wrapped it around her head and then reached for another one. She patted her skin dry and took the time to moisturize before donning her panties and a short cotton nightgown.
Then she unwound the towel from her head, sprayed on some leave-in conditioner and quickly blew it dry. The noise from the hairdryer seemed extra loud, but she knew all her senses were heightened from the experience she’d had tonight. When she was done, she brushed out the thick mass and braided it to help keep it out of her way.
It only took her a few minutes to tidy away the bathroom and slip the two amulets around her neck again. Whether they worked or not was irrelevant. Her friends had given them to her and they offered comfort.
There was no putting off the inevitable any longer. Her friends had to go home and she had to face this night alone.
Hades peered out at the legion of demons that stood waiting on his every mood, every whim. Heat and steam surrounded them, making it difficult to breathe. No human, and not many demons, could survive here. They were deep in the bowels of Hell. These were his toughest, most single-minded demons. They were all tall, all thickly muscled and well trained. They would all, to the last demon, die for him, and they were his to command.
When the time came for him to launch his plan to take over the world, there would be no mistakes. Whether or not Arand joined him or ended up dead remained to be seen.
Agmar, the leader of the group, stood off to his right, his red eyes glowing with anticipation. The seven-foot demon was smarter than most, but not a threat to Hades, not like Mordecai was.
“They are ready at your command.” Agmar bowed at the waist.
Hades liked the demon’s tone and posture. It was one of deference. One that assured Hades the demon knew who was the master and who was the servant. “Good. Keep them training. I want them ready at a moment’s notice.”
He turned and walked away.
Agmar yelled at his men. “You heard the Dark Lord. Begin training.”
Metal struck metal. Yells and the occasional scream of pain could be heard in the distance as Hades passed over a thin rock bridge that looked down upon a fiery river afloat with lost, lamenting souls. He paused halfway across to peer down at them. Such lovely souls, and all his. Soon there would be more.
Mordecai was training most of his troops, but Agmar was in charge of Hades’ elite guard. These were the demons he would take with him when the invasion of the world began. He trusted them at his back in a way he could not trust Mordecai. These demons feared him. The serpent did not.
But that would change. And soon.
Satisfied all was as it should be, Hades continued on to his private quarters, reviewing his plans all the way there.
Chapter Four
A renewed sense of hope filled Sabrina as she made her way home late the next afternoon. Although she’d thought she’d never be able to close her eyes after what had happened in her apartment last evening, she’d slept like a baby—once she’d managed to get to sleep. It had taken her several hours after her friends left before she’d even begun to relax. Every noise, from the creaking of the building to the swish of the wind outside her window had her breaking out in a cold sweat.
Maybe the worst was over.
And maybe she had some swampland she could sell to a northern land developer. She was lying to herself and she knew it. She had the sense that whatever was out there was simply biding its time. Waiting. Watching.
“Shake it off,” she muttered. She’d had a great day in the Square, selling several more paintings and art cards, as well as doing several charcoal sketches that had immediately been purchased by the tourists who’d watched her draw them. She’d had an excellent month so far and had sold far more canvases than she’d anticipated. It would soon be time to hit the art shop for more supplies.
Her easel, stool and remaining paintings seemed extra heavy today and she hitched them over her shoulders. She wished she lived a bit closer, or could at least afford a car. Maybe she should look into a rolling cart of some kind. Not a bad idea. She’d made extra money this month and could afford it. A cart would allow her to carry more paintings with her to sell in the Square, and she could write off the cost as a business expense.
Pleased with the idea, she mulled over the possibilities as she continued her journey toward home. Her cell phone rang, interrupting her musings, and she sighed before setting down her belongings and digging through her tote. The phone was in here somewhere. She pulled it out, glanced at the call display and smiled. “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself. How are you doing?” It was the fifth time Tilly had called her today, but Sabrina appreciated her friend’s concern.
“Doing good. Had a great day.” She shaded her eyes against the glare of the sun, loving the warmth upon her skin. “Heading home to get cleaned up and changed before I hit the cafe.” She was doing tarot readings at Cafe Ledet again tonight. Then her schedule would ease off slightly. All her evenings between Friday and Sunday were left open for serious painting time as well as time with her friends. Her life was full and busy, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Don’t forget to eat something.”
“Yes, Mother,” she replied wryly. Tilly’s deep, full laughter filled her ears.
“Okay,” Tilly responded. “I’ll take the hint and try not to nag, at least not too much.”
Sabrina sobered. “I appreciate your concern and your help. I’ll be at the cafe in a couple of hours.”
“Why don’t you take the evening off and rest?” Tilly suggested. “You don’t have any booked appointments, just drop-ins. I can call one of the other women to take your place.”
An evening alone at home. Normally, she’d be thrilled with the idea, but after what had happened there last night, not so much. But it would allow her to start work on a new painting, maybe even watch some television or read a book. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d done either of those last two things.
“I think I’ll do that, Tilly.”
“I know I said I wouldn’t nag, but stop somewhere and pick up something to eat.”
“I will,” she promised. “I’ll call you later.” She said goodbye and tucked her phone back into her tote. Gathering her waning strength, she hoisted her belongings onto her shoulder and trudged toward home.
She loved walking Decatur Street. There was always so much to see, to hear and to smell. There were people everywhere, wearing all different kinds of clothing. Folks from all walks of life, from the very poor to the ultra-rich were all drawn to this city. The languages ranged from English to Cajun and everything in-between, various dialects and accents giving the sound a musical quality. And speaking of music, it poured out of the various bars and restaurants she passed, some of it classy and low, while some of it was loud and toe tapping. And the smells. The smells made her mouth water and her stomach growl.
She’d promised Tilly she’d pick up something to eat, but she didn’t have enough arms to carry everything. It would be easier to call in an order to her favorite takeout and have them deliver.
Now that she’d made the decision, she was excited about taking an evening off. Maybe Jessica would come over and join her. They’d spent most of the day together, selling their goods in Jackson Square, but Jessica was usually up for a girl’s night.
And she was putting off being alone. Her smile faded as she began to realize just how frightened she was to go home. And that pissed her off. She was no coward, and no otherworldly entity was going to drive her out of her own home.
She was Esmeralda LeGrande’s granddaughter. She wasn’t one to turn tail and run at the first sign of trouble. That apartment was her home, her sanctuary. Hers.
The pep talk did her good and put a slight skip in her step. She kept her pace as fast as she could. She was already sweating in the heat and was looking forward to a cool bath when she got home. She usually took showers but didn’t think she could close the shower curtain when she was there alone. Still, a bath would be nice. A soak in a tub of tepid water would cool her heated skin and make her feel fresh and invigorated.
