Dancing With the Devil

by Cate Masters

  Oh God, what happened last night? If Zev touched her, she’d scrub her skin forever . It wouldn’t be enough to get rid of his stench. No longer a virgin, and tainted by a demon’s touch.

  Bodie! She held in a sob. No use calling him. He’d never want her now.

  Chapter Ten

  No bars, yet it was a prison nonetheless. Condemned to his own chambers by the tribunal. Would they never reach their decision? House arrest proved a torture beyond bearing.

  His hands clenched. I have to find Lily. Make sure she’s all right.

  He paced on his balcony. It only conjured a vision of Lily, gazing out over the heavenscape at the portal.

  She’s with him. The demon. God only knew what he’d done to her. How he’d tempted her.

  Rage rushed up, foreign and disturbing. Bodie released it with an anguished cry and smashed his hand into the granite wall. The stone crumbled beneath his fist, and pebbles and dust hit the tile floor with an almost musical tinkling.

  Through the roar in his ears, the faint sound of rapping snapped him back to awareness.

  They’re here.

  He strode to his chamber door. Another unfamiliar sensation rocked him to a halt: nervousness. What if they found him guilty? He laid a hand on the smooth oak and bent his head. Please…

  He faltered, unsure what to ask for. Forgiveness? He felt no remorse. He loved her.

  Assistance. Yes, that’s what he wanted. And freedom. How could he continue protecting Lily otherwise?

  He grasped the circular pull and tugged open the door.

  Three guards waited, expressionless.

  “Bodiel, Ruling Angel of the Sixth Heaven, come with us.”

  Everything in Bodie resisted, but he drew his mouth into a grimace. Finding it difficult to move, he managed a nod.

  Their empty stares intensified with renewed focus.

  They weren’t about to tolerate anything less than full cooperation.

  He stepped out, shutting the door behind him. “Lead on.”

  They flew to his supervisor’s office, where the tribunal waited, their faces devoid of emotion.

  Bodie knew before anyone spoke what the outcome would be.

  None of these angels knew love, not truly. Not the wonderful, maddening, intensely blissful love he’d experienced with Lily. He didn’t blame them for not understanding, but he wouldn’t let them stop him, either.

  Raziel said, “Bodiel, we have called you to this tribunal…”

  The rest of the words, Bodie barely registered. It was a formal condemnation of his actions. He might have recited the spiel himself. Everything within him rejected it. Their decision, as far as he was concerned, was null and void.

  By the time Raziel had finished, Bodie knew what he had to do. It would cost him everything, and gain him everything.

  “I am grateful for your consideration. However, I find it lacking. Lily MacInnis needs our help, and I won’t fail her.”

  “Lily MacInnis belongs in the Underworld.”

  Incredulous, Bodie blurted, “She is Zacharel’s daughter. Her ties to this world equal her ties to the Underworld.”

  “No relation of Satan will ever belong here.”

  “Who are you to judge?”

  Their eyes flared with indignation, but hardly righteous.

  “Bodiel, you risk –”

  He held up a hand. “Staying here one more moment risks everything I love.” He whirled on his heel and strode out. As soon as he cleared the office, he flew, headed straight for his Harley.

  Time never felt so precious, nor so threatening.

  He kicked the starter and blasted off, pointing the bike down.

  ***

  The building where Elistair led Lily had a different feel to it than the others in the Underworld. Classy as the rest, with a lighter tone – pastel blues, greens, purples in place of the harsh red and black, still a bit Gothic but leaning more toward Victorian. Unlike the heavy atmosphere elsewhere, Lily could breathe easier here. Even the air felt lighter, no tinge of grey clouding it, no shadows clinging to the edges of the rooms.

  She followed him up the steps, surprised when he veered to the right instead of heading for the double doors lined with leaded glass. He marched down the wide veranda that opened onto a patio laid with stone pavers.

  Persephone sat at a white wrought iron table, books and notebooks spread across its top. She looked up from her notes. “Ah, thank you, Elistair. Would you mind asking Donya to bring us some refreshments?”

