Devilish Mate

17

But first, she wished to say goodbye her to her friend and collect her things. We left the limo behind and approached the front door of the quaint little house, while Zel waited in the Lamborghini. I was probably going to have to send Jophiel a bill for that car, since my mate seemed to have claimed it as her own. Or, if Hannah preferred, I’d buy her a new one in every color if that would make her happy. I owed her that much.

“Oh,” Brandy said, when she opened the door and caught sight of me. She didn’t shrink back, but her eyes got huge when she realized the devil was standing on her front porch. We’d met once before, when I’d rescued her from an abandoned motel in the middle of the desert where she was being held captive by shifters. Needless to say, I’d made a strong impression.

“I believe you’ve met Lucifer,” Hannah said, gesturing at me.

I took Brandy’s hand and kissed it, which only made her look more shocked, much to my amusement. “A pleasure to see you again. You seem to have recovered nicely from your ordeal.”

“Thank you again for saving us.” Brandy stepped back and allowed us entry into her home. “Please come in.”

I followed Hannah inside and surveyed the living room with furniture that had obviously seen better days. A rug that curled slightly at the end. A couch with arms worn thin from use. A pillow with frayed edges. But most shocking of all was Asmodeus standing in the center of the room in his black suit, somehow looking as though he belonged there.

“I’m going back to Las Vegas,” Hannah told Brandy. “I’m just here to get my things.”

Brandy shot me a quick glance and nodded. “I’ll help you pack up.”

The two of them went up the stairs, leaving me alone with Asmodeus. He cleared his throat.

“My lord,” he said, bowing slightly.

I scanned him from head to toe, noting how much he had changed. No longer did he radiate his incubus sensuality, that innate power that drew people to him and made them want to rip their clothes off. To all of my senses, he was completely human.

“It’s true then,” I said. “You gave up your immortality.”

The ancient demon bowed his head, his black hair catching the light. “Yes. I’ve made all the arrangements to pass control of my Lilim duties to my assistant Himeros. Everything shall continue to run smoothly, my lord.”

I held out a hand to him. “I’ll be sad to lose you. You’ve always been one of the few I could trust, and a good friend too. I wish you all the best.”

He clasped my hand in a warm shake, and seemed relieved by my words. “Thank you, Lucifer. That means a lot.”

“Was it worth it?” I asked in a low voice. “Giving up all your powers and your immortality?”

Asmodeus stared at the stairs Brandy had gone up. “It’s worth it. I’d do it a million times over for my mate.”

I understood perfectly. I would’ve done the same if that was what it took to be with my woman too. “Take good care of her. Hannah is very fond of her.”

Asmodeus stood taller, his chest puffing out a bit. “I will. I plan to take Brandy and her son to Disney World soon, and then I’ll get us a huge mansion on the beach and spoil the crap out of them.” His gaze softened. “Brandy’s been through a lot. So has her son. I’m going to treat her like a queen and give them both the life they deserve.”

“Good,” I said. “You certainly have the money for it, but please let me know if there’s anything you need from me.” For decades, Asmodeus ran strip clubs under my command in service of the Lilim, and though he was passing on that responsibility now, he’d been rewarded generously for his work over the years. Besides, Asmodeus was almost as old as I was, and no doubt had a large stash of money tucked away after all this time.

Asmodeus hesitated. “Actually there is something. I wondered if I could have one last favor from you for all my years of loyal service.”

That sounded ominous, but I’d always been one to grant favors, usually in exchange for a favor in return at some point. “What is it?”

“Brandy’s mother has terminal cancer. There is nothing the human doctors can do. Might you ask one of the angels to heal her? I know you have some allies among the Malakim now.”

I clasped his shoulder and gave him a firm nod. “It will be done.”

“Thank you, my lord,” he said, his shoulders dropping in relief. “You are a fine king, and it was an honor to serve you.”

Hannah came down the stairs then, carrying a bag on each arm. “I think I have everything I need.”

Brandy also returned with her son and the older, frail woman who must be her mother. Hannah looked at them all with sadness in her eyes, and I took the bags from her arms, along with the one Brandy was holding.

Hannah gave me a nod in thanks and then turned to the others. “I guess this is it then. Thank you for letting me live here with you for the last few years. I’m sorry to leave in such a rush.”

Brandy shook her head and grabbed Hannah’s hands. “No, thank you for helping around the house with Jack and everything else. It won’t be the same without you here. Promise you’ll come visit sometime.”

“I will. And you all have to come to Las Vegas to visit us.”

“Yes, my hotel would be happy to host your family whenever you’d like,” I said. “My treat, of course.”

Donna’s face lit up. “That sounds lovely.”