Dancing With the Devil

by Cate Masters

  Demi called, “Lily!” and waved her over.

  Oh, crap. She’d never be able to dance tonight. She must have shaken her head no, because Demi said, “Yes, Lily. Please.”

  Would these strange sequences never stop? Ha, probably just the beginning of a lifetime of weird. Assuming she had a life ahead of her.

  Gripping her backpack strap, she wound through the tables and stood in front of them. “Hi.”

  She found it difficult to look either woman directly in the eye. A glance at Persephone further surprised her. The woman fidgeted with a cocktail napkin, her smile tight. Nervous? Why would she be? Unless Hades had threatened her.

  A surge of protectiveness rose up. Lily didn’t care if he had legions of demons and hellhounds at his disposal. Hades would pay if he harmed Persephone.

  “Please, dear,” Demi said, “sit with us.”

  “I don’t want to interrupt.” No, she’d much rather slink into the other room.

  Demi tugged the chair beside her away from the table and patted its seat. “Nonsense.”

  Her tone suggested how silly the excuse was. Of course they’d met to discuss Lily. No other reason made sense.

  She eased onto the chair. “What’s this about?”

  Persephone’s shoulders squared. “You asked me to come.”

  “Yes. So we could speak. But not here.”

  “Why not here?” Persephone asked. “I hoped to see you dance.”

  “Oh God,” Lily muttered. Her face flashed hot at the holy reference. “Sorry.” She stared at the glass in front of Persephone to collect her thoughts. “I apologize for behaving badly when we first met.”

  “I forgive you.”

  The formality threw Lily off. That, or the total lack of emotion in the woman’s voice. Normally, such an exchange would leave Lily rankled. Instead, she continued politely, intentionally vague for Demi’s sake. “As you can imagine, it came as a shock.”

  “Quite understandable.” Demi laid her hand atop Lily’s.

  She froze, staring at her supervisor. “Persephone told you?”

  Persephone glanced from Demi to Lily. “I had no need to.”

  So they had already met. Suddenly the world seemed a vast conspiracy.

  Persephone stared at the pendant. “What a lovely necklace. I haven’t seen it in ages. Did you really think it necessary, Mother?”

  “Mother?” Lily croaked. The walls undulated, rolling in waves. She forced herself to sit upright, though she wanted to roll, too, right off her chair and under the table. Demeter. Demi for short.

  “Sit straight, darling,” Persephone told her, then said to Demi, “You gave her the necklace and didn’t tell her?”

  “I wanted to see if she’d discover on her own.” Pride shone in Demi’s eyes. “And you have.”

  “You knew?” Lily glanced around before saying anything else. If anyone heard this conversation, they’d cart them all away to rubber rooms.

  “You were placed at an unfair disadvantage. I wanted to level the playing field.”

  Some game. With her as the winner’s prize. “Then you’re family, too.” No need to phrase it as a question. Why hadn’t Bodie clued her in?

  Demi bristled. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised no one told you.”

  Persephone’s lips thinned. “Oh Mother. Not now.”

  “Your husband has made it impossible to speak to you, let alone visit.”

  “He knows how you feel about him, and isn’t comfortable.”

  “It’s no excuse for demonizing me. Pardon the pun.”

  At least she has a sense of humor about it. “There’s still bad blood between you, after all this time?” The myth held that Demeter hated Hades for stealing her daughter. She hated him worse after Persephone fell in love with him.

  “I’ll never forgive him.”

  “I chose to stay, Mother. It had nothing to do with you.”

  “I should have done more to protect you.” Demi turned to Lily. “I won’t make the same mistake with you.”

  Oh, boy. Then Demi wouldn’t be happy with what Lily had to say. “Actually, I wanted to see Persephone about that.”

  Demi nodded. “To refuse.”

  “Not exactly.”

  “What?” Demi’s mouth gaped.

  Lily directed her focus at Persephone. “I would like to visit. Get to know you better.”

  “I’m so pleased.”

