Deal with a Demon (Kindle Serial) Read Free Page B

brother.”
    “I’m trying to tell you, it’s not going to happen.”
    “Why not?”Although her eyes shone with livid determination, he saw sadness there too.
    Her devotion intrigued him. If her brother was such a loser with no goals except his next fix, why was she so bent on finding him?
    And how could he use it to his advantage?
    He decided to play it out a bit and see where he could lead her. “Your brother has been taken somewhere you can’t go.”
    “What?”
    “Sorro has him.”
    “Who’s that?”
    “A very nasty demon. Doesn’t play well with others.”
    “Where did they go?”
    “Probably to the Fourth.”
    “What in the hell is the Fourth?”
    “It’s not ‘what’ in Hell. It’s ‘where.’” He had only ever been as far as the Second, and it wasn’t a trip he was eager to repeat. And the Fourth level? He didn’t even know how to put it in words she would understand.
    “So, Arden, you’re telling me my brother has been taken to Hell?”
    Hearing his name come from her mouth made a chill run up his neck. “Yes, but there’s nothing you can do about it.”
    “There damn well better be something you can do.” She cocked the gun. “And you should start doing it. I’d hate to put a bullet between those eyes.”
    He needed to think of something quick. He had a feeling she wouldn’t hesitate to back up her words. She struck him as the kind of female who would shoot first and ask questions never.
    “There is a way, but I don’t think you’ll like it.” He knew very well how to do it, but there was something about this mortal that stirred his protective side. She was wearing a uniform and holding her weapon like she’d had plenty of training, so he knew she was capable of taking care of herself. Still, the desperation coming off of her made her vulnerable, and if he took her Below, everyone down there would smell the fear on her. It would make for a very gory, bloody, and volatile situation.
    It would also make for an impressive solution to his boredom. Plus there was the added benefit of getting what he wanted.
    “I don’t care where I have to go. I have to get Drew back.” With a tired sigh she lowered the gun until the barrel pointed at the dirty floor. “He’s my responsibility.”
    There was his key. She needed him. Perfect. “You can’t go.”
    “Why?”
    “Because…”
    “Because why?” Her moment of vulnerability must have passed because she was back to displaying the chip on her shoulder.
    He needed to play this very, very carefully — use her own weakness, her own pride and stubbornness against her. “Because you’re afraid, and you can’t come with me if you’re scared.”
    “Are you fucking serious? I’m not scared.”
    “You are. I can smell it.”
    She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. “You can’t smell fear.”
    “I can, and I’m serious. If you have even a trace of the smell on you, it would be bad.”
    “Bad like how?”
    “Are you familiar with the term ‘eaten alive’?”
    She pointed to the embroidered logo on the chest of her uniform. “If you hadn’t noticed, I’m kind of a professional. You know, the kind trained to deal with emergency situations and stuff.” She waggled the gun at him and rolled her eyes.
    She had no idea who she was dealing with. He was First Born and a Prince of Hell. Perhaps she needed another lesson.
    He stepped toward her, the heat of his power building inside of him until it became the tip of a hot iron in the center of his chest. When her gaze collided with his, he held the contact until he saw her lips part and her eyes film over with a glossy sheen. He had total control of her now and could take whatever he wanted from her.
    The arm holding the gun slackened, but he noticed she didn’t lose her grip on the weapon. He would have to be cautious. He moved in closer, brought a hand up, and placed it on the side of her neck, never losing contact with her eyes. She flinched at his touch but didn’t move