Page 128 of Half Dead

I wasn’t insulted. I didn’t want to be known as a fighter any more than I wanted to be feared.

Belphegor produced a scythe, slicing it through the air for good measure. “Are you sure you want to do this? Is he worth it?”

“Yes,” I answered without hesitation. They could sow the seeds of doubt about many other things, but not my love for Kane. That was as sure and steady as the beat of my heart.

“Show no mercy, my beautiful nightmare,” Kane said.

“You two are so adorable.” Belphegor twirled the scythe like a baton. “I almost hate to do this.”

Kane’s words came forth in a rush. “He lacks strength and speed. Beheading…”

Belphegor whooshed his finger through the air in the opposite direction and the stitches resealed Kane’s mouth. “You’re here as an observer only, mon frere. Lucifer’s orders.”

No doubt Lucifer intended to torture Kane by forcing him to watch.

I circled the demon slowly, sizing him up. Muscular but not overtly so. Lean and languid. His amber eyes hinted at a life of pleasure and leisure rather than grunt work. The bowed legs made the knees obvious weak points, and the hoop nose ring was just begging to be ripped out.

“Kane’s right. This doesn’t seem like your specialty. What’s the incentive?” Lucifer must have dangled some sort of carrot in front of him, something enticing enough to draw him away from his supernatural creature comforts.

“What makes you think I’d need motivation to toy with the object of Kane’s affection?”

I caught it in his inflection, a brief glimpse of his reason—jealousy. I seized that understanding with both hands. “Oh, I see. No toys of your own to play with, so you need to steal Kane’s. Gee, maybe you really are brothers.”

His amber eyes cooled, glinting in the gloom like two hard stones. “Lucifer and I are the true bonded brothers.”

“More like Kane left a vacancy at Lucifer’s side, and your pathetic, people-pleasing ass rushed to fill it. Got it.”

Belphegor cut a glance at Kane. “Is she always this mouthy? I guess I can see the appeal for you.” His jaw set as he looked at me. “I prefer my women more docile, personally.” He extended an arm and pushed the air.

Despite the lack of contact, I felt the weight of his hand on my head. The pressure forced me to my knees.

I glimpsed his ragged teeth as the demon grinned. “That’s better. Exactly where a woman ought to be.”

“Come closer,” I urged. “Now seems like a good time to test if my teeth are as sharp as yours.” I snapped my jaws.

He roared with laughter. “You think I won’t enjoy that? Pleasure and pain are my two favorite feelings, especially at the same time.” Another smile unfurled, slow and easy. Menacing.

He strode toward me with his hand still outstretched to hold me in place. “You’re fun,” he told me, as if I didn’t already know.

“Tell me that again when I’m using your head to score the winning goal.”

“I’d seal your mouth shut, too, but that will defeat the purpose of putting you in this position.”

Kane strained against the power that held him in place. It was both surprising and impressive that Belphegor was managing to restrain Kane and I at the same time. I associated the demon with sowing the seeds of discontentment and a love of money—but I got the distinct impression that he was operating above his pay grade at the moment. It seemed like Lucifer had sown similar seeds in Belphegor’s heart and waited until now, when it would serve him, to water them.

“What’s with the tattoos of doilies on your arms?”

“Why don’t I give you a closer look?” Belphegor turned to look at Kane. “If you get time off for good behavior, I may allow a conjugal visit, as long as you promise to include me.” The demon blew a kiss at the former prince.

“Like you’ll be in charge,” I scoffed. “Lucifer doesn’t share. Not power, not people, and certainly not his domain.”

Belphegor’s head snapped toward me. “Shows how little you know. He’s going to need me to fill in when he’s busy…” He stopped abruptly and threw out a hand instead, propelling me backward against a jagged rock. Pain bloomed in my shoulder blade and shot to the hinge of my jaw.

Apparently, my comment hit a nerve. Good to know. “You like it rough,” I said. “Great. So do I.”

“I hope you also love an audience.” He sauntered toward me with a gleeful hop in his bowed step. “Welcome to your nightmare, mon cheri.”

His words struck a chord that reverberated throughout my body. My nightmare.

---