“That book is weird. Something is off about it, Parker.”

  “I’ll take your word for it, Maye. If anything else happens, give me a call.” When I nodded, he smiled. “And get the litter box ready before the cat shits somewhere.” He chuckled.

  I looked around, remembering the cat. The spotted feline appeared and meowed. Parker and I looked at each other.

  “Did she just say ‘fuck you’? I mean, it sounded like it,” I said, confident the cat actually spoke.

  Parker seemed to think about that, then shook his head. “Cats can’t talk. Maybe you are high.” He laughed, snatching up the painted canvas and hurrying out the door before I could stop him.

  Shaking my head, I walked to the cat box and poured in some litter. I didn’t want a cat, but I did want that damn easel. Something told me I had to have it, so I was willing to take on a pet just so I could get it. I placed her box in the corner of the room and sighed.

  A box for pooping. How lovely.

  After I set down her food and water, I returned to the easel and placed a blank canvas on it. I smiled, debating what I wanted to paint. Then I knew. Him. Whoever he was, I had his image in my mind for a while and knew I had to paint him. It was as if something took over my body. I felt my mind go far away, focusing.

  It felt like just minutes had passed, but when I glanced at the clock, I saw it was already five in the morning. I looked at my completed canvas. He was handsome, someone I felt like I already knew. His dark hair was swept back, eyes changed from blue to green, depending on his mood, infectious laugh. He was my safe zone. But who was he?

  Chapter Four

  Lucifer

  I didn’t know how much longer I could stay here. The lantern didn’t seem like it would stay lit much longer. I tried using my powers to get out, unsuccessfully. I could make light and even a drink from Hell, yet I couldn’t get out of here? It pissed me off. I called out to Aden many times, to no avail.

  Humming, I lay on the floor, placing my hands behind my head. I yawned, debating about a short nap. Something was bound to happen eventually, right? Just as I closed my eyes, the whole room began to shake.

  What the bloody hell?

  It shook again. I scrambled up and held onto the wall, feeling my stomach roil violently with the movement. The devil does not throw up. Closing my eyes briefly, I waited for the movement to stop. When it finally did, I felt a cool breeze, a light shining down on me.

  “What the fuck?”

  The angelic voice was like music to my ears, though a tad bit loud. I opened my eyes and looked up…seeing a giant! I ran to the other side of the room, frantically looking around.

  Dear gods, what has Aden left me to? He is mad if he thinks my size will help this person.

  She stared at me, stunned, eyes wide. After what seemed like hours, she finally spoke in a low voice. “Are you a tiny person? I didn’t think people could be this small. Is it a new disease? I mean, they discover new things every day,” she rambled.

  “Love, you’re the damn giant. Let me out of here.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “A bit demanding, aren’t you? I don’t listen to people who demand things. I like words such as please and thank you. I bet your momma didn’t raise an asshole.”

  “I don’t even know who my mother is. And I don’t use those words very often, so you’ll have to remind me.”

  One wary eye on her, I jumped up to grab the top of the box, struggling to find a toehold and pull myself out. This was ridiculous. How was I supposed to help a giant?

  Deciding I had enough, I used my powers. Immediately, I was back to normal size and lying on the floor, looking around. When she let out a little shriek, I glanced at her. She wasn’t a giant. Then I looked at the contraption she stood by, drawer open.

  What the fuck? I was in there? Next time I saw him, I’d wring Aden’s neck. He would have to let me, of course, which was unlikely.

  Standing and brushing off my suit, smoothing my hair by running my hands over it, I glanced at the woman. She was gorgeous. Stunning. I’d never seen anyone with her kind of beauty before. Her lightly tanned skin reminded me of the women in Egypt, though they were a shade or two darker. Her black hair was straight and long, reaching to just above her ass. But the most gorgeous things were her blue eyes. So blue, they reminded me of the oceans in Bali.

  I’d seen many women in my lifetime, even ones of their own creation, but their beauty could not compare. She outshone all of them. Though, I had to admit, I could just be horny. I never went a day without getting laid.

