Chapter 2

Helena

The muffledboom of bass pulses through the walls as I step into the lavish office space. Floor-to-ceiling windows along the far side reveal glimpses of the lively L.A. club scene unfolding outside. Clearly, no expenses were spared for Lucifer’s coveted inner circle.

I trail a hand along the sleek granite top of an imposing desk as I take in the upscale decor around me. Crystalline light fixtures, leather furniture, lush Persian rugs... my uncle certainly enjoys flaunting his success.

“Oh, good! You found it!” a bubbly voice exclaims behind me. I turn to see a statuesque blonde swaying into the room in dangerously high stilettos. Her eyes scan me shrewdly even as she flashes a dazzling smile.

“You must be Helena. I’m Eve, your uncle’s right hand around here.” She air-kisses each of my cheeks in greeting before perching on the desk’s edge. “Welcome to the inner sanctum, love.”

I blink, surprised by her breezy familiarity. “Pleasure to meet you, Eve. I look forward to working together.”

“Aren’t you a darling!” Eve claps her hands. “We are going to have such fun, you and I. I just know we’ll be the best of friends.”

Though put off by her effusive nature at first, I can’t help warming to Eve’s infectious enthusiasm. With her guidance, perhaps Los Angeles won’t be so intimidating after all.

“I’m sure you’re right,” I reply sincerely. “Thank you for the warm welcome.”

“The inventory checklist is all ready for you,” Eve says, handing me a clipboard. “Shall we head down to the cellar, then?”

I nod in silence.

“Oh, I nearly forgot!” she adds, pausing before opening the office door. “I have to show you your uncle’s fancy safe in case you ever need inside.”

I follow her gaze to the antique wall safe tucked discreetly behind a generic seascape. Most assume it contains only trivial club funds or extra liquor inventory.

But Eve taps the dial knowingly. “This beauty holds the real treasures—all the confidential financial ledgers. Luci would roast me alive if anything happened to them.”

She leans in close, voice hushed. “The combination isn’t a number. It requires a special skeleton key, and there’s only one in existence.”

From her pocket, Eve produces an ornate antique iron key pending from a delicate silver necklace. “This belongs to your uncle. Don’t go losing it now!” She places the key gently in my hand.

My fingers curl around the precious object. I recognize the gravity of this secret Eve has entrusted me with and nod solemnly. “I will guard it with my life.”

“Atta girl.” Eve winks and pulls open the office door. “Now come on, before Luci catches us lollygagging!”

I slip the skeleton key securely around my neck before hurrying after Eve. Its weight rests subtly against my chest, a reminder of the great responsibility now in my care.

The pulsating music pounds through the crowded club as I follow Eve down the hallway, weaving between gyrating bodies illuminated by strobing lights. The DeLux Café is packed tonight—it seems Uncle Luci has worked his magic once again.

“The inventory can wait until morning, love!” Eve calls back to me over the din, her blonde curls bouncing as she glances my way. “Come have a drink first, catch up properly!”

I give her a small smile but shake my head firmly, hoisting my clipboard higher. “You know how Uncle Luci gets about people skiving off. Best just to get the task done.”

Eve laughs, light and musical. “Ever the dutiful niece. All work and no play, our Helena.”

We continue on through the crowded corridor towards the cellar door. The air grows heavier and more stagnant the further we get from the main club areas.

Suddenly, a tall, powerfully built demon emerges from a side room up ahead, blocking our path. I’m forced to an abrupt halt as his hulking frame completely fills the narrow hallway. His presence is overpowering and overwhelming, just as the scent of his expensive cologne saturating the air.

He’s well over six feet tall, his muscular physique evident even beneath an expensive tailored suit. Sharp cheekbones and a strong jaw lend a stark handsomeness to his face. But it’s the eyes that grip my attention—cold and fierce as a wolf’s, with a strange reddish gleam.

Those unsettling eyes fix on me now, narrowed and assessing. I resist the urge to shrink back under that piercing gaze. Every instinct screams predator.

Eve clears her throat sharply, drawing the demon’s focus momentarily. “Kane,” she addresses him coolly. “This is Helena, Lucifer’s niece. She’ll be assisting with the books for a while.”

There’s clear tension thrumming beneath her polite introduction. Kane rakes his gaze over me again, a smile twisting his cruel lips. It never reaches those unnerving garnet eyes.

“Welcome to our humble establishment,” he purrs. “As Lucifer’s head of security operations here at the DeLux, consider me at your disposal—day or night.”

His velvet voice drips subtle menace beneath the polite offer. Those unsettling garnet eyes rake over me slowly, as if picturing exactly how he’d like to be of service.

A cold shudder runs through me at the implicit threat beneath his solicitous words. Eve’s grip on my arm tightens almost painfully, her smile gone brittle.

