“I have a fondness for cowboys,” she told him. “It’s been a while since I’ve saddled up. Let me know if you’d like a ride.”
The thought of anyone being defiled by that demon had Perfidious shuddering.
“Why are you here?” Perfidious demanded, reaching for the tequila Sirius had brought as a gift from the last soul he’d stolen. It took effort, but he managed to hide the slight tremble in his hand.
“I thought you’d be happy to see me, Perf,” Eevuhl said with a demented grin. “After all, someone’s got to clean up the mess you’ve made.”
For fuck’s sake. Why did everyone keep bringing that shit up?
“There’s no mess,” he declared.
“No?”
A loud ruckus sounded from the other room. Perfidious peered around Eevuhl to see what it was. There in the middle of the abandoned warehouse were two dozen demons, none having yet acquired a human form. The creatures reminded him of gnomes. If gnomes were horribly disfigured with arms too long for their short bodies and heads too large. There were also the red scales that covered them, glistening with the oily red puss that oozed out of their pores.
“Why are they here?”
“Like I said,” Eevuhl sneered. “Someone’s got to clean up your mess. I brought them along to assist.”
Though he hadn’t seen any of thetrielairin nearly two centuries, Eevuhl hadn’t changed a bit. Not counting the human form, anyhow. There was still the stench of death and destruction that lingered, the slick layer of evil that coated his black soul like a plague.
“As for why I’ve invaded your residence, that’s simple,” Eevuhl supplied. “The sun’s about to come up. You’re going to provide me shelter.”
“Why in hell would I do that?”
Eevuhl took a step toward him. “Should you refuse, I’ll send you home. Let Lucifer take care of you. He’s not happy, Perfidious. You’ve gone off task.”
It wasn’t that he feared Hell, but the thought of dealing with Lucifer at the moment didn’t sit well. Perfidious still had things he needed to take care of before he ventured below. Namely, claiming the blond Fae as his own. Screw Obsidian and his female. Perfidious couldn’t give a shit less that they’d sealed the bond, their souls now residing safely in Heaven.
“I don’t need your help,” he told Eevuhl. “I’ve got the situation under control.”
The demon cackled, an evil sound that slithered in the stale air like an oily film. “You are aware they’ve mated, are you not?”
“Of course I am. I’m not an idiot.”
The look Eevuhl gave him said he believed otherwise. “Lucifer’s deemed your scheme to steal the Fae a fool’s errand.”
Well, hell. So much for keeping his plans on the DL.
“The Fae?” Seraphina’s glittering blue eyes pinned him in place. “What is he talking about?”
“Oh, you haven’t told her? Informed your lackey that you’ve become fascinated by a fucking fairy? Tell me this, Perf. What’ll you do with her when you acquire her?”
Keep her. That was what he intended to do. Perfidious would make her his queen, have her at his side for eternity.
Strong hands gripped his head. Before Perfidious could duck out of Eevuhl’s grip, pain shot through his skull.
“Ah, yes,” the demon quipped. “You’ve fantasized about mating her, making little demon spawn. How romantic.” His nostrils flared with distaste.
“Who is he talking about?” Seraphina asked, her pissed-off gaze still locked on him.
“Asmia,” Eevuhl said, shoving Perfidious away. “The Fae belonging to those fucking angels.”
As though betrayed by the revelation, Seraphina moved toward Eevuhl.
“You do not want to do that,” Perfidious warned her, though he didn’t give a fuck if the demon ripped her to shreds or not. She had no loyalty to anyone but herself, proving so when she ran one long nail down Eevuhl’s chest.
“Oh, I think I do,” she crooned. “Perhaps finally a male who can handle me.”
