by Мишель Роуэн
How can I get that key away from you? “Everything.”
He smiled. “That’s very flattering.”
How can I render a demon unconscious with a mere thought? “You’re just so interesting.”
His smile widened. “I try.”
And how do I open a portal back home to the Paradise Inn? “And incredibly handsome.”
He nodded in agreement. “You are as smart as you are beautiful, Claire.”
“So . . . why do you hate Nathaniel so much?” She sat down on the couch, as opposed to the bed, and tried to look comfortable.
He crossed his arms. “I don’t hate him. It’s more of a festering distaste, really. So much potential, and he squanders it with his silly morals. He could use his power to be truly great, but just his mere presence reminds me of his weakness. I despise weakness. Just because
Yasmeen favors him doesn’t mean anything. He will pay for his shortcomings very soon. His latest assignment has yet to be successfully tempted. I met her. She, too, is weak. If he cannot tempt even her then he has no chance.”
Weak? Val’s shoulders stiffened.
He came to sit very close to her on the couch. “Tell me how you met him. It is unusual for him to express interest in a human. Unprecedented, in fact. I didn’t know he was able to express interest in anything other than his own self-pitying reflection. You must be very special.”
“You have no idea.”
“No, I’m quite sure that I don’t. So tell me, how did you meet the halfling?”
“Blind date.”
Julian laughed at that. “No, seriously.”
“Okay. Actually, I was attacked in an alley. He happened to be going past at the time.”
He leaned back into the sofa. “And he rescued you? How terribly quaint.”
“No, I reduced my attacker to a pile of ashes and Nathaniel seemed impressed by my abilities.”
“I can well imagine he would be. Have you always been so powerful or has this been something you have come by in recent years?”
“I’m a self-made evil witch,” Val said. “Had a lousy childhood, got picked on in school by bullies . . . went to the bookstore and shoplifted a few witchcraft books to learn about black magic so I could extract my revenge on those who did me wrong. You know, the usual story.”
He slid closer to her. “You do amuse me.”
“I’m so glad. Now enough about me. Let’s talk about that lovely key you have there.”
He slipped a hand inside his shirt and pulled out the chain. “What would you like to know about it?”
“Can I wear it?”
He smiled. “I’m afraid not.”
Strike one.
“When are you planning on using it?”
“Very soon.” His lips curled into a self-amused grin.
Val tried to choose her next words wisely. “It just seems a dangerous thing, a demon in
Heaven. Wouldn’t that upset the balance? Maybe shift things so much that everything would get all messed up?”
His smile held. “Probably.”
She tried not to frown at his reply. “Don’t you care?”
“Should I?”
She shrugged noncommittally. “The earthly realm does have its benefits, you know. If it’s destroyed, then think of all the things you’d be missing out on.”
“For example?”
“Lots of things. Movies, art, food, you name it. Also some humans are worth saving. Like me, for example. You’d be willing to destroy all that for the rush of walking into Heaven?”
“Absolutely.”
“Just checking.”
“But don’t worry, my lovely witch. You will not be inadvertently destroyed. I fully intend for you to be at my side.” He studied her for a moment as she tried to keep her face as blank as possible. “Can I tell you a little secret that may explain my interest in the key?”
“Are you sure I can’t try it on, even for a minute?”
“I’m quite positive.”
Strike two.
He moved closer to her so his leg pressed against hers. “Now, no one knows this. Not
Nathaniel, not Yasmeen, not the mayor. No one.”
Val swallowed. “What is it?”
“My mother was a human. She was a witch who was eventually burned at the stake during the
Inquisition. Evil to the core. The blackest soul imaginable. You remind me of her a great deal.”
“I’m flattered.” She leaned back into the couch. “And what about your father?”
He paused. “My father expects a lot of me. He gave me the position of Tempter in hopes that I would work my way up to a more lofty position. He gave me no extra assistance. In fact, I believe he’s hindered my progress any way he can. I should be working at the head office by my father’s side, instead of being stuck where I am. It’s beneath me—the child of true evil itself.”
Val felt a chill go down her spine. “Your father is . . .”
“Lucifer,” Julian said matter-of-factly. “He met my mother while on vacation. Knocked her up. Left her to fend for herself. Finally acknowledged me after her torture and death, although he wasn’t happy he had a halfling for a son.” His bottom lip quivered. “I’ll never be good enough for him.”
“Uh . . .”
“But now . . . with the key, his key that he lost so long ago, I’ll be making a name for myself.
And if I end up destroying the earthly realm? He won’t be able to ignore that, will he?”
“Of course he won’t.”
Julian sniffed. “I just want my daddy to love me. Is that too much to ask for?”
Oh boy.
He started to cry then and opened his arms to her. She grimaced before letting him hug her tightly and sob uncontrollably on her shoulder.
This guy has issues, she thought.
And he also had the key, now pressed firmly against her ample, glamourized chest. This was her chance, presented now in an unexpected, rather drippy way. He wouldn’t notice if she just shifted position a bit, and slipped the chain over his head . . .
