“She’s using me.”
Rebecca rolled her eyes. “She’s helping you.”
“Her familiar is sick, and she thinks going on an expedition with us will be exciting enough to save her.”
“Men can be so dense.” Rebecca palmed his shoulder. “She’s a powerful immortal who can do anything she wants. The possibilities for her to find excitement are endless, yet she’s choosing you. She likes you. Now, wipe the crud out of your eyes and see her for what she really is.”
“We have to hear her out,” Alan said. “I don’t think another Bigfoot sighting is going to be enough to save our show.”
Spencer gazed across the horizon. The sun setting behind the buildings painted the sky in shades of deep pink and purple. A car horn blared from the intersection a block over, and a couple stepped around him to enter the bar.
It would be fine. Hear what she had to say and leave. He was a big boy; he could manage that.
“All right. Let’s do this.” He crossed the threshold and made his way toward the stairs.
His friends followed him down the flight and through the thick, purple velvet curtain. He’d never set foot in The Underworld before; most people hadn’t unless they came to this bar. The average topside-dwelling supe couldn’t find the entrances to The Underworld, and that was by design. They couldn’t have any old being wandering in willy nilly.
He spotted Lilith at a booth along the far wall, and his breath caught. Her long red hair flowed in thick waves over her shoulders, and her pale, flawless skin reminded him of porcelain—fragile, which he was certain Lilith was not.
The hummingbird sensation in his chest settled as his owl took notice of her, and his feet carried him toward her before his mind realized he was moving. He stopped at the table, letting his gaze wander over her form. She wore a black silk dress with thin straps and a matching choker around her neck. When his gaze met hers, her eyes brightened with her smile.
“Good afternoon, Spencer.”
His name on her plump, pink lips turned his skin to gooseflesh.
“Hi, Lilith.” Her name tasted like honey on his tongue. Oh, hell. Whatever her intention with this meeting, he couldn’t deny the attraction. Against his better judgment, he slid onto the seat next to her while Alan and Rebecca took the one across from them.
She held his gaze for a moment before turning to his friends. “Thank you for meeting with me.”
“We can’t wait to hear your idea.” Alan leaned his arms on the table. “I’m sure Spencer told you our show is in trouble.”
“Yes, he did, and I think I can help.”
“Wait.” Spencer cocked his head. “How are you even here with the sun still up? I thought most vampires were dead to the world during daylight hours.”
She smiled slyly. “I’m not most vampires.”
No kidding. She wasn’t even most women. She was gorgeous, smart, and sexy, and she smelled of mint and lavender. Delicious.
“There is no daylight in The Underworld, so I can be awake—and sleep—whenever I choose. It’s one of the many perks of living in Lucifer’s lair.”
“What’s it like being in the dark all the time?” Rebecca asked. “How do you keep your body regulated? I think I’d go crazy.”
“It isn’t dark all the time. Lucifer controls the ‘skies’ and creates the seasons for us. The Underworld has become quite pleasant since he found his soulmate. We have roads and shops much like you have up top.”
“I’d love to see it.” Rebecca rested her forearms on the table, leaning forward. It appeared Lilith’s magnetic effect wasn’t reserved for Spencer.
“Perhaps I can give you all a tour sometime.”
“That would be amazing.” Rebecca bit her lip. “One more question, and then we can get down to business.”
Lilith glanced at Spencer, her gaze dipping to his mouth before she returned her attention to Rebecca. “Shoot.”
“You said you’re not like most vampires, so would you burn in the sun? Is that part of your curse?”
“That was two questions.” Alan playfully elbowed Rebecca.
“Sorry. I’ve got a million more.”
