“Hell is yours for now,” I say evenly.
“See?” Lucifer cries. “She plots against me!”
"Everyone knows the day will come when Hell is no more," I spit out. "Unless you move to Earth, what hope do you have to survive? You won't, and you know it. Do you think that time is near? Is that why you came to me about taking over Hell for you? Only now, you are second-guessing yourself, something you don't typically do, do you? And so, you wish to serve me up to your other children so that you can feel big and bad and brave all over again. You hate that you felt vulnerable for a moment.”
“Silence!” Lucifer roars. His demon bursts out of him, but I do not flinch or react in any way, although my siblings, each and every one of them, all shift back away from him.
They’re terrified of him, and I know I should be too. This isn’t bravery. No, it’s false bravado, and I know that, but I’m too blinded by hatred to see reason at this point.
“You came to me—” I start.
“I would never go to you. Think about it, Lydia. I know exactly who and what you are. Why would I want you to take over Hell?”
“Maybe to make Lance jealous so he’ll finally do something,” I snap. “Or maybe to be a cattle prod to Larissa. How am I supposed to know?”
“You aren’t worthy of Hell and all she has to offer,” Lucifer spits out. “You’re so naïve, Lydia. You know absolutely nothing, and you can’t even tell when it’s me or…”
He sweeps an arm toward the one window. In flies another demon, who lands beside Landon. The demon is one I haven't seen before, but then he shifts his appearance to look like Lucifer.
I swallow hard. I know exactly when this lookalike came to see me.
When I learned about the valkyrie part of me.
When Lucifer offered that deal.
While I'm sure this display proves that the deal was a fraud all along, I know deep in my heart that the fake Lucifer spoke truly on at least one point.
I am part valkyrie.
Lucifer told the truth to another demon before he even told me!
Or maybe Lucifer only used this demon's body but controlled his mouth, but why would he do that? Just to mock me? To show how pathetic I am in front of my siblings?
He's the ultimate trickster. I'll never know the truth of it all, but I am a descendant of him and Lilith and have a valkyrie ancestor. That much I know is true.
“I never made any such deal or bargain with you, Lydia. It was a test, one you failed epically. Do not worry, though. I will not claim your life, little one. You’re too stupid to live, but I will not kill you.”
Fury laces through me. How dare he mock me with fake compassion!
“You will not kill me? Maybe you should,” I snap. “You’re going to rue this attempt to belittle me, to tear me down.”
“Is that so?” Lucifer mocks. “And what are you going to do about it?”
“I think you know.”
He shrugs one shoulder, a gesture I make all the time. “Spell it out for me.”
“Fine,” I spit out. “You want it to be nice and formal? Here you go. I, Lydia, sometimes known as Bright One…” Here, I pause and smirk at Lucifer because he only ever calls me that when he’s happy with me.
And right now, he is the exact antithesis of happy with me.
“…formally announce,” I continue, “that I am engaging in war with you, Father. I’m at war with Lucifer himself.”
Uh oh! A war’s coming! See how Lydia prepares in the next book, Daughter of Smoke!
A Girl and Her Hellhounds series is part of my A Mayhem of Magic World Story universe which starts with my Bedlam in Bethlehem series. It’s so much fun to keep expanding this world!
Please consider leaving a review if you enjoyed Daughter of Flames! I love to read my reviews. Thank you!
Until next book,
~Nicole
Other Books By Nicole Zoltack
Bedlam in Bethlehem series
Cops plus Supernatural Creatures
Magical Hunters Academy trilogy
A school for paranormal teens to train to fight evil creatures
Blood Haven Academy trilogy
A paranormal retelling of Romeo and Juliet
Moonstone Academy trilogy
A half-werewolf, half demon and a cursed werewolf… What can go wrong?
