“I guess she would have done her best to avoid you if she’d known who you are,” Lucy agreed. “I still don’t like the idea of you lying to my friend.”
“I’m going to tell her,” I insisted. “Don’t let the truth slip before I get a chance to tell her.”
“Well, there go my plans for the night,” she grumbled, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
“I’m sorry,” I told her. Lucy was a terrible liar. She was surprisingly innocent for a fallen angel.
“You’d better tell her soon,” she warned before getting to her feet and storming out of the room.
She was right. I needed to tell Beatrice the next time I saw her. There were far too many people who could reveal the truth, and things wouldn’t end well if she found out from someone else.
Chapter 27
Beatrice
By the time I dragged myself into the apartment, I was exhausted and lonely. It wasn’t the type of loneliness that being around other people could fix. I’d been relieved when Lucy had cancelled. Persephone’s plans for us to have a girls’ night had sounded fun at first, but as the day wore on, I felt less social. I only met with patients outside of the area once a week. That meant I only had one day packed with wretched travel. If things continued going well, I’d be able to rent office space and have patients come to me.
Persephone settled on the sofa beside me and leaned in to wrap an arm around my shoulders. “What’s wrong, Bea?”
“You know I’m not a cuddler,” I stated. As expected, my reminder made no difference to Persephone, who hugged me a little tighter.
“That’s only because you haven’t been cuddled enough,” she insisted. “You definitely didn’t get enough cuddle time as a child.”
“I didn’t get any cuddle time as a child,” I reminded her. Only my familiar had offered me any physical affection. “Your parents are great, aren’t they?”
She released me so she could stand and talk animatedly about her parents. I’d expected this reaction. “I can’t wait for you to meet my mom! She’s excited about meeting you. When she heard about all you’ve been through, she wanted to come out here right away, but my dad told her she needed to give us more time to get settled in and prepare. I hope you like cookies.”
“Who doesn’t like cookies?” I asked.
“My mom bakes the best cookies. She’s also a hugger,” Persephone warned me.
“No one’s perfect,” I told her with a shrug.
“You love my hugs,” she argued.
“I don’t love your hugs,” I insisted. “But I do love you.”
It was the truth. Persephone always managed to get me out of my funks. I got into a lot of funks.
“Were you thinking about Ginger?” Persephone asked.
“Yes,” I replied. “She was on my mind a lot today.”
“She was part of you,” Persephone said before adding, “I imagine she was also the only one who was there for you growing up.”
“I only had her with me for about a year,” I said with a sad sigh. “Now, I’m just a moody loner.”
“You’re not a loner,” Persephone argued. “You were simply alone before.”
“By choice,” I reminded her. “You don’t give people much choice.”
“Are you saying I’m pushy?” she asked.
“Not pushy,” I replied. “You’re determined and so upbeat that it’s contagious. You also refuse to see anyone’s bad side.” Of course, I was exaggerating but not much.
“I do like to see the good in people,” she agreed.
“And I have trouble seeing the good in almost anyone,” I added. “You’re a positive influence in my life.”
“Are you saying you want to let go of your moody, pessimistic outlook on life?” she asked with a gasp. Her exaggerated expression of horror was comical.
“Goddess, no!” I exclaimed with my own mock expression of horror.
“I guess you aren’t in the mood to go out tonight,” she stated. “Even to the grocery store.”
“Damn,” I muttered. “I still haven’t shopped.”
“How about if we go together?” she offered.
“You’d really agree to shop with me?” I asked.
“It seems like the only way to get you to go,” she replied. “Besides, you never want to buy meat for me.”
“All right,” I said, getting to my feet. “We’ll go shopping. I’ll even take you out for dinner first.”
“And you can tell me all about your date with Dev last night,” she added. “Don’t think I didn’t hear you two making out in the hallway.”
“We were that loud?” I asked.
“I was getting ready to head out to check the mail when I heard the moaning,” she explained. “I may have listened at the door a little longer than necessary before I started singing again.”
Rather than being embarrassed by my behavior, I grinned. “Dev is a very good kisser.”
Persephone giggled. “I figured that out while I was eavesdropping on you.”
Chapter 28
Desmond
“I don’t like you in this form,” Zareya complained.
“It’s the best way to stay safe,” I argued.
“I suppose you’re right,” she agreed with a sigh.
Now that I knew my sister was Lucifer’s whore, I had a better understanding of why Lucifer was looking for me. My bitch sister had obviously betrayed me again. Rather than spreading her legs to get me out of Hell, she was trying to destroy me. I couldn’t wait to kill that bitch.
The form I’d chosen was that of a known snitch in the prison. It was a miracle he’d lived long enough for us to kill him. I was now in the form of a demon who stood only a couple inches taller than me. His skin was an oily black with oozing pustules. On top of his bald head were short gray horns that resembled cheap Halloween accessories. I wasn’t fond of the form either, but it was safe. It also allowed me to keep Zareya safe. Lucifer was also looking for Zareya. It seemed he’d learned of her involvement in the recent riots.
“Have you had any luck getting a phone line?” I asked.
“There are rumors of a working phone,” she told me. “All mine are dead.”
