Page 106 of Lust

Still, there are way too many unanswered questions about Anthura. She hates Noémi, but the both of them are demons. Only she and Moloch were able to go from Purgatory to liaise with Noémi in Lust before the games started here. They were the only two that knew the way. Not even Dade, who had spent an age mapping out the lower level, knew the whereabouts of the golden elevator before we stumbled upon it a few days ago.

Hades comes to a stop outside the Earthery entrance. “Is everybody ready?”

No

I don’t think I’ll ever be ready, but as Dade pulls me to him and kisses the side of my head, I find the strength I need.

“Let’s go in and bring her down!”

54

I GAVE YOU EVERYTHING

FELIX

Anthura roughly takes my arm in hers as I step off the dance floor. She’s radiating animosity. “What the fuck do you think you are playing at?”

I have an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach as I lean into her. “We don’t all have the privilege of being a demon like you, Anthura. I had to put on a show or I’m going to be stuck here with these assholes forever more.”

“Well, you did a good job of it,” she snipes. “A little too good.”

I look up at the scoreboard. The scores have been changing constantly since we arrived. Juliette and Orlin are no longer at the top. A grim smile tugs at my lips as I witness my name ascend to the top, a place it rightfully deserves. It's a satisfaction laced with bitterness, knowing that this position was rightfully mine all along. Rowena’s name comes to a rest next to mine. We are tying for first place. She’s still on the dance floor but now Juliette is hugging her. I know I’ve been cruel to Rowena, but it was a necessity. If I left it up to her, we’d still be griping at each other from the edge of the dance floor while everyone else darted up the scoreboard in front of us. Harsh as it was, I’ve done her a favor. Still, I feel more uneasy than I expected to. Truthfully, the kiss wasn’t planned, but she had me so rock hard that in the moment I went for it.

Juliette turns her slightly and I catch tears sparkling in Rowena’s eyes. I turn away and grip Anthura’s arm. “I’ve done enough. Let’s get out of here.”

I’m a fucking mess as we walk toward the door. My emotions are as turbulent as a tornado, but I don’t look back to the dance floor. I did what I came to do.

The doors to the Earthery open inexplicably before we reach them. Through it come Hades, the goth freak, Angelis and Snowflake.

“Holy shit!” Anthura gasps. Then out loud, she speaks. “It’s about fucking time, Hades. Where have you been, hiding from your responsibilities?” she peers behind her to where Twila is standing. “Too busy fucking the scum to do your job?”

“Step aside, Anthura.” Hade’s voice booms out, silencing everyone.

I turn to see everyone staring beyond me at Hades. Noémi’s face twists into something unrecognizable. “Get him!” she shrieks.

All at once, the livery clad demons glamors fall away from the demons to reveal their monstrous forms. Wings erupt from their backs and we’re instantly swarmed by them.

Another set of wings folds in over Anthura and my head, knocking us both to the floor. It’s only when I see Snowflake and Twila on the floor with us that I realize it’s Dade’s wings above us, shielding us from the onslaught.

“This isn’t a ball,” the goth chick whispers. “It’s an ambush. Malcanthet was going to torture you all to entertain her people. Why do you think there weree so many demons here tonight?”

My confusion bristles, and I can't help but hiss out, “What's going on? Who the fuck is Malcanthet?”

“Noémi,” both goth chick and Anthura utter in unison.

“She's the queen of Succubi,” Goth chick elaborates, her words rapid. “Noémi is her chosen name. Malcanthet is her real name.”

“I thought she was a human once?” Snowflake asks, angling her head to goth chick. “She worked at the Moulin Rouge.”

“Sweet Lucifer,” Anthura mutters with a mix of exasperation and disbelief. “You're so pathetically gullible. She told you that, did she?”

There’s an almighty roar and flash of light. Beneath us the floor quakes.

“Fuck!” I hiss out under my breath. I duck down to scramble under Dade’s giant wings, but Anthura hauls me back.

“Where do you think you’re going?” she demands.

I grit my teeth. “Rowena is out there.”

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