Soul Stripper (9 page)

They stared at each other. An immortal staredown. It was like a spaghetti western, only the men were much more beautiful. And they showered regularly. I expected them to draw any second—only instead of guns it would be a pitchfork and a halo.

Lucien was the first to speak. “You know the situation.” It was a statement, not a question.

“I do,” Julian said.

“And are you able to help?”

Julian paused and looked over at me. “I must clear it with the counsel first.”

“I understand.” Another pause. “If it helps—she has no more succubus powers. She is mortal for all intents and purposes.”

“Almost mortal. She retains some succubi traits still.” Julian’s eyes flitted over to my breasts, and I rolled my eyes, giving an audible sigh.

“I’ll need an answer as soon as possible.”

Julian gave one sharp nod, and with one last crack, he disappeared. Again.

“Kayce,” Lucien called. When she looked up from her hands, her eyes were red and her cheeks streaked with tears. “I’m going to need your help with this, too. We’re going to have round-the-clock surveillance on Monica. Can you take the first shift?”

She sniffed and nodded.

“Take your balls out of your pockets, Kayce. We need you to be on your A game.”

Kayce stood, swiping an arm over the last remnants of tears, and walked over to Lucien, pupils flickering like a flame. Her stride was fast, and as she reached him, she grabbed Lucien’s balls tightly. He squeaked and his face reddened. “She’s my best-fucking-friend. You better believe I’m on my A game.” She released her grip and Lucien adjusted his clothing.

“Excuse me,” I chimed in, “do I get any say in this?”

“No!” they said at the same time, not taking their eyes off of one another.

“Take her home,” Lucien continued. “But let her go about her days as normal. In fact, try to keep your tail on her a secret. You’re her friend, so for the most part it won’t look weird, you hanging out at the coffee shop and at her house, but we don’t want the perp to be scared off of the target.”

I swallowed. “And . . . I’m the target, right?” I wasn’t used to all this covert operation shit.

Kayce shook her head. “I don’t like this, Lucien. Monica shouldn’t be used as bait.”

For a brief moment, Lucien’s face softened. “I can’t say I like it much, either, but we have little choice. If this guy knows we’re wise to him, he’ll just back off and find another victim. We’d be sacrificing another for Monica’s life.”

“I’m all right with that,” Kayce said.

“Of course you are. You kill for a living.” Lucien rolled his eyes.

“Newsflash, dipshit. I’m a succubus. You’re a demon. We
all
kill for a living.”

“Enough!” I couldn’t take their bickering much longer. They were like the Hellspawn equivalent to the Ropers. “I’ll do it. I’ll be the bait. But I’ll be safe, right? We’ll have people constantly watching and maybe you can get me some sort of weapon so I’m not just a sitting duck?”

Lucien nodded. “I can arrange that. But, Monica, you can’t tell anyone you suspect you’re a target. We have no idea who this person is—who he knows or how he’s listening. I know we’re safe in here because of my enchantments. But other than me, Julian, and Kayce—you can’t talk about this to anyone. I will keep you posted if I add any more security to the team.”

I nodded, gulping back the fear that was making my ears ring. “Should I come in to strip tonight?”

Lucien thought for a moment. “Not tonight. Those fucking stitches are disastrous. Here.” He touched my leg, and a pins-and-needles sensation coursed through my body. “That should help it heal within a day or so.”

Kayce had her hands on her hips and was looking at the ugly carpet. “We should put enchantments on her apartment, too. I can put a basic ward on it, but for anything more intricate, we’ll need your skill.”

Lucien nodded in agreement. “I’ll do that tonight when I take over for you. How long are you available today?”

“I can be on duty until nightfall. Then I have a—er, another assignment. It shouldn’t take long, though.”

“No problem.” Lucien waved her off. “I’ll take over at eight p.m.”

“I have a thing tonight thanks to Drew,” I chimed in. “It’s at a church.”

Lucien lit up. “That’s perfect! You should have no problem entering a sacred place since you no longer have succubi powers.”

“Are you
sure?
If you’re wrong about this, the consequences could be awful.”

“I’m sure.”

“How sure?”

He paused, thinking. “Eighty-five percent.”

My eyebrows arched. “You’re playing Russian roulette with fifteen percent of my life?”

“Oh, calm down.” He rolled his eyes and went back to his desk. “You’ll know before you actually enter if it will hurt you or not. Just touch your finger to the door. If it sizzles, you know not to go in.” His mouth curled into a playful smirk.

Nice to know he still has his humor in the face of danger,
I thought, glaring at him.

