Hell's Belles. Jackie Kessler

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СКАЧАТЬ that the shield around my neck would continue protecting me, I pulled myself up to my full height—all sixty-four inches of it—and planted a hand on my hip. Glaring, I said, “I don’t give a damn what you believe. You’re a creature of Greed; that’s obvious from all your expensive trappings. You have no power over me. I belong to the Hecate. Unless you want to invoke the wrath of the triple goddess, do your gold-digging somewhere else.”

      Perhaps amused, he stood straight, looming over me as he smiled. “You’re very cute, little witch, posturing in all of your glory. Tell me: Where is the succubus Jezebel?”

      If she were in her right mind, the succubus Jezebel would be far, far away from you. Still pretending to be Caitlin, I said, “I don’t know.”

      “You smell of sex, little witch. I think you know more than you’re saying.”

      I lifted my chin high. “Of course I smell of sex. You interrupted me. Last I heard, there was nothing wrong with having intercourse in my own house, on my own time, with a willing partner.”

      He stared at me, peered into my eyes as if he could read my secrets. His grin widened, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth. Eep.

      I was out of bravado, so I covered by running out of patience as well. “Next time, ring the doorbell. Now get out of here before I banish you.”

      “You don’t have the power to do that, little witch.” His golden eyes flashing hypnotically, he said, “I could take anything I wanted from you.”

      “Anything?” I threw open the door, revealing my nakedness…and my necklace. The shieldstone seared my flesh, warding off the demon’s inherent Evil. Clenching my teeth, I refused to squirm as I felt my skin burn beneath the peridot.

      His gaze traveled the length of my body, lingering by my breasts, but I couldn’t tell if that was due to my womanly charms or the amulet that dangled between them. He said, “Pretty. And a pretty talisman too. I want it. Let me have it, little witch.”

      A wave of power crashed over me…and washed away. Still, it had rocked me back a step; if I hadn’t been holding onto the door handle, I would have fallen. His eyes gleamed gold as they sparkled, inviting me to look deep within.

      My throat tight, I said, “If you can take it, it’s yours.”

      A grin splitting his face, he reached out and caressed the swell of my left breast. My flesh grew icy where his touch lingered, as if he’d stolen my body’s warmth.

      I hadn’t abased myself to a mortal witch and forced myself to drink milk just to have a Coveter cop a feel. Swallowing my fear, I said, “Maybe I was wrong about you being a creature of Greed. You’re acting more like one of Lust.”

      Ooh, that struck a nerve. With a snarl, he grabbed the stone—and screeched, pulling his fingers away. Holding his scorched hand, he glowered at me, his malefic gaze promising to hurt me in ways I’d never dreamed. “You’ll pay for that, witch girl!”

      “I’m under the protection of the Hecate,” I said, managing to keep the fact I was utterly terrified out of my voice. “Harm me, and you’ll face her in all her ire.” I made myself believe those words, forced myself to be Caitlin in all of her faith in magic and gods.

      And he bought the act completely. Trembling from rage or pain, he spat, “Where’s the slut? Tell me, where is Jezebel?”

      Taking a deep breath, I said, “All I can say is she’s no longer here.”

      A growl sounded, deep in his throat, and the color of his golden eyes darkened until they danced with red. Blood money.

      I’d gone too far. If I didn’t appease him somehow, he would launch himself at me, ward or no. And I was too exhausted to counter a full-blown demonic attack. “She was dressed up like a television star,” I said quickly. “Maybe she’s on her way to Hollywood. You know, to blend.”

      He paused, arching an eyebrow. His unblinking eyes tried to read me, to penetrate hidden meaning behind my words. Finally he said, “You turned her away?”

      “She said something from Hell was hot on her heels. Why would I want to take on her problem?” I even pulled off a passable shrug. All I had to do was keep from passing out, and I’d be home free.

      His voice dripping with menace, he asked, “Did the slut tell you why I was after her?”

      “I asked twice, but she refused to answer.” Remembering Caitlin’s words, I added, “If she wanted my help so bad, she would’ve answered my questions.”

      After a moment, he nodded. “I believe you. No matter. I will find her, little witch. If not me, then one of the others.”

      “Others?” I asked before I could help myself.

      Golden eyes gleaming, he said, “Oh yes. There’s quite the price on her head—either attached or not. So if you see her, little witch, tell her to come back to Hell before it’s too late. Or better yet, don’t say a word. I’d rather be the one to find her before the others do.” He grinned, then disappeared in a puff of sulfur.

      Slamming the door against the stench of rotten eggs, I slid down to the floor, shaking so violently that I thought my teeth would fall out.

      Others.

      How many were after me?

      I rubbed the amulet between my thumb and index finger. It was cool to the touch; nothing Evil was nearby…at least, nothing Evil that intended me any harm. For the moment, I was safe. Three cheers for the former demon.

      But I couldn’t stay. My disguise wouldn’t fool everyone; some entities saw the truth of the matter, no matter how deeply or cleverly it was hidden. I needed to lose myself in a sea of humanity, preferably in a place where sinners walked hand in hand with saints. And, if I could swing it, a place where I could get a sweet pair of shoes.

      Thanks to my rash action, I was stuck in Caitlin’s body. More accurately, I was trapped in a body that was a dead ringer for Caitlin. The lady herself was still leaping in the fields of Slumberland, blissfully unaware of how close she’d been to having a demon of Covet as an enemy.

      Since that would’ve been my fault, I was sort of glad things didn’t turn out that way. I might have felt obligated to make things right. Not because I liked Caitlin (I did) or thought of her as a friend (I didn’t) but because that would have broken one of the Ten Great Rules. Paraphrasing Rule No. 3, demons could fuck with mortals only if said mortals were slated for Hell, or begged a favor of Hell, or courted the demons of Hell. Caitlin didn’t fit any of those categories. Worse, technically she was protected by the Hecate. Smart demons didn’t piss off goddesses, period.

      I touched my flesh beneath the gem and blew out a relieved sigh when I found the skin unmarred. Mental note: Even if it feels like you’re in the Lake of Fire, your body doesn’t burn from contact with an active shieldstone.

      Mental note, part two: Never ever, ever remove the Shield Against Evil.

      Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to stand. The demon had been right—I reeked of sex. Couldn’t help it; it was an aftereffect of using my power on Caitlin before I drank her vomit-worthy potion.

      Right. First things first: Time to СКАЧАТЬ