Page 90 of Destined for Eternity
Samael cocked his head. “Perhaps we should ask Melena Sanders what she thinks—especially considering she invaded our territory last year. She certainly has first-hand experience with us.”
Bartol cursed under his breath. This high demon was even more aware of current events and their allies than expected. Samael surely knew Melena’s nature and not just her occupation. He wanted to call in the only sensor present, which was suspicious in itself, but it didn’t help that Melena had invaded Hell, and they might want revenge.
“She is off-limits to you,” Remiel said.
The high demon pressed a hand to his chest as if offended. “Oh, you think we wish her harm? Hardly. We respect anyone who defies Heaven, and not only invades Purgatory to free prisoners there—twice—but also comes down to the bowels of Hell to rescue an archangel who’d been carelessly discarded despite her good nature. If only this sensor had been around when I first fell.”
Bartol couldn’t believe his ears. Did the demons actually respect Melena? Surely not.
“You mean her no harm whatsoever?” Remiel drew his brows together. “I find that hard to believe.”
“I swear on my honor that neither I, nor any of my brethren present, will harm the sensor in any way while present at this summit—or afterward if we come to an agreement.” Samael produced a knife and cut his palm. “A blood oath that I cannot break even if I wish.”
Neither angels nor demons used blood oaths lightly. Bartol was shocked at the lengths Samael was willing to go to get his way. He couldn’t help but ask, “Why is it important to you that your presence is known, and that you work with humans?”
“We have our reasons,” the high demon replied, voice clipped.
Remiel leaned his hands on the table in front of him, expression annoyed as he turned to address Bartol. “He wants their presence known so that we can never take it back. As long as they hide who they are, then it would be easier to force them back into Hell if the situation became too untenable to manage.”
“That doesn’t explain why they’d want to work with humans, though.” Bartol figured demons would prefer to avoid authority at all costs.
Samael clasped his hands behind his back. “I am the first to admit my people are a little difficult to control. If some of our more disciplined brethren work with human authorities to locate and capture any who break the rules, it will make our presence more palatable and leave room to negotiate for more of our kind to visit in the future. It is in our best interest to be cooperative.”
Of course, there was an ulterior motive. It made sense, even if it seemed a little too well thought out for a demon. Then again, Samael was no ordinary demon. Bartol had expected they’d only be dealing with the violent, unruly kind, but this man was proving he could control his side when necessary to get what Hell wanted.
Remiel clenched his fists. “Very well. We will bring Melena Sanders in to speak for her human agency, but she must be allowed to negotiate her terms separate from ours.”
“Very well,” Samael said, a pleased expression forming on his face.
An angel was sent out to get the sensor while the leaders of Heaven and Hell continued to negotiate the finer points of their new treaty. A nephilim was charged with writing the terms down. They’d made it partway through when Melena stepped through the door, Lucas at her side. He did not look happy about having his mate involved with a large contingent of demons.
Remiel began to introduce her, but she brushed him off and came to stand in front of Samael. She scrutinized him, managing to appear as if she were looking down on him despite the fact he was a foot taller than her. “What makes you think I’d ever allow a demon to work with my agency?”
It had taken quite a while for her to come to the gymnasium. Bartol could only guess she’d asked a lot of questions about what was going on inside before agreeing to join them. Likely, Lucas had interjected his feelings on the matter as well.
“Have you not had to deal with our kind in the past?” Samael asked.
She crossed her arms. “I might have.”
“Would it not be useful to have someone who could help capture the occasional demon causing trouble and dispose of them without a fight? We might not be best known for our discipline, but our leaders can control the lower ranks quite well when they choose.” Samael gave her a confident smile. “It would make your job easier if you had an ally.”
“It only takes a little of my blood to send them back to Hell,” Melena said, dropping her arms. “Yourassistanceisn’t really necessary.”
The high demon lifted a brow. “Perhaps for you, but can the rest of your agency say the same?”
Bartol studied Melena’s face. She was considering it, which he couldn’t blame her. The Department of Homeland Security had her flying all over the world to handle problems no human could, and she was often overworked. If a demon could assist in taking care of its own kind, it would make her life a little easier.
“I’m not the only sensor on the payroll,” she said, giving him a stubborn look.
Samael flashed his teeth. “None of the others have half your fighting capabilities, experience, or knowledge.”
“How do you know that?” Melena asked.
Bartol wondered the same. She was a sensor and immune to magic, so demons couldn’t watch her activities through supernatural means. Of course, he was still limited on his knowledge of demons and their capabilities. Perhaps they did have ways he didn’t know about.
“I’ve always had a network of human spies to help me keep abreast of current events on Earth, but especially after you invaded my territory.” He gave her a careless shrug. “You put yourself on our radar last year and have not left it.”
Melena cast a nervous glance at Lucas, who gave her an “I told you so” look. He’d certainly not been in favor of that mission to Hell and had tried to talk her out of it. Being the strong, independent woman she was, he’d eventually given in and joined her on the excursion. Now, the trip to rescue a fallen archangel was proving to have even more ramifications than expected.
