Page 279 of Castings & Curses

The ferryman—if he can be called a man, being nothing but a skeleton—steers us directly toward the sun, and Mercy tumbles backward onto the floor. I don’t think twice about vacating my seat next to Roche, and I make my way toward Mercy and pull her to me, wrapping my arms around her as we sit.

Her cheeks redden again, and I can feel her heart race beneath the pulse in her wrists I hold.

“Brace yourself. We are about to pass through the realms,” I tell her softly in her ear.

She nods in understanding. “Can I keep my eyes open?” she asks, and I can hear her voice catch.

“Yes, if you wish.”

She nods again and settles against me, just as we collide with the veil itself.

* * *

“Wow.It’s prettier than I remember.” Mercy gawks at the shore we have landed on.

My eyes feel as if I am going to go blind. Everything is so… bright. A light breeze rustles my suit jacket, and I feel strangely warm.

“Hot?” Roche asks, her lips twisting in a devilish smile as she and Mercy vacate the boat.

I follow, feeling the sweat start to form from the onslaught of sun. “A bit.” I don’t lie. This air is rather stifling.

“I told you, you are overdressed,” Roche says. My gaze settles on her, and I note the way she looks against this idyllic… beach. Her red dress and long pale legs stand out against the bright glow, and she looks every bit the sinful Succubus I know her to be.

Mercy picks up shells on the beach, tossing a few into her messenger bag.

I slide my suit jacket off, rolling up my shirtsleeves, which make me feel only slightly better.

“I am simply making a good impression,” I tout.

Roche sidles up closer to me, and I can see her dark eyes lighting with excitement. “You don’t have to work to impress me, Endor. I’ll give you a glowing recommendation any day,” she says wickedly, her gaze falling to my lips.

The idea of two demons getting hot and heavy on Heaven’s soil does sound like a rather intriguing experience and my cock agrees. But I am less inclined to engage in more depraved sexual acts with a minor present and in my care.

Only a few feet away.

This is not what we came here for.

I put a hand up between Roche, and I gently push her away. “We have bigger things to worry about, Roche,” I say, just as a classic Rolls Royce pulls up onto the sand.

Mercy perks her head up, and Roche turns as well.

“It seems our ride has arrived,” I grumble as I leave Roche standing in the surf. Wrapping my arm around Mercy, I lead us toward our chauffeur, further toward the resolution.

CHAPTER11

Mercy

I knowmy fate lies in the hands of the people—angels—that we will be meeting in just a bit, but a part of me feels sad that this is the end of the line as far as Endor goes.

He is a demon, and I probably shouldn’t trust him as far as I can throw him, but my instincts tell me I can. Not to mention, he’s been nothing but caring, sweet even, since I met him.

It doesn’t hurt that he’s hot as hell, either. With those dark features and the sleeve of tattoos that span out across his freaking sinful chest...

Sigh.

I did get quite a nice look while he was walking around shirtless this morning, talking to that other demon… Roche, I think he called her?

Not entirely sure what the deal is between them, with the way she keeps looking at him and flirting with him, but he doesn’t seem to be interested in her at all. Maybe he’s gay. That would explain a lot. I mean, she looks like every teenage boy’s wet dream, how could he not be attracted to her?

---