by Cate Masters
“Backed off how?”
“He fled Polaris upon my arrival.” Zev knew better than to believe his ancient rival, the counterpart who’d made his existence unbearable since creation, had given up. The Ruling Angel of the Sixth Heaven had indeed vanished, and Zev took it as a good sign.
“So you think you have won?” Hades chuckled.
The prince treats me like some rookie. “No. I understand he’s a threat, but—”
“More than a threat. A potential disaster. All the more reason we must complete the deal soon. I’d planned to induct her into the family last night.”
“We will. Again, patience is key.”
“Ach. You sound like a spy.” The prince leaned forward. “You know how we torture spies.”
Not unlike his treatment of employees? “My loyalty has always lain with you.”
“I expect nothing less from my next CFO.”
Zev bowed, and waited for the inevitable dismissal. He had nothing else to say. He wouldn’t beg for understanding. If the Prince couldn’t see his error, then it only revealed a weakness.
Zev knew the Prince directed his anger at him, and inwardly as well. The party had played out like a nightmare, one blunder after the next. Persephone’s naiveté might prove a greater liability than Zev anticipated.
So would the girl’s willfulness. Much as her body responded to his arduous advances, her will resisted. At the club, he’d sensed something more. A shield protecting her. Where it emanated from, he couldn’t tell. Perhaps something she wore, some amulet. If that was the case, they all faced a greater challenge than anticipated. It would mean she knew their true identities, or at least suspected.
Tonight, he’d know for certain.
“Go on.” The Prince waved him away. “You have work to do.”
Zev backed away, oozing humility and feeling none of it. So old school. Why the Prince clung to outdated tradition... At the threshold, Zev turned on his heel and strode with all his repressed swagger. He held part ownership in this palace, after all his time dedicated to ensuring its success. Making the Prince look good.
It took more than a village. To carry out that mission, it took nine regions of the Underworld, densely populated and under constant watch, constant threat.
Once he became CFO, Zev wouldn’t rely on underlings to make him shine. He knew how to do that on his own.
Revenge against the pious warrior angel Bodiel would be sweet, too. Another thing too long in coming. Oh, how the high and mighty would fall when Zev had his way.
***
“Want to go clubbing after work tonight?” Bryn’s scratchy voice meant she must have gone out last night, too.
Lily pinned the phone against her shoulder and rummaged through her drawer. “I don’t think so.” Why did all of her clothes look wrong?
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I have a date, sort of.”
“Cool. What do you mean, sort of?”
“I never actually accepted. He said he’d be here to pick me up at six.”
“Oh-h-h,” Bryn sing-songed, her smile sounding through the cell. “And you’re thinking it might continue after work.”
“No,” Lily blurted with more vehemence than she intended.
“No?” Bryn challenged.
How to explain? “It’s complicated.”
“You’re not attracted to him?”
Lily wouldn’t quite put it that way. “Yes, but… Never mind. I’ll have to tell you later.” After she had more answers.
“Oh. Sure.” Bryn’s voice grew small, girlish.
Great. Now she’d hurt Bryn’s feelings. “I promise.” When her friend gave no response, Lily couldn’t stand to lie to her again. “Better go. He’ll be here soon. He looks like the prompt type.”
“Have fun.”
Doubtful. “I’ll let you know. See you at work.” She disconnected with a wince. Nothing like basically telling your friends to screw off. Rising, she headed to the bedroom. “You better have some good answers, Mr. Mystery Man.”
Yeah, and Lily better have some good ones too. What if he revealed something horrible? What if her family really was connected to some murderous gang? Shit. She’d have to leave everything behind, and in a hurry. And she’d never be able to share any of it with Bryn or Keb. Their safety was worth more than her peace of mind.
Chapter Four
“This is crazy.” Lily frowned at herself in the mirror. The black knit top hugged a little too tight. One of her favorites, but she should treat tonight like a business meeting and wear no-nonsense clothes. She shoved the hangers aside one by one. Here, the navy jacket. With a white blouse and jeans, it would convey enough of a cool attitude. Much needed, after her display onstage.
The pendant swayed from its chain, and she glanced again at the mirror. She hadn’t taken it off once; already it seemed like part of her.
She should refuse to open the door. Refuse to go anywhere with this guy until he came clean. Yeah, sharing his name would be a good place to start. The creepy family, and his connection, ranked as a close second on the agenda.
Blouse and jeans on, she reached for the jacket. The chime of the doorbell made her fume. “Seriously? An hour early?” Punching her arms into the jacket, she rushed to the entrance and peered through the peephole.
“What the…” She yanked open the door and stared.
Bodie flashed a sardonic smile.
“What are you doing here?” In this muted light, his brown hair had a golden sheen, and his dark eyes, warm and inviting, made her wish she’d agreed to dinner with him instead. Except Bodie hadn’t asked.
He grew serious. “I need to speak with you.”
“Maybe tomorrow.” She reached for the door to close it.
He slid his boot over the threshold to jam it. “Can’t wait. It has to be before your date tonight. It’s important. Please, Lily.”
“How did you—” Did everyone know her personal schedule?
