CHAPTER 3

Jack

We’d invited over what we’d affectionately and unofficially called our little group–the ‘Uh-oh Gang’ over for a confab. In one way or another, each person crammed into Ryan’s little house had come up against a member of the Lucem. And ultimately Mervin Cross.

“What you’re saying is that this guy is like Teflon. Whatever charges you throw at him, they just slide off.”

“Unfortunately, yes, that’s the crux of it.”

“He’s worse than my dad and that’s saying something.” I turned to look at Charlie Ravenwood, one of our newest members, to our gang of misfits. He along with his mate Karriel, a yoga hating lesser demon, had good reason to dislike the Lucem. Mostly because of Charlie’s father being a former-member who was ejected from their ranks for being too extreme. Now both of them were fully on-board with bringing down the rest of the ‘not so secret’ society.

“He’s probably just as bad, but differently.” Jerry piped up. “At least your dad was sort-of a known quantity, Mervin Cross? He’s the guy you just want to hate, but also kind of find yourself in awe of. And that’s disturbing as fuck.”

Jerry wasn’t wrong there. There was something about Cross that just made normal people want to flock to him. Even though every time he opened his mouth, he just spewed misogynist, offensive, ultra conservative shit. And now he was turning his voice towards running for office. There was no way I, we, or the alphabet agency I worked for would allow that to happen.

“On the scale of one to clusterfuck, where would Cross being President be?” Derek’s way of putting things was pretty funny, but… he wasn’t wrong.

“Somewhere around Fubar I think.”

“Oooooh, that’s bad.”

“Yep!”

“So, what are we going to do about it?”

“I have a plan, sort of, and I’ve asked someone to join us. He’ll be here shortly.”

“Is he HOT and is he single?” Verity looked around the room and what was mainly gay men and older women.

“Ugh….” Hell, if I knew how to answer that one. I’d spoken to Prince Mammon on the phone, but I didn’t know what he looked like. But if Karriel and Azrael were any indication of how handsome demons were then, I’d have to go with YES. I was, however, saved from having to answer by the gradual materialization of four demons.

“Wow! I’d say smoking HOT.” Uma stage whispered. Verity turned to her, narrowing her eyes before turning back to the undeniably attractive demons.

“Which of you stunning immortals is single?”

The demons looked at each other before three of them raised their hands: Azrael and two others.

“And who’s straight?” Nan’s question had all three instantly drop their hands.

“Fuuuuuuck, it’s so unfair. Is every man in this room gay?” Verity questioned.

“Yes!” Came the collective reply. Poor Verity, just what was a succubus supposed to do when surrounded by wall-to-wall males when none of them batted for her team?

“Awkward.” Singsonged Jerry.

“Okay, moving on… Welcome Prince Mammon.” I wasn’t sure which of the two new demons he was, but if I had to bet, then my money was on the slightly older, distinguished looking one. Who looked like a dark auburn-haired version of Robert Redford with a goatee and hazel-green eyes? The other demon had strawberry blond hair and had more than a passing resemblance to George Michael from his ‘Faith’ album.

“When we spoke, I was intrigued as to your plan for the Lucem, which is why I brought Evren with me.” Mammon gestured toward George Michael, before turning towards me. “Karriel and Azrael, you already know.”

“Oh, is there coffee? Goody, I’m just dying for a cup.” Azrael gave me a nod before making a beeline for the snacks and coffee. Hands full, Azrael plonked himself down on the seat closest to Derek, a mischievous look in his eye. “Hiya.” I watched as Karriel just rolled his eyes at his friend’s antics, before he excused himself to go sit with Charlie.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet with us.”

“How could I not when two of my subordinates are so enamored with your group, and the Lucem is my nemesis too.”

“Well, we welcome your help. Urm… how should I address you? Do I call you ‘your highness,’ should I bow? I’ve never met a demon Prince before.”

Mammon laughed, a rich rumbling sound. “Just call me Mammon, most do. Except for the administrators who address me as ‘my lord’.”

“Okay noted. Take a seat and we’ll get started.

“Next time, we might need to order more cake. Where do those demons put it all?” Ryan pointed to the empty tray.

“I think they have hollow legs.” Watching four demons devour the cake was an experience. Can you believe there are no good cake shops in hell? Not that I’d given it much thought. And that’s not the only thing I discovered tonight. Mammon said that Lucifer had made him the official overseer of the Lucem’s activities, much to Mammon’s chagrin. The Prince of Greed seemed to take it as a personal insult that Mervin Cross had played the system that ordinarily would land him in hot water, or rather hot larva.

“You think Mammon will be able to pull off the act of being a political rival?”

“If anyone can he can, did you see the way he handled both Azrael and Evren, let alone Nan and Uma? He had them eating out of his hand. He’s charm personified.”

“…and it doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eye, either.”

“Noticed that, did you?”

“Maybe, but he’s not as handsome as you…” Ryan’s eyes had darkened to twin pools of lust.

“Flattery will get you everywhere.”

“Well, in that case, take me to bed and fuck me into the mattress.”

“Now there’s an offer I can’t refuse.”