Page 132 of Half Dead

“Is there an entrance to Paradise at this end of the complex?” I asked.

“Not an official one. Only current members can access it.” Aine used her badge to access the main set of doors. “We’ll check with reception to see which floor she’s on.”

I scanned the lobby walls. “No directory?”

“There’s one on the system, but I don’t have my phone. I tend to leave it behind when I attend meetings. Otherwise, I’ll allow myself to get distracted.” She offered an apologetic smile. “We all have our weaknesses.”

“So true.” And right now, I really wished I knew what Posy’s were because I’d exploit the shit out of them.

Aine escorted me to the reception desk at the far end of the lobby. “Greetings, my love. We’re looking for the office of Posy Martell. Would you be so kind as to point the way?”

The receptionist’s jaw unhinged as he took in the Celtic goddess’s appearance. The ends of his ears were slightly pointed, and his freckle count far exceeded my companion’s.

“You’re Aine.”

“That I am.” She leaned forward to read his badge. “Clayton. Lovely to meet you, my sweet.”

He quickly recovered. “Posy Martell, you said? That’s the second floor, room 211.”

I turned to Aine. “You should go to your meeting now. Thank you for taking the time to escort me. I appreciate it.” I wanted to avoid having any witnesses for my confrontation with Posy.

“Are you sure? I don’t mind.”

“Posy will take me to HR. She’ll want the credit.”

Clayton’s head bobbed in agreement. “She will. She’s a big fan of credit.”

Aine relented. “Well, I’m sure I’ll see you around, nowthat you’ve officially joined us. Peace and love, Melinoe.” She blew me a kiss and hurried through the lobby, her sandals padding softly on the granite floor.

Clayton lifted the phone, and I reached across the counter to stop him. “I’d like to surprise her, if you don’t mind. Such a monumental day for her. We want to make it memorable, don’t we?”

He swallowed a mouthful of air. “She won’t be pleased with me if I let you do that.”

I rested the crook of my arm on the counter. “Let’s be honest, Clayton. Is Posy ever pleased with you?”

Slowly, he lowered the phone to its cradle. “If anyone asks, I wasn’t at my desk when you came in.”

“Deal.”

I darted up the staircase, taking the steps two at a time as my adrenaline surged. One nightmare coming right up. No regrets.

The door to 211 was closed. I didn’t bother to knock. I flung the door wide open and planted myself in her office.

Posy stood at a window that offered a partial view of the sea. Longing for home, perhaps. Her head jerked toward me. “You made it.”

“You don’t seem very surprised to see me.”

She folded her arms as she assessed me. “You just saved your hot demon prince from an eternity in hell. I expected you to look happier about it.”

I marched toward her, rage fueling every step. “Why would I look happy that I was manipulated into using your special card?”

Posy tucked a stray blonde strand behind her ear. “No one forced you to flash the Bat signal. You could’ve chosen not to.”

“We both know that wasn’t an option. If I’d lost that trial,Kane would…” I pictured Kane bleeding out in the middle of Wild Acres. “Is he all right?”

“He’ll live.”

I relaxed slightly. “Tell me the truth. Lucifer was part of your plan all along, wasn’t he? Even your meeting with me was a ruse, a chance to set me up by giving me the card.”

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