“Most kind of you, Kane. I’ll be sure to let you know if any issues arise.” Her tone stays smooth, but there’s an unmistakable warning edge.

Kane inclines his head, still tracking us with that unblinking serpentine gaze. “See that you do. Safety is my utmost concern here.”

His oily tone implies a very different meaning behind the assurances. Eve wastes no time, and before I can form a reply, she links her arm firmly through mine and pulls me along past Kane. “We really must be going.”

As we hurry away, I glance back once to see him watching our retreat, those blood-hued eyes boring into me. Eve’s grip on my arm tightens protectively as she quickens our pace.

I suppress a shiver, nerves still jittering from the brief encounter. Whoever that Kane is, his wolfish manner sets my every instinct on edge.

“Here we are. Last door down the hall, my dear,” Eve says, frazzled as she fixes her hair. “I’ll catch you later!” She winks and blows me a dramatic kiss before disappearing into the throbbing mass.

I continue on alone down the darkened hallway leading towards the back. My sensible heels—nothing like Eve’s sky-high stilettos—click smartly on the concrete floors. Though Eve is Uncle Luci’s most treasured friend, we’re bonded by our half-human heritage—her audacious predecessor Lilith and my more demure mother met the same fate, enchanted by Lucifer’s irresistible brothers. I suppose being a half-demon has stamped that same sense of duty on my soul.

Grumpy Uncle Luci sounded less than pleased when I told him I’d be taking a sabbatical from my consulting work in London to come assist him. “I don’t need your meddling, Helena,” he growled into the phone. “My establishment runs smoothly under my own direction.”

I bit my tongue, swallowing the sharp retort. Though his words stung, I know he’d never admit to needing my expertise, no matter how dire things became. Luckily for him, Eve was the one to reach out to me openly, explaining that finances have been tighter than usual at the club. And given my PhD in business economics, I might be uniquely qualified to diagnose the problem.

So here I am, trading the polished halls of academia for the pulsing neon nights at Uncle Luci’s den of sin. Just for a few weeks, I tell myself. Just until I get the books balanced again.

The deafening music fades to a dull throbbing as I reach the storeroom door. My nerves jangle a bit at the thought of being down in that dark basement alone. But I’m no frightened girl. With a deep breath, I pull open the heavy door and begin my descent.

The cellar is pitch black and frigidly cold. I fumble for my phone to use as a makeshift flashlight. But the battery blinks a dire red warning—certainly not enough charge to last this entire inventory. Just perfect. With a sigh, I flick it on anyway and begin assessing the stacks of boxes and assorted clutter.

My mind turns, against my will, to my looming wedding plans. The locked date, the lavish venue... the meticulously chosen flowers, and the menu. On paper, it’s the perfect high society event. And Draven is certainly handsome enough to play the dashing groom. But still, uncertainty gnaws at me.

“Have you set a honeymoon destination yet?” Eve had asked me earlier, her eyes bright.

I demurred with a noncommittal hum. “Oh, Draven will decide all that, I’m sure.”

The truth is, I can’t muster much enthusiasm for the honeymoon—or the wedding itself, really. But this partnership makes sense, my parents insist. Draven’s family runs the most powerful demon-contracting business in the UK. Aligning ourselves with them is prudent, even necessary.

Down here in the dusty darkness, though, I can’t deny my simmering resentment. I never dared dream my fate would be decided quite so coldly, like a business merger. I know Uncle Luci has misgivings about the match too, though he’d never admit it aloud.

My bitter musings are interrupted by a crash and muffled thud from the far corner. I jump, my spine prickling. Who else could possibly be down here?

“Hello?” I call out sharply. “The cellar is off-limits to patrons.”

Only silence answers me. I shake off my nerves and busy myself cataloging a shelf of vodka bottles, keeping one ear tuned for any more odd sounds.

It’s then I notice my phone blinking empty. With a groan, I watch the screen fade to black, casting me into complete darkness. Blindly, I feel my way towards where I know the exit door is located. This basement gives me the creeps, and I’m not keen on staying down here alone without light.

But when I tug the handle, the blasted thing refuses to budge. My pulse picks up. Pounding on the door does nothing but make my hands ache. It seems I’m well and truly stuck down here until someone comes searching.

“Lovely,” I mutter aloud to myself. This is not exactly how I envisioned my triumphant return to the family business.

I’m making my way cautiously back through the dark when a loud crash directly behind me makes me yelp aloud. Something—or someone—is down here with me. I’m gripped by equal parts terror and fury at the thought.

“Reveal yourself at once!” I demand, thankful my voice doesn’t shake. “Trust me, you don’t want to cross someone of my connections...” I trail off threateningly, my mind racing through defensive spells and enchantments. I may not have Uncle Luci’s full powers, but I’m not completely helpless either.

A tense silence envelops the dark cellar once more. The only sound is my ragged breathing as I wait for the unseen intruder to make their move...