  Elistair gave a curt nod and marched off, nose in the air.

  “Good morning.” Was it morning? Difficult to tell in the Underworld, where no sun rose or set.

  “Hello, dear. Are you well?”

  Lily sank to a metal chair. “Hard to tell. I hate to be a bother…”

  “Nonsense. What do you need?”

  A woman approached, and halted without a word. Lily glanced up, hesitant to say anything in front of her. Must be the servant, Donya. Gossip traveled fast through such channels.

  Persephone waited, focusing on Lily alone.

  Better just say it. “Another place to stay, or I’ll have to cut my visit short.”

  Finally, Persephone turned to Donya. “Set the tray on the table and leave us.” Pouring two cups of tea, she said, “I had a room prepared for you, dear. I’d hoped you’d use it.”

  Lily waited until the woman had retreated from sight. “I passed out in the garden. Zeveriah must have…” She swallowed hard, unable to finish. Must have what? Taken her there? Taken her virginity? “Oh, God.”

  “Please, Lily. Watch your language.”

  Her voice broke. “If he raped me, I swear…”

  Persephone was suddenly in her face, glaring. “If he raped you, I’ll castrate him.”

  Lily blinked, afraid to believe what she heard. “You will?” Her grandmother didn’t like Zev?

  Persephone visibly composed herself. “Please tell no one. I should not have said that.” She gave a sly smile. “No matter how true it is.”

  Yikes, her grandmother had a scary side. Lily had such trouble thinking of Persephone in that role as it was. She hardly looked old enough to be a mother, let alone a grandmother.

  “What has he done?”

  Extending a pinkie, Persephone delicately lifted her china cup to her lips, sipped, then held the cup between her long fingers. “The Underworld has its own, shall we say, peculiar set of standards. However, those in authority understand the need for loyalty. Dedication to one’s work, as well as loved ones. Zeveriah has yet to reach that understanding.”

  “So he’s nothing more than an ass kisser?” It explained a lot.

  “An excellent description, my dear.” Persephone returned the cup to its saucer. “I must tell you something. The archduke gave you a false impression.”

  The understatement of the century. “I saw his true form when I held the pendant.”

  “Aside from that, I mean. Hades never threatened to torture anyone if you refused.”

  “Zeveriah lied?” She clenched her fists in her lap. “I didn’t need to come here?” So it was a trap, as Bodie had said. Why didn’t I listen?

  “I thought you wanted to get to know us.”

  The hurt in her grandmother’s voice reminded her of the other reason.

  “I do.” Above ground would have been better than coming here.

  Persephone placed a hand on Lily’s arm. “Good, tell me more about your life.”

  Right, she had come here, might as well get to know them. “You probably know more than I do.” She leaned forward. “Tell me about my mother.”

  Sadness washed over her grandmother’s face. “I hardly see her. We had a bit of a falling out, you see.”

  “Because she refused to be The Destined One?” Like me?

  A weak smile failed to beam any warmth. “She fell in love with… someone she shouldn’t have. Someone who was no good for her.”

  “Who?”

  “His name is Zach
arel.” Persephone kept her voice low.

  Must be spies everywhere. “Why did you object to him?”

  Confusion mixed with warmth, maybe pity, when Persephone asked, “You truly don’t know?”

  Lily was afraid to ask, but did anyway. “What?”

  “Dearest, he’s an…” Her grandmother glanced around, then whispered, “Angel.”

  “What?” Her father was an angel? Why hadn’t Bodie shared that tidbit? “And you banished her for that?”

  “Not banished, exactly. We’re not that old-fashioned. Well, not ancient anyway. The point is, Lily, your mother had no respect for our feelings.”

  “What about her feelings? She loved him.”

  With a sigh, Persephone sat back.

  “What’s my mother’s name?”

  Dreamily, her grandmother said, “Illiana.”

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “Not as beautiful as she.” Persephone turned to her. “You remind me of her so much.”

  “Is that why my grandfather hates to look at me?”

  “He doesn’t.”

  “I feel his bitterness every time I’m near him.”

  “Her actions cost him his honor. It took a long time for Hades to recover it.”

