I wish I had bread crumbs or something.

I just had no freaking idea how else I would ever manage to find my way around this damned castle.

Rye bread is the way to the bathroom, sourdough to the kitchen, and banana bread for the library.

I snorted. If only.

I followed Benjamin's hulking form, growing more and more uneasy the closer we got to the library. This was probably a mistake. I mean, why was I doing this anyway? Probably just because Lucifer told me not to. Did I really want to make my existence known to an eons-old Serpent god?

It doesn't seem like the smartest of ideas.

But there wasn't any backing down now. The Serpent was here, and we were close. I felt the power buffeting me from the double doors like a physical force. Apparently, I wasn't the only one who noticed, as Benjamin shot me a dirty look. I shrugged innocently. Hesitantly, he reached forward to pull the door open. Instantly, he flew backwards several feet before slamming into the opposite wall. He slid down, head slumped against his chest. I gulped, staring at the doorknobs again. As if on cue, they creaked open in front of me.

"Now that your pesky immortal shadow is dealt with, why don't you join us, my dear Amirykal?" The voice was low and smooth, weaving around me, probing at my defenses, searching for my secrets.

So, I did the natural thing. I walked in.

Inside, Lucifer sat on the same damn loveseat, glaring at me in a way that would've made most shrivel up in shame. Not me. I was quite used to that look. It seemed I just brought out the best in him.

Across from him sat another man. Their appearances were so ethereally beautiful that it sent me for a loop. I mean, how much can one girl's ovaries take? The man in the armchair was tall, though not quite as tall as Lucifer, but tall enough to tower over my five-foot seven-inch frame. His body was thin and whip-like, undoubtedly strong, but not broad like the angel. His hair was black as night, and micro-braided with gold filaments. His skin was a dark olive, and looked lightly oiled, seeming to gleam in the library lights. His face was all sharp angles and jutting edges. Whereas Lucifer looked godly and well-defined, this new being scarcely seemed human. I nearly gasped as he fixed his eyes on mine. They were golden, and the pupils were slitted, seeming to pierce right through me.

The new being turned slowly to face Lucifer. "I'm offended, my friend. You sought to hide your," he looked me over slowly, making me supremely uncomfortable, "lovely mate from me?"

"Rika, come here," Lucifer commanded, holding his arm out to me. I wanted to take a stand at his tone, but the other man was seriously wigging me out. Did that dude ever blink?

His eyes followed my movements as I made my way to Lucifer, doing my best to sit on the furthest end of the loveseat. My plans of defiance were quickly quashed when he looped a drool-worthy arm about my waist and pulled me tightly against him.

God fucking dammit, why did he have to be so attractive?

Sitting up straight, I addressed the newcomer. "Apophis, I presume?" I was pleased to hear my voice come out strong and composed.

Apophis grinned seductively, a forked tongue flickering out to wet his lips. "You would be correct, Rika." Luce tensed against me, and I didn't have to look to know he was pissed by the god's flirtations and use of Luce's pet name for me. Apophis also caught this. "Oh, Bright One, am I upsetting you? I apologize deeply. It has been hundreds of years since I had a woman."

"You would do well to remember that you are in my realm, Serpent." Lucifer snarled, beginning to glow.

"My, my." Apophis drawled, looking at me, "it would appear that I have discovered the King of Hell's weak spot."

"You should know from experience what happens when you prod at a celestial being's weak spot, Snake," Lucifer retorted bitingly. I thought I saw a brief flash of fury in Apophis' eyes, but it vanished so quickly I soon doubted I'd ever seen it.

"Well, your Father's weak spot wasn't nearly as tempting as yours, Lucifer," Apophis grinned predatorily at me, "Eve wasn't much to look at, and Adam simply isn't my thing."

"You dare look at her like a piece of meat?" Lucifer barked, pressing my head to his shoulder as if to hide me.

What a hypocrite. As if he wasn't constantly staring at my ass.

"Not just any piece of meat," Apophis' forked tongue flickered out, "a mouse."

Lucifer jerked as if to launch at the god, but I swung a leg out across his lap instinctually to stop him. He gave me an amused look, anger fading from his eyes, and sat back down. When I tried to reclaim my leg, he was having none of that. Warm hands pressed against my calf and lower thigh, and I was suddenly having a difficult time focusing.

"Maybe, if you two are quite done with your pissing match," I said, trying to distract myself from the possessive angel's grasp, "we could move on to the reason for this meeting?"

"That is quite agreeable." Apophis said lazily.

"Very well." Lucifer rumbled, placated, though he made no bones about the fact that he was not pleased with the god.

"What seems to be the issue, Bright One?" Apophis asked, sounding condescending. "You must truly be desperate to bring me anywhere your unclaimed mate."

"Indeed. Though, the issue at hand does concern her." He admitted. I crossed my arms and gave him a glare. He didn't meet my eyes.

"I had thought human females were opposed to being commanded by men now," the Serpent chuckled, "and yet she allowed you to convene this meeting without her?"

Lucifer's face was stoic as he said, "she was delayed." I did my best to keep my face blank.

"By the chains?" Apophis asked. "Quite understandable, Amirykal. Though I am impressed by your resourcefulness. As an offering of peace to your mate, I would ask you to reveal the tool in which you used to escape."

I glared at the Serpent, wishing I could wring his neck. Even so, unbidden, my hand delved into my pocket and revealed the bobby pin. Lucifer snatched it from my grip. His hand glowed white hot, nearly blinding me. The pin crumbled into ash.

What a drama queen.

"Now perhaps, you will reign in your anger towards me, Lucifer?"

"If we can move on." Lucifer assented. My fury was as white hot as Lucifer's hand had been.

"You are inquiring as to the being who tried to end your mate, I assume?"