  Demi grasped her wrist. “No Lily. Please don’t go.”

  “They’re my family, Demi.”

  “They’ll corrupt you, honey. Get inside your head.”

  “Don’t be a drama queen, Mother.”

  “A drama queen! I’ve mourned you since the day he stole you away. You haven’t been the same since, Persephone.” Demi turned to Lily. “They’ll change you too.”

  “I’ll never truly know myself until I know them. And…” She glanced from Demi to Persephone. “I can’t let others suffer for my stubbornness.”

  Persephone knit her brows. “What do you mean, darling?”

  “Hades will torture innocents if I refuse.”

  Demi huffed. “Who told you that?”

  “Zeveriah.”

  Demi turned angry eyes to her daughter. “Is this true?”

  “I had no idea.”

  “It’s a trick,” Demi said. “A trap, Lily.”

  If only she could believe that. “It doesn’t matter. I’m going. So I still need a few days off.”

  Demi’s chin quivered as she studied Lily. “All right. But if you don’t return, I’m coming after you.” She turned to Persephone. “And this time, I’m not leaving without her.”

  Chapter Eight

  Persephone walked to the darkest section of the parking lot behind Polaris, entered the shadows and climbed into the chariot. If Hades found out she’d borrowed the good chariot, there’d be hell to pay.

  She flew home, flustered and excited. “She’s coming. We must make ready.”

  “Who?” Hades asked in a flat tone, not looking up from his iPad.

  Always checking stocks. Well, he’d soon pay attention. She announced, “Lily.”

  The tablet clattered onto the glass tabletop, sending the intricately carved serpents etched within scattering with hisses and rattles.

  He slapped his hands on the chair arms and rose. “Are you sure?”

  “She asked to see me. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to worry you.”

  “Wonderful. I knew you’d convince her.”

  “Did I? I had the impression she’s coming because of your threat.”

  “What threat?”

  “To torture innocents if she refused.”

  “Who put that idea in her head?”

  “Zeveriah.”

  “The twit.” Hades rubbed his chin. “He must be more insecure than I realized.”

  That meant her husband had nothing to do with it. Happiness washed away her anxiety. “She wants to see us, darling. To get to know us.”

  “Twit or not, Zeveriah will want to know right away.”

  “I’ll tell him.” She rushed to Zev’s quarters. In her haste, she didn’t wait for him to open the door after she knocked. She was appalled to find him screwing a slave girl on all fours.

  “Zeveriah.” Persephone averted her gaze, but the image of him naked, pumping away at this girl, had already seared into her mind. “Pardon the intrusion.”

  Scuffling noises sounded until Zev cleared his throat. Straightening his hastily-thrown-on clothes, he stepped toward her. “Pardon, Lady Persephone. I had no idea you were coming.”

  She could say the same. “I bear great news. Lily requested a visit. I thought you would be pleased.” Apparently the archduke wasn’t consumed by loneliness, as he’d hinted.

  “Lily?” Zev’s body tensed as he stepped forward.

  The servant girl moved closer, a move Persephone recognized as territorial. This concubine might prove a problem. No matter. Persephone knew how to deal with her typ
e.

  The archduke snapped his fingers and the girl retreated, head bowed as she stepped backward. Just before crossing the threshold, the concubine glared at Persephone, an unspoken threat of vengeance in her eyes.

  Unthinkable, and wholly unsuitable. Persephone would speak to Elistair about her. Beyond the distasteful situation, something about the girl disturbed her. A vague familiarity niggled at Persephone.

  “Would you care to sit?” The archduke gestured to the sofa.

  She regarded it with a fresh perspective. Not any longer. “I’m not staying. I have much to prepare.”

  “When will Lily arrive?”

  “In two Earth days.” Not nearly enough time to plan an appropriate visit. “I’m sure my husband will keep you abreast.” Poor choice of words, but too late to retract them. “If you’ll excuse me, archduke.”

  “Of course. I appreciate you thinking of me.”

  Unfortunately, she wasn’t the only one, if this concubine were any indication. The slave girl appeared too at home in Zeveriah’s quarters.

