Page 100 of Lust

“So this is what it feels like to be royalty,” I whisper to Juliette and Quinn as we pass the fans being held back by tuxedo-clad demon bodyguards.

“More like Hollywood royalty,” Juliette replies, waving to everyone like the queen she is.

“More like Holy Hell royalty,” Quinn says. “Look at this. Everyone wants us. Even the girls.”

“Everyone wants us, babe. Make the most of it.” Juliette says with a wink. “I certainly plan to.”

Quinn stiffens beside me as the elevator doors open and Asmodée and Arch step out. I think she was kinda hoping that they’d still be downstairs, giving her an excuse to not have to go through with this.

We pass them and step into the elevator. The doors close, blocking out the screams and giving us all a few seconds of respite. Unlike Juliette, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this. It’s overwhelming.

Quinn brings out a blue marble and stares down at it in the palm of her hands.

“You don’t have to do this,” I remind her. “We can all go to the party together and forget Dade. He chose this.” Even as I say it, I know she won’t.

She heaves in a determined breath. “I’ll see you later.”

The moment the doors open, I'm blinded by a sea of camera flashes. Hell seems to have pulled out all the stops for this event, complete with another pink carpet downstairs. Similar to upstairs, where fans were stationed, photographers and fans flank the carpet.

“You can do this.” I give Quinn a hug. My heart feels like it’s being pulled in a million directions as Juliette and I step out of the elevator. I force a smile, even though my heart feels heavier with each passing second. I hurry forward toward the Earthery to escape the weight of the fan’s stares, but I'm forced to wait for Juliette, who is making the most of the spectacle. When she finally reaches me, we hold hands, stepping up to the doors of the Earthery together. A frisson of fear passes through my body. A few days ago, this was nothing but rubble, and I was trapped underneath it with Felix. I swallow back my fear, and gripping Juliette’s hand, step inside. If I thought the exterior of the Earthery was stunning, the interior is breathtaking. I've never been inside a palace, but I'm almost certain that wherever the Earthery modeled itself after, this must be it. We step into a massive banquet hall with long tables lining one side and a spacious dance floor at the other. Men in red livery stand as sentries along the walls. I can't help but feel a pang of discomfort as I realize the guards are here to ensure the contestants' safety.

Noémi greets us with a wide smile. She's dressed in a tight pink sequined dress that clings to her curves.

“That's a beautiful dress,” Juliette comments as Noémi envelops her in a hug. I scan the room, my nerves on a knife edge. I don’t want to admit it to myself, let alone anyone else, but I’m searing for Felix. He isn’t here yet, but he will be.

“Were ees Quinn? I thought you three would come down togezzer.”

I turn my attention back to Noémi and give her a tight-lipped smile. “She’ll be down soon.” She might be a bundle of sunshine, but she’s the reason my nerves are pulled taught. My entire future is in her hands tonight, and how well she thinks I dance with Felix.

“Ah, Maggie. You look perfect,” Noémi says, turning her attention away from us. “And Colin. Glad to see you are all better. I love ze matching shirts. Tres cute.”

“Let's grab some food,” Juliette suggests, making a beeline for the banquet table already laden with a variety of dishes.

“This must be a dream come true for you,” I observe, watching Juliette pile her plate so high that it might topple over under its own weight. “All the food and sex you could want, without having to work for it.”

“Oh, believe me, I've been working out,” she replies cryptically. “Oh, look, vol-au-vents!”

I give her a questioning look. “Is Orlin going to whisk you off your feet tonight? Or knock you off them?”

Juliette pops a vol-au-vent straight into her mouth. “I sincerely hope not!”

“So where’s this secret date of yours that may or may not be Orlin?”

She gives me a sly smile but doesn’t answer my question.

What with Juliette’s secrets, Twila missing and Quinn risking her life on the lower floor, it almost takes my mind away from Felix. Almost.

My breath hitches in my chest as he finally walks in the door. He’s damningly beautiful. I could have coped with him when his face was a mashed up mess. Honestly, it took the edge from his impossible good looks and gave the illusion of humanity. That’s long gone tonight. Tonight he looks like a god brought from the heavens itself. And on his arm is a goddess. A goddess in red. Anthura. A shiver runs down my spine. I turn away from them before they see me and concentrate on the vol-au-vents. Quinn’s warning runs through my mind.Anthura is going to hurt you tonight if you show the barest hint of interest in Felix.The problem with that is, I need to dance with Felix and make it the sexiest dance ever if I want to get through to the next Circle.

In other words, one way or another, I’m totally and completely screwed.

49

THE BOWELS OF HELL

QUINN

The corridors of the lower floor are eerily quiet as I race down them. The rustle of my skirt seems magnified as it swishes around my legs, but I’m way too nervous to slow down and tip toe. What I’m doing is madness. I’m in the den of demons who I know can burn me to a crisp with a single touch and will show no mercy if they happen to catch me. They like to torture humans. It’s in their very nature and yet they are prohibited from doing just that upstairs. Down here, I’m a sitting duck, because I won't stand a chance at outrunning anything in this skirt, and my only hope for defense would be to face one or two demons with my dagger. If they swarm me, I’m done. Over. Extinguished. Dead. The only reason I escaped last time is because Dade flew us out of here. I just need to find him and free him, and then he can fly us both out again.

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