Art grinned at me, his eyes shining at my clear enthusiasm. “Now’s not a great time for a tour. Chef’s running dinner service, but maybe if Ramel or Shem says it’s okay, you and I can whip something up in here for them to try when service is over.”
I deflated, remembering my six pm curfew. I doubted they would let me come back after service was over.
Art nudged my shoulder encouragingly. “Cheer up. If you ask them, I’m sure they’ll say yes. They both know how much you love to cook.”
I shrugged. “Sure. What should I do in the meantime?” I asked. “I have two more hours before I have to head back to the room.”
Art mulled it over, then took my hand. “I have an idea. Have you seen the cocktail bar?”
No. I had absolutelynotseen the cocktail bar. I hadn’t even known we had one. Art laughed at my expression and tugged on my hand, indicating I should follow him.
“Let’s go, you’re going to love it. It puts Voodoo to shame.”
The cocktail barheredidput Voodoo’s to shame. The entire space looked like it was carved out of a crystalline cave made of obsidian. Wall sconces with emerald flames glistened and reflected out of each facet. There were cubbies and alcoves in every direction, filled with floor-to-ceiling rows of red wine.
Small, intimate circular tables filled the center of the cave-like space, each one adorned with a skull studded in black diamonds, the eyes and nose holes flickering with green light.
The black-lacquer bar at the far end of the room was empty, with the exception of a pretty female demon bartender with long red hair. She was stocking the massive liquor shelf that was built into the back wall of the bar. The shelves were made of black tempered glass, and the whole thing was backlit with a glowing violet light.
Art led me up to the bar just as the bartender turned around, and I gasped, realizing I recognized her.
“Jezebel?” I gaped, and her pretty heart-shaped face broke out into a giant grin.
“Lilith! Welcome!” she squealed, rushing out from behind the bar to hug me. I bit my lip and contemplated stepping away but decided it was okay. Ramel had said ‘no hugs,’but I didn’t think he meant a friendly hug like this. Jezebel had been the primetime bartender who used to work every Friday and Saturday night with Sam. I had been her replacement when she quit. Obviously, I had no idea that she had been a demon the whole time. She had always been kind and friendly to me, but I kept my distance for obvious reasons. I felt another small twinge in my chest when I realized that this was another person I likely could have made friends with without realizing it. Swallowing back the regret, I decided there was no use obsessing over things I couldn’t change and resolved to make up for lost time now.
Jezebel pulled back and held me by the shoulders, still beaming at me. “Holy hell, Lil, I’m so glad you came to visit me! I’ve been dying to come see you, but Shem and Ramel had you pretty locked up. Come sit down, I’ll make you a drink.” She grinned at Art and gestured for him to join us as well. My heart was hammering in my chest with excitement.
I was about to sit and have adrinkwith people! I was so happy I could burst. Crawling into one of the black velvet upholstered bar stools, I patted the seat next to me, indicating to Art that I wanted him to join. If I was going to truly submit myself to this new life, I figured I might as well try to forgive him for the whole wedding fiasco.
Now that I knew the wedding had been a way for them to try to protect me, I decided that as fucked up as it had been, I really couldn’t be that mad about it. If they hadn’t forced me through that ceremony, who knew what Rafael would have done to me before Ram and Shem realized something was wrong.
Jezebel slipped back behind the bar, pulling her long wavy red hair up into a high pony as she critically examined the liquor display.
“What do you feel like, Lil?” she asked, and I shrugged, smiling shyly.
“I don’t know, surprise me,” I said, and Art chuckled.
“I’ll just have a pint, Jez,” he said softly as she pulled a few bottles off the shelves and began bustling around to make me a cocktail.
“Voila!” she beamed, putting a delicate, smoking martini glass in front of me. The cocktail was nearly black but smelled fruity.
“What is it?” I asked, taking a sip and shivering in delight at the fruity flavors she had expertly combined.
“I call it the Silent Cemetery.Super easy to make, really. Two ounces of blackberry juice, one ounce of pineapple juice, and a squeeze of lime with a splash of simple syrup. Of course, you need a few ounces of black vodka and a little squirt from the smoking gun, and there you have it.”
Art raised an eyebrow. “I’ll giveyoua squirt from my smoking gun later if you keep it up, lovely.”
Jezebel cut him a playful smirk. “In your dreams, Art. I don’t fuck Shem’s sloppy seconds.”
Art shrugged. “Your loss. I bet Shem would be down to play with us both if Lilith doesn’t mind sharing him for a night.” He winked, and I wrinkled my nose and rolled my eyes.
“Shem can do whatever he wants,” I muttered, taking another sip of my drink.
“Ain’t that the truth,” Art agreed, blowing on the foam of the fresh pint Jezebel had poured for him.
“So, Lilith, how are you liking Hell so far? I’ve seen you around a couple times but haven’t been able to come say hi. Both times, you were pretty… busy.” Her eyes shone, and my heart sank.
“Uhm… what times were those?” I asked, hoping she wasn’t referring to what I thought she was.
