Infernal Games by Jenna Wolfhart

1

My boss was the opposite of a demon. And because of that, I hated him. As the clock ticked over to five, Mr. Winchester bustled out of his office door to give me a watery smile. His brown suit was wrinkled in the front, though his shiny shoes were polished to perfection. He never wore them on the sidewalks, always changing out of tennis shoes when he got to work.

“It’s five now. Thanks for doing a wonderful job, Laura. You may go now.” His eyes lingered far too long on my V-neck blouse, and then he vanished back into his office. Even though he stayed until well past eight most nights, he always sent me home the second my shift was over. I knew I should be thrilled. Ever since Az had found me a job and an apartment with my new fake name, my life had never been easier.

And yet, I’d never felt more anxious. It was like my skin wanted to jump off my bones and run.

Not from New York. Not from my past, like I’d done the past several years of my life. Everything within me wanted to run straight to Infernal.

With a heavy sigh, I powered down the computer, pushed up from the desk, and grabbed my bag. Time to head home and have another night just like the one before. And the one before that. Ad infinitum.

I’d plop down on the tiny sofa inside my Brooklyn walkup, feed my pigeon, and watch Friends reruns until my eyelids fell shut. I’d seen that damn pivot episode too many times to count. And still laughed every time.

As crazy as my month with Az had been, it had definitely never been dull.

Not that it matters, I thought as I rode the elevator down to the ground floor. My weeks with Az hadn’t been boring, but they had been dangerous. I’d nearly been killed. And so had Serena.

Staying away from Asmodeus was the best thing I could do.

Not to mention that damn contract he’d made me sign. The rules were clear. If I put a single toe inside Infernal ever again, I’d lose my soul. What that meant, exactly? I still wasn’t sure. But it clearly wouldn’t be pleasant.

The elevator doors whirred open. I trailed through the lobby and stepped out onto the bustling Midtown streets. For a while, I let myself get lost in the city's energy. I had nowhere to be or no one to see. My best friend, Serena, had been swamped at work for the past several weeks. Any other friend I’d made during my time in New York City worked at that damn club I couldn’t go near.

I blew out a frustrated breath as the summer breeze rustled the red strands around my face.

I wanted to do something. Life stretched out before me, full of limitless possibilities. No one knew who I was anymore. Mia McNally didn’t exist. Well, she did, just… not here. I was Laura Adams, a hopeful transplant who’d moved here from the south to make it in New York City, just like thousands of other girls my age. I didn’t want to go back to my empty apartment. Not yet.

So, I wandered through Times Square and smiled at the tourists posing beneath the blazing lights. I dodged taxis charging by and ducked around a guy with a guitar who wore nothing more than an American flag as underwear. I wandered down Fifth Avenue, glancing at the designer bags that cost more than my entire life savings, which was… not much. Even with a job, I barely made enough to pay for rent and food.

But it was enough. For now. I didn’t need designer bags or fancy shoes.

In fact, I didn’t need anything or anyone but myself, my best friend, Serena, and my favorite pigeon in all of New York.

My heart lurched as my mind instantly popped another name into my thoughts.

And I need Az.

I gritted my teeth and forced that thought away, following the streets downtown. Obviously, I didn’t need Az. Logically, I knew I was better off without him in my life. He was an asshole most of the time, and he’d brought me nothing but trouble. Also, he was, you know, an actual demon from the underworld. Sure, we’d had a moment. But he’d made it clear that night had meant nothing to him at all.

It had only been sex. It wasn’t like it had meant anything to me, either.

I certainly never wanted it to happen again.

So why had I just walked myself all the way down to Hell’s Kitchen?

I sighed, folded my arms, and leaned against a light pole. Just across the street, Infernal sat closed and dark. Even after hours spent wandering through the city, it was only seven o’clock, and the club wouldn’t open for a few more hours. It was one of those late-night places, a fancy, glittering watering hole for wealthy supernaturals.

Instinctively, my hand curled around my necklace. I’d kept his signet ring all this time and wore it day and night, just in case. Rumor had it Lucifer was in Manhattan. And he wanted to find me.

Obviously, that couldn’t happen. So, if he sought me out, I needed the ring’s blasty thing to use against him.

Of course… standing right outside Az’s club probably wasn’t the best way to avoid Lucifer. It was just…dammit, I was curious, okay? The literal King of Hell had come to New York, and I was dying to see what he was like. Did he have horns? Gleaming red eyes? Did fire pour off his skin?

If you looked at him wrong, would he smite you?

Plus, I couldn’t get Serena’s words out of my mind. Lucifer didn’t just want to find me. He wanted me to become his bride.

My biggest question was: why?!

A few times, I’d picked up my phone to call Az and ask him about this whole thing. What exactly did Lucifer want with me? And if he found me, would he take me back to Hell with him? Put a ring on my finger and carry me across a threshold of flames?

I shivered just thinking about it.

With a deep breath, I pushed away from the light pole and minced across the street. The club might be shut, but I knew the Legion was likely inside. They seemed to hang out there at all hours of the day, doing…Legiony stuff. There were a few small windows in the back alley next to the rear door. Maybe I could just take a small peek inside, see if I could get my eye on Lucifer, and then hightail it out of there.

My blood burned in my veins as I whispered around the back corner of the building. This was really a terrible idea. I wouldn’t lie to myself and pretend it wasn’t. I’m smart enough to know when I’m doing something dumb. But I just flat-out didn’t care. If I sat still any longer, I might have to do something drastic. Like snoop on a Legion of demons, apparently.