Cell service was horrible in Hell. Even worse, when the service went out, it usually sent a blast of magic into any phones that were in use. You didn’t need to be talking on them. If the phone was turned on, it was fried.
“I don’t think you should call her,” Zareya told me, the warning clear in her voice.
“Are you worried I’ll ruin your plot?” I asked.
“Of course, that’s what I’m worried about,” she insisted.
“Liar,” I accused as I reached out to stroke her cheek, careful not to hurt her with my sharp claws.
“Ugh!” she shouted and jumped back. “How can your skin feel like sandpaper when it looks like you’re oozing oil from your pores? I loathe this type of demon.”
I laughed at her reaction. “I won’t need to be in this form long. With the help of that angel, we should be able to vanquish Lucifer.”
“Vanquish?” she asked with a laugh. “I haven’t heard anyone use that term in a very long time. I’m not sure we can trust that angel. He has his own agenda. Angels don’t like our kind.”
“He needs us,” I reminded her, even knowing if we refused to help or became a problem, the angel would simply find someone else to do his dirty work. I wasn’t laboring under the illusion that we were his partners. He thought he was manipulating us with promises of power. “The arrogant bastard has seriously underestimated us. When he comes today, we just need to get the weapons from him.”
Zareya didn’t look convinced. She’d been at the top of the food chain within the prison for a very long time, and she wasn’t happy about hiding. I could tell she was afraid of what Lucifer would do if he found her.
“You’d better be right,” she snapped. “I’ve worked too hard to have all my plans ruined because you couldn’t resist taunting your sister.�
��
“What a hideous form,” the angel scoffed when he appeared a few feet from where we were standing. “What made you choose that one, warlock?”
He didn’t care what form I chose. The asshole was only commenting on my form to make sure I knew he’d recognized me. It was a power play.
“Do you have the weapons you promised us?” I demanded.
“Not yet,” the angel replied.
“I knew we couldn’t trust your kind,” Zareya hissed.
His eyes flashed with rage as he advanced on us. “Don’t take that tone with me, you disgusting creature. I’ll get the weapons to you soon.”
This was a problem. We needed the weapons to survive. If we couldn’t fight, we were as good as dead.
“I know who you are,” I told him.
“Then why should I allow you to live?” he asked.
“Because you don’t know who else I’ve told,” I stated.
Zareya smiled when the angel looked worried. “If you don’t get us what we need, the information will go straight to Lucifer.”
The angel’s sword flared to life. He wanted to kill us. My plan was risky, but I was betting he didn’t want Lucifer to learn his identity. Finally, the angel nodded. “I’ll get your weapons.”
On those words, he faded to wisps of smoke and disappeared.
“He’d better get them soon,” Zareya grumbled. “We’re running out of time.”
She was right. We were running out of time, but I was certain the angel would hold up his end of the bargain. It wouldn’t be long until we were out of prison. Beatrice didn’t know it, but she’d be dead by the end of the week.
Chapter 29
Beatrice
“Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!” Persephone shouted when she burst into my room at ugly o’clock on my day off.
“Why?” I asked helplessly as I hugged my pillow close. She might have forgotten it was my day off, so I decided to remind her. “I don’t have to work today.”
“My mother is coming,” she said in an ominous tone.
“I know,” I replied groggily. “We still have plenty of time to get the apartment ready. She won’t be here for two weeks, so there’s no reason to panic. I promise we can start working on this in a couple of hours.”
“Now,” she clarified. “She’s coming now.”
I still wasn’t ready to panic. Unexpected visitors were annoying, and we needed to break out the vacuum cleaner, but we didn’t live like slobs. I hadn’t thought twice about bringing Dev into the apartment. “Why are you so worried?”
“I let it slip that you’re dating a fallen angel,” she confessed in a voice just above a whisper. She was still in her mint green pajamas with the unicorns on them. Her green eyes were wide with panic.
I sat up and yawned. There was no time for sleep. I needed to calm my friend down. “We knew this would come out eventually,” I reminded her. “You’re a terrible liar.”
“But you know how my parents feel about angels of any kind,” she argued. “I didn’t mean to tell her, but I’d just woken up. This is such a mess. What are we going to do?”
“This is going to be fine,” I assured her as I climbed out of bed. “Dev is a great guy. Maybe if your mom meets him, it will make her feel better about all of this. Has she ever met a fallen angel?”
“I don’t know if she’s ever met a fallen angel, but it won’t make her feel better,” she insisted. “This is the worst thing that could have happened.”
“Don’t you think you’re being overly dramatic about this?” I asked while fishing out clothes. “It can’t be that bad. Lots of people have prejudices. That doesn’t mean they can’t change. Didn’t you say your boss used to hate vampires?”
“Hate seems like a strong word,” she began. “Julia definitely didn’t like vampires.”
“Now she lives in a vampire subdivision,” I reminded her.
“You’re right,” she agreed, taking several deep breaths. “My mom may not know any angels. I’m sure when she meets Dev, she’ll like him. He’s not at all scary.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” I hedged. “Dev works in the detention areas in the demon realm. I have no doubt he can be scary when he has to be, but I think he can behave around your mom.”