  That was when I realized the chastity belt was no longer present. The stiff, cold, uncomfortable feeling was now gone. I blew out a breath, relieved. Last thing I needed was to be clanking around. She would ask questions and things would get awkward.

  “So, let’s get this over with. How can I help you?” I said, straightening my cuffs with impatient, jerky movements. She may be gorgeous, but I wanted to complete this as soon as possible. Getting laid could come later.

  Was it wrong of me to think of her this way? Probably. But I’d tried long-term relationships before, with disastrous results. The women usually ended up being controlling and crazy…literally. It could have been my fault, but if someone couldn’t accept you the way you were, they weren’t the one.

  She wrapped her arms around herself, as if for protection. “I don’t need anything from you. Why were you in my easel? How the hell did you grow bigger? How did you even become small in the first place? I don’t get what’s happening here.”

  When I didn’t respond, she studied me for a few minutes.

  If she didn’t need my help, why was I here? Too many questions, not enough answers.

  “I was sent here to help you with something,” I said slowly, almost as if she didn’t understand English. “So, what do you need help with, love?”

  The woman seemed to become impatient. She placed her hands on her hips and frowned. “Unless you know how to paint—”

  “She doesn’t need you for anything, loser,” a feminine voice said from another room.

  “Who the hell was that?” the female whispered.

  I waited for someone to appear. A spotted cat poked her head around the corner and showed me her fangs.

  “I have this handled. We don’t need Lucifer to save the day. Like that’s even possible. You’re too much of a prick.”

  The woman gasped. “Did she just talk?”

  “What is your name?” I asked the woman, ignoring the cat.

  “Maye… Wait, I don’t want to talk to you. Get the hell out of my apartment.” She pointed to the door.

  I shrugged and took a step, then heard Aden whisper that he would lock me up for five hundred years if I didn’t do as he needed.

  Asshole.

  I sighed and turned back to her. “Well, Maye, your cat can talk because she’s Cleopatra. Apparently, she was naughty and someone thought she should pay for her sins before crossing over.” I looked at the cat and laughed. “Kind of a long time trying to prove yourself.”

  Cleo sent me a dark look before she sat and began to lick her paw. I was pretty sure she just flipped me off, but I didn’t know if cat toes could move that way.

  I turned away from her to look at Maye, who just stared at the cat. Then she looked at me, smirking. “She just flipped you off.”

  I shrugged. “Doesn’t surprise me. I bet that adds to the bad kitty behavior, though. Shouldn’t you be a good girl and go use the litter box?”

  That earned a glare from Cleo, but she walked back into the room she had come out of, mumbling something that probably would have added years to her punishment. Why was she even here? Things didn’t add up. Aden obviously left out a lot of vital information. He was good at that. I felt like I had to solve some kind of riddle half the time.

  “So, I was in this…art contraption?” I asked, gesturing to it.

  She snorted. “It’s an easel, and yes, I found you in the drawer. I don’t know why you were there, and I don’t even care. I just want you gone. My life does not need your kind of complicated.” She looked from the easel to me, as if trying to figure everything out. “This is insane!” she growled in frustration, throwing her hands up. “Just get out of here. And take the damn cat with you.”

  I looked at her with raised eyebrows. “My kind of complicated? How am I a complication? I’ve come to save the day.”

  “The cat called you Lucifer. If that’s true, what can the King of Hell possibly do for me…other than take my soul?” she demanded, seemingly becoming increasingly irritated with my presence. I was not used to this type of dismissive behavior from women. The way she acted confused me.

  Chapter Five

  Maye

  “Sometimes I do good things,” he whispered, almost as if hurt.

  I laughed. I couldn’t help it. The man was incredibly handsome, but I couldn’t let on that I thought that. His ego would grow even bigger. “I don’t care if you have. The devil is bad news. You may start out wanting to help, but in the end, it’ll be all about you. I’ve never heard of Satan doing good things for people. That goes against his very nature.”