There was a knock at the door. “Julian are you in there?”
Strike three.
Julian straightened up, pushed Val away from him, and wiped his tear-dampened face as the door opened slowly.
A breath caught in Val’s throat as she saw who it was. Donovan, the demon she’d met when they’d first entered the Underworld. Tall, dark, and evil . . . a surface glamour that covered the ugly troll underneath. Small Underworld. “Oh there you are, man. I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“What do you want?” Julian’s voice caught on the words. He sniffed.
Donovan cleared his throat. “Your sacrifice escaped.”
Julian leapt to his feet. “How did this happen?”
“Don’t know.” He glanced at Val but she didn’t see any recognition in his green eyes. When he’d met her she’d been less redheaded evil witch, more blond fallen angel.
“We’ll have to do a check for her. The mayor will expect a full report.”
“Already started.” Donovan pulled a metal object that looked like a TV remote control from his belt loop and tossed it at the blond demon, who caught it one-handed. “If you’re not too busy, Julian, we could use your help.”
Julian sighed. “I suppose.”
“Dude, have you been crying?”
“No!” He wiped absently at his damp cheeks. “What a ridiculous thing to suggest.”
Donovan glanced at Val again. “Hello there, beautiful.”
She pasted a slightly shaky grin on her lips. “Hello yourself.”
“Do we know each other?”
She gave him a quick up and down look. “I’m sure I’d remember someone as incredibly gorgeous as you.”
He grinned. “I suppose that you would.”
“She’s Nathaniel’s woman,” Julian told him as he flicked a switch on the remote control. “For the time being, anyhow.”
Donovan frowned. “Th
at’s odd. I just saw Nathaniel yesterday. He was with a—”
Val stood up and pointed at the remote control. “So what does that thing do?”
“This is a spell-checker,” Julian explained. “After the mayor put forth his Belligerent Magic
Decree to avoid any more unpleasant assassination attempts, these are used to make sure that everyone complies. It’ll reveal any spell, and hopefully lead us right to our little escapee. She might be hiding behind a simple glamour. Allow me to demonstrate.”
He pointed the remote at Donovan in front of the doorway and a red beam of light hit him.
Immediately his glamour dissolved and Val could see the tiny, dumpy gray troll that he really was.
“Hey!” Donovan said. “Don’t do that. It tickles.”
He stepped out of the beam and immediately regained his tall, perfect stature. He looked a little pissed off at Julian, who was grinning widely.
Val’s heart was beating so loudly that she was sure it would throw off the band’s rhythm outside by the pool.
A spell-checker? she thought frantically. Here? Now? I have to get the H-E-L-L out of here before—
“And what about you, my lovely witch. Are you truly so beautiful?”
The red light shone in Val’s face, momentarily blinding her. She blinked and looked down at herself. Tank top, jeans, long blond hair visible past her shoulders. Reeboks on her feet.
Oops.
She blinked up at Julian who was looking at her with confusion that slowly melted into recognition. He moved the beam away and her glamour fell back into place.
“You,” he said. “I know you.”
Val cleared her throat. “Claire. Evil witch. Dating Nathaniel. Up to no good, no good at all.
Remember?”
“No more lies.” Julian waved his hand and she felt a warm breeze touch her, wiping the glamour away permanently.
Donovan wagged a finger at her. “You were the one with Nathaniel. At my apartment. You left your sweater and coat there.”
Val nodded slowly. “Yeah, would you mind popping those in the mail for me sometime? That would be great.”
“She’s a fallen angel,” Donovan told Julian. “She’s in the Underworld because she’s looking for you.”
“And why ever would that be?” Julian fingered the key around his neck as his eyes narrowed at her. “Hmm, I have absolutely no idea.”
“Probably for that Key to Heaven you have there,” Donovan offered.
“I was being facetious, you moron.”
“Oh.”
Julian fixed her with an icy glare. “Almost had me, didn’t you? Now let me take a wild guess.
You were the one who helped my little sacrifice escape?”
Val looked away, then forced herself to meet his furious gaze. “So what if I did?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Believe me, I am going to make things very uncomfortable for you now.” He took a step toward her.
“You first,” she said, and drove her knee into his groin as hard as she could.
He blinked and fell to the ground, gasping for breath.
“Ouchy.” Donovan winced with sympathy. “That wasn’t very nice.”
Maybe Val couldn’t vanquish him, or even hurt him very bad, but after what she’d seen Lisa do to Nathaniel, she knew she could cause a little damage.
But not nearly enough.
He staggered back up to his feet and backhanded Val across her mouth. “You’re only making things worse for yourself. Perhaps you can take the place as our entertainment for the mayor.
Seems only fair, doesn’t it?”
He grabbed her arm, hard, and dragged her toward the door.
Donovan looked at them.
“Move,” Julian commanded.
Donovan blinked, grinned stupidly, then fell to the ground.
Nathaniel stood in the doorway with his arms crossed, head cocked to the side. “You have been monopolizing my woman for way too long. I don’t think I like that very much.”
