Gosh, Lillith had lied. What a shock.

Daun's eyes sparkled with mirth. "Demons of Greed are already taking bets on whether you get completely destroyed or just bound to the mage as his slave."

"What're my odds on actually nabbing his soul for h.e.l.l?"

"Against? I can't count that high." He grinned, his fangs flashing momentarily through his human disguise. "Your queen has set you up, Jez. If you do your job, it's a win for l.u.s.t, and she gets the credit. If you fail, it's because you overstepped, and she's not responsible."

I pouted. Lillith, the first mortal demon and my eternal tormenter (read: my boss) had it in for me, for reasons that I still didn't know. She was why I was stuck as a fifth level succubus, even though I'd been around for almost four thousand years. She absolutely despised me. Maybe one day I'd know the reason why. Or not. "I know what I'm doing, Daun."

"So do I. You're getting in over your head."

"You just prefer it when I'm giving head."

"Not the point." He looked at me intently, studying my features. Which was a waste of time, since, like him, I was in a human guise at the moment. "There's a reason even the Lower Downs don't like getting a.s.signed to magicians. If this guy isn't a phony, he very well could overpower you and then boom: instant bondage. And not in the fun-filled, handcuffs way. You'd be his servant until Judgment Day."

"He's not going to live that long."

"Or you could just be vaporized."

"Why, sweetie," I said, cooing. "It's almost like you actually care about me."

He chuckled, low and lush. "You're the best lay in all of h.e.l.l. I'd hate to see your a.s.s incinerated by mortal magic."

Awww. For a demon, that was practically a love sonnet. "Strip away the human magic, and all you have is another flesh puppet. He's got his temptations, just like any other mortal." I patted Daun's thigh. "No worries. When I'm done with Noel Le Noir, he'll be ten minutes dead before he realizes he lost his soul."

"Big talk for a little succubus."

"It's my chance to finally prove to my queen that I deserve to be promoted. Besides, I'm sure Noel's a fraud. I'm not sensing anything from him." Real magicians reeked of magic, like garlic in an Italian restaurant. "What about you?"

Daun glanced in Noel's direction, sniffed loudly, then rubbed his nose. "Only thing I smell on him is his aftershave."

"See that? Nothing to worry about."

"He could have a shieldstone. That would mask his power."

"You've been s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g the role-playing folks again, sweetie. There's no such thing as a Shield Against Evil."

"Some would say there's no such thing as demons."

"The difference is they'd be wrong. Bye-bye, Daun. I've got work to do."

"Fine, go get l.u.s.ty with the master magician. If he destroys you, don't say I didn't warn you." He kissed me, very thoroughly, then disappeared in a puff of evil intent.

I fluffed my hair (currently jet black), adjusted my b.o.o.bs (double-D), and retouched my lipstick (b.l.o.w.j.o.b red). Then I stood up, grinning like a cat after a serving of canary.

All right, Noel Le Noir. Time to say h.e.l.lo to the best - and last - lay of your life.

I shimmied over to him with practiced ease, the clacking of my four-inch heels announcing my presence well before I reached his side. The bartender, who was sliding another drink in front of Noel, paused to give me an appreciative glance, his gaze stopping at my b.o.o.bs. I gave them an added jiggle by way of saying h.e.l.lo. And then I slid onto the barstool next to my new client.

"What would you like?" the bartender asked me.

"s.e.x on the beach." Yes, I like the drink, too.

He grinned and got right on it. I watched him work, enjoying the way he wore his black tee-shirt, feeling Noel's gaze on me. Noel Le Noir was into power games; being a multiple murderer proved that. He'd make the first move. And if he didn't, a lick of my infernal power would turn up the heat. I preferred not to resort to my h.e.l.lish magic to hook a client - that gets old after the first thousand years - but I had no qualms about whammying a hesitant one with l.u.s.t, if that's what it took to get the job done. I'm a demon, after all. We cheat.

As the bartender slid the drink in front of me, Noel dropped a twenty on the bar and cleared his throat. "I've got this one, Dave. Keep the change."

Dave the bartender flashed a perfunctory smile and took Noel's cash, then also took the hint and sidled away.

Me, I beamed at Noel. "That's sweet," I said. "Thanks for the drink."

"You're welcome." Noel actually talked to me and not to my chest. Hmm. To fix that, I took a deep breath. Yep, there we go - now he was staring at my twin a.s.sets. Much better. He introduced himself to my b.r.e.a.s.t.s: "I'm Noel."

"Jesse," I said, offering him both my nickname and my hand. He pressed my palm to his lips - old fashioned and wonderfully, inappropriately intimate. The kiss was warm, and lingering, and hinted at many things. As did his tongue.

Ooh. Whether or not Noel had any real magical power, he sure knew how to use his mouth. Bonus!

He released my hand, and I sipped my drink and smiled inanely as I let him talk for a bit, telling me about himself (yawn) and that I was beautiful (well, duh) and that he wasn't seeing anyone now because his last girlfriend didn't work out (that often happens when you use the girlfriend as a human sacrifice, but whatever).