  Persephone wouldn’t mind if her granddaughter weren’t betrothed to such a buffoon. Lily’s hesitancy made it the perfect time to rethink the engagement.

  ***

  You said you’d stay away. Right. After every drive-by, Bodie promised himself the same thing.

  He stared up at the second story loft. Every so often, she passed the window, hurrying from room to room.

  One last time. He had to see her face to face. He flew up the steps and tapped at the door.

  All went silent inside until she asked softly, “Who is it?”

  He winced. “Bodie.”

  Air rushed around him as she threw open the door. Delight filled her face, then her arm hooked around his neck as she kissed him and dragged him inside.

  In between kisses, she laughed and said, “You’re here. I thought I’d never see you again.”

  He caught her in his arms and held her steady so he could kiss her properly. “Why would you think such a thing?”

  “I missed you so much.” She squeezed him in a hug.

  “I hoped you’d call me.”

  She drew away, brows furrowed. “I thought you didn’t want me to.”

  “No, I don’t want you to go below. You know I want to be with you.”

  She pinned him with a look he couldn’t interpret. Maybe she’d rather he hadn’t come? “Have you decided against going?”

  Her squared shoulders and lifted chin hinted at her reserve of steel, a goddess he shouldn’t cross. “I leave tomorrow morning. Persephone’s sending a limo.”

  “I see.” Emotions swirled inside him like a cyclone, an unfamiliar sensation that left him uneasy. Until he’d met Lily, he’d existed without emotional attachments. His cool demeanor served him well, on the battlefield and off. No jealousy, which also meant no love.

  Now he didn’t know if he could exist without her love.

  “Bodie, if you came to talk me out of it, don’t waste your breath.”

  “I came because I had to see you.”

  Her hard exterior crumpled. “You did? Why?”

  “To be sure you didn’t need anything.”

  “I do.”

  “Tell me. I’ll make it happen.” He’d give her anything, including his eternal soul.

  “Stay with me. Until I leave tomorrow.”

  “Lily.” In effect, she had asked for his soul. In coming here, he knew this problem would arise. Knew he wouldn’t want to leave. And knew he wouldn’t refuse her if she asked.

  “I need your strength.” She grasped his shirt. “Stay with me, Bodie.”

  “You have strength beyond your reckoning.”

  “I need you, then.” She stood on tiptoe, her hands around his head, lowering it to hers.

  Her warm lips shocked his system, and he stiffened in reflex.

  “Bodie,” she whispered in between kisses.

  Truly, she must be part siren as well as goddess. Like smoke, her whisper curled through him, down his chest, and tightened his groin.

  “Don’t go, Lily.”

  “Stay with me until I leave.”

  “You could stay here, too. Quit work. Move away from here.”

  “I can’t run away. Anyway, no matter where on earth I went, they’d find me. No getting away from the Underworld.”

  The truth of it struck him. She was right. No matter where she went, they’d find her. He sensed her worry about Zev’s threat. And once she crossed over, they might never let her go. I’d never see her again.

  She searched his face. “What’s the matter?”

  Tell her. “I…” No, it would be wrong to bind her to him in such a way.

  “Bodie?”

  I can’t let her leave like this. “I love you.”

  The joy in her face gave her a glow. “I love you so much.” She feathered kisses across his face.

  He steadied her head so his mouth could fully taste hers. Once he did, he couldn’t stop. The sensation of plummeting down an abyss made him hold her tighter.

  With a tender scoop, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom. She curled into him, tongue caressing the swirls of his ear, fingers in his hair. When he laid her atop the bed, her limbs entangled with his as if to capture him there.

  He wouldn’t escape. He couldn’t, not now.

  Bodie settled atop her, his kisses light across her cheek, lingering on her lips. Logic said this was wrong, even if everything in him said it was right. Lily was his, and each touch, each kiss, claimed her as such. Swept along like the rush of a tidal wave, he didn’t fight the urges, built to maddening heights since he’d first introduced himself to her.