“I’ll have you back before six.” He turned toward the stairs, then leaned in against the jamb. “First you might want to grab some shoes.”
Oh, man. Now what? “I really don’t have time.”
“Ever heard the expression ‘information is power’?” He eased closer. “I have lots of ammunition I need to give you before you go anywhere with him.”
You should listen to what he has to say. She tried to silence the voice, wherever it came from. She shivered.
“Give me a sec.” She grabbed black ankle-high boots from the closet, lifting her feet one by one to zip the sides as she clomped out, shouldering her messenger bag. “Ready.”
The way he looked at her held her at bay. One of those intimate looks couples shared that said all sorts of things without uttering a word. Things like, you make me so happy, or that outfit’s so sexy I want to jump your bones. The sort of look that made a girl want to clamp her hand around the guy’s jaw and plant her lips on his, followed by tongues and skin and…
“Let’s go.” He broke the lock of his gaze and casually jogged outside.
Following him, she laughed, at herself mostly. These past few days, she’d acted more juvenile than she had as a tween, dreaming about boys and wondering what their bodies were like, whether kissing him would make her want to explore other places with her tongue.
As if they’d traveled by Harley for years together, he swung his leg over the bike and kicked the starter, and she fitted herself against him as soon as he’d settled in his seat. As they drove off, it seemed dangerously easy to hug him closer. Something about him relaxed her defenses, made her feel comfortable enough to be herself. Her real self, flaws and all.
While Club Guy made her want to get down and dirty without any further fringe benefits, Bodie had a deeper effect. Oh, she still would love to rock him all night long, and afterward, cuddle up and discuss books, movies, the latest news… anything and everything.
After, of course, he’d explained all the weirdness. Suddenly she’d become
the star of a horror movie, and not a very entertaining one.
By the time he slowed the bike, she’d worked up so many arguments in her head, she hardly knew where to start.
As soon as he cut the engine, she hopped off and faced him. “This better be good. The past two days have screwed with my head. I don’t like it one bit.”
He ducked his head, his warm chocolate eyes focused on her. “I can imagine how difficult it must be.”
“Really? Can you? Because you are perfectly calm and honestly, your little smirk is quite annoying.”
“I apologize.”
She huffed. “Is that supposed to make everything right again?”
“No. I can’t.”
A twinge of disappointment shot through her. “Then what can you do? How did you know about my dinner date? Are you another ‘business associate’ of my family’s?”
He pressed his lips in a suppressed smile. “Most definitely not.”
She couldn’t stand another moment of suspense. “What’s going on, Bodie? My life wasn’t perfect, and some would say it was far from normal. Compared to now, it’s looking really good.”
That got him. He gazed off into the distance, thick lashes making his narrowed eyes more beautiful. “It’s going to be difficult for you to believe.”
“Try me.” He might be surprised.
“Your family wants you back in their inner circle. There’s a tradition that girls like you return to take their place in the family.”
“Take their place?” Sounded medieval.
“Marry. Move back there.”
Definitely medieval. “To Manhattan?”
“Hardly. Lower than the lower east side. Way lower.”
“Straight up, Bodie. Lay it out.”
He settled those gorgeous eyes on her. “You’re a granddaughter of Persephone and Hades.”
Hades? She’d skimmed through Greek mythology. Hades was Satan.
And Persephone was a goddess. Cool, but no way could Lily be part of a goddess’ family.
After watching her absorb this without freaking, Bodie went on. “They want you back in Hell, Lily.”
Holy shit, he wasn’t joking. “No.” No way would she live in Hell. She’d lived a hell on earth all her life. This had to be a prank, an elaborate twenty-first birthday prank. “Who put you up to this?”
Holding her gaze, he shook his head. “You know it’s real. All your life, you’ve seen them.”
The shadow people. The blood drained from her veins. “You can’t be serious.” The otherworld was the Underworld?
“I told you, it’s a lot to take in all at once.”
“There’s more?” Perfect.
“We’re here to help.”
She glanced around. We? “Who else?”
He shrugged. “The other team.”
She laughed. “Stop. You’re trying to tell me Heaven sent you?”
He tilted his head, not quite a nod.
“Seriously, you’re an angel.” On a Harley. Or maybe just a Springsteen fan like her who loved the idea of it.
“You can Google me. I show up as Bodiel. I prefer Bodie.”
“Sure, less old school.” And she preferred sane people for company. “You know, you’re so right. This is a lot to take in all at once. I think I need to go home and think it through. Sleep on it. Get a fresh perspective.” Get the hell out of here.
Bodie’s slow blink didn’t lessen the intensity of his stare. “Okay. I’ll take you back and you’ll be there when Zeveriah arrives. That’s his name, by the way. Zeveriah, Archduke of Hades Section Six. He goes by Zev.”
“I see.” How adorable he could be while completely psychotic. Somehow, she knew that wasn’t the case. Did that make her psychotic?
“Hades promised you to him. Zev will be CFO soon. His palace is impressive, I hear.”
“You’ve never been there?”
“A bit out of my territory.” Spoken teasingly, sarcasm edged his voice.
“Of course, how silly of me.” As if she understood the other world after one short visit. Just take me home.
