Ramiel fought the bile in his gut and the bloodlust rolling through his veins. The repulsion toward demons made being in a room without using his weapon of light against them nearly impossible.

The imperative to eliminate evil was built into his system and remained a consistent hum regardless how hard he tried to ignore it. Testing his control, he cloaked his presence and perched on the roof across the street, watching demons come and go for the past hour. Hopeless determination replaced the rage that fueled his last visit. He’d encountered several roadblocks but continued moving forward, regardless of the futility. He would die trying to save Isobel.

The problem was when he’d arrived at the alley leading to Seven Lively Sinz, his flaming sword was in his hand and slicing through a pus demon’s neck before he knew what he was doing. Zakara would not help him if he went into her establishment and slaughtered her patrons. Hence the reason he sat on a roof in the rain, watching and waiting until his impulses were securely locked down.

Taking several deep breaths, Ramiel hopped down from the roof’s ledge and approached the back entrance to Zakara’s bar. He repeated the secret knock he’d learned, and the door swung wide. The room stilled the second he entered.

“Why am I not surprised to see you? I’ll say this again, Angel. You’re not welcome here,” Zakara called out from behind the bar. An odd-looking creature was beside her, drying some glasses.

Ramiel guessed he was a troll with the light grey, rough skin that flaked off into sandy pieces. His horns stuck straight up from his scalp and were twice the size of Kara’s. His hands appeared normal, five fingers, no claws, with a round nose on his face. The bar hid the rest of him, but Ramiel had no interest in seeing it. He was there for one reason only.

“We need to talk,” Rami barked, ignoring the dozens of eyes he felt watching his every move. Zakara shook her head and set a beer in front of a black demon two stools over from him.

“Unless you’ve decided to give into temptation and fuck me, we have nothing to talk about,” Kara said with a lifted eyebrow.

She was trying to get a rise out of him. Literally. And fuck if her words didn’t make his blood heat and his cock jerk with need. Mental persuasion did nothing to talk the fucker down. His dick had a mind of its own and had decided the Fallen was worth a go. Rami, on the other hand, didn’t agree and chose to ignore the traitor in his pants.

“I want to show you something,” he said as he pulled his phone out of his back pocket.

Yeah, he was an angel with a cell phone. Seemed God had caved to modern technology, along with the rest of the world. He didn’t mind. In fact, it made sense since angels couldn’t communicate telepathically. Made his life easier when he needed to reach one of the AORs.

“I hope that’s a sex tape to get me in the mood,” Zakara replied. “Tell you what. Let’s make a new and better one. We can leak it to the internet. Just imagine the scandal that will race through the heavens when the archangels get a look at our sweaty bodies bumping and grinding,” she said with a sly smile then slowly unzipped her leather bustier and pulled down one side, exposing her breast. “What do you say, Angel?”

Rami licked his lip and swallowed as his mouth watered at the sight. He wanted to dip his head and taste her cherry-red nipple. It puckered under his scrutiny, and it took every ounce of control not to pounce on the sexy demon. His gaze traveled north and locked with hers. The sounds of the bar disappeared, and it felt like they were the only two in the room. The draw to her was undeniable. She made him want to do all kinds of the wicked with her. Was this demon magic at play? Did she have him under a spell?

Rami forced his desire inside a box deep down where the enticing Zakara couldn’t reach. He quickly turned his head and scanned the bar. The surrounding demons had gone back to what they were doing before he entered. Arguments resumed. Dancing, or maybe that was fucking, continued in the corners. And drink orders were being shouted to Kara and her bartender.

Ramiel cleared his mind, remembering why he was there and pulled up the video on his cell phone. It was a clip of he and Izzy playing chase with the kippies from Khoth. The pink and grey balls of fluff raced around the room, jumping from dresser to bed and out into the hall. It had been one of the first time he’d felt true giddiness since his death and losing Elsie. It was one of his most precious memories.

As he leaned closer to show Zakara the video, he felt her shudder when his hand grazed her arm. She might be crass in her seduction, but a part of her wanted a real taste of him. He could use that to draw her to his side. Perhaps if he could get her to see Izzy the way he did, she would agree to help him.

Rami hit play and turned the screen to Zakara. “This is Isobel Tarakesh. The child you are leaving to die at Lucifer’s hands. She doesn’t deserve that,” he said as Izzy’s laughter echoed through the tiny speaker. The sound was buoyant and free of worry or suffering. Would she still sound like that when he rescued her?

“She’s cute, but not my problem. And you are causing a scene with that in here,” Zakara snarled as the closest demons became agitated and started fighting. However, Rami could tell she was affected by what she saw on the screen. He muted the sound and watched as Kara’s eyes remained glued to the images.

“What the hell are those? I’ve never seen anything like them,” Kara said with a laugh. “They look a bit like koalas, but I can see they aren’t,” she commented as Pip and Squeak came into view.

“Those are kippies. Native animals from the realm of Khoth,” Rami explained. “They’re some of Izzy’s best friends.”