Besides, a little peek into a window wasn’t breaking the rules, right? The deal only said I couldn’t step foot inside the club. As long as my feet stayed firmly outside, no big deal.

I just had to make sure no one saw me. Lucifer, especially.

With a deep breath, I clung to the shadows, tiptoeing down the alley. I’d spent enough time at Infernal to know there were a few windows along the back edge of the building that looked into the club. Unfortunately, it looked like I’d have to stand on top of a dumpster to get a glimpse of anything going on inside.

I folded my arms as I stared up at the green monstrosity. A sticky yellow substance oozed from the cracks, and the scent of rotting fish swirled around me. I wrinkled my nose. Gross. I’d have to clamber on top of that thing and get that gunk all over my clothes and hands. At the very least. This blouse was one of the few I had that was suitable for work, and I needed a few more paychecks before I could buy any more. Was I really this desperate to find out what they were up to in there?

Honestly, what the hell was I doing? This was beyond idiotic. I needed to leave. Now.

Pulling the humid Manhattan air into my lungs, I took a step back. I laughed and shook my head at myself. Honestly, Mia, this is one of the dumbest things you’ve ever done. And to think I’d almost gone through with it.

Thankfully, I’d seen the light. By way of dumpster goo. I twisted on my heels, turning toward the opening of the alley, just as a deep, melodic voice drifted into my ears.

“I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me. How much longer do you plan on staying? Your presence in Manhattan is making everyone nervous.”

Chills swept down my arms as my entire body clenched tight. I knew that voice. I’d recognize it anywhere. Deep, rich. The first time I’d heard it, he’d reminded me of melted dark chocolate.

A shudder went through me in spite of it all. I still hadn’t forgiven him for so easily pushing me away, but I couldn’t help the way my body felt drawn toward that voice.

Asmodeus continued. “The fae, especially. They’ve stopped coming to the club. You know how long it took for them to feel comfortable around the Legion when I first opened this place.”

“And one might wonder why the fae ever decided they were comfortable around you. Could it be because you’ve changed sides?” The voice was even deeper and darker than Asmodeus’s. With it came a sharp blast of unease that sent tremors down my spine. I shuddered, turning my eyes up to the open window. It was as if darkness itself lived inside that voice. And there was no doubt in my mind who it belonged to.

Lucifer.

I should run. Get out of there as fast as I could. If he found me spying, there was no telling what he would do.

My feet stayed glued to the pavement. I held my breath and waited for their next words. I couldn’t help it. My curiosity was beyond my control at this point.

“I thought we were past that,” Az replied in that dark tone of his that suggested he was only seconds away from biting off your head. Surprising he would speak to his King that way, but it wasn’t like I understood how Hell worked.

“Eisheth’s testimony goes far, but Rafael does not lie. You know this, Az.”

“And he was mistaken. Rafael has had it out for me for years, and he read into things he didn’t understand. We’ve gone over this, Lucifer. I am fully on the side of Hell.”

Lucifer sniffed. “Yes, well, that still doesn’t explain what happened to Mia McNally.”

A low growl rumbled from within the club. “She escaped. She ran. If I could find her, I would. Her soul is mine.”

Shivers stormed across my skin at the sound of my name on Lucifer’s lips, as well as Az’s response. I knew he was only saying that to hide the truth from the King of Hell, but the danger in his voice was as hot and electric as evil itself. It sounded like he wanted to rip me limb from limb. If I were Lucifer, I’d be convinced.

But I knew better than anyone just how good Az was at pretending.

They must have drifted away from the window because their voices dropped to nothing more than a murmur. I craned my head, trying to make out their words, but I didn’t have enhanced supernatural hearing like they did. Dammit. They were talking about me, and I was desperate to know what else they said. It might mean the difference between surviving another year in Manhattan or…marrying the devil himself.

Yep, so I was definitely going to climb on top of the dumpster now. I edged closer to it and latched my hands around the top, grimacing when my skin made contact with the goo. I tried not to think about what it might be and hauled myself over the top of the dumpster.

My muscles groaned, and the metal shuddered beneath my weight. Wincing, I slowly pushed up into a crouch and peered inside the club.

My breath caught in my throat when I spotted Asmodeus. It had only been a few weeks since I’d seen him, but it felt like far longer than that. Years, maybe. Centuries. Or maybe I was just being melodramatic.

Tall, muscled, brimming with power. Asmodeus was unlike any man I’d ever known. Probably because he wasn’t a man at all. Demonic energy pulsed from his skin in silken strands of shadows. As I’d gotten to know him, I understood what the presence of his shadows meant. He was either very happy or very, very angry. Most likely the latter. Not a good look if he wanted to convince Lucifer I meant nothing to him.

Speaking of Lucifer…my eyes drifted to the other figure in the dark club. My mouth went dry. He was wider and more muscular than Az, and elaborate tattoos swirled across the back of his neck and down the length of his left arm. He wore his silver hair down past his ears, and golden rings glimmered on strong, powerful hands.

Hands that were clenching. His head jerked to the side, and slowly, he turned toward the window that I hovered beside.

I let out a yelp and ducked down. The metal wobbled beneath me, knocking me off balance. My boots skidded across the yellow slime and sent me tumbling off the dumpster.

Arms windmilling, I landed in a heap on the alley pavement. My knees buckled; my hands flew out to brace my fall. All my breath shot out of my throat as a storm of bright spots blinded me momentarily.

I shook my head and blinked away the shock. Lucifer had definitely heard me creeping around on the dumpster. And if he’d heard that, there was no chance in hell he’d missed my shriek and tumble.

Time to run.