Page 21 of Devil Wears Nada
“The pleasure is ours,” I managed, professional instincts kicking in despite my unease. “We’re honored by your interest.”
“Oh, I’ve been interested for quite some time,” she replied, her gaze fixed on Van with an intensity that made my skin crawl. “Particularly in the… evolution of your partnership.”
Van finally spoke, his voice carefully controlled. “Lilith. I didn’t expect you to take such a hands-on approach.”
Julian looked between them, confused. “You two know each other?”
“Old acquaintances,” Lilith said smoothly. “From Van’s… previous position.”
The tension was palpable now, Julian shifting uncomfortably beside us. “Well, I’ll leave you to catch up. There’s a buyer from Paris I should introduce to our bartender.”
As he retreated, Lilith’s pleasant expression hardened into something ancient and cold.
“Vanity,” she said, the name sounding like a sentence. “You’ve fallen far. In every sense.”
“Lilith,” Van acknowledged, his posture straightening into something more regal than I’d seen in weeks. “Still doing Lucifer’s dirty work, I see.”
She laughed, the sound like breaking glass. “Someone has to maintain order. Your little rebellion caused quite the stir downstairs. Dagon’s transition to your throne hasn’t been… smooth.”
“Not my concern anymore,” Van replied, though I could feel him trembling slightly beside me.
Lilith’s gaze shifted to me, assessing. “So this is the mortal who corrupted a prince of Hell. Unimpressive, physically speaking, though I sense an unusual strength of will.” She leaned closer, sniffing delicately. “And his soul has a most interesting fragrance. Pure creativity—rare and valuable.”
Van stepped between us, his movement fluid and protective. “He’s not part of this discussion, Lilith.”
“On the contrary,” she countered, “he’s central to it. The Council has taken particular interest in how thoroughly this human has… domesticated you.”
Around us, the party continued, guests oblivious to the supernatural confrontation occurring in their midst. But I noticed the lights had dimmed slightly, the music developing an almost imperceptible dissonance.
“What does the Council want?” Van asked, his voice steady despite the danger crackling in the air.
“Originally? Your return and punishment.” Lilith examined her perfect nails with casual menace. “But circumstances have evolved. Your transformation has proven… educational.”
Van frowned. “Explain.”
“Your heresy—suggesting that connection and creation might offer fulfillment beyond power—has become a topic of intense debate. Some find the concept intriguing. Others, dangerously seductive.” Her eyes narrowed. “Lucifer is concerned about ideological contamination.”
“So I’m to be made an example,” Van concluded, his hand finding mine again. “Brought back in chains to show the consequences of choosing humanity.”
To my surprise, Lilith shook her head. “That was the original plan. But your transition has progressed too far. You’re becoming human, Vanity—truly human. Forcing you back would be… messy. Inefficient.”
Hope flickered in my chest, quickly extinguished by her next words.
“Instead, we’ve decided on a more elegant solution. You may keep your mortal life, your mortal love, your precious freedom.” Her smile was terrible in its beauty. “In exchange for a simple price.”
“What price?” I asked before Van could stop me.
Lilith’s attention shifted to me, her expression almost approving. “It speaks with courage. I understand the appeal now.”
“The price, Lilith,” Van pressed, tension radiating from him.
“Memory,” she said simply. “All memory of your supernatural existence, your time in Hell, your true nature. You will become fully human, with a fully human past. No recollection of princes or powers or the fallen realm.”
The implications hit me like a physical blow. Van would forget everything about his true nature, about how we met, about the supernatural elements that had brought us together.
“That’s cruel, even for Hell,” Van said, his voice barely audible over the party noise.
“It’s mercy,” Lilith corrected. “You keep your mortal life. You keep your mortal lover. You simply lose the knowledge that you were ever anything more. A clean slate.”