He went over to the row of cabinets lined up along the wall and hovered his hand over the paneling. He was muttering under his breath, lifting an enchantment. After a few seconds, he lowered his hand and opened a cabinet door pulling out a .38 Smith & Wesson and a box of bullets.

I jumped out of my seat to get a better look at it.

Lucien held the gun’s grip out toward me. “This is for emergency use. The bullets were blessed with holy water. It will make it so that the wounds of any demon or Hellspawn won’t heal. After that, it will be up to Saetan if he wants to revive who is shot. And if the murderer is human, it can certainly be used against him. You ever shot one of these before?”

I nodded, still staring at the glistening gun. It had been a while, but if I remembered correctly, it was like riding a bike. A deadly, dangerous bike.

He exhaled. “Great.” He put on a pair of protective gloves and loaded the gun, careful not to touch the blessed bullets to his skin. “Just, please”—he slipped the gun into my purse—“don’t blow your toes off.”

“That sounds like a euphemism.”

“Monica, I’m serious.”

“Yes, yes, fine. I won’t shoot myself.” I picked up my purse, which was suddenly a few pounds heavier. “Isn’t it illegal to carry a concealed weapon?”

Kayce rolled her eyes at me. “Please. This is Vegas. We make our own laws.”

“All right, you two, get out of here.” He turned and sat down in his desk chair. “I’ve got some work to do keeping you safe.”

Kayce linked her arm in mine, and we turned toward the door.

“Oh, and Monica,” he called without looking up from his phone, “I’m gonna want that Newton’s Cradle back after you get your powers restored.”

I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I heard him chuckle a little. Demons are such bastards.

“S
low down!” Kayce cried as I accelerated to forty miles an hour back in my Toyota. Her face was ash gray, hands clenching the interior.

“Kayce, breathe, darlin’.”

“We’re going to get in a car wreck and you’re going to end up dead, I just know it!” Each word connected to the one before it, as if she were not even breathing between.

“We’re not going to die. My senses are still really strong—stronger than human, for sure. I’ll be fine.”

“Just slow down. I can easily protect you from everyone else, but I can’t protect you from yourself.” Her voice was slower and calmer than seconds before, but I heard something in the last word—a catch in her voice that sounded like she might cry.

Taking a hand off the steering wheel, I reached across to hold her hand. Though my gesture was meant to be comforting, she shrieked in my ear; I swerved into the lane next to mine, shocked by her sudden outburst. Horns blared from all sides.

“Put your hands back on the wheel!”
she screamed.

“Oh, my fucking Hell! If you don’t calm down, I swear to Lucifer, I will make you walk home!” I put my hands on the ten-and-two position and slowed down to only thirty-two miles per hour despite the honks and middle fingers as people sped past me. “There. Better?”

Her breathing returned to normal, and I saw the cool, calculating succubus return to my side. “Yes,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

The rest of the trip was silent with the occasional
thunk
as Kayce adjusted the gun on her hip. As we entered the more happening area of Las Vegas, the streets grew more and more crowded. A man and woman both went for the same cab and got into a screaming match. Horns blared; lights flashed and blinked. On the corner near Circus Circus, I saw my incubus friend, George, wearing tight, hip-hugging jeans and a button-down short-sleeved shirt with suspenders. It was hard to tell based on the outfit if he was hunting men or women today—it tended to vary from night to night. Though, he prefers the boys.

Out of habit, I pulled into the coffee shop parking lot. “Is that Mia?” I asked Kayce, who was already leaning her head out the window to have a better view.

“Yep, that’s her.”

What the Hell is the Succubus Queen doing in my Vegas coffee shop on a Saturday afternoon? She has stations all over the world. Vegas seemed so dull in comparison to Greece, Italy, and Paris.

Following close at her heels was her minion, Lexi. Okay, maybe Lexi was a bit more than just a minion—more like an executive assistant. But, man, I hated that bitch. She’s had it out for me from the day I fell to Earth. Lucien said that she was insanely jealous not only of my relationship with him but also of the fact that I was famous for being an angel. Or being a fallen angel. Whatever. Apparently she’s been in love with Lucien for centuries. She thinks
I’m
the reason he won’t be with her. Yet, I’ve heard what Lucien has to say about her—the feeling is definitely not mutual, and I can guarantee it has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the fact that she’s a cunt. Needless to say, it certainly didn’t illicit strong feelings of friendship between her and me when Lucien took me under his wing. It simply offered the perfect outlet for her bruised ego and anger.

I parked my little Toyota, swinging wildly into the first available space. A car horn blared and a deep voice yelled obscenities through my open window. Maybe Kayce was right—I should drive a little more carefully now. At least until I was immortal again.
If
I were to ever be immortal again. If I stayed mortal, I could have a normal life. Normal relationships. A family even. The thought made me smile, as unrealistic as it was . . . if only for a moment.

