Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 121008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
The demon nods sagely. “Yes, I suspect you do. The hag was getting close to breaking through the barriers to their haven when I moved through yesterday. If you could kill her, Your Highness, I would be grateful. She signed her soul over to me, you see. As she should live a very long time, I doubt she was worried she would have to pay up. I could use her skills on the Hell plane. There’s much going on here on the Earth plane. A new power is rising, and I could use the hag’s skills.”
I’m not doing this to help the demon. I have own reasons for killing the hag. And I won’t feel an ounce of regret when the demon drags the bitch to hell. “I promise I’ll kill her the minute I get the chance. I have a plan, you see.”
My plan is currently in a shoulder holster under the sweater I’m wearing.
“Excellent,” the demon says.
There’s the slightest feeling of air moving through the warehouse, followed by a quiet pop. The demon’s eyes widen, and his body seems to swell. “Ah, the veil is open. It’s time to go, Your Highness. Now, now, I see the suspicion in your eyes. You found this place yourself. I’m merely offering to travel with you. The door is in an unusual space. It might take you a moment to find it, and then it would be closed again. You would have to come back tomorrow night.”
“I’m not signing a contract.” I need to make that perfectly clear. I don’t intend to be separated from my husbands ever again. Not even in the next life.
“And I’m not asking for one,” the demon replies. “I believe you will kill the hag. I’m helping you entirely for my own selfish purposes, dear.”
I turn to Dante, who hands me the duffel bag. I settle it on my back and hug him. “Good luck, Dante.”
“You, too, Meggie.” His hands tighten around my waist, and then he backs away. “I hope everything works out for you. Look me up if you ever come back this way.”
I lean over and kiss him on the cheek. I’m going to miss this version of Dante, but it’s time to go home. I follow the demon up the stairs, aware Dante is watching me the entire way. The stairs creak and shake under my weight.
“Hurry, dear,” the demon calls from the darkness above. “You don’t want to miss it.”
I brace myself and take the final step. The demon looks out over the railing. He points to a spot just below us. “There it is.”
No wonder it’s so hard to find. It’s in the middle of the air. I’ll have to jump. If I miss, I’ll break my legs at best and my neck at worst.
The demon gracefully leaps onto the railing. “Follow me.”
He jumps from the railing, feet first, and disappears completely.
“It’ll be all right, Meg,” Dante says from below. “It’s fate, right?”
“Yes.” I climb on the railing. It shakes and rattles under my weight. There’s nothing stable about it. Moonlight filters in from a window above, illuminating the ragged warehouse. My hands shake as I make the mistake of looking down.
There’s another popping sound, and I know my time is running out. The door will close, and I’ll have to wait another full day before it opens again. I can’t risk it.
I close my eyes and take a leap of faith.
Chapter Forty-Four
Human Dante
I watch Meg disappear through the veil. A piece of me is sorry to see her go. She’s been lovely, and I like her spirit. If she stayed, I might have been able to love her.
Still, as I pull the vampire computer from my jacket, she hasn’t left me with nothing to show for my efforts. I stare down at the computer. I slipped it out of the duffel bag when I gallantly offered to carry it for Meg. I couldn’t let her take it with her. It’s mine because I was smart enough to steal it. And she’ll find another one. I have plans for this one.
When Meg suggested I go with her, I didn’t tell her no because I’m afraid of going to another plane. I’m not afraid of visiting other places. It just seems silly to waste time when this plane is so ripe for the conquering.
Why should I settle for being a little fish on a bunch of planes when I can be a shark on this one?
The computer in my hands is my ticket to the big time.
I leave the building, my mind racing with plans.
Chapter Forty-Five
Meg
I hit the ground with a great thud and promptly land on my ass in the mud. It was a clear night back on Earth, but here it’s day and we’re in the middle of a storm.