Ruthless (The Seraphim Series Book 2) by Sophia Stafford

pulled back from her face. She wasn’t wearing a black cloak like the others, but was dressed rather plainly in jeans and a knitted jumper. The room filled with whispers as people talked behind their hands, all of them staring at the woman.
    “Zena,” Benedict greeted. “I didn’t know you were invited.”
    “We may not agree on many things, Benedict, but I think we can both agree that Lucifer coming back is a disaster.”
    Lilliah watched the exchange closely. Who is this woman?
    “Your kind of magic isn’t welcome here.” Harold stood, his face scrunched up in disgust. He pointed his long, bony finger at Zena.
    “Sit down, old man.” Zena scowled as if she were talking to a child. “My kind of magic might be the only kind that can save you.”
    “We don’t deal with dark magic here, Zena. You know that.” Benedict sat back in his seat, controlling the room with ease. Everyone here respected him. Lilliah could tell by the way they all looked at him and hung on every word he said. “If you have nothing further to add, please leave.”
    Zena stood straighter, her features hard and her eyes narrowed.  “The kind of magic you’re talking about doesn’t exist on earth. This kind of magic is from Heaven.”
    Lilliah tensed; this had been their worst fear. “How do you know this?”
    Everyone turned to her.
    “I know every kind of magic there is on this earth: light, dark, you name it. A spell that can control someone? Someone as strong-minded as Azrael? It doesn’t exist. My guess is that it’s not mind control.”
    “He didn’t go willingly,” Lilliah defended. “He was made to watch as Lucifer beat me.”
    “There are other ways to control someone. Mind control only works on the weak.”
    Azrael wasn’t weak.
    “So what else?”
    Zena frowned at Lilliah’s question.
    “How else would you go about controlling someone?”
    Before Zena could answer, the lights went out. People screamed and jumped from their seats. Benedict and Lilliah slowly rose. Her eyes scanned the room in search of anything that looked out of place, but it was so dark she could barely see.
    “What’s happening?” Lilliah reached for Benedict, her heart racing.
    “Stay here.” Benedict took a few steps away from her. “Try the door,” he commanded to no one in particular.
    “It’s locked!” someone shouted. A wave of worried cries filled the room.
    “All these witches and warlocks, all in one place.” Lilliah went cold at the sound of his voice. Her mouth went dry as the room hushed. “I am so very flattered.”
    “Lucifer.” She didn’t have to say the name loudly; she knew he was standing behind her. She could feel his breath on her neck.
    The lights flickered back on, and she stayed completely still as everyone gasped in terror. The Devil was standing in the room. Benedict had paled but still took a step towards her. She stopped him with the rise of her hand.
    Lilliah was petrified, but she refused to show it. She refused to give Lucifer that satisfaction.
    “Where is Azrael?” She stepped away from him and then turned, hoping her body wasn’t visibly shaking.
    “It’s so great to see you, Lilliah.” His voice made her skin crawl.
    “Wish I could say the same.” She tried to keep her face devoid of any emotion. “Where is he?”
    “You’ve healed beautifully.” Lucifer’s eyes skimmed her body. “That’s good to see.”
    “You repulse me.” More gasps came from behind her. “Tell me where Azrael is.”
    “I repulse you?” Lucifer laughed, placing his hand over his chest. He gestured to their audience. “You’re surrounded by these insects, and I’m the one that repulses you?”
    “Insects?” Lilliah’s body jerked at the word. “Insects? You’re the only monster that I see,” she repeated, her eyebrows knitted together.
    “They are all impurities. Like humans, they’re diseases that need to be eradicated. They’re not like me and you. They don’t have pure blood running through