“This is actually perfect,” said Kayce. “I can run home and grab some of my other weapons as well as this new incantation spell I learned. You’ll be safe for the time being with Mia at the shop.”

I nodded. “That’s true. But what the Hell is she
doing
here?”

Kayce shrugged, her bony little shoulders rising to her delicate earlobes. “I don’t know. She’s probably just making her rounds.”

The first thing to hit me was the overwhelming smell of rosewater again. The same smell that had lingered at Hell’s Lair. I walked in, and standing at the counter ordering a latte was Mia, Queen of the Damned. She wore a perfectly tailored blue business jacket with a skirt that came midthigh. Her long red hair sat perfectly coiffed in a French twist on her beautiful head.

Ruby lips matched her red accessories for the perfect color pop. I looked up realizing she was speaking to Drew.
My
Drew.
Calm down, Monica.
You cannot piss off your Queen. Especially on a day when you have no powers whatsoever.

Standing slightly behind Mia was Lexi. She was three inches taller than me and two sizes larger with curves that looked simply ridiculous. Her suit was buckling at the seams around her hips and bust, and she wore no shirt under her waist-hugging jacket. Prostitutes would envy her cleavage, and her skirt was so short, you could almost see two ass cheeks hanging out the back. Her dark brown hair was straight and fell to her shoulders, bangs sweeping just below her eyebrows, tickling her eyelashes.

“Could I get that latte with extra
cream?
” Mia’s voice was husky and she leaned into Drew as she spoke.

“Of course. Latte, extra foamy, comin’ up.” Drew somehow tore his eyes away from Mia’s smoldering gaze and smiled at me, still standing in the doorway. “And here’s Monica now.” He gestured at me with a rag he held in his right hand, then tossed it over his shoulder, turning to make the latte.

“I know.” Mia spoke so softly that no mortal ears could hear. “I could smell her come in.”

I walked up to two of the most powerful succubi in the world, grabbing a couple napkins to stuff into my purse—I needed something to quiet down the damn Newton’s Cradle that was going nuts at the bottom of my bag. The clicking quieted down significantly but was still present.

“Hello, Mia.” I slightly bowed my head. Succubus Rule #1—
Never
piss off your Queen. Always show appropriate respect. No matter how much disdain you might feel for the bitch.

“So.” She looked around my coffee shop as though we were in a dirty, public bathroom. “
This
is where you spend your days. How . . . quaint.” She wrinkled her nose as though smelling something foul.

“Yes.” I swallowed my uncertainty and tried to replace it with confidence.

“I presume that you use it to find some strong fixes.” She glanced around at a few of the tables. “There seem to be a lot of good-souled men and women in here.” She leaned in closer, her ruby lips so inviting—sexy and alluring. “Must be so . . . tantalizing.”

I cleared my throat. “Yes. This place is filled with the kind of people Hell seeks.”

“She’s lying.” From behind Mia, Lexi growled. “She doesn’t sleep with the men she meets here. Only at her strip club.”

My initial plan was to try to ignore anything Lexi said or did. Avoid eye contact. Ignore the jabs. But trying to brush off Lexi is like trying to evade an ex-lover who isn’t ready to let go of you. And one moment you’re standing there sipping your morning coffee and the next you look out your window and he’s standing in your driveway carving
FUCK YOU
into the hood of your car with gasoline in one hand and a book of matches in the other. That’s Lexi. Insane. Dangerous. Unhinged.

Mia raised a smooth, waxed eyebrow in my direction. “Is that so? I thought you got over your ‘ethical’ hang-ups decades ago.”

I spoke carefully—I needed to tread lightly with such powerful demons. “I did not lie.” I shot a menacing glance at Lexi. “I have slept with a couple of men from here. In fact, I stole a man’s soul I met here just the other night. And he was married.”

Mia smiled; this seemed to please her for the moment. “Good. We have our eye on you, Monica. You need to kick your duties up a notch. And I think a good way to start would be with your boss over there.” She peered at Drew with a side glance, not moving her head. “If you don’t, I just might.”

I could smell Mia’s sex drip from within her panties. There was a tug at my core—Mia wanted Drew. I panicked, and in a sharp breath I blurted out, “He is one of my targets.” I just couldn’t stand the thought of Mia claiming Drew for herself. At least with me, he’d only lose a small portion of his soul—if it were up to Mia, he’d die at her kiss, perish at her touch, decay from deep inside her.

“Really?” She tilted her head, reading me. “How very . . . interesting.” Although she didn’t sound all that interested.

“Is that why you’re here? To check up on my work progress?”

