Page 2 of Sin

Lilith Duval stood in the doorway, dressed head to toe in shiny red vinyl. All she needed was a pair of devil horns and she’d look the part of a university girl playing sexpot for Halloween.

“At least you know I’ve still got it,” I muttered.

“You’re lucky that happened outside the actual walls of the club, or you’d find yourself on the receiving end of one of my punishments, if not outright banishment.”

I rolled my eyes, not remotely in the mood for all this posturing. “Let us in, would you? We’re dead on our feet, and your doorman was a real tosser.”

“What’s with inviting us to your place and not making sure our names were on the list?” Sin asked, using the wall to keep himself propped up. He looked marginally better than he had in my penthouse, the sweat merely beading his hairline and no longer dripping down his face. Maybe it was the proximity to all the lust pouring out ofIniquity’sdoor. I certainly felt a bit perkier after draining that nuisance.

“Forgive me for assuming the four of you could manage to simply transport yourselves to my office. You’re the horsemen, after all. If a bloody angel can do it, I thought surely you could as well.”

Chaos coughed. “We’ve been weakened by Helene. Her ritual took almost everything we had.”

Lilith’s gaze traversed his form slowly, soaking in every detail. “Mmm, yes, you are looking a tad peaky.” She shot a sly glance at Malice, lips quirking as she took him in. “If it isn’t the deadbeat to end all deadbeats.”

Mal’s upper lip curled in what could only be labeled as loathing. “I am not one of your puppets, Lilith. Do not confuse me with one. You will not like how it ends.”

“It’s shocking how alike you and your son sound. Have you ever met him? He’s much changed now that he saved the world.”

Mal, the only one of us to successfully sire a child, stiffened. He rarely spoke of Pan and his tryst with the horsewoman Pestilence, Odette. I’d gotten him outrageously pissed once, and he’d spent the night spilling his secrets, but we never spokeof it again. I very well might be the only creature in existence who knew just how deep her betrayal where their progeny was concerned cut him. Or that the wound never fully healed.

“I haven’t had the pleasure,” Mal said through gritted teeth.

I forced myself not to flick my gaze his way. I knew that was a bald-faced lie. Mal practically had a tracker on his son; he’d been watching every move Pan made for decades as soon as technology allowed. Before then, he had his spies. Lilith could accuse Malice of being an absent father all she wanted, but that didn’t make it the truth. If given the chance, Mal never would have let that child out of his sight.

“Well, perhaps I’ll arrange a little introduction soon. He has become like a son to me. Such an asset to my... lifestyle.” Lilith crooked her finger and smirked. “Come along, boys. We have much to discuss, but this is a conversation best held behind closed doors.”

Exchanging glances with each of my brothers, a wordless warning to be on guard passed between us. Outwardly, no one would guess that unease coursed through each of us. It was only the centuries of familiarity that allowed me to sense what they were really feeling. What was harder to say was whether that unease resulted from Hel’s ritual or just the rather ironic position we’d found ourselves in. For while we were arguably the four most powerful creatures in the room, Lilith currently had us by the metaphorical balls.

Once in the hallway, we were met with a dashing fae man who leaned against the wall, impatience written all over his face.

“Finally, Lilypad. I know you expect me to be at your beck and call, but waiting on you to bring back four men is a bit much.”

“Who’s this idiot?” Sin asked before the rest of us could.

As Lilith opened her mouth to respond, a current raced along my arms and I would have sworn I heard an echo of thunder in the distance.

“I’m hers. That’s all you need to know.”

Lilith pulled on the thin chain connecting her wrist to the collar around his throat. The golden strand between them was so thin I nearly missed it, save the slight glint when the links hit light. She tugged harder, pulling him toward her before leaning in as if she would kiss him. Then, when he closed his eyes, ready to accept, she licked his lips and a faint giggle escaped her.

“Heismine. Crombie, meet the horsemen. Boys, this is my pet, Drystan Abercrombie Nightshade. My captive fae prince. Isn’t he delightful?”

This time it was Chaos who spoke. “Nightshade... If memory serves, that would make you the heir to the Night Court, would it not? So how did you find yourself here, chained to this one?” He tilted his head to indicate he was speaking about Lilith.

“That’s a long story, and frankly, none of your fucking business,” Crombie replied silkily. There was another ripple in the air, as if a storm was just about to break, and I realized it was coming from him.

As one of the fae royals, he was power personified, same as we were. That much was obvious. But it had nothing to do with why the worddangerousdanced through my mind as I studied him. No, that was thanks to the slightly unhinged look in his quicksilver eyes. The look that didn’t quite abate until Lilith’s fingers caressed the length of his chest.

“Now, now, poppet. You’re making my hair frizz with all this bluster, and that just won’t do.” Lilith began walking, her prince trailing behind her as we followed.

“What the fuck does this succubus want with us, Grim?” Chaos asked in a low voice. “I’d much rather be recovering and then plotting our revenge than wasting time at a sex club.”

“I love it here. I don’t know about you guys, but I feel ten times better than I did earlier. This place is feeding me by just existing.” Sin took a deep breath. “Mmm, lust in every corner.”

“Careful,” Lilith warned. “No one likes a thief, and you’re poaching my evening meal, incubus.”

“Aw, come on, Lil. Sharing is caring.”

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