Leaning back against the table, Lucifer regarded me with those piercing blue eyes, then tilted his head. “Abigail, you may leave us.”
Abigail stiffened beside me. “I’d rather not, Father. You said yourself that I need to learn what you do here. I’ll just observe quietly, if you allow it.”
Lucifer pursed his lips, a very distracting motion, then nodded. “Very well.”
Abigail bowed her head in acknowledgment and remained standing at my side.
“I have a new assignment for you,” Lucifer said, looking me over slowly. “It would please me if you would be responsible for escorting a human from London to New York for me.”
I blinked; the spell Lucifer was working on me slipped slightly as his words registered. “I’m sorry, did you say … escort? Am I not to collect a soul for you?”
Every time I’d been summoned by Lucifer previously, it had been for the same task: to collect a soul. Once a human made a deal with the Devil, they had a time limit before their soul was to be collected. Oftentimes, they went with me unwillingly when I showed up, and I had to literally drag them to Hell, kicking and screaming. But really, the ones who went willingly were the most chilling, resolved to their eternal damnation, their defeated bodies relaying to me how they deserved what was coming to them.
“Escort,” Lucifer agreed. “This is a … sensitive case. It must be completed by the night of the blood moon.”
The blood moon. As a witch, I was well aware of when the blood moon was, as several ingredients needed to be harvested beneath its light. It was also a time of heightened magic, when spells performed utilizing blood became much more potent. It was a rather busy time for a potion shop like mine. I hated to miss the bustle of customers to see to this job, but perhaps I could complete it quickly. I had two weeks, after all.
I considered. “Will he be in much danger? I am just to ensure he reaches this destination in America?”
“There is always a chance of danger, but I expect this will be a rather pedestrian task. If any danger should come to the young man, I’ll need you to take care of it, of course. His safety is in your hands.”
I nodded slowly.
“It does seem a rather sensitive task,” Abigail observed, examining her nails. “And it will take time to escort this charge overseas. You should compensate Callum for the extra care this case demands.”
Lucifer raised an eyebrow. His mouth tightened but then eased into a smile. “Is that so? Perhaps you’re right. Callum, how about we drop two tasks from your ledger rather than just one?”
My eyes widened. That would leave but one task in debt. I was about to thank him for his generosity when Abigail laughed.
“You’re Lucifer the Morningstar,” Abigail said, waving a hand. “The all-powerful. You should be much more generous with your loyal subjects than that. Callum has been at your beck and call for over a century now.”
Lucifer seemed irritated. “Oh? Do tell.”
“Yes. Show some mercy every once in a while. As far as I can tell, Callum has already done more than enough in your service. This special favor should clear his ledger altogether, I think.”
“Alto—” For a brief moment, I saw little fumes rise from Lucifer’s head, and the gorgeous mask of his face twisted, showcasing a blackened, rotting husk beneath it. But that couldn’t be right, for as soon as I blinked, he looked just as before and was calmly smiling again.
“Itisin your power, isn’t it?” Abigail challenged with a sweet smile. “Think of the message you’ll send to your subjects. Loyalty is rewarded by Lucifer.”
Lucifer stared at Abigail for a full minute before his eyes returned to me.
Even though they appeared kind, I shrank beneath his gaze.
“Very well. Callum, deliver the boy to his destination, and your ledger will be wiped clean. You will owe me nothing, and I will return your soul to you, as agreed upon in our original contract.” He glanced at Abigail, voice dripping with sweet venom. “Will that do, my meddling, darling girl? Will that satisfy you?”
Abigail grinned back at him. “It’s adequate.”
A muscle in Lucifer’s jaw twitched, but then he shook his head and laughed. “My dear. You are going to be more formidable than I ever imagined. What a lark.”
Abigail seemed pleased and showed her demonic teeth as her smile widened.
I blinked, the events that had just played out finally catching up with my brain. If I did this … if I saw this boy to his destination, I would be free.Free.I would have my life back. Mysoulback. I chewed on my lower lip, wondering if it could be that simple. This wasn’t some cruel trick, was it?
The wink Abigail sent me assured me that it wasn’t.
Gods, I would owe that demonic child for the rest of my life. And yet, I couldn’t help the nagging in my gut that it wouldn’t be so easy.
CHAPTER THREE