“It still might be best if Dev doesn’t stop by here while my mom is visiting this time,” Persephone told me. “We can bring up the idea and let her decide. Is that okay with you?”
“All right,” I agreed. “Now, let me get dressed so we can prepare for your mother’s arrival.”
“Goddess help us all,” she muttered on her way out of my room.
Chapter 30
Lucifer
When Beatrice called to ask if we could meet for lunch instead of dinner, I took it as a sign I shouldn’t reveal the truth to her today. She needed to make it a short date so we wouldn’t have any time alone. I planned to tell her soon, but this wasn’t the sort of discussion I wanted to have in a public place. We’d decided on another human restaurant, making it easier to avoid having my identity get out before I could talk to Beatrice alone.
“Sorry I’m late,” she told me as she hurried into the small diner.
“You’re fine,” I assured her, standing to give her a lingering kiss that had my dick throbbing and begging for release. I needed to tell Beatrice the truth soon. I wanted this woman, and I wasn’t sure how long I could wait to have her.
“Wow,” she breathed out. “You really know how to kiss.”
“I’m glad you’re pleased,” I murmured, gesturing for her to sit in the booth. We were at another hole-in-the-wall place Beatrice loved. This time, I hadn’t put up any resistance since I’d thoroughly enjoyed my food the last two times we’d gone out. Looking over at the door, I frowned, wondering where her security was.
They finally wandered in, looking out of place in expensive suits.
“What are you looking at?” Beatrice asked before looking over her shoulder and waving at her guards.
“You know them?” I asked.
“They live in my neighborhood,” she explained. “I thought they were following me and Persephone to the grocery store yesterday, but it turned out they were shopping. I’ve been a little paranoid. I’m trying not to be weirded out that they came here for lunch. Why are you glaring at them?”
“I just don’t like people following you around,” I lied. “I should go talk to them.”
She grabbed my arm when I started to rise. “Don’t you dare!” she warned. “I don’t want you scaring my neighbors. They seem nice, and I really shouldn’t be worried about them having lunch here.”
“I think it’s smart to be cautious,” I insisted. I’d wait until later to have a word with her guards about their carelessness. The two demons should have no problem following a witch without being spotted. At least, they hadn’t revealed what they truly were. It seemed she thought they were human.
“Thanks for agreeing to meet me for lunch,” she began. “I hate changing our plans, but I need to work on Persephone’s mom a little before she meets you.”
If my guess regarding Persephone was correct, I understood why her mother was so fearful of fallen angels. Persephone’s destiny wouldn’t be an easy one. It was another thing I needed to talk to Beatrice about. She needed to know more about Hades before he learned of her friend’s existence. Once that happened, an abduction would soon follow.
“I understand her fears,” I assured her. “Angels can be frightening. Fallen angels are even more frightening because of the stories about us.”
“Are you about to tell me the stories aren’t true?” she asked.
I shook my head. “No, I’m not going to lie to you. Some stories are true while others aren’t. We’re all scary bastards, but we’re not soulless killers.”
“Good to know,” she told me as she studied her menu. “I’m not big on soulless killers. Have you already decided what you’re having?”
I nodded, glad for the change of subject. “I haven�
��t had a burger in about fifty years,” I admitted. “I think I’ll have that with onion rings.”
She frowned at my choice.
“No burger?” I asked.
“No onion rings if you’re hoping for a kiss goodbye,” she replied.
“Fries it is,” I said with a grin.
The waitress came to take our orders, and Beatrice talked me into having a milkshake with my food. My last milkshake had likely been around the time of my last burger.
“I’d like to fix dinner for you at my place,” I began. “I know you can’t get away tonight because of your visitor, but maybe you can slip away tomorrow.”
“You cook?” she asked doubtfully.
“Why is it so hard to believe that I cook?” I asked.
“Do you?” she asked.
“I cook,” I assured her. “I usually cook meat, but I’m sure I can come up with something you’ll like.”
“I don’t want to know what kind of meat you cook, do I?” she asked.
“Probably not,” I replied. “Why the sudden visit from Persephone’s mother? I thought you said she was coming out in a couple of weeks.”
“That was the plan,” she replied. “Persephone let it slip that I’m dating you, and her mom panicked. I’m sure if her mom met you, she’d see not all angels are bad.”
I choked on my water.
“Are you okay?” Beatrice asked as I tried to get my choking under control.
I nodded and held up a finger to indicate I needed a minute. Seeing me definitely wouldn’t make Persephone’s mother feel more at ease. If anything, she’d grab her daughter and make a run for it. When I was finally able to speak again, I said, “It might be best if you don’t introduce her to any fallen angels this visit. Give her time to get used to the idea.”
“You’re probably right,” she agreed. “It’s not easy changing people’s minds.”
“True,” I agreed. “Once people have a preconceived notion about you, it’s nearly impossible to get them to see you in a different light.”
Beatrice reached across the table and put her hand on mine. “I know what you mean, and I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with that. I guess we have more in common than I thought.”
Undeniably Hellbound Page 11
