Something Wicked

Then again, in Eden’s body he didn’t exactly have access to his talons or any other demon appendage, including the ability to call his element of fire. He glanced down at her hands. She had fingernails scarcely long enough to do any damage at all.

He suddenly remembered those fingernails scratching down his back when they’d made love.

Okay. So not helpful.

Darrak hissed out a breath. “Tell me what you’re talking about, or I’m going to pluck out your eyeballs and use them to play Ping-Pong.”

Stanley gulped. “I can’t tell you but you can guess. Just look around at this place. You’ll figure it out.”

Since the eyeball Ping-Pong threat had been mostly a bluff, Darrak sighed and glanced around the interior of the club. They were near the hallway to the side exit, but not away from the crowd enough that they didn’t get jostled by drink-carrying patrons who passed them on the way to the dance floor.

Humans of varying colors and sizes and levels of attractiveness shuffled back and forth across the dark, shiny floor, barely making eye contact with each other. Some looked strangely sallow, but he wasn’t sure if that was just from the flickering lights. Drinks rose to bloodless lips. Half-hearted dancing on the dance floor. That ever-present scent of lust and desperation in the air he’d noticed the first night he’d been here.

Darrak knew he should know the answer to this. If he was at full power, he would know. It was on the tip of his tongue, and it was driving him crazy that he couldn’t figure it out.

“Is it a spell?” he asked. “One that compels people to come to this place?”

“Kind of. But not really.”

Darrak shot Stanley a withering look. “A curse? Is this place cursed?”

“You’re getting warmer. Seriously, though, if Theo was going to tell you, he would have.”

Darrak frowned and pushed Stanley back into a hallway. Here the music from the club was muted. “Does Theo have something to do with this?”

Stanley wiped a hand over his mouth, his eyes now filled with worry. “I can’t say anything. Theo’s going to —”

“Theo’s going to what?” A voice asked. A door had opened, and Theo stood there now with fire blazing in his eyes. He grinned. “Darrak, nice of you to join us. See? It wasn’t that hard to borrow her body again, was it?”

“Surprisingly easy, actually.” Darrak still felt unpleasantly confused. “Why does everyone walk around like the living dead here? Why are they compelled to come back night after night? And what does it all have to do with you, Theo?”

Theo glanced at Stanley, who shrank away from him. He laughed.

“Darrak, you scared him, you big meanie. Don’t worry Stanley, I’m not mad. You do have a bit of a big mouth though. It might get you in trouble someday.” His tone was light, but his meaning was not.

“I’m waiting,” Darrak said, crossing Eden’s arms and tapping her foot.

“All part of the plan.”

“Speak plainer.”

Theo’s grin widened. “Ooh, so stern. Like an old-time schoolteacher. Must have something to do with being cramped up inside that uptight little body you have there.” Theo reached around and pinched Eden’s ass. Darrak barely restrained himself from hitting him.

Then, suddenly, he saw the humor in the situation and how much he was overreacting. He laughed and shook his head.

“Shit, look at me. I am acting uptight. You’re absolutely right.”

Theo nodded and slapped his back. “You just have to chill. Enjoy the view. Enjoy the ride.”

“Believe me, I’m trying.”

“It’s been a rough few centuries. I get that. But it’s all easy street from now on. I have the angelheart and soon we’ll get rid of Lucifer forever.” At Darrak’s wary look toward Stanley, Theo chuckled. “Don’t worry. My loyal new assistant knows everything.”

“That’s very trusting of you.”

“Not really. I think Stanley knows what I’ll do to him if he breathes a word to anyone, even his other employer. Right Stanley?”

“Yes, sir,” Stanley replied. He looked terrified.

“So what’s going on here?” Darrak asked. “And does it have anything to do with you?”

“A little.” Theo leaned casually against the wall. “I’m still moonlighting for Asmodeus.”

The Lord of Lust. Darrak hadn’t heard Asmo’s name since Lucifer accused Darrak of conspiring with the demon lord and sent him packing.

Darrak remembered a conversation they’d had a long, long time ago. “Let me guess: Your game plan is to take his throne after you take Lucifer’s.”

Theo laughed, a bit nervously this time. “Dude, say no more. I already told you the walls here have ears.”

The walls have ears. It was a common human saying, but for some reason it seemed to carry more weight at the moment.

“How’s Asmo doing?” Darrak asked.

“Not so good.” Theo casually brushed off the sleeve of his black shirt. “Him and you have a lot in common, actually.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“You weren’t there for the big fight. He and Lucifer went at it pretty hardcore just after you disappeared. Lucifer accused him of trying to usurp his reign, or whatever, and they fought.”

Damn. He missed all the excitement. “Who won?”

“Lucifer, of course. He brought Satan out to play and nearly decimated Asmo in front of everyone. It was kind of awesome, actually.” He cleared his throat and looked around nervously. “No offense, Asmo.”

Darrak looked around as well, but no one else was in the hallway with them except for Stanley, who’d chosen to stay as quiet as a magic potion-making mouse at the moment. “Lucifer. . or, rather, Satan destroyed Asmo’s solid form?”

“Yep.”

“But he’s still around?”

“He is, indeed. And he’s finally figured out how to fix his problem after all these years.” Theo grinned. “That’s what I’m helping him with.”

Hell had to have seven thrones to represent the seven deadly sins so there was never one true leader. It was a rule. If only one entity controlled everything, the Netherworld might actually rival the heavens in power instead of being the garbage dump for everything Heaven didn’t want. The seven lords of Hell bickered endlessly and had civil wars playing out using lesser demons as soldiers. And they all hated — and feared— Lucifer since he had more power than the rest of them.

“Where is Asmo right now?” Darrak asked.

“Here.”

If Asmo had no corporeal form, how could he be here? “Is he possessing someone in this club?”

Theo chuckled. “Oh, Darrak, you really have lost your edge, haven’t you? You’re so damn lucky I’m here to help you out. No, Asmo’s not possessing someone. But he is possessing something.”

It didn’t work for Darrak, but it was true that bodiless entities could sometimes possess things. Furniture, electronic gadgets, mirrors, books. . or even. .

. . entire locations.

The walls have ears.

Darrak’s eyes widened as things began to click into place for him. Better late than never.

The magic he’d felt here — it was demon magic. He’d barely sensed anything at all to begin with. Just a little lust permeating the nightclub.

Asmo was the Lord of Lust.

“He didn’t,” Darrak said quietly. “He couldn’t have.”

Theo looked very amused. “Don’t know. What are you talking about?”

Darrak’s gaze shot to his friend’s. “He’s possessing this place right now, isn’t he? Asmo. . he is Luxuria.”