Julian stared down at Donovan’s unconscious body, then looked at Nathaniel. He snorted.
“Your woman is a fallen angel.”
Nathaniel glanced at Val and she saw him blink as he noticed the blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. “Get the hell out of here!”
“No,” Julian said. “I’m quite serious.”
Nathaniel took a step toward him. “I was talking to her.” He punched Julian in the face, and turned to her as Julian lost his grip on her arm. “Get the hell out of here, Valerie.”
“But—he’s still got the key. I have to—”
“I’ll take care of that. Are you going to argue with me every time I ask you to do something?”
“And Reggie! I don’t know where he is.”
“He’s the one who told me that you were being an idiot by getting Julian alone. He’s around.
Don’t worry about him.”
“But I can’t just leave you here.”
“Go get Lloyd. Tell him what’s happening. But go. In a few moments, Julian will be the least of our problems when the rest of security gets here. Just leave while you still have the chance.”
Julian came at Nathaniel with the couch raised above his head, his eyes fiery. “I’ve been waiting for this for longer than you’ll ever know, halfling.”
“I’ve never much liked that expression.” Nathaniel rushed him and the couch splintered against the wall.
Val heard footsteps pounding outside as security approached. With a last glance at Nathaniel and Julian beating the crap out of each other, she turned and ran away.
It was a straight run to the entrance of the mansion and back to the pool area. Nobody gave her a second glance even though she must have looked like a wreck and was practically hyperventilating.
She’d managed to put everything she believed in, everybody she cared about, in jeopardy.
Nathaniel had been right. She was selfish. She’d risked everything, stormed into the path of danger without a coherent plan just so she could save the day. Get the key. Do her good deed to end all good deeds to get the chance to go back to her fluffy white cloud where—as her continually fading memory served—everything was safe and happy and perfect.
But all she’d done was make things worse.
She ran all the way to Lloyd’s house and collapsed to her knees on his front lawn. She began to sob.
Worse, she thought. Everything was worse now. Much worse.
And it was all her fault.
The door creaked open and Lloyd looked out. He wore a pink apron. Has he been baking more brownies? she wondered. Yeah, he was going to be a whole lot of help.
“Valerie?” Lloyd peeled off his oven mitts. “Are you okay? What happened? Where’s Nathaniel?”
He came down the steps and helped her to stand up. She didn’t say anything yet, she was crying so hard she couldn’t speak, so he directed her into his house and closed the door behind them.
“It’ll be okay,” Lloyd assured Val. “But I need to leave right now. He was right to tell you to run.”
“It won’t be okay. Nothing will be okay.”
He looked anxious. “He told you to come get me, did he not? There’s a reason for that. I wasn’t always a romance writer, you know. I put my time in at the head office before I earned the right to a simpler existence. But I still have connections. Trust me, if you can.”
She rose to her feet. “I’m coming with you.”
He shook his head. “No, you’ll stay here. You’ve been through enough already. Besides, you’ll just slow me down.”
“But Lloyd, I—”
“Nathaniel was right about you. You are a pain in the ass.”
Val’s eyebrows shot up. “He said that?”
Lloyd sighed. “I think it was implied. Just stay here. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
With a last look he hurried out of the house and closed the door behind him, leaving Val alone.
She nearly wore a line in the pin
k carpet from pacing back and forth for an entire torturous hour without a word. She couldn’t just stay there and do nothing. She finally decided to go back to the mansion herself. Whatever happened, happened, but at least she’d know she gave it a shot. That she’d tried to find Reggie. Tried to help Nathaniel. Even if it was too late.
It couldn’t be too late.
She rushed over and opened the front door to leave.
Nathaniel stood on the other side. Val’s eyes widened at the sight of him.
He shrugged. “And that’s what he gets for calling me a halfling.”
He stepped past her into the house while she simply stared at him.
“That asshole,” he continued, “has always caused me grief. Two hundred years and all I hear is whining from him. And I’m the self-pitying loser? I think not. It’s too much. It’s just seriously too much.”
Val finally found her voice enough to say, “He’s Lucifer’s son, you know.”
“That explains a lot, actually.”
She swallowed hard. “You’re okay.”
“You seem surprised.”
“No . . . it’s just . . .”
She tried to restrain herself, but suddenly threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
When she finally let him go, he looked at her with shock.
“Do you have the key?” she asked.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” He blinked at her. “I . . . uh . . . wasn’t sure you’d be here.”
“Forget about me. What about the key? What about Reggie? Is he okay?”
“I couldn’t find him. But he’s fine. I’m sure he is. The party’s still going strong, so he’s fine for a while.”
“You couldn’t . . .” She took a shaky breath. “We need to go back.”
“Excuse me?”
“We have to go back. To the mansion. We have to find Reggie.”
“You’d risk your neck for that rodent?”
She glared at him. “He’s not a rodent. He’s human. I never should have brought him along in the first place. It’s all my fault. All of this is my fault.”