  He threw up his hands. “That’s what I said! But my brother insists. So, here I am! Ready to get to work, love.” He winked at me, which only made me want to smack him. Did he think this stuff actually worked? Okay, it did, but he was getting on my nerves.

  As if sensing it, he turned to look at the painting on the easel and smiled broadly. “Oh, that’s gorgeous. You caught every good side of me, but I have to admit, I don’t have any bad side.” He nodded his approval, finger on his chin. “Very impressive. I am devilishly handsome.” Nudging me with his elbow, he grinned. “Get it? Devilishly?”

  I groaned. “Okay, time to go.” I started shoving him toward the door of my apartment. “I know this isn’t the way you came in, but I think the devil can find his way around the city. Do you need me to call a taxi?” I paused to grab my phone, dialing before he responded.

  Suddenly, Lucifer stopped moving toward the door. When I tried to push him again, it was like shoving against a brick wall. “You have something of mine,” he growled, facing me, an expression on his face that probably killed many people who saw it. His eyes were red, sinister, completely unnatural.

  I stepped back. “What do you mean? I don’t have anything of yours. And c-can you change your eyes back? That’s creeping me out.”

  He ignored me as he brushed past. My body started trembling. Was this what the devil was really like? Dangerous, the air crackling around him, threatening violence if no one did what he asked? I felt sorry for his demon minions.

  Did he have minions? I assumed, but figured he probably had something serving him. And why wasn’t I freaking out? Something was definitely wrong with me.

  Focusing on Lucifer, I watched as he walked toward the book. I rushed over and stood in front of it, blocking it from view. “That’s mine.” I was suddenly very protective of it, ready to go against the devil. That was insane! But at that moment, I did not want him to have it.

  “Ten minutes ago, a woman was found in the Riverfront Park. Police think it’s the work of the serial killer who murdered two victims in their homes. We don’t know all the details yet, but she was found alive, albeit barely, and is currently being transported to the hospital. More details as we get them. Be alert. It wouldn’t surprise this newscaster if a city-wide curfew is soon put into effect.”

  I wasn’t sure why that drew my attention, but I turned to the TV, seeing an ambulance leaving the park. Shaking my head, I turned and raised my eyebrows when Lucifer cleared his throat.

  “I will find out why I am here. For now, Maye, you need to stay in your apartment, just in case.” He walked toward the door.

  I snorted. “Just in case what?” I strode over to the easel and shoved in the drawer. “I have to paint anyway, so I don’t plan on leaving for a while.”

  Hesitating before he placed a hand on the doorknob, Lucifer looked to the room the cat had come out of, seeing her sitting there. “Cleo, keep an eye on her. I will talk to you later.”

  “Whatever, prick.”

  “Dear gods, the feline has a mouth on her. I can only imagine what she was like as a human.” Not saying another word, he left the apartment.

  Moving quickly, I locked the door and hoped he would never return. When I looked at my canvas, I wondered how I had painted the perfect likeness.

  *

  I typically never dreamed, but when I did, it was usually bad, of another time that never existed.

  It seemed I was in Hell. The fiery pits called to me, chanting my name. Souls hovered over the fire, screaming as they burned for their sins. I cringed every time. And it wasn’t just one time that they went through this. It repeated. I knew they experienced something I could not, but had I been able to touch them as a human, all their secrets would have been revealed.

  I screamed myself awake, bolting up in bed. Sunlight streamed through the window, telling me I slept far too late. What did I expect when I went to bed at seven am? After Lucifer’s visit, it took me a while to fall asleep. I lay there, listening to Cleo get into things. Even though she had been a human at one time, she sure perfected how to act like a pain in the ass cat. Maybe a spray bottle was needed in order to show her I was boss in my own apartment.

  I rolled onto my side. According to the alarm clock, it was only ten in the morning. I felt dead, my body heavy. This was worse than yesterday. What the fuck was going on? Should I be this exhausted?

