“Hello?” She softened her voice into a low caress, walking toward the final stall, heels clacking on the floor. “Are you there? We got off the wrong foot before, I know. I’m here to make everything better.”
No response. As she stood before the final stall, the hair rose on her arms. Something felt wrong—the air felt a little too cold, almost electrified. Was it just a draft, or was that dark magic crackling in the air around her? She flicked out the blade of the reaping pen. Dread rose up her throat, and she leaned closer, knocking on the door. “Hugo, my darling. It’s not as bad as you think.” Lies. Horrible, evil lies, tumbling from perfectly-glossed pink lips. She was a monster now.
She took a deep breath, waiting for his response, but she heard only shuffling in the stall, and a low moan.
She stepped back. Her heels wouldn’t be good for running, but she could still kick down a door. She hiked up her dress and slammed her foot into the wood. Her kick snapped the lock, sending the door smacking open.
A rush of fear ran over her skin. The man she’d met earlier—the one with the pale grey eyes—stood, cradling Hugo in his arms like a baby. As soon as the man’s eyes locked on Ursula, he dropped Hugo onto the toilet seat, and the pop star’s head smacked hard against the stall’s wooden walls. His skin had taken on an unhealthy sheen.
Ursula swallowed hard. What. The. Fuck. “What are you?” she breathed.
Abe stepped toward her in a single flowing motion, like smoke rising from the wick of an extinguished candle. The air temperature dropped at least ten degrees. He fixed his otherworldly gaze on her, his eyes gunmetal grey.
He moved closer to her. When he smiled, fear twisted in her gut—but something else, too. She couldn’t stop staring at his smooth, golden skin.
“Hello, pretty girl.” His voice whispered over her body. When he spoke, it almost felt as though he were touching her with a feather-light stroke. “I was wondering if you’d stop by.”
She tore her eyes away from him, glancing at the crumpled pop star on the toilet. Nausea welled in her stomach. This was all wrong. “Did you kill him?”
“I may have been a bit greedy with him. His soul tasted delicious.”
“You devoured his soul?” Horror slithered over her skin. She had a dizzying feeling she was facing one of those shadow demons Kester had mentioned. And what would Emerazel do when she learned Hugo’s soul had been stolen?
Abe’s cheek dimpled as he smiled. “Nyxobas needed more souls. I know you understand.” He reached out, stroking her cheek, and his touch sent a thrill racing through her body, pushing out all of her dread. “But of course, you are the real prize this evening. You’re the most beautiful woman here, and it’s not every day I get to consume a hellhound’s soul.”
Chapter 23
Her body was growing hot, and sweat beaded on her neck. “Look, I don’t know who you think you are, but I’ve become quite attached to my soul, and I plan to hang on to it.” His lips looked full and soft, but she forced herself to tear her gaze off them, stepping backward toward the sinks. A strange ache was beginning to fill her body, and she couldn’t stop looking at him.
Slowly, he moved closer, his eyes trailing over her shoulders, her cleavage, her hips, as if he could see right through her dress to the lacy pink bra and panties underneath, and the thought sent a strange thrill through her belly. What is he doing to me? With a trembling hand, she lifted the blade of the pen toward the center of his chest. “Don’t get any closer. I won’t hesitate to reap your soul.” I need to burn him, but I can’t remember how.
“You silly little thing.” His eyes blazed with desire. “Do you have any idea how powerful I am?”
A battle raged in her head—carnal desires warring against the corner of her mind that wanted to bash his head into the tiles. Some traitorous part of her wanted to rip off her dress right there and invite him closer, while the rest of her knew she should stab him with the pen. I need to get out of here.
She could yell for help, but Emerazel would surely slaughter her for calling attention to herself.
Abe prowled closer, licking his perfect lips. Ursula let the silky strap of her gown fall lower. She wanted him to see all of her, wanted his hands on her bare skin.
Just inches from her, he ran a finger over her collarbone, and heat blazed through her. He leaned in, and she arched against him, desperate to feel his lips against hers. “I wish I could take you to Oberon’s. It would be so fun to show off a gorgeous human pet like you, with your perfect breasts and ass…”