“I imagine a spoiled princess is in for the shock of her life,” Zakara murmured and shoved the phone away from her line of vision. It was unclear if the idea bothered her or not. Rami needed it to get under her skin so she would take him into the Underworld.

“And I need to protect her innocence,” Rami countered. Sure, Isobel was spoiled, but her family showered her with love, not material items. The way he saw it, there was nothing more meaningful than loving a child and being loved by one in return.

“It’s foolish. The Goddess made her a target. You need to reach out to Morrigan, not me. I want nothing to do with it,” Kara said with a curl of her lip.

“Look at her smile and tell me it’s not worth saving.” Rami challenged.

Zakara walked out from behind the bar and latched onto his arm, dragging him to an empty hallway. She stopped outside a door labeled supplies where she slammed him against the wall. He flared his wings right before impact, saving himself a few broken bones.

The growl that left his throat hinted at his conflicted reaction. The demon both aroused and pissed him off. Kara may deny him and turn him away, but underneath it all, he sensed how torn the Fallen Angel was. She did care about what happened to Izzy, even if it were for selfish reasons.

Zakara had made her choice so long ago he wondered if she regretted that decision. She was sent to Earth to retrieve the Triskele Amulet hundreds of years ago, but never returned to the Underworld. Why?

He didn’t understand the woman, and it annoyed him that he wanted to. She was the opposite of the being he’d become, and yet there was an undeniable kinship. Or maybe it was because she looked so damn sexy in that leather bustier with her scars proudly on display. It was sexual chemistry, not kinship, he amended. He could never be genuinely interested in a demon.

“You are walking a thin line, Virgin. I’d respect you more if you came in with a sex tape. This manipulation will not work. What you are asking for is not going to happen. That child is as good as gone. It’s not my fault, nor is it my responsibility. The only thing I can do is relieve some of that tension you carry around. It might bring a smile back to those lips,” she muttered and leaned against his bare chest.

The contact sizzled and had his cock impersonating a steel pole in his leather pants. He appreciated the soft and pliable material because his stiff erection was painful enough. Thank fuck the AORs didn’t wear tight jeans because he’d be in a world of hurt right now.

At a roll of her hips, the single-minded motherfucker jumped at the promise of release. Part of him wanted to take her up on the offer to relieve some tension, but the other protested the idea of giving into this woman. Women were nothing but trouble and Rami suspected Zakara was the queen of that nation.

“Not interested,” he lied then changed the subject. “Zakara, tell me what you’ll do when Lucifer comes to Earth. How will you escape his wrath? Where will you go? You do realize there will be no hiding from him once he’s free. And, from what I hear, he never forgets those that cross him,” Rami quipped before he stepped out from under her arm and put space between their bodies.

“I’ll relocate. I’m good at it,” Zakara replied and leaned against the wall, trying for an air of nonchalance. He saw right through the façade. She was afraid of Lucifer, as she should be. At least she was smart. Lucifer was a vile being that reveled in punishing those that pissed him off.

“Why waste time thinking about that when you can help me ensure he stays locked in Hell?” he asked and pressed against her body, pinning her to the wall. The vixen took it one step further and straddled his thigh. The heat of her core burned the flesh through his clothing.

“Why not put that erection to use instead of talking about the impossible. I’m horny as fuck, and you’re ready for me,” Kara countered and ground against his thigh.

A loud crash echoed from the central area of the bar, followed by snarling and shouting. Zakara didn’t so much as blink at the noise as she continued to rub against him erotically, driving him mad.

“Is it really impossible?” he husked and pressed his thigh against her core, using her need to his benefit.

“It is if I want to live,” she moaned then stood on tiptoes and pressed her lips against his. His mind blanked as arousal hot and fierce rushed through his system.

Her lips were soft and gentle as they slid across his. Utterly unexpected given her brash personality. A groan escaped him as she moved her mouth and grabbed hold of his shoulders. She could hold him, hostage, as long as she wanted. He suspected he wouldn’t object to her idea of torture.

Elsie was the last woman he’d kissed. Never in his twisted existence had he expected to be in an intimate embrace with another woman, especially a demon. And yet he was powerless to stop it. Zakara drew him into her web and wove her threads of seduction into his skin.

Her tongue teased the seam of his mouth, asking for permission. It was the most erotic moment of his angelic life, and he craved more. Zakara was unrepentant as she reached for what she wanted and took it. She licked his lip then sucked it into her mouth, all the while riding his thigh, attempting to reach climax.

Ramiel’s lips parted, and her tongue immediately dove inside to tangle wetly with his. She dominated the kiss and explored his mouth, leaving no spot unclaimed. She tasted of blueberries and sugar and something wickedly spicy. Delicious. His shaft pulsed as her soft abdomen brushed against his stomach. God help him, but he wanted to fuck her, standing in this dingy hall, against the wall.

His hands slid around her back and encountered her scars, reminding him of who, and what, he was kissing so passionately. She was the enemy. And, had refused to help him rescue Izzy. Breaking the kiss, he panted as he rested his forehead against hers.

