter than this, Raph. Lucifer is just using you. He'll betray you as soon as he's free.”

  “I'm willing to take that risk for you and my people,” Raph said firmly. “Now, what's it going to be, El. Will you sing or will you force me to kill your dark god?”

  Darcraxis narrowed his eyes at me. He didn't want me to do it, but there was no way I'd let Raphael drop him into a lake of fire. Darc has water magic; molten magma would kill him in seconds. I'd only just gotten him back; I wouldn't lose him now.

  “What song do you want me to sing?” I asked tiredly.

  “It's called 'Heartbeat' by an artist named Beckah Shae.” He pulled some sheets of music out of his pack and handed them to me.

  I looked over the music with a lifted brow. “What is this; Christian rock?”

  “What better to raise the true Christian God?” Shamsiel asked with a smirk.

  I had to admit the lyrics were perfect. If spellsinging a god free really could work, this would be the song I'd choose for this particular god. It even called him by name; perhaps not the name he preferred, but one associated with him nonetheless. Damn, I hate Christian music. Just another grievance to add to my growing list against Raphael. If I got through this alive, I was going to kick his angelic ass all over Heaven.

  “You got the song, Kyanite?” I asked him.

  Yes, he said grudgingly. But I must make one final protest.

  What do you expect her to do? Fly away and leave her loved ones behind? She can't even get off the planet without that traveling stone, RS huffed.

  Kyanite went silent, but a tribal beat started clapping the air around me. My magic crept up inside my chest, drawn by the steady rhythm. I had to admit; it had a good beat. Tribal. It moved up my body in energetic bursts, and my voice jerked out of my mouth against my better judgment. As soon as the spell left me, I felt it connect to something at the bottom of the lake. Something powerful and very awake.

  That ancient awareness latched onto me through my music and magic blasted through me. Not my magic or even that of the RS. Lucifer's magic. The Morning Star rushed into my body and offered me everything he had to add strength to my song. Raph was right; it was a completely different situation when the divine prisoner helped instead of hindered.

  The lyrics promised a revolution but they also called for an awakening. I couldn't have written a better song to free this god. The words struck out in challenge and fury; wrapping around Lucifer and yanking him up with righteous indignation. In my mind, I could see his coffin rising and then the vision went past the metal lid and showed me Lucifer himself.

  Indigo eyes stared straight into my soul and then went heavy-lidded with reverent esteem. The shock of his admiration rattled me, nearly as much as his serenely beautiful face. Creamy skin stretched over a bone-structure that was both masculine and refined. Lips not too full but not at all thin spread in a gentle smile as he stretched his powerful body against a backdrop of sparkling white feathers. His hair gleamed and glittered; spun starlight even brighter than his wings. Chains rattled as he moved, and I looked down his sleekly-muscled body to see every hard plane and fascinating dip bare, covered only by the silver links that bound him. As I sang, those chains burst open and fell away, revealing Lucifer completely.

  I knew Lucifer could clothe himself. I'd been a goddess once; I remembered what I was capable of. But he just laid there and stared up at me; one hand stroking the lid of his coffin as if he were touching my face. Tears streamed from my eyes as I felt my will buckle beneath the focus of his tenacious mind. Lucifer smiled gently, as if everything would be all right, and I wanted to believe him. I trembled with the effort to sing and resist the Morning Star.

  As the shining, steel box rose from the center of the lake, dripping magma like tears, I fell to my knees. Raphael knelt beside me. Our stares fixed on the coffin; waiting for its prisoner to emerge.

  “Take them back to Coven Cay!” Raphael shouted in a brief moment of clarity. “Get them out of here!”

  I tried to tear my gaze away from that box—to look back at my lovers and friends and be certain they were safe—but I couldn't move. My entire being focused forward, all of my magic forcing itself into the enchantments that bound the Morning Star. And then, in a blinding explosion, Lucifer burst free—shattering the coffin into dust—and flew into the sky above the lake. He hovered there, in a halo of starlight that defied the Sun overhead. I groaned under the torture of looking upon his divine form and the sheet music fell from my hands; fluttering to the ground, forgotten. Lucifer finally took pity on me and clothed himself in light. Freed from his unrelenting pull, I turned my gaze away as my magic returned to me and my song ended abruptly.

