Page 57 of Incubus

37

Roth

“I havea name and now I know she was in Artemis’s service. Find out whatever else you can about her and bring it to me.” I crossed my arms and stared down at Cranfel.

“This is gonna cost you, incubus.” The goblin’s bulbous nose quivered slightly as he spoke.

I glared at the creature whose head barely rose to my torso. “Fine, I’ll arrange for a transfer of funds. But I need this done quickly, or else.”

“Or else what?” A challenge lodged in the goblin’s bleary eyes.

I didn’t have time to dally with the repugnant goblin. It owed me a favor and I was here to collect. “How about I take your head and send it wrapped in a box with a lovely bow to your family in the Underworld?”

I let my eyes change for emphasis, but it wasn’t necessary. Any immortal who had ever crossed me could attest to the fact I could be utterly merciless if necessary. And after the way Lilah had treated me in the car, I would rather enjoy working out my aggression on the crusty goblin standing before me.

But Cranfel had his uses—he was an information broker, and rather powerful in certain Underworld circles—his appearance notwithstanding.

At my threat, the goblin’s nose stopped quivering, and he blinked, eyelids out of sync. His mouth dropped open slightly, allowing a string of drool to begin its slow escape down to the floor. “I takes care of it.”

“That’s more like it. Now get to work, and I’d better see you soon. I’d hate to turn all your wives into widows.”

“Yes, sir.” Cranfel exited through the back door.

I made my way back through the VIP room and into the dance area. Half a dozen women had approached me before I could make it to the door, slipping me phone numbers I’d never use and telling me names I didn’t care to know. One in particular got a little too frisky, trying to corral me into a kiss before I gently set her aside and continued making my way out.

I was only interested in one woman’s kiss, but Lilah had decided I wasn’t worth her time. And she’s right. I knew I didn’t have anything to offer one such as her, but I wanted her all the same. Want her. The incubus echoed my thoughts back to me, as if it were puzzling over the same riddle—how to make her… What? Make her love me? Impossible.

The hope at such a fairytale died as I remembered how she’d turned from me after I revealed my terrible secret. I’d done so much to so many that I would forever be tainted. The incubus would never leave. To do so meant death for the both of us. She was repulsed by my evil, as she should be.

I would have sighed had I been the sort, but instead I pushed out the front doors, nearly breaking them off their hinges. I noted my empty car with a total lack of surprise. Lilah had a problem following directions, as I well knew. Her bullheaded nature made me smile to myself.

Then I saw her. She stood as if frozen, somehow dumbstruck as a male slung his arm around her and groped her ass.

It was easy, really, deciding I’d kill the male but make him suffer first.

---