“Please tell me how to get into the Underworld. You don’t have to do anything except point the way. And, I won’t tell anyone where I learned the information,” he pleaded and stared into beautiful blue eyes specked with brown.

“Fuck. You never give up, do you? I can’t tell you. I’m the only being on Earth that knows this information. Lucifer will know who told you and I’m not going to give him reason to seek me out,” Zakara said then planted her hands on his bare chest and shoved him out of her way.

Ramiel adjusted his shaft then walked out the back door of the bar, wondering how he was going to change her stubborn mind. Zakara might be defiant and bullheaded, but so was he. And she was the key to saving Izzy.

* * *

Isobel shivered as the devil yelled so loud her ears hurt. Her parents and the Goddess had warned her about Lucifer and how he would use her to get free from his prison. She was looking at his legs in the frozen lake. It reminded her of when Uncle Bhric would freeze the pool with Uncle Orlando in it. But Bhric wasn’t evil and cruel. He was teasing Orlando, and they would laugh and joke. There was never yelling or pain involved.

She wanted to go home. Tears made her eyes watery, and Lucifer’s massive body became blurry. Opening her mind, she tried to reach her mommy and daddy, Aunt Cailyn or even Ramiel, but nothing worked. There wasn’t any noise when she tried to contact Rami. Complete silence. It was like when she and Dipple hid under a blanket from Pepper.

She was terrified but had to hide it. When the devil saw her fear, he pushed his way into her mind and showed her things that made her tummy upset and her chest hurt. The sight of her mommy lying on the black rock naked and cut open with blood everywhere made her throw up which made the big demon happy.

Every time he tried to convince her to set him free he showed her that awful image. It still made Izzy want to throw up, only now it made her so mad she wanted to touch him and turn him into a statue, like the other demons. She glanced around, counting all the statues near her. Every time one of Lucifer’s demons got too close, she reached out and touched them. Now they stayed away from her, which made the devil even madder.

Izzy’s only hope was the Goddess. She’d heard the stories about her being special and somehow connected to the Goddess, and tried her hardest to call out to her again. No matter how loud she yelled for Morrigan in her head, nothing happened. Wherever Lucifer had her, she couldn’t talk to anyone or see a way out of the scary place.

And, her tummy hurt. She was hungry and thirsty. No one had given her any water or fed her since she’d been down there. Her body was getting so tired she wanted to lie down and go to sleep, but it wasn’t safe with all the bad demons around her.

A rock suddenly hit her shoulder. Turning, Isobel saw Lucifer waving his hand at the side of the big mountain where lots of them were. He flicked his fingers, and another rock went sailing toward her.

“You cannot beat me, child,” the devil yelled. His massive black wings never stopped beating, and it made the air around Izzy cold. But it kept the awful smell away, too, so she didn’t mind the cold whipping against her skin.

“I want to go home. Now!” Izzy yelled back. “My daddy is going to kill you for hurting me.”

Lucifer’s laugh boomed and echoed around her. Then he smiled, showing his sharp teeth. Those didn’t scare her. Her daddy grew long sharp teeth when he tickled her mommy, and they laughed about it. Plus, Izzy had fangs, too, so she bared them right back at him.

“You will never see your family again, Isobel. Set me free and I will allow you to return home,” Lucifer cajoled.

“No. You’re lying,” she replied. There were times when she just knew things, and this was one of them. The devil wasn’t telling the truth. He was going to kill her and her family the moment he was out of that lake, and she couldn’t let that happen.

“I promise you will be in your mom’s arms again if you simply touch the lake,” he tried again while she listened to the sound of loud footsteps as the big demons stomped around.

Izzy ignored Lucifer and tried to think of her pretty pink dress. She wanted to play dress up with Pepper. He always let her put sparklies on his head. They would dance around and play with Pip and Squeak. She missed her room and bed.

Her tummy rumbled again. It hurt so bad and thinking of her mom’s yummy taquitos made it worse. Maybe her mom would make some for her when she got home. With a big key lime pie, too. Donovan loved key lime pie as much as he did strawberry ice cream. She missed her best friend something awful.

Another rock hit her back when she wasn’t paying attention, and she fell to the ground. Her hands went out so she didn’t hit her head and her chest knotted. She couldn’t touch the lake and twisted enough that her palms landed on a black rock.

A small cut in her skin burned. The ground rumbled loudly and rolled under her feet. The demons looked scared as she stood up and brushed her hands on her dirty dress. The dirt where her blood touched turned white, and a purple flower bloomed in its place.

“Seems you are as stubborn as your father, but you will not win this battle of wills. No one can reach you. I have sealed the Underworld. You will be my prisoner until you free me from this infernal lake,” Lucifer promised.

Izzy ignored the devil and reached down to admire the flower she made. Nothing would stop her mommy or daddy or even Ramiel. She wasn’t entirely cut off from the rest of the world. She’d pulled Rami into her dream once, and she would do it again.