"I'm not seeing anyone either," I chirped. "My last boyfriend wanted a relationship, but all I wanted was hot and sweaty s.e.x."

Noel spluttered his drink.

"Love your necklace," I said, making with the Bambi eyes. What serial killer didn't love a big-busted gal with huge Bambi eyes?

"This?" He dangled the pentacle between his fingers, and I made sure to lean forward in appreciation. My b.o.o.bs nearly popped out of my dress as I admired the silver necklace. Being near the jewelry actually made me feel itchy, but I figured that was my impatience; I really wanted Noel to get on with seducing me. Talking to my nipples again, he said, "It's a pentagram. I do magic," he added in a low voice, ending with a smile that was probably supposed to make him seem mysterious.

Cue my wide-eyed curiosity: "So you saw girls in half?"

"Not stage magic. Real magic." His smile pulled into a leer. "s.e.x magic."

I giggled. Couldn't help it. He was so earnest. It was adorable. "Is s.e.x magic hotter than regular s.e.x?"

"Oh yeah." He paused. "Want me to show you?"

"Like you would not believe," I said with a smile. "Your place?"

"Wouldn't have it any other way."

He helped me down from the barstool, grinning like a lovestruck idiot. As I clasped his hand tightly, I sent out a pulse of power, exploring him, testing for magical ability. Nothing. The guy was a blank page.

Some tough a.s.signment. Hah. At this rate, I'd have his soul within the hour.

As we waited for a cab, he babbled about his prowess as a magician. I made all the appropriate oohs and ahhs. Oh yes, he'd call my name as he came inside me, and I'd hold him tight as he died. And then, once his soul was bound to me, I'd take him down to h.e.l.l.

No need for Lillith to know that Noel was a fraud. h.e.l.l had marked him as a high-level dark magician; that was all that mattered. I'd complete my a.s.signment easily, and l.u.s.t would get major kudos for a powerful catch. In doing so, I'd finally prove my mettle to my queen and get the promotion I deserved. Everyone would be happy.

Well, except for Noel. But hey, you can't win them all.

The apartment wasn't bad. I'd expected Ikea-chic and some secondhand accoutrements, but instead I found tasteful furniture (modern) and framed paintings (abstract). I recognized one of the artists as someone who'd recently been claimed by h.e.l.l - the man had sold his soul for the opportunity to be immortalized by his artwork - and I took a moment to admire the bold strokes of black in the otherwise colorful painting.

"That's an original," Noel said, after naming the artist.

It looked like road kill with tire streaks. I liked it.

Noel took me by the arm and led me to his bedroom, a thing of black walls and overflowing bookshelves. Oh yes: this was where the power happened. Not magic, no - still coming up blank on that end - but the s.e.x ... I smelled the lingering energy, felt the ripples in the stagnant air, tasted the aftermath of death. It was enough to make me tipsy. Sweet Sin, this room had seen many active nights. And days. And afternoons. To say nothing of the weekends. Clearly, Noel was a man who got his jollies right here - s.e.x before, during and after the ritual sacrifices. His sheets must be easily washable.

I couldn't wait for us to get started. I bet his soul would taste like licorice and rum - steeped in evil, dripping with l.u.s.t. Yum!

As Noel started lighting some candles (black, naturally) around the room to "set the mood," I stepped over to the bed: a four-poster with a metal frame, its sheets satin and red as a beating heart. The comforter was a lush thing of sensual black - not the dead no-color of rot but the enticing inky darkness of nightmares.

I almost shivered with antic.i.p.ation. Setting the mood, indeed.

He walked up behind me, his hands resting on my shoulders, then stroking down my arms. "Ready?"

"Sweetie," I purred, turning around to face him, "I thought you'd never ask."

Noel kissed me hard, mashing his lips against mine and forcing his tongue into my mouth. He was aggressive. Possessive. Just like I knew he'd be. I went along with it, encouraged him with little moans that could have meant pleasure or surprise or fear - whatever he needed, I'd give it to him. He was my client, and I'd make sure he was satisfied. So instead of me seducing him, I simply reacted as he kissed me down my jaw and my throat, bruising me with pa.s.sion. His tongue teased me, darting, painting me with small licks; his teeth grazed me, the threat of pain in the midst of building pleasure.

He hit a sweet spot, and I bit my lip to keep myself from tearing his pants off and throwing him onto the bed. Let him be in control, I told myself. Let him have his power. Let the moment stretch. It would be over all too soon. s.e.x with humans always was. His hands moved down my back until they cupped my a.s.s.

"No panties," I breathed. His fingers quickly discovered I was telling the truth. Then I said, "No bra."

As if that had given him permission, with one hand he tugged down the front of my dress, then stared in obvious glee at my very large, very bare b.r.e.a.s.t.s. (Infernal magic: way better than an underwire bra.) My nipples were already erect, thanks to Noel's rough kisses and blunt fingers, but now the sheer hunger in his gaze as he stared at my t.i.ts made me slick with need. He was murder and s.e.x and brute humanity in one black-clad package.

