Lucifer scowled. “You want to expose the topside supes on television?”
“Not expose them. I simply want to show them signs that supes could possibly exist. Spencer and his friends are all supes themselves. They would never actually reveal anyone’s magic.”
“Magic is kept secret for a reason.” He grabbed a pen and a pad of paper. “You said his name is Spencer? Who else works on this show? I’m putting an end to it.”
“Lucifer, no.” Lilith’s chest turned into a trampoline for her heart, which bounced a few times before getting stuck in her throat. Why did she listen to Venus? She should have just done it and dealt with the consequences later. Lucifer wasn’t even aware of the show until she opened her big mouth.
“I swear they’re not causing any harm. They interview people who believe in cryptids, and then they film themselves trying to find them. The show’s host is a sasquatch, and you know those are the most elusive beings of all. I just want to help them out so they don’t lose their jobs.”
“They can find employment elsewhere.” Lucifer set his pen down.
“Spencer can’t. It’s a long story, Luce, but I need to help him. Esther’s life depends on it.”
Lucifer cocked his head and looked at Venus before focusing on Lilith. “Your snake’s condition has improved since you met this man?”
“He’s her soulmate.” Venus crossed her legs, clasping her hands on her knee.
Lucifer let out a deep belly laugh. “You should have led with that. I couldn’t for the life of me ascertain why you’d be so intent on aiding a simple shifter. An owl at that.”
Lilith ground her teeth. There was nothing simple about Spencer, and his owl was the most beautiful animal she’d ever seen. “It’s been a hard fact for me to swallow as well, but I can’t deny the urge to help him.”
“Why doesn’t he move to The Underworld with you? Your soulmate won’t need employment, just as you don’t.”
She grimaced. “He doesn’t know it yet. He’s fighting the pull, and this is the only way I can get close to him.”
He steepled his fingers again. “I see. And which of your contacts do you plan to start with?”
“I want to take them to Andrei.” A man she’d turned centuries ago, her old friend lived in a delightfully gothic castle in Romania. Perfect for their show.
Lucifer laughed so hard he nearly busted a gut. Tears welled in his eyes as his body rocked with amusement, and he wiped them away before they could fall. “You want to take your soon-to-be lover to your old lover’s home? Dear Lilith, I’m not sure you’ve thought this through.”
She’d considered that when the idea first formed, but they needed something big to keep their show on the air, and Andrei could provide it.
“Very well. You have my blessing.” Lucifer waved a hand, dismissing her. “Don’t screw this up.”
Her jaw tightened. “I won’t.”
“Actually, if you can fail in grand proportions akin to the apple debacle, you may screw up all you like. It’s been a while since I’ve been blamed for epic debauchery on Earth.”
Lilith rose, narrowing her eyes. “Thanks for your permission.”
CHAPTER TEN
This was a bad idea. Spencer sat in his car, clutching the steering wheel with one hand and fisting the other on the console. If Alan hadn’t been looking over his shoulder when Lilith’s text came through, he could have told her no thanks and been done with her.
Instead, Alan had grabbed his arm and said, “Tell her we’ll be there.”
Texting with Lilith was one thing. A distant thing. When the warm fuzzies started expanding in his chest, he could put his phone down, walk away, and distract himself from the unwelcome emotions. Seeing her face to face again would be an exercise in willpower he wasn’t sure he could sustain.
He inhaled deeply, trying to calm his racing heart, but the damn thing felt like it had grown hummingbird wings. He checked his hair in the rearview mirror, got out of the car, and paced toward The Fang and Flask.
Alan and Rebecca met him at the door, but he couldn’t make himself step inside. Now, in addition to the rapid flapping inside his chest, a swarm of angry wasps had taken flight in his stomach. He froze at the entrance, turning on his heel, and Alan slammed into him, making him stumble.
Spencer stepped aside and gestured for them to enter. “You guys go talk to her. I’ll wait in the car.”
Rebecca flashed a knowing smile. “She wants to talk to you.”
And therein lay the problem. She’d been texting him all week, asking him questions about himself, showing interest in him, disarming him. He had to keep reminding himself her interest was fabricated. She wanted to go on another expedition, and that was what this meeting was about.