Magical Prison
A fairy tries to free her twin from prison and save the world
Rebel, Supernatural Bounty Hunter trilogy
A human hunts supernaturals
HEX Unite trilogy
A grim reaper, a sandman, and their friends try to save the world
A Girl and Her Hellhounds
The youngest daughter of Lucifer is going to do things her way
Magic Incarnate Series
Magic + Faith + Teens
Once Upon a Darkened Night Series
Twisted Fairy Tales - the villains are now the heroes
The Queenmaker Series
YA Female King Arthur Retelling
Heroes of Falledge trilogy
A superhero struggles to find love and save his town
Age of Dragons Series
A tale of lost magic and dragon riders
The Winged Beast Chronicles
Dragons enslave humans.
In the Eye of the Dragon written as N. M. Zoltack
An epic fantasy saga
Magical Awakening written as Nicole Beyer
Friends attempt to save a friend from a magical sickness
Beyond Boundaries
Can love cross class boundaries?
Standalones
Dark Hunt
Vampires vs witches vs humans
Bloodlust
Epic fantasy with forbidden love
His Soul Purpose
A vampire tries to reclaim his soul
Moonstruck
Gender-bent Cinderella set in NOLA
The Test of Time
Unpredictable time travel
Love Before Honor
Medieval knight. Regency lady. Magical Christmas.
Joy to the World
One lady. Two dukes, one an imposter
Christmas Kisses
Two gentlemen, only one Lady Anna’s mother approves of
Starving for Love
The Little Mermaid with a zombie twist
Guns and Fangs
A vampire huntress turns into that which she hates
Not on Her Watch
A military romance
About the Author
Nicole Zoltack is a USA Today bestselling author who loves to write romances. Of course. She did marry her first kiss, after all!
When she’s not writing about knights, superheroes, or witches, she enjoys spending time with her loving husband, three energetic young boys, and precious little girls. She enjoys riding horses (pretending they’re unicorns, of course!) and going to the PA Renaissance Faire dressed in garb. She’ll also read anything she can get her hands on. Her current favorite TV shows are The Witcher and Stranger Things.
Sign up for her newsletter to learn when her next book is released as well as excerpts, cover reveals, and giveaways!
For more information
www.NicoleZoltack.com
[email protected]
Acknowledgments
Normally, I always mention my husband first. I’ll get to him, don’t worry, but first, I have to thank some special readers.
I already mentioned in Grim Unrest that Alison Mackowski named the main raven in the series—Obsidian, nickname Sid, but now that more ravens have entered the world, well, they need names too, and the names were provided by more of my wonderful readers.
Wolfram was named by Zoe Sowray.
Loque was named by Cheree Sheffield.
Gehenom was named by Sheri.
Archimedes was named by Lindsay Roberts.
Alestar was named by Vanessa.
And finally, Sassmouth was named by Kim Mar
cum.
Thank you all so much!
Now, I have to thank my husband. I’m sure it can’t be easy being married to a writer, and I am so appreciative of all the support over the years. I love you, Todd! Thank you to my wonderful children for understanding that Mommy has work she has to do, but she still does and always will love you!
To some of the best writer friends a girl could ever have. You know who you are and I can’t wait until we can retreat again!
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my wonderful street team. You keep me going, and I’m writing for you and for all of my fans. Thank you for all you do for me!
And finally, I want to acknowledge my readers. You are why I write. As long as you keep reading, I’ll keep writing. So please keep reading, all right?
Author’s Note
Hi, readers! I absolutely hate proofreading errors. My editor, proofreaders, and I try to find them all, but sometimes, a few will slip through. If you find any, please feel free to email at [email protected] or message me on FB with the errors. I’ll correct the file as soon as I can get to it!
Oh, and if you’d like, feel free to tell me anything else you like—something about the stories, the characters, if there’s any story you would want me to tell?
Finally, if you would like to join my beta reader team or my ARC team, be sure to mention that too!
I’m off to write the next book!
~Nicole
Daughter of Flames: A Mayhem of Magic World Story (A Girl and Her Hellhounds Book 1) Page 20