Oh, Gehenna, he was fabulous.

And then his mouth latched onto my nipple, and my reaction was very loud and very positive. For the next who knew how long, he suckled me and stripped me down until I was shining from his licks and wearing only my stilettos and a huge smile.

One of his hands was doing marvelous things between my legs when he asked me, "Can I tie you up?"

"So polite," I murmured.

"The magic is stronger when it's consensual." He emphasized the importance of consent with a waggle of his fingers.

"Of course you can tie me up." I adored bondage - Lash Me, Thrash Me is a particular favorite among the succubi. Besides, no mortal ties could truly keep me pinned; a teensy burst of power would sear through even the strongest of bonds. Or I could always just bamf myself down to h.e.l.l if I really needed to make a quick exit. But I was still sure the only thing I had to worry about from the wannabe magician was premature e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n.

Noel steered me to the bed and eased me down, his fingers dancing all the while. "Spread yourself wide for me," he panted.

I obliged.

Leaning over me, he opened the drawer of his nightstand and took out four pairs of handcuffs. Soon I was bound to the bedposts, still in my heels.

Noel sat back and smiled at me. "Perfect. You're perfect." He got off the bed and rummaged through the drawer again.

"What are you looking for, sweetie? A blindfold?"

"Nope. Just this." He pulled out a pouch and dangled it in front of me before he loosened the drawstrings. "Salt." He sprinkled the white crystals on the ground in a white trail, going around the bed. As Noel walked out of my line of vision, I realized the bed hadn't been flush against the wall. "Don't mind me," he said from behind me. "Just have to finish the circle."

Bemused, I chuckled softly. The handful of magicians I'd dealt with over my thousands of years had drawn circles too. Usually in blood. Noel was certainly acting the part. Shame he had no ability whatsoever.

"There we go," Noel said. He was just out of eyesight, but I heard him drop the pouch, then open and close another drawer. He said, "This next part's going to sting a little."

That's when he plunged a dagger into my stomach.

Shock hit me more than the pain. Steel can't kill me, even though getting stabbed with a foot-long curved blade hurts worse than an angel's blessing. But the notion that this mortal man had actually stabbed me stunned me into silence. How dare he? Sure, he was a serial killer who performed human sacrifices as a matter of course, so that should have been a tip-off he had a pair of b.a.l.l.s on him ... but still. The nerve!

The thought took me all of a second - long enough for Noel to pull the blade out of me and step back. And that's when I felt the magic snap like electricity. A hungry buzz filled the air, the sound of flies over a corpse.

Right, all done with playing along.

I reached within me for my infernal power, ready to overwhelm Noel Le Noir with l.u.s.t and then ride him until his bones broke and I sucked out his soul.

Except nothing happened.

Ignoring the agony in my belly and the sweat on my brow, I tried again. And again, nothing happened.

What the f.u.c.k...?

"Sorry about stabbing you before we got to the good part," Noel said, sounding quite cheerful. "But if it's any consolation, I promise to f.u.c.k you silly after you're dead."

Terrific.

"I said I'd show you magic, right? Well, the circle you're in just sealed, thanks to me spilling your blood. It's a magic circle, honey. The circle negates evil magic. So nothing evil in it can get out."

My mouth dropped open. Screw me on Salvation Day, Noel wasn't a fraud after all. Thanks to his f.u.c.king spell, I had no power while I was trapped in the circle. Why couldn't I sense his magical ability?

And how did he know I was a demon?

"You're perfect," said Noel. "Those legs ... those t.i.ts. Ah, man, those t.i.ts. You're just the right sacrifice for the demon I mean to summon."

Back the truck up. Summon a demon?

"Sweetie," I said - okay, croaked, but give me a break, I'd been stabbed in the stomach and was bleeding and in a lot of pain - "what're you talking about?"

"I traffic with demons," he said proudly. "I get power in exchange for souls. Magic. Stock tips. Fashion advice. All I have to do is kill someone and leave the offering in the circle, and then my demon sponsor gives me goodies after I summon him. So I had to sacrifice you, Jesse. I hear h.e.l.l's lovely this time of year. I bet you'll love it there."

Actually, I did. But that was beside the point.

"Listen, Noel, you're obviously not in your right mind." Fuuuuuuuuck, it hurt to talk. And because I was in a magic-free circle, I couldn't even heal myself. Stupid magic spell. "Demons are the big, bad evil. Whatever you summon is going to steal your soul." Unless I could steal it first.

"I've been doing this for years, Jesse. I'm not worried. Especially because I'm not the one in the circle." He grinned, a predator's smile I normally would have admired. "Seems like your soul's the one in jeopardy."

It would be, if I had a soul. "You're making a mistake," I gritted. "And the demon you summon will destroy you."

"Uh-huh. I'd say that's what they all say, except by now they're usually dead or too busy dying to bother with talking." He sighed. "This much spirit in you, you must be phenomenal in the sack."

"Oh, I am. Why don't you come here and find out yourself?"