Asmodeus hops up from his seat and claps his hands. “Well, friends, I need to catch up for lost time.”
Judd rolls his eyes, and I blink at him. “Know of any bossy lady demons around here?” Asmodeus asks, winking at me. “Nevermind.” He waves a hand at me. “I’d rather keep my dick attached to me.”
“What?” I ask, but he’s already walking off in the direction where a horde of women are drinking cocktails.
“Maybe Lucifer should have left him in the fae realm,” Judd comments from next to me.
“Yeah, maybe.”
“How long have you been here?” Judd asks.
“About a month.”
Judd's eyes bulge in surprise, but his face stays pretty stoic for the most part as he takes out a small baggy from his coat pocket. Taking a small mirror out, he lines the powder into a thin line with a credit card before using a ten dollar mortal bill to snort the substance up his nose. The effects are nearly instantaneous as I watch them take over his demeanor.
He doesn’t seem as laid back as before. A small smile takes over his face as his pupils dilate, and he scans the room.
“What does it feel like?” I ask him, I’ve never tried anything besides smoking a joint here and there. I was honestly worried about trying anything because I thought I might like it too much. I had enough problems with impulse control in my human life, I didn’t need to add an addiction on top of that.
“Makes me feel excited, like I have energy. It helps with the—” he cuts himself off and shakes his head. “It just makes things more fun.”
I nod my head, and I can’t deny my curiosity, but right now is not the time to experiment. I need to get the lay of the land since Kas and Lucifer aren’t here, and it’s up to me to sink or swim.
Judd seems content to sit next to me, and I feel like a wimp using him as a sad little demon shield. But I really don’t want to sit alone. He taps his foot to the soft hum of the music, and I take the time to look around the room at the mix of men and women. I can feel the danger around me, and I can’t help but like it, knowing that I don’t have to hide who I am, what I feel, or my impulsive choices. When I’m here around these people, I’m probably not even the worst of the worst.
“Judd?”
“Hmm?”
“Why are you a demon?”
He shrugs his shoulders. “Fuck if I know why he upgraded me, but I’m happier for it. Being a soul in Hell fucking sucks. You get to enjoy a lot more things as a demon.”
I shake my head. “No, like, what did you do to get sent to Hell?” I can tell he’s uncomfortable, but before he can answer, we’re interrupted.
Lisa, Autumn, and Tina all stand before us. Tina looks a little lost like she doesn’t realize what’s going on, but she’s just here for the ride. Autumn glares at me while Lisa gives me a fake smile, showing off her creepily over-whitened teeth.
“Well, look who got off her knees for five minutes to join us,” Lisa says, clapping her hands together. “Looks like you found good company,” she gestures over to Judd.
He doesn’t even seem phased, rolling his eyes and tilting his head back, mumbling the lyrics to the song that’s playing under his breath.
“Lisa, right?” I ask, and she nods her head.
“I seem to have left an impression on the little thing,” Lisa scoffs, causing Autumn and Tina to both laugh at her stupid joke. “So, did Lucifer get bored yet?” she questions.
I’m not sure why it pisses me off so much. Has Lucifer had multiple demons who have served as his assistant? Am I just one of many? Or is this bitch just trying to call me a slut?
I don’t let her get under my skin, giving her a snarky smile and crossing my legs. “I’m new to this whole demon thing. Is it the length of being a demon that makes you an insufferable cunt, or were you born that way?” Judd snickers next to me, covering his face with his hands while Lisa and her little posse glare at me.
“At least I earned my position. I didn’t have to suck the Devil’s cock to get where I am.”
I smile, standing up. I’m taller than Lisa by a few inches, and I look down my nose at her. “Poor thing, it must be so fucking exhausting being so different from other girls.” I lean in closer to whisper in her ear. “And you have it all wrong, sweetheart. If anyone is getting on their knees, it will be Lucifer for me.” I back up, watching her horrified expression as I give her and her little girl gang a wave. “Enjoy your night,” I say, spinning on my heel. Judd has a genuine smile on his face as I give him a wink and walk to the opposite side of the club.
Suddenly the necklace heats at my throat. It’s so hot that it can’t be ignored. “What the fuck?” I say to myself, wrapping my hands around the obsidian necklace. It immediately transports me without my consent.
It’s different from portalling. The tug to the next destination feels completely different, and I feel dizzy as I land on my heels, which click against black marble floors with white and silver veins weaving through the shiny texture.
“Jesus fucking christ,” I grumble, grabbing onto the closest wall for purchase.
