The Devil's Daughter by Jill Cooper

Author:Jill Cooper [Cooper, Jill]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2016-10-05T21:00:00+00:00

13: Amara

I’d never felt as much fear as I had when Markus stabbed Cathal. Unable to do anything, but leap to my feet, I watched with creeping horror while everyone else cheered.

Markus stood over Cathal’s body and I was sure that would be it. Cathal was still, so still. Maybe he wasn’t even conscious. I wasn’t sure until the bell gonged.

Time was up and my voice rang out loud. Clear, but inside I shook. I stood almost frozen as the guards dragged Cathal away. He tried to keep up, but almost collapsed, and when he could walk, he limped. All the while holding his ribs like he was in real distress.

There was nothing I could do. I couldn’t run to him or help him. I couldn’t even tell him how I felt.

“He fought well. Your champion,” Lucifer said at my side. I hadn’t realized he’d gotten up from his throne.

I nodded, but couldn’t look at him. I was afraid to look him in the eye—afraid of what he might see.

“We’ll see what tomorrow holds. For now, it’s time for you to rest in your room. When it’s time for the banquet, I’ll send for you.”

“Yes, Father.” I turned, finally feeling strong enough to face him. Lines around his eyes crinkled. He was angry, but all he did was extend his hand.

I took it and kissed his ring.

“May our rule be eternal. Go now.” Lucifer dismissed me and I couldn’t wait another moment to hurry down the stairs. I gazed back at the curtain to make sure it was really closed and when I saw the proof that it was, I breathed a deep sigh of relief.

For a few moments, I would be on my own. So lost in my own relief, when Magenta grabbed my hand, I screamed. “Oh, Magenta,” I sighed and my eyes fluttered closed. “You scared me.”

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost, girl. A ghost. Is it him?” Magenta huffed. “That angel? Are you…worried about him?” As always, she glanced around, paranoid. Her voice hushed up like she’d said something horrible. Something crazy.

It was true. I was worried about him. “I’m responsible for him. He put himself in this position for me. A barter, but am I really worth the price?”

Magenta grabbed my elbow and with a quick glance around, pulled me between two buildings. “Pull yourself together.” Her words were sharp. “You’re Amara. Lucifer’s child! You’ve slain more angels than almost anyone. Ruthless and cunning, your whispers have damned human souls to the underworld with a simple suggestion. And now look at you.”

She looked me up and down like I didn’t quite fit the bill. I didn’t understand my feelings for Cathal, but it was clear Magenta was ashamed of me.

“You will stop this cowering, Amara,” Magenta ordered me with a hard edge in her voice. “If you don’t, I fear…” she glimpsed around. “I fear what Lucifer will do to you. He can’t know how you feel about the angel.”

How could she know when even I couldn’t? “I don’t even know why I feel this way about him.

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