[Sam was scrambling, clawing at Nick's fingers, against the ice forming on his skin, but it was like spitting into the wind. It was an endeavor so pointless that even the description was a waste of time. Lucifer's eyes were locked on Sam's, as he panicked, as he stared inevitability down in the Devil's borrowed face, but he saw his fingers gripping and trying to find lasting purchase.

It would be so easy to kill him. Sam was nothing more than a wretched little human. For all Lucifer's adoration, Sam was nothing but a creature, petty, desperate, weak. The only reason he'd caused mayhem at all was because Lucifer had allowed it.

Unfortunately, stripping Sam of what little power he held, while comforting, put the blame for this squarely on Lucifer's shoulders. If Sam was only a pawn, and he was, then eviscerating him wasn't worth violating his word.

All at once, Lucifer let out a slow breath. It curled between them like smoke and Lucifer released Sam. His grip and the support it provided were gone immediately, leaving only a redness and the bite of cold behind. Nick's arm was a little slower to return to Lucifer's side, but it did, eventually, and his hand clenched into a tight fist.]

I've never found breaking my word so tempting, Sam, as I do right now. It's really put me in a jam.

[Nick's face pulled into a disconnected frown, one that was too tinged with cold, homicidal rage to be anything but patronizing.]

Oh, if I hadn't promised you--[Lucifer let out a shorter breath, something plosive that hovered between a sigh and a laugh.]--this conversation would be so much...different.

That's the way the cookie crumbles, isn't it? But now I have to wonder...just where does this leave us?

We're not in Kansas anymore, or Zelien, and I'm not too keen on renewing your contract. So, just what do I do with you?