  Hearing the buzzer for my door, I moaned, climbed out of bed, and went to answer the intercom. “Hello?” No one answered, which was odd. Then again, it was probably kids playing a prank.

  Yawning, I walked into the kitchen to make myself something to eat. I was starving. We never did get my brownie and ice cream. I made a mental note to do that tonight.

  Again, the buzzer sounded. Getting annoyed, I strode over to it and pushed the button. “Get away from my door, you little assholes!”

  “Excuse me?” a man asked.

  I froze, not sure what to say. Finally, I cleared my throat and leaned against the wall. “Sorry. I thought you were kids playing a prank.”

  “Calling children assholes is hardly adult behavior,” came the aggravated reply.

  Shaking my head, I debated even unlocking the door and allowing whomever it was in. The man sounded older and unfamiliar. “Who are you?” I asked, not ready to press that open button.

  “I’m here for the book. You need to get rid of it before someone comes for you.”

  I started to respond when the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I slowly turned around, startling when I saw Lucifer standing by the box. Somehow the book managed to get back into it.

  “I wouldn’t let him up if I were you. Do you know how many people are after this book?” When I didn’t respond, he sighed, his fingertips barely touching the box. “This is mine. The only reason I haven’t taken it back is because there’s obviously a reason it’s here. It wouldn’t just disappear. I think someone stole it, but it knows to escape when possible. Whoever took it didn’t put the proper safeguards in place. You need spells and other sorts of magic barriers to keep it guarded. That’s why it’s in this box.”

  The buzzer sounded again. When I reached for the button, Lucifer was suddenly next to me, grabbing my wrist.

  “I wouldn’t. Whoever that is wants the book.”

  “That’s what he said. He’s being honest so far.”

  “This book shouldn’t be in anyone else’s hands but mine.”

  He released my wrist, leaving a warm sensation behind. I wanted him to touch me again, but knew asking would make me sound like a freak, not to mention inflate his ego. Was what he said true? And why the fuck did I still talk to him like him being here wasn’t insane? I had major problems if I was willing to accept so much without asking questions. Anyone else would have run away screaming.

  “How did you get in here?” I asked, looking around. I only had one door.

  Lucifer laid a hand on the box. “I can come and go as I please. Luckily, Aden needs me to help you, so he hasn’t put many restrictions on me. Though he seems to think it’s damn funny that I was in the easel. We should destroy it. No one uses those things anymore anyway.”

  He started walking toward it, but I ran in front of him, holding my arms out to my sides.

  “No! It’s mine!” I glared at him, daring him to try and get around me. Maybe he would touch me again…

  Shit, what the hell was wrong with me? I didn’t care about men. Thus far, the only experience I’d had turned out to be jerks or had an agenda, so I stayed away from them as much as possible…other than Parker.

  He stopped and stared at me, as if wanting to say something, then looked away, leaving me cold. I didn’t understand my attraction to him. He was the King of Hell, and I was obviously drawn to evil. That didn’t say much for me. I should probably start going to church before I sealed my fate to the fiery pits. Maybe Lucifer would rescue me and we would live happily ever after.

  Not. Quit being so delusional, Maye.

  “Have you tried to read the book yet?” he asked, opening the box.

  Running toward it, I shoved him away. “That’s mine, too.”

  “What?! I think not! I made this book with my souls! You can’t have it.” He grabbed my arms, pinning them to my sides, lifted, and moved me over about a foot. “Now, if you’ll excuse me…” He reached into the box and pulled out the book, examining it with a strange, faraway look in his eyes. “Yes,” he breathed. “It would be catastrophic if this fell into the wrong hands.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  When he started to open it, I took a step back. He furrowed his brows. “What’s wrong?”

  “The book makes me feel…weird.”

  He shook his head and opened it. “To anyone else who tried to read it, the pages would look blank. I’m the only one who can see what this book contains.” He smiled, obviously pleased with that fact.

 

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