Hell's Phoenix Read Free Page B

surrounded by a two-hundred-foot chasm.”
    “Like a moat?”
    “Yes. The house remains untouched. The residents were slaughtered. Outside, on the vinyl siding, written in the family’s blood was: ‘Catch us if you can, Zenny.’”
    Madison felt the blood leave her face. Birmingham, Alabama…Nix’s last name and her home state. It had to be a coincidence. “Nix didn’t do that. He can’t. He wouldn’t.”
    “He’s the only person ever brave enough to call me Zenny.”
    She fought not to puke from the pounding in her head. This news didn’t help her upset stomach either. “Maybe Micah knows that and is baiting you.”
    “I’m definitely being baited. Prepare yourself, Madison.” Unblinking, he sat beside her and the bed dipped.
    “Prepare for what?”
    “The sinkhole was supernatural in origin but not demonic.”
    Madison leaned against the headboard and closed her eyes. Inside, her succubus prowled, needing sustenance. That’d grown common after each Pandora session. She hadn’t come right out and told Zen that her demon grew stronger after Micah’s last feeding in the hotel room, but she suspected he knew anyway. How could he not know when he spent so much time in her head wrangling Pandora under control?
    “Nix doesn’t have supernatural powers, Zen. He couldn’t be involved.”
    “Don’t delude yourself. The message implies involvement even if he cannot incite supernatural occurrences. And don’t forget Crow’s warning that he would fall in Hell.”
    She opened her eyes. The supernatural creature Crow that’d visited her five years ago had prophesized a lot and none of it good. Crow had warned not only would Nix go to Hell, he’d become a willing participant of its vileness.
    Zen had put off the mission into Hell for four months to give her a chance to control Pandora’s power. She’d seen the logic in it. Going into Hell with Pandora exploding uncontrollably from every fingertip—literally!—wouldn’t have been wise. Why did she suddenly find herself doubting Zen’s sincerity to help?
    “Is this something you anticipated? And why you wanted me to wait before saving him?”
    “No. I’m committed to your mission. You want to risk going into Hell and losing your soul, who am I to stop you? Pandora is a keg of dynamite in your system, but regardless of how lost your soul is, I still maintain power over it.” Which meant he could control her as well. “You received a phone call from Genovela Maxwell an hour ago.”
    “Who is she?”
    “She claimed to be a friend of Phoenix’s and a fellow Sherlock. She said she possessed information regarding Phoenix that could help you. I took the liberty of calling Georgie.”
    “You called someone?”
    “Cease your teasing.” A small grin tugged at his lips. “Amos dialed, I talked. Georgie verified Genovela’s identity, but couldn’t confirm if she retained relevant information on Phoenix. They go way back, something about Phoenix saving her from being possessed almost ten years ago.”
    “How’d she get my number?”
    “Same way Alessa did. Phoenix gave it to her before he went to Hell.”
    Madison tucked her hair behind her ears. “What’d Amos say?”
    “Says she’s legit, but he’s not picking up anything else.”
    She nodded. A call out of the clear blue from anybody invited reservations. They remained one step ahead of Micah by trusting no one. “What do you think, Zen?”
    “No idea. Anyone could be a trap at any given moment.” He held out a slip of paper. “This is her cell and where she’s suggested meeting in two days.” Madison accepted the note and read the location as he spoke. “Alessa met her twice, said Genovela is a bit rough around the edges, but she’s an active Sherlock.”
    “Delta, Utah is about a day’s drive from here. Alessa and I’ll go meet her, see what’s up. You’re just a thought away if something goes wrong.” Lord knew the man could teleport almost as fast as she could send a mental