Page 48 of Half Dead

I couldn’t decide whether there was an ulterior motive buried in his request. My emotions weren’t entirely in check, so there was a chance I’d reveal more power than I cared to, although I wasn’t sure Lucifer knew my identity. There was no glimmer of recognition when I’d introduced myself, only a reference to my name that anyone with etymological knowledge would know. Either his spies hadn’t gathered intelligence beyond Kane’s location, or Lucifer was solely interested in his target.

In that case, why was he in Otto’s house and not threatening to huff and puff and blow down the Devil’s Playground?

My phone vibrated in my pocket. A surreptitious glance at the screen told me that Otto had done more than request the wine from the cellar when he left the study. Kane’s text message was blunt.

LEAVE.

My pulse quickened at sight of the urgency of the single word. Kane’s advice was sound, except this seemed like the ideal opportunity to gain the advantage.

I tucked away the phone. “Where are you staying while you’re in town?” I asked.

“I found a lovely B & B in the most enchanting little neighborhood.”

“Primrose Cottage?” Otto asked.

Lucifer snapped his fingers. “Yes, that’s the one.”

I waited for him to reference the charming proprietor with an undertone of menace. A hint that he was out for blood and didn’t care whose he spilled on the way to claim his ultimate prize.

“I enjoyed my first taste of boysenberry syrup, and I must say, I’m already a huge fan.”

Syrup. Okay then.

“How long do you intend to stay in town?” Otto asked, following my lead.

“No schedule. I’m what you’d call a workaholic, but I’m hellbent on breaking those bad habits. I thought spending time in a quaint place like Fairhaven might help me escape the grind.”

The grind. He probably meant that literally.

“You’re missing a cufflink,” I said.

He touched his sleeve. “Yes, I must’ve lost it the other day. I went for a walk in the woods.”

“In your beautiful suit?” I queried.

“What can I say? The transcendental spirit of this town moved me.”

There was no hint of guilt or shame. Nothing to reveal that he knew about Birdie’s death. Then again, this was Lucifer, the supreme ruler of hell. His forked tongue was legendary.

“This wine is exquisite, Otto.” Lucifer raised his glass in salute. “Kudos to you and your excellent taste.” The demon looked at me. “Can you believe he’s blind? I had no idea at the auction house. There he was bidding on only the best paintings.” Lucifer shook his head in amazement.

I hoped Otto hadn’t shared his collections room with the demon. The vampire owned some priceless and very dangerous pieces, including a vase that contained ten thousand souls of one of the Yanmen Army, one of the greatest armies ever known. According to legend, the soldiers were cursed by an unknown entity and trapped in the vase. I couldn’t bear to think what would happen if they fell into Lucifer’s idle hands.

I washed down my fears with a second glass of wine. “Let’s cut the shit, Lucifer. I know who you are, and I think you know who I am.”

“Lorelei…” Otto’s voice trembled.

Lucifer arched an eyebrow. “I’m the supreme ruler of hell. What makes you think I’d know you?”

“Because I’m the supreme ruler of the underworld.” Or I would be if I agreed to take the throne.

He broke into a broad smile. “So youareMelinoe. I’d heard the rumors, of course, but I couldn’t be certain.”

“Oh, sure,” Otto muttered. “Tell him the truth within five minutes of meeting him.”

I leveled the demon with a look. “We both know the real reason you’re in Fairhaven. Why bother with the games? Just announce your intentions and get on with them so we can beat your ass back to hell.”

He chuckled. “I can see why he likes you. Not many others would dare to challenge me like this.”

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