"How did you-" I started, but was silenced by Lucifer's hand clenching around my hip. I realized my mistake instantly, and kicked my metaphorical self in my metaphorical nuts.

"Don't worry, Little One," Apophis assured me on a laugh, "I already knew about the Hellhound long before I came here."

"Just how long did you know of this?" Lucifer asked, obviously struggling to keep his tone even.

Apophis smiled secretively. "For the sanctity of our truce, I'll say an hour after the incident occurred." I quickly threaded my fingers through the hand that was clenching my hip, hoping to calm down the angel. He relaxed quickly, his thumb rubbing along the back of my hand. Even so, it seemed he was too distracted to formulate a proper sentence.

"Would you be willing to tell us who was responsible?" I asked, knowing that the issue would not be the finding out who was responsible, but rather gleaning the information from the Serpent.

The ever-present grin appeared on his handsome face again, grating on my nerves. "Well spoken, Amirykal." He sobered slightly, "I would love to. However, I cannot tell you the name of the being responsible." He looked apologetic.

"Who is this being that you would defy me in matters of my mate? Is it war you want, Snake?" Lucifer snarled.

Apophis was unruffled. "As terrifying as you may be, I have no desire to get on either one of your bad sides." His eyes cut to me. "Ah, I see that beautiful mind of yours working, Little One."

I was thinking. I was thinking that this being who wished me harm was very nearly as powerful as the angel sitting beside me. I was thinking that this narrowed down the possibilities significantly, especially since Apophis had let slip that it was a single being, rather than a group.

Apophis smiled.

I felt sick.

"I can offer you my protection if you would cooperate." Lucifer proposed.

"And therefore, forcing me to choose a side? Fallen One, I have only survived so long by pointedly refusing to take a side." At that point, I realized there was nothing more to be learned from the Serpent.

"I'm sure that's your subtle way of telling us you're done being helpful?" I confirmed.

"You are ever so perceptive." He grinned, "A woman after my own immortal heart. However, despite the fondness I may feel, I'm afraid I must demand my payment."

Lucifer stiffened. "What is it you would ask of me?"

"Why, not just you. I delivered my services to both of you. Does it not seem fair, then, that I require something from the both of you?" Apophis opened his mouth widely, his fangs swinging forward, just like a viper with a cornered mouse.

"No! You leave my mate out of your schemes." Lucifer jumped from his seat, his wings unfurling to shield me from Apophis' gaze.

"Do calm down, Lucifer. You are being incredibly dramatic. Trust me, the thing I would require of your mate is not one I think you will take any issue with."

I could tell the angel was close to losing his control entirely. I wasn't sure what that would entail, but I knew it would be a shitstorm. "What do you want from me?" I demanded, stepping around the glossy black wings blocking my path.

"Rika, I forbid you!"

"Noted." I set my jaw stubbornly, hands on my hips as I glared at the angel.

Apophis rose, and stepped forward. "I see your secrets, Amirykal. I see many. Many you would rather your mate not know."

My blood ran cold, and I could feel the weight of Lucifer's eyes on me. I did not look at him.

Apophis' voice wove its way around my body, lifting my hair and ruffling my clothing. "I can see your turmoil concerning your mate. Therefore, I will be benevolent and help to resolve the issue. Amirykal, my price for you is this; you must kiss your mate."

I froze. The room stilled.

Apophis backed from me, and settled back into the armchair, a wicked grin on his face.

I looked at Lucifer. He was staring at me heatedly, his eyes holding a challenge.

Of course, this is how my first kiss will go. Naturally. It would be uncharacteristically good luck if I had a normal experience.

"Oh!" Apophis clapped, startling the two of us out of our staring match. "How rude of me. I will give you two some privacy. I'll be back when you're done." He waggled his fingers slightly as he vanished.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Rika."

I looked at the angel. He was so sexy it hurt. His wings hovered about his large form, eyes blazing with lust. His dark hair fell across his forehead, and his light stubble emphasized the angle of his jaw.

I couldn't speak. My throat refused to work.

Grow a pair, Ammi. Just haul your fine ass over to him, give him a peck, and be done with it!

I moved towards him, and he met me halfway. His arms came around me, one hand

splaying across my lower back, the other tangling in my hair. I gripped two handfuls of his shirt, craning my neck to look him in the eyes. The passion I saw reflected there took my breath away. He just stood there, holding me, waiting for me to make a move. Not wanting to wait, I got on my tip toes and pressed my lips to his.

I could instantly feel a change in Lucifer. It was if he had snapped. He snarled against my lips, the hand on my back sliding down to grip my ass and haul me off my feet. I gasped, and he took full advantage, his force consuming me. And God, I never knew a kiss would be so exquisite. However, my inexperience caught up with me, and I quickly grew overwhelmed. Sensing this, Lucifer pulled back gently, though not before gripping my lower lip between his teeth briefly, making my head swim. I stared into his eyes, and he stared back. Suddenly I knew there was no way I could go back from this.

There was a slow clap behind us, and a mocking voice shouting, "bravo, bravo! I must say, you two put on an extraordinary show."

Lucifer squeezed his eyes shut hard, as if trying to regain his presence of mind. He put me down reluctantly, and as he did so I became aware that he was in a...rather compromising position.

Well, if that isn't flattering...

"Now," Apophis grinned, "it's the angel's turn to pay up." His face was alight with a childlike glee. It was chilling.

Lucifer had recovered sufficiently, and faced the Serpent, a look of contempt on his face.

"Name it, and leave my realm." He growled. God, he got sexier every minute. I needed to get my shit together.

The god, wisely, did not comment on the angel's hostility.

"I want fifteen minutes alone with your mate."

Uh oh.