A few times, I’d picked up my phone to call Az and ask him about this whole thing. What exactly did Lucifer want with me? And if he found me, would he take me back to Hell with him? Put a ring on my finger and carry me across a threshold of flames?
I shivered just thinking about it.
With a deep breath, I pushed away from the light pole and minced across the street. The club might be shut, but I knew the Legion was likely inside. They seemed to hang out there at all hours of the day, doing…Legiony stuff. There were a few small windows in the back alley next to the rear door. Maybe I could just take a small peek inside, see if I could get my eye on Lucifer, and then hightail it out of there.
My blood burned in my veins as I whispered around the back corner of the building. This was really a terrible idea. I wouldn’t lie to myself and pretend it wasn’t. I’m smart enough to know when I’m doing something dumb. But I just flat-out didn’t care. If I sat still any longer, I might have to do something drastic. Like snoop on a Legion of demons, apparently.
Besides, a little peek into a window wasn’t breaking the rules, right? The deal only said I couldn’t step foot inside the club. As long as my feet stayed firmly outside, no big deal.
I just had to make sure no one saw me. Lucifer, especially.
With a deep breath, I clung to the shadows, tiptoeing down the alley. I’d spent enough time atInfernalto know there were a few windows along the back edge of the building that looked into the club. Unfortunately, it looked like I’d have to stand on top of a dumpster to get a glimpse of anything going on inside.
I folded my arms as I stared up at the green monstrosity. A sticky yellow substance oozed from the cracks, and the scent of rotting fish swirled around me. I wrinkled my nose. Gross. I’d have to clamber on top of that thing and get that gunk all over my clothes and hands. At the very least. This blouse was one of the few I had that was suitable for work, and I needed a few more paychecks before I could buy any more. Was I really this desperate to find out what they were up to in there?
Honestly, what the hell was I doing? This was beyond idiotic. I needed to leave. Now.
Pulling the humid Manhattan air into my lungs, I took a step back. I laughed and shook my head at myself.Honestly, Mia, this is one of the dumbest things you’ve ever done.And to think I’d almost gone through with it.
Thankfully, I’d seen the light. By way of dumpster goo. I twisted on my heels, turning toward the opening of the alley, just as a deep, melodic voice drifted into my ears.
“I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me. How much longer do you plan on staying? Your presence in Manhattan is making everyone nervous.”
Chills swept down my arms as my entire body clenched tight. I knew that voice. I’d recognize it anywhere. Deep, rich. The first time I’d heard it, he’d reminded me of melted dark chocolate.
A shudder went through me in spite of it all. I still hadn’t forgiven him for so easily pushing me away, but I couldn’t help the way my body felt drawn toward that voice.
Asmodeus continued. “The fae, especially. They’ve stopped coming to the club. You know how long it took for them to feel comfortable around the Legion when I first opened this place.”
“And one might wonder why the fae ever decided they were comfortable around you. Could it be because you’ve changed sides?” The voice was even deeper and darker than Asmodeus’s. With it came a sharp blast of unease that sent tremors down my spine. I shuddered, turning my eyes up to the open window. It was as if darkness itself lived inside that voice. And there was no doubt in my mind who it belonged to.
Lucifer.
I should run. Get out of there as fast as I could. If he found me spying, there was no telling what he would do.
My feet stayed glued to the pavement. I held my breath and waited for their next words. I couldn’t help it. My curiosity was beyond my control at this point.
“I thought we were past that,” Az replied in that dark tone of his that suggested he was only seconds away from biting off your head. Surprising he would speak to his King that way, but it wasn’t like I understood how Hell worked.
“Eisheth’s testimony goes far, but Rafael does not lie. You know this, Az.”
“And he was mistaken. Rafael has had it out for me for years, and he read into things he didn’t understand. We’ve gone over this, Lucifer. I am fully on the side of Hell.”
Lucifer sniffed. “Yes, well, that still doesn’t explain what happened to Mia McNally.”
A low growl rumbled from within the club. “She escaped. She ran. If I could find her, I would. Her soul is mine.”
Shivers stormed across my skin at the sound of my name on Lucifer’s lips, as well as Az’s response. I knew he was only saying that to hide the truth from the King of Hell, but the danger in his voice was as hot and electric as evil itself. It sounded like he wanted to rip me limb from limb. If I were Lucifer, I’d be convinced.
But I knew better than anyone just how good Az was at pretending.
They must have drifted away from the window because their voices dropped to nothing more than a murmur. I craned my head, trying to make out their words, but I didn’t have enhanced supernatural hearing like they did.Dammit.They were talking about me, and I was desperate to know what else they said. It might mean the difference between surviving another year in Manhattan or…marrying the devil himself.
Yep, so I was definitely going to climb on top of the dumpster now. I edged closer to it and latched my hands around the top, grimacing when my skin made contact with the goo. I tried not to think about what it might be and hauled myself over the top of the dumpster.
My muscles groaned, and the metal shuddered beneath my weight. Wincing, I slowly pushed up into a crouch and peered inside the club.
My breath caught in my throat when I spotted Asmodeus. It had only been a few weeks since I’d seen him, but it felt like far longer than that. Years, maybe. Centuries. Or maybe I was just being melodramatic.