Lexi scoffed, a guttural laugh that rang out with disgust. “Don’t be ridiculous. We are far too busy to come down here simply to talk with such a lower immortal.”

Mia held up a hand to silence her assistant and smirked. “Now, now, Lexi. We all know Monica is more than your average succubus. Both in strength and history.” Both of which I had heard before but never quite grasped why. Kayce was older, stronger, and more successful than me, yet she was constantly overlooked by our Queen.

Lexi’s mouth snapped shut in response. Even if she wanted to defy Mia, it would be almost impossible. The bond between a Queen and her minion was extremely hard to sever. When the Queen requested something, all of us had little choice but to comply.

“We are here,” Mia continued, “to investigate the murders that have occurred in this section and to meet with Lucien. I believe I smelled you enter Hell’s Lair during our meeting. Clearly he is having trouble keeping his sector in control. We can’t have sloppiness in any location.”

“There is no way this is Lucien’s fault,” I interjected. “These murders happened under all our noses.”

“Oh, I know.” Mia looked at a perfectly manicured nail. “And you are all to blame. But Lucien gets paid well to be in his position, and the burden falls on his shoulders. If he doesn’t sort this all out soon, I will have to bring someone in who can. And . . .
dispose
of Lucien properly.”

Lexi breathed in sharply at the mention of Lucien’s disposal. “My Queen, that might be a little harsh. Perhaps, let me stay behind. I can help gain an understanding of just what we’re dealing with now. It might be as simple a solution as bringing in a mind reader.”

Mia sighed, seemingly bored with the conversation. “Very well, Lexi will stay longer to sort out the details and run the investigation.”

Lexi smirked from behind Mia—a twisted, sadistic grin. At least with Lexi looking into things, someone would be looking out for Lucien’s best interests.

I suppressed a groan and simply stood there as Mia went on. “We are touching base with all lower immortals to ensure that you all understand the danger here in Las Vegas. Be on the lookout for anything suspicious, and if you feel anything strange, make it known to your superior.”

I wasn’t sure if Lucien had told Mia of my lack of powers, yet. Based on how bored she seemed with me, I assumed not. I didn’t want to get Lucien in trouble for not alerting them, but even more than that, I didn’t want to get
myself
in trouble, either. “Well, I’m not sure this has anything to do with the murders, but this morning I lost most of my powers.”

Mia’s head snapped up, eyes suddenly wide and interested. “You’ve lost your powers?” I nodded and looked over at Lexi, who stood there, showing no emotion. On one hand, she was probably elated at the fact that my life was being threatened. On the other, her job was now to help protect me. “This is very interesting, indeed,” Mia continued. “I’m not sure how much of this case Lucien revealed to you, but up until now, the victims have been very low-powered succubi. Usually a succubus that just recently came into existence. Immortals who did not know how to use the full capacity of their powers yet. You may be the first target over fifty.”

“He’s upping the game,” I said.

Mia raised her chin and looked down at me with slanted eyes through the feathers of her long lashes. “You realize this being wants to kill you.”

“Yes.” I squared my shoulders toward her.

“And that you might very possibly die in our attempts to catch this outlaw.”

I stared her in the eyes, unblinking. My knees quivered, and I knew she could sense the fear. I kept my voice steady. “I understand.”

“And by death,” Lexi continued Mia’s thought, “we don’t mean just losing your mortal body, being sent back to Hell. You will cease to exist on either plane. Your entire entity will be gone.”

I nodded, feeling my throat wad up like cotton. Something about Lexi’s smile when she explained succubi death made my skin crawl.

“And there’s no trace of any arcane magic at the crime scenes?” My Newton’s Cradle was still clicking, and Mia’s eyes glanced down at my bag, smirking with a knowing grin.

“We have found no hint of magic at the crime scenes. But that doesn’t mean the acts themselves weren’t carried out by an immortal. It simply means no magic was used in taking their lives.”

Drew walked up with a latte in a to-go cup. “Here you go—one extra-creamy latte.”

Mia took a sip, running her tongue along her lips. “It’s perfect,” she purred.

Drew’s eyelids drooped at her scent—impossible to resist. He leaned into Mia, intoxicated by her presence. She leaned into his listless, loving gaze and parted her lips. I wanted to scream out—I had declared him as my target. Our Queen, for all her faults, was always good about keeping her word and abiding by the rules set by Saetan. I bit my tongue, pleading with whatever God would have me to save Drew from Mia. His lips parted, millimeters from her poisonous mouth. Just as I thought she was going to touch her lips to his, she looked over at me. “I’ll be watching.” She turned and swayed her hips out the door, disappearing with Lexi at her side.