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I’ll get through this. I must.
* * *
Bax
The mandatory meeting in Hell’s grand hall drags on interminably. Lucifer drones on about “synergizing deliverables” and “leveraging core competencies.” I stifle a yawn, glancing around at the other assembled department heads. Most are in various stages of sleep or catatonia.
All except one. Elara sits straight-backed and attentive, scribbling notes and asking astute questions that make Lucifer preen. Giving suggestions regardingmydepartment. Offering ideas on how she plans to implement them.
I roll my eyes. Of course, she’s enthralled by these fanciful plans that won’t amount to much. The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
And Elara is oh so verygood.
Finally, Lucifer concludes his torture and dismisses us. As the masses shuffle out, I make my way toward Elara, who is—predictably—continuing her barrage of queries.
“…analytics dashboard to track KPIs across departments,” she’s suggesting enthusiastically. “We could build traction around shared metrics and—”
“Fascinating,” I interrupt, grabbing her arm. “If you’ll excuse us, Lucifer, I need a quick word with my assistant.”
I steer a sputtering Elara out into the empty hallway. When we’re alone, I round on her. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Elara yanks her arm from my grasp. “Taking initiative. I know that’s a foreign concept to you.”
Ooh, fire. My favorite element. I guess my efforts trying to derail her have hit a nerve.
“Initiative, you say?” I drawl, closing the distance between us. She’s a tiny little thing, this mortal. Barely reaches my chest. “More like currying favor with the boss.”
I can’t help the wicked thought that enters my mind. The urge to scoop her up in my arms, press her against my hardened body. The surprise that would flit across her face, followed by a blush that’d make even Lucifer himself feel saintly. The tremors that would wrack her delicate frame, a moth caught in the spider’s web.
A dark chuckle escapes me as the image sends a bolt of want searing through my veins. Ironic, isn’t it? The tempter is being tempted.
Far from intimidated, Elara lifts her chin. “I’m doing my job. Maybe you should try it sometime instead of sulking like a toddler.”
I bare my fangs, a smirk playing at the corner of my lips. “Careful, angel. Your wings won’t carry you far in these realms.”
“Oh?” She crosses her arms, meeting my gaze without flinching. “Seems like I’m doing just fine, even without wings. Face it, Bax. I’m here to stay, and so are my improvements.”
Is she…taunting me? Torment is my middle name. That sort of thing only makes me hard. This little angel has no clue what she’s playing with.
“I’ve said it before. I’ll say it again. Your so-called improvements will upend centuries of tradition.” I force more depth into my voice, the gravelly tone designed to unsettle her, to make her aware of the dangerous creature she’s so casually defying. “You think you can just waltz in and turn Hell upside down on a whim? You don’t understand how it works down here.”
Elara’s eyes flash. “I understand you’re afraid of change. But lashing out at me won’t stop progress.” She straightens her back, chin lifting with such strength I’m almost impressed by her tenacity. “I’m not going to give up so easily.”
“Afraid?” I echo, letting out a low, sardonic laugh. “I am an archdemon, Elara. I don’t cower in the face of change. And certainly not at the bidding of a mortal like you.”
“Then prove it.” Elara steps closer, her intoxicating aura enveloping me. Does she realize her soul glows with such purity that it sparks a primal urge within me to taint it with my darkness? See just how dirty she can be? That her coming closer with this bravery is only making me want to devour her? Nobody warned this little angel before she took up a job working for an archdemon like me?
“Give my methods a real chance,” she says. “Or are you too afraid they’ll actually work?”
I bristle at the challenge in her voice. “Careful, little angel. You don’t want to start a game you can’t win.”
“Try me.”
For a charged moment we stare each other down, the air simmering between us. Then I grab Elara’s arm and storm down the hallway, half-dragging her along.
“Hey! What are you—”
“You want to prove yourself?” I toss over my shoulder. “Then prove it. I’m taking you to the Forbidden Library.”