“Yeah. I get it.” He shifted in his seat. “You will, too. He’ll pick you up, take you to an impeccable four-star restaurant, ply you with very expensive wine, and then tell you what I’ve told you. Slanted in his favor, of course, but…” He shrugged. “You’ll have to decide for yourself. After you sleep on it. Get a fresh perspective.” He kick-started the bike.
Sure, try to make her feel like the ass, and with her own words.
He pinned her with a serious look. “Be careful, though. They’ll use any means necessary to convince you.”
She climbed on and held loosely this time when the bike roared away. The key to making her life work, not holding anything too tight.
***
It had been awhile since Zev had driven. Decades, maybe? He remembered autos as sturdier, more exciting. Elistair had recommended this Maserati, and it handled well enough, but left Zev a little cold. He slammed the shifter into second to slow his advance onto Lily’s street. The engine rumble shook the windows in the buildings, making him grip the steering wheel. Should he have chosen something less showy? No, females liked men in flashy vehicles. Since ancient Greece, the man with the most well appointed chariot lured the most attractive women.
More often, for visits above ground, Zev let Elistair chauffeur him in the limo. Tonight, he wanted to maintain some semblance of control, or at least the appearance of it. And have something to do with his hands; it would remind him to keep them off Lily.
He swung out of the driver’s seat and smoothed the front of his black linen jacket. Why so nervous? One look at the outside of her loft revealed its substandard condition. The girl lived in near poverty, by his gauge. He couldn’t wait to offer her all the privileges that accompanied his wealth and stature. A new life of pampering and decadence.
He winced when the door’s creak echoed through the hallway, empty of any décor and painted a putrid green no one in Hades would find tasteful. Well, not those Zev socialized with, anyway. The stairs likewise groaned beneath his weight. Humans baffled him, the way they endured awful conditions. All so unnecessarily. If they only knew how near relief lingered; just beyond their fingertips, really. They needed only to reach out and take the helping hand offered them, and find unbelievable riches and satisfaction.
Odd. He found it difficult to reach out and rap on this door. Such a simple task. And the door made of plain wood, so easy to break through should one require it. He’d have to warn Lily. The Destined One shouldn’t put herself at risk in such a casual manner.
And you should get on with business. Zev put the entire mission at risk due to his feelings. Emotions stood in the way of sound decision-making; the old adage ‘never mix business with pleasure’ was a cliché for good reason.
What if she rejects you? The thought rattled him to the core. He closed his eyes, steadied himself and raised his knuckles toward the door.
The door whooshed open. Lily swept him with a wide-eyed gaze more probing than modern airport security. “I thought I heard someone out here. What are you doing?”
Hells, she looked gorgeous. The tapered jacket followed her curves. He knew what lay beneath the frumpy clothes: the body of a goddess. One he hoped to shower adoration upon with utmost reverence. Of course, afterward he’d fuck her till she couldn’t stand straight.
The thought cheered him. “I’m picking you up for dinner.” Dessert might not be listed on the menu. He had other plans.
“Yes, but... Never mind. I’m ready.” She stepped over the threshold, forcing him backward.
He’d hoped she’d invite him in first. “Great. If we arrive a few minutes early, we can always wait in the bar.” A drink might loosen her up.
“Where are you taking me?”
“One of my favorite restaurants, El Diablo.”
“Please tell me you’re joking.”
“No, it’s across town. Surely you’ve heard of it.”
He feigned innocence. Of course he wouldn’t tell her humans wandered inside all the time, though of course they couldn’t they see it without assistance. Zev nodded.
“Fine. If anything weird happens, or if the hostess has fangs, I’m out of there.”
“Absolutely.” He gestured her forward. As soon as she began descending, he whipped out his cell and texted: No fangs. No weirdness. Make sure.
Outside, he played the role of gentleman. It wore thin when met with her stoic rigidity. Forget the drink, the girl definitely needed a good fuck to loosen up.
Not until they finally sat at a candlelit table did she grace him with her full attention.
“I hate to be rude, but can we get on with this?” she asked. “It might save you an expensive check.”
How rude. And she apparently didn’t hate rudeness that much.
He settled his elbows on the table. “Here’s the thing, Lily. Your family’s very upset about the other night.”
“They’re not the only ones.”
“Your happiness is their main concern. They never meant for the evening to end on such a low note.”
“I’m sure.”
“Persephone went to a great deal of trouble planning the party, Lily. She had high hopes.”
“For what, exactly?”
Oo, a bottom line kind of girl. He liked that. “For the family to welcome you home.”
“I have a home. My loft. I happen to like it.”
So, she intended to bust his balls at every opportunity. “I spoke in the metaphorical sense. They love you, Lily.”
“They don’t know me. And I have no idea who they are. So tell me – who are they? And while we’re at it, you might want to toss in your name for good measure. You’ve called me by my name, and I have no idea what yours is.”
Ah, hells. What an ass. Of all the things to overlook. “My apologies. I’m Zeveriah.”
“Zev for short.” She whispered as if someone had stolen her breath.
“Yes, how did you…. know…” This did not bode well. And Zev had an inkling why.