  Strange her grandmother should speak of honor when referring to Hades. Lily had never considered he might have any.

  Persephone’s hand closed around Lily’s. “That’s why he’s counting so heavily on you.”

  Lily fought the urge to withdraw her hand. “What about you? Do you want me to marry Zeveriah, knowing the kind of man he is?” Man… demon… potato poe-tah-toe.

  Her grandmother straightened. “It doesn’t matter what I want.”

  “It matters the world to me.”

  Persephone blinked hard, then her eyes crinkled at the edges. “I’m so glad you’re here.” She rose. “I’ll make sure Elistair is aware of the sleeping arrangements. There’ll be no more confusion.”

  “Persephone…”

  “If you’ll excuse me, darling, I have some business to attend to. I’ll see you at dinner, all right?”

  “Of course.” Regardless, this conversation was far from over.

  ***

  Oh, my aching muscles. Veronica luxuriated in a long, lazy stretch. The Story Dance had required her to move with precision, and she’d performed magnificently, if she did say so herself. And afterward… The memory of Zev following her like a stallion eager to stud brought a wicked smile. Yes, another strain of her muscles, and it left a delicious ache.

  Veronica ran her hand down her belly, between her thighs, imagining the flicks of her fingers as Zev’s tongue. If only he would.

  Frustration propelled her out of bed. She tossed her silken sari robe around her, leaving it loose as she strolled to the window and leaned against the frame, open to the courtyard below.

  A view as dissatisfying as the end of their tryst. An unfortunate end, but she’d managed to smooth it over with him later.

  Oh, she’d had to summon more self-restraint and precision than ever before when she’d come upon Zev carrying that girl toward his chambers.

  The little bitch, usurping the attention that Zev should have given Veronica. Lily had slept in his bed! The bastard would have taken her without her consent had Veronica not intercepted him outside his door. Had she not seduced him to her bed, luring him there with promises of what she’d do, telling him he had a thousand lifetimes with The Destined One.

  Destined, indeed.

  Destined for destruction.

  But how?

  I need a long, hot bath. She stepped into her slippers and headed outside. She sent confident smiles to the demons she passed; all leered at her exposed breasts, the lush patch between her long legs. Yes, any of them would love to have a taste of her. Nymph that she was, she entertained the notion briefly. No, she wanted only Zeveriah.

  She strolled into the bathhouse. Good, only a few here; one other nymph and two demons. None would bother her.

  Slipping the robe from her, she dropped it onto a stone bench worn smooth from thousands of years of use. She padded to the edge of the pool and dipped in a toe. Ah, just right. She stepped down into the hot water.

  The female demon closest to her flashed an evil smile. “Perfect, isn’t it?”

  “Yes.” Veronica tensed; she’d be damned if she’d let any other slut intimidate her. She had come to relax, and intended to do so. Maybe the demon would take the hint and move to the other end of the pool with the others.

  “Loved your performance yesterday. I’ve never seen such a titillating slave dance.” At the word titillating, the woman lavished attention on Veronica’s chest.

  Veronica leaned her elbows against the sides, water cradling her breasts, leaving them in full view. Yeah, so she had great tits. She knew it. “Thanks.”

  The demon edged nearer, walking her hands along the tiled seat until reaching Veronica’s thigh, then traced circles across her hip. Her lips moved close to Veronica’s head, her breath tickling inside her ear. “I’ve noticed the way you look at the archduke. You must not be pleased about Persephone’s granddaughter visiting.” The demon’s caress lowered between her thighs as she whispered, “I can feel the tension in your muscles. I know how to soothe it.”

  “I am in sore need.” Veronica tolerated the demon’s touch, and found it pleasing. She spread her legs to allow the demon more room to stroke – such a lovely, expert stroke, slowly at first, teasing and light, keeping perfect pace with her body’s response. When Veronica arched her back, the demon suckled her nipple and thrust two fingers deep inside, thumb grinding her to a delicious climax.

  Only after the demon had brought Veronica satisfaction did she reply, “The girl’s visit has nothing to do with me.”