  I glanced over my shoulder as I stumbled to my feet. The other angels were reappearing without their prisoners, holding the collars that had restrained them.

  They live, the RS assured me before I could ask the Angels. At least, your lovers do. I can feel them.

  “Are they safe?” I demanded despite her reassurance.

  “They're angry but alive,” Eremiel said gently, his stare focused behind me.

  I felt Lucifer alight behind me. I turned around slowly; a stupid white girl in a horror flick. Satan himself stood at my back, and I knew it. Still, I turned to face him instead of running. When a voice calls out of a dark basement and tells you to get out, you get out. And when the Morning Star falls to earth behind you, you fucking run!

  “Hello, Elaria Tanager,” Lucifer's voice was husky and cool on my hot flesh; a kind balm to my fever. “Won't you look at me again? I can still feel the shiver of your stare upon my skin.”

  I lifted my gaze and met his defiantly. The stars in Lucifer's eyes flashed once before fading into the sky of his irises. The clothing he'd fashioned from light had softened into something that shone gently instead of blinding me. Silk, I think. The fabric hung from his hips in gentle lines, doing nothing to hide the impressive bulge between his legs. I flushed and refocused on his face.

  Lucifer laughed; boisterously and joyously. The sound lightened my heart and banished every fear and anxiety churning within my belly. I laughed with him, every cell of my body filling with his delight, and when he stepped toward me, I leaned forward in anticipation. That's how quickly and easily he took my mind; with one laugh.

  Lucifer's hands bracketed my face, and he stared at me in fascination. “A goddess, a queen, and a spellsinger,” he whispered. “There cannot possibly be a more extraordinary woman in all the Realms.”

  “You promised her to me,” Raphael whispered as if he'd physically pulled the words from his own throat.

  “Be at peace, Raphael,” Lucifer said gently. “I promised you the chance to woo the fair lady, but we are not monsters or rapists. I will not permit you to take her unwillingly. She must go to you of her own free will.”

  Ironic, someone whispered inside my numb mind, since that bastard has already taken your will.

  I don't think she cares, a male voice said with dread.

  “But you will keep her in Heaven for me?” Raphael got to his feet and faced his god.

  “Elaria is a goddess. Some of her magic may have been removed but that doesn't change who she is,” Lucifer said with a fleeting glance at the Angel who had orchestrated his freedom. “She will live with us in the palace of Heaven, and she will be given the courtesy her rank demands. If nothing else, I owe her that to her after she released me.”

  I had nothing to say. I was happy simply to stare into Lucifer's eyes. Someone, or maybe more than one, shouted inside my head, but as Lucifer stared at me, the voices faded away. All that was left was him. I slid my hands over his smooth chest and laid my cheek against his cool skin. His heartbeat tapped lightly against me, and I knew peace as I've never known before. Why had I fought this? I would live here, on this barren shore, for the rest of my days if he would only hold me forever.

  “Elaria!” Raphael shouted.

  “You must allow her a choice, Raphael,” Lucifer admonished as he stroked my long hair.

  “I think she's already made her choice,” Kushiel muttered.

  “As have all of you.” Lucifer finally lifted his gaze to meet the wary stares of his Angels. “You've done well, my children. I am grateful to you, and you will be rewarded. Come, Heaven awaits. It's time to reclaim my throne.”

  I closed my eyes and nestled closer to Lucifer's steady heartbeat. His arms tightened around me and his perfect lips brushed my forehead as if in blessing.

  “You will have a choice, Elaria,” he whispered. “I promise you that. You may have Raphael if you wish or I will return you to your lovers. But I promised Raphael two months with you. Will you stay with us until my promise has been fulfilled? No one will touch you without your permission. You have my word and my protection.”

  I didn't look up, just whispered, “Yes.”

  “Thank you,” he made the words sound like worship. “Sweet, beautiful goddess. I will guard you against all harm and when two months have passed, you will tell me your choice. The Angel, your lovers, or...”

  I lifted my face. “Or?”

  Lucifer smiled and launched us into the sky.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  We stood at the edge of Heaven; pearly gates barred to us as the Host assembled beyond them. I watched the flurry of activity with utter calm, my hand held in Lucifer's. Raphael stood beside us, giving me worried looks that barely registered with me.

  “Elaria.” Lucifer lifted my hand and kissed it. “I don't want to hurt the Host.”