I expected to return to the fire room but was led through the house, past that room and all the others. Finally, the woman opened a door, and I heard the bugs chirping outside. I blinked, looking out. There were candles lit, but it was dark.
“Are you kicking me out?” I blinked in surprise, although I felt stupid for being surprised. The servant shook her head and motioned for me to go through the door. Hesitantly, I forced my feet forward and out of the house.
I relaxed only slightly when I saw it must be the backyard, for there was a large wooden hot tub. Steam rolled off the surface, and large flowers floated around inside.
“Join me, Desiderio.”
I whipped my head around to see Magdalena dropping her dress to the ground and stepping out of it, completely naked.
“Uh, no?” I raised an eyebrow and looked away. Was this a weird test to see if I’d cheat on her niece? Even if that were possible, it wouldn’t be with her.
“I insist. I promise I won’t touch you,” she laughed deeply, and I didn’t believe her for a second. We stood there for a long moment. I stared at her feet, my hands in my pockets, fingering my cards. Finally, she steppedtowardthe hot tub and used the attached stairs to get in. She lowered herself slowly and once again asked me to join her. “We have another guest coming soon.”
That relaxed me some. A third person could be safe. Or would it be even worse? Still, I stayed put. I watched her sigh and then raise her hand. She flicked her wrist, and suddenly, I felt a presence beside me.
“Hello again, Desiderio Amato.” The voice caused me to jump so hard that I fell face-first to the ground. I spun around and quickly scurried back, hitting my head on the hot tub. There, in the flesh, was the demon I dealt with once upon a time. With his suit and all.
“What the fuck.” I swallowed hard. “What are you doing here?”
“I told you we’d have a guest. Why don’t you join us, Desiderio.” Magdalena reached down and ruffled my hair. I jerked away.
Samson, the demon in his human form, reached out his hand for me. His smile was polite, but I knew better. I ignored his help and stood up on my own.
I watched him roll his eyes, and then a moment later, he was gone. He reappeared an instant later, in the hot tub, seemingly bare. “Join us for a talk, would you?”
Reluctantly, I took off my shirt, jeans, and shoes. I kept my boxers on and climbed into the bath. I made a point to splash Magdalena. I sat directly between them. I was stiff and ready to fight for my life if needed. How I would in just my boxers and no weapons other than my teeth, I didn’t know, but I’d try.
“What do you want?” I snapped.
“Why do you want my niece?” Magdalena asked quickly.
“What do you mean? Because I’m in fucking love with her. That’s why,” I snarled.
“You are different. She is a queen in the making,” she argued.
I cocked my head. “And what am I? A monster?” I laughed. “She’s no angel either. She had her own curse she took for me, all too gladly if you don’t remember.” I pointed to Samson.“And she broke it. She’s just like me.”
“She didn’t know any better.”
“Know any better? What did you expect her to do? Come home to a place that never wanted her, and marry some…. Cabrón, you pick for her?” I shot the word Scout had called me that first time at the theater back at her aunt. The vampire blinked rapidly. I turned to my other side.
“And what the fuck are you here for? To take me to hell with you? Sorry pal, but I’m done making deals with the devil. I learned my lesson.”
Samson held his hands up in innocence and laughed. “I’m not here for your soul. I’ll take anyone. I’m not picky.”
I furrowed my brow in confusion but didn’t have time to focus on him. I turned back to Magdalena. “What are you planning?”
She stood, baring her slick, oiled body to the chilled air. “My niece, the Young Blood Priestess, has returned to her rightful place beside me. She will reign over our village, and together we will slowly take over Mexico.”
“And you think she’s up for this? Scout isn’t like you,” I scoffed.
She took a step and slipped halfway back under the water. She cametowardme. I pressed my back against the hot tub as she moved closer, pressing her naked body against me.“You lie. Scout has powers that she’s hiding.”
“What are you talking about?” I snapped, my hands reaching out for her wrists under the water. I squeezed and shoved her away. She didn’t budge. Instead, she tilted her head to whisper into my ear.
“Samson keeps no secrets.” She licked my ear lobe and traced her tongue down my neck. Slowly, my head turned to look at the demon. I ignored Magdalena completely.
“What did you tell her?”
