CHAPTER TWO
Theseon
Bystanders might think I lead a glamorous life full of endless parties, beautiful women, and handsome men. They might even mistake me for a rock star, basking in the glow with easy access to drugs and alcohol. Trust me, there’s nothing fascinating about being me or my existence. Yes, I party hard and fuck often, but it ain’t easy. I may not suffer hangovers, but the next day I feel like hell—no pun intended. Sometimes I have to pry myself off a body or two before stumbling to the front door. At least this morning, I wake up alone in my own bed. It’s the only thing different about today.
That’s a bold-faced lie.
It’s so much worse. My mouth tastes like a filthy cotton sock, and my muscles ache. My eyes burn while my stomach growls like a beast. Easy stuff to deal with, but it’s the solitary thought—one word actually—consuming me I can’t handle.
Grace.
The enchanting woman has my mind bent and confused. Reaching for the half-empty bottle of vodka beside me, I realize I’m fucked and not in a good way. Dark angels aren’t tempted by humans. Ever. It goes against our purpose in this world. But I’d gladly trade my shadowy soul for one pure, innocent moment without a heinous agenda—I’d spend it with Grace.
Like I said, I’m fucked.
“You awake?” The voice comes from the hall.
Turning up the bottle, I wave Daniel inside my room. I hope he’s not here to talk about redemption. It’s too early for it. “What do you want?”
He looks down at the twisted bed sheets around my nude body. “I’d sit but—”
Seriously? He’s worried about how clean my bed is? There are times I wonder why I bother living here. I should find my own place. “Don’t be an ass this morning. Nobody slept here but me.”
Daniel nods and perches on the edge of the mattress. His forehead furrows. “Are you all right?”
“I’ll survive.” I scrub a hand over my face. “Remind me to stay away from the Savage Spot for a few days. I spent most of the night with a female from the club.”
“You don’t learn from your mistakes, Theseon. Remember last month?” The Celestial studies me, waiting for a response. When I don’t speak, Daniel says, “You accompanied a group of Dark Ones to their domicile and engaged in a massive weeklong orgy. It was another week before you recovered.”
The memory puts a smile on my face. Eight of us, males and females, sexing each other around the clock. Walking was a bit difficult after that adventure. I’ll admit it put all of us out of commission and pissed off Ashmedai.
“What can I say? I like to fuck.” It’s the truth—the one perk that comes with my job.
“No. You like to wear out your body.” Daniel pauses for a beat or two. “But I’m not here this morning to save your miserable soul. You have a visitor downstairs.”
Something about Daniel’s enunciation of the word visitor makes me sit up. If it were another dark angel or even a female downstairs, the Celestial wouldn’t be in front of me.
“Who’s here?”
“Your creator.” Daniel stands. “I’ll be in my room if you need me.”
Shit. I’d like to be in his room now. If Ashmedai is here, I’d rather not be.
Sliding open the double doors to the drawing room, I find the King of Hell standing near the unlit fireplace. A small measure of deliverance—the demon brings enough heat with him.
“Shut the doors behind you,” he instructs, his back to me.
Fuck, fuck, fuck. What the hell did I do wrong now?
Ashmedai, decked out in a tailored black suit, turns around. A scowl rests on his pinched face. “I came to see if you were healthy.” His dark eyes flash red before raking over me. “You appear to be well, so I guess last night was an anomaly.”
“Last night?” My lips twist as I shake my head, quickly going over the events. I drank too much. Went home with a female and fucked too much for too long. “I just partied. Nothing unusual.”
“Really?” Ashmedai arches an eyebrow. “So it’s normal for you not to harvest souls?”
My muscles quiver, and I want to sit down but hold my ground. No signs of weakness allowed around the demon who gave me life. “There weren’t any worthy ones in town. I took the night off.”
“You. Took. The. Night. Off.” Ashmedai’s jaw clenches.
Wrong words. I scramble to say something to excuse my behavior. “What I meant to say was—”
“Silence!” He makes a fist, and my voice is gone.
Panicked, I rub my throat, but it doesn’t help.
“It pains me when my favorite…my greatest creation fails.” Ashmedai’s face reddens as his tone turns harsh. “You have one job and one job only. If you can’t do it, I’ll bring you back to Hell. Perhaps you would enjoy teaching my other children? Is that a more worthy job for you?”
I shake my head. Last thing I want is to spend every day in Ashmedai’s presence. Being summoned to Hell would be a punishment.
“Good. May this be the last time I need to come…” He scrutinizes the casual décor, and his nose wrinkles. I’m guessing he’s not a fan of the Victorian era. After a long minute, Ashmedai waves his hand, and my voice rushes back.
“I’m sorry, Father.” Hanging my head, I offer, “I’ll bring twice as many souls to you this evening.”
“No, you won’t.”
My attention snaps up. “I won’t?”
“I want one soul in particular.” He locks eyes with mine. “One the Realm has already marked.”
A sour taste, not from last night’s activities, settles at the back of my throat. Sinking my trembling hands into my pockets, I dare ask, “Who would that be, Father?”
His thin lips curl up like flames. Ashmedai loves it when his creations use the familial title.
“A human named Grace Angelina Martinez.” The head demon pauses as if he wants the announcement to sink in. “I understand she’s a challenge. No other Dark One has managed to corrupt her. I’ll give you ten days to do so.”
My jaw drops as my muscles tense, breathing becomes difficult, and my thoughts race.
Not Grace. Anyone but her.
Ashmedai strides across the room, stopping in front of me. “Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good.” He lifts a hand and taps my cheek like he’s the fucking godfather or some shit. “Don’t disappoint me, Theseon. For if you do, it will take all of the Celestials and possibly a few Dark Ones to save your sorry ass.”