  With a wicked smile, the demon straddled Veronica, rubbing her groin against hers, and Veronica startled at the thickening lump. A hermaphrodite? How had she missed it? No wonder the demon had grown so excited at the Slave Dance; it was designed to flood warrior’s hormones to fill them with lust for their women. It had certainly excited Zev. And this hermaphrodite, too, judging by her erection.

  The demon rolled Veronica’s aching nipples between her fingers and her cock teased Veronica’s clit until she could no longer pretend aloofness. She lifted herself, silently pleading for the demon to enter. The demon’s wicked smile widened.

  So, a game. One Veronica mastered long ago. Her hands explored the demon’s thighs, fingers grazing her erection. You’ll be the one to beg. And break. “Nice length. Such a lovely curve to it,” she said, fingers feathering across the pulsing bow to its head. She let her breathy voice convey her urgent need. “Oo, I bet it would hit that perfect spot, the one that makes me squeal with delight. What a shame to waste such a beautiful hard-on.” She let her hand drift away and returned her elbows to the pool’s rim, and raised her knees, leaving herself wide open.

  Nostrils flaring, the demon shuddered and inched her cock inside.

  Hiding her triumph, Veronica rewarded the demon with a groan of pleasure. Such a desperate little creature, feet scrabbling for purchase as she thrust deeper. Oh, how well the demon’s female side knew how to please another woman, caresses wandering as she pushed inside with rapturous slowness, and so smooth, Veronica could fuck her all day.

  She placed her hands over the demon’s breasts and squeezed, small payment for the pleasure.

  “Everyone knows how much you hate Lily,” the demon rasped, pumping a little harder.

  Veronica cinched her legs around the hermaphrodite’s waist and gave herself over to the intoxicating rhythm. She’d been right about the curve in the demon’s cock; it hit just the perfect spot. “Oh, yes.”

  Each thrust pinned Veronica against the wall. “You may claim it has nothing to do with you, but it has everything to do with the archduke, and you’ve made him your personal business.”

  Veronica dug her nails into the demon’s breasts and thrust her back into the water. Much as s
he’d love to finish such an exquisite fuck, Veronica wouldn’t put up with such comments.

  The demon surfaced, gasping.

  Veronica said coolly, “It would do you well to mind your own business.” If only everyone else would do the same.

  With a snarl, the demon settled on the tile seat, a distance away. Recovering her breath, she closed her eyes and rested her head back against the side. “I’m merely making conversation. Of course, if I were in your position, I’d be enraged. Murderously.”

  “Would you.” The demon’s tone suggested she had ideas. Or had concocted a trap for Veronica.

  “Oh yes. I might even plot against The Destined One.”

  “A risky venture, to be sure.”

  “Perhaps. Unless you seek the counsel of one who has supreme knowledge, especially in these situations.”

  “I can ill afford an assassin.” Hades had seen to that when he’d made her a slave. Always paying for her mother’s mistakes. Well, Veronica would make Hades pay. Zev carelessly left his books lying around. Veronica had already fudged some numbers. Just the beginning.

  The demon smoothed water across her forehead. “You misunderstand me.”

  “You meant I should kill her myself?” She reigned in her anger. “I mean, if I had such an inclination.”

  “Only after speaking to an expert.”

  “I’m sure there are many in our realm.” Possibly even this hermaphrodite, whose passions ran high. The Underworld teemed with souls who knew little difference between love and hate.

  The demon sent her a sideways glance. “No one with the expertise of Lilith.”

  Lilith! Few dared to approach the goddess. Rumors held that Lilith toyed with visitors, sometimes ending in torturous ways. “She would never receive me.”

  “Once you reveal your lineage, Lilith would be all too happy to assist. I bet she’d love to finally get revenge on Hades, and the murder of a beloved granddaughter would be sweet indeed.”

  Such talk excited Veronica more than the demon’s touch had, but fear mingled with the anticipation of ridding the Underworld of Lily.

  “I wouldn’t know where to find the goddess.”

  The demon lifted up to sit on the side. “I can give you the name of someone who does know.”