  Hovering over her, he hesitated only a second as he looked deep into her eyes like a sinner begging for salvation. “Lily.” He spoke her name fervently as a vow.

  His fingers memorized the curve of her hips, the lush fullness of her breasts, the silkiness of her hair. His body memorized each movement, the arch of her back as he kissed her ribs, the tensile strength of her arms as she undressed him, then drew him down again, her leg hooking behind his in wordless urging.

  It’s her first time. He moved with slow deliberation, watching her carefully as he pierced her. A soft yelp, and she tensed against his thrust.

  He held her head. “Are you all right?” Her sexy smile reassured him.

  “Yes.” She lifted up to kiss him.

  Her arm crooked around his neck, and pulled him back down. The way her tongue probed his sent a rush of desire coursing through him. His body followed the wave, and he thrust deeper. She undulated against him, and all the forces of the universe seemed to sing in powerful harmony. The mesmerizing rhythm drove them higher and higher, until the blinding moment they reached the pinnacle together. Bodie clung to her as it crashed to an end, and spiraled down surely as Icarus falling through the sky after nearing the sun.

  Bodie would be burned worse. The most grievous error an angel could commit, and he’d not fought nearly hard enough against it.

  His fingers delved into the tumble of soft waves of her hair. “Are you all right?”

  Lazy happiness glowed in her face. “Never been better.”

  “You’re not sorry?”

  “Are you kidding?” Her smile faded. “Are you?”

  “No.” His chest almost burst from longing. How he yearned to tell her again how much he loved her, how she filled his thoughts each moment. He shouldn’t put that on her, not before she traveled to the Underworld. She had to be free to decide for herself the path she would follow.

  Concern edged her eyes. She stroked his hair, and fluttered kisses across his forehead and nose, finally settling on his mouth.

  He pressed deeper, luxuriating in the feel of her lips against his. Like nothing he’d imagined. Everything about her excited him. He could spend eternity with her and not tire of the way she gazed at him, how she moved. Her smile. He’d never get enough. This must be the insanity mortals endured when they became a
ddicted, wanting to fill completely with something, no matter how much they had, always hungering for more.

  A sure recipe for self-destruction, and he’d taken the irreversible first step.

  ***

  Yes. He was hers. She’d known it all along. Right, now that I’m leaving. She’d have to make the trip short, so she could return all the faster to Bodie. “What happens after this?”

  He drew a ragged breath. “Good question. For both of us.”

  “You won’t abandon me, will you?”

  “I can’t go with you to the Underworld. And I have no idea what will happen when I report in.”

  She bit her lip. “Blame it on me. I forced you.”

  “You’re sweet. But I won’t do it. Anyway, they’d see through such an obvious lie.” He touched his mouth to hers. “You don’t have to go right away. Why not wait?”

  “I already explained why.” More critical now than before they’d made love. Of course it would be so easy to stay with him. Then she’d always question her decision. Wonder about her family, and wonder whether others suffered for her refusal.

  “I should leave now.”

  He sat up so quickly, she had no time to react. He had already stepped into his jeans when she gathered her wits enough to ask, “Why?”

  “You must do what you must do. As must I.”

  “You’re punishing me for going?”

  He stared ahead. “Lily, you can’t have it both ways.”

  “So if I choose to visit my family, I lose you?” Emotional blackmail, refusing to even grace her with a glance. She’d never thought an angel capable of it.

  “I’ll be with you in spirit. Always remember what’s inside you.” He snatched his tee shirt from the floor and strode out.

  She clutched the sheet to her and held her breath. The click of the front door sounded. He was gone. The rumble of the motorcycle confirmed it. After it faded, she huffed and plopped back against the bed.

  No. He hadn’t given her a chance. Frustration and anger twisted inside her, and she kicked the mattress.

  New rule number one: never get caught off guard. Trust no one, especially the angels, who believed themselves to be the good guys, and would likewise do anything to control her, making them equally as devious as the Triple Sixers.