To Hell and Back (Mel Goes to Hell Series Book 4) (7 page)

Mel closed the door to her office and walked right into Luce's welcoming arms. Relief cascaded from her like a warm shower. It was over. The Exousiai complaints unit were in their secluded office space, segregated from demons by virtue of their converted storeroom location.

"You were magnificent, Melody," she heard him say.

Against his chest, she managed a watery smile of disbelief. She'd succeeded, and that was all that mattered. She wasn't sure what she would've done without him there. Who'd have guessed a year ago that she'd be thankful for Lucifer?

"Thank you," she said, her voice muffled by his shirt.

The door clicked open. Mel turned her head to see who'd intruded on what should have been a private moment, but she didn't let go of Luce for fear her wobbly legs would betray her. "Yes?" she asked.

Sarkis squeezed into the room and shut the door behind him. "I didn't want to interrupt, ma'am, but I need to discuss a personal matter."

Mel kissed Luce on the lips before gently disengaging from his embrace. He reminded her to grab him when she wanted lunch, then left her alone with Sarkis, who got straight to the point.

"Ma'am, what were you so afraid of in there?"

Mel sighed. For all of Luce's talk of magnificence, she knew she'd been a nervous wreck.

"Sit down, Sarkis. And please call me Mel. If I let demons do it, you certainly can." She waved at the client chair on the other side of her desk.

"Ma'am…Mel…if you're afraid of Lucifer, you know we're here to protect you. As it is, I don't know how to make head or tails of whatever's going on here. Raphael says one thing, you say another; and while I'd usually say Lucifer is the Lord of Lies, I didn't spot a single untruth today. What's the world coming to when a demon is more honest than an angel?"

"Difficult times, as I'm sure you know," Mel replied. "No, I'm not afraid of Luce. I'm more than a match for him and he's a surprisingly good match for me, though for different reasons. My problem today was…personal and quite embarrassing, really, so I'd prefer not to discuss it. Luce knew I'd struggle today and he was trying to help."

Sarkis nodded. "And what would you do if one of my men had attacked Lucifer – in your defence, of course?"

Mel bit her lip. "As I did before Heaven's gates, I'd defend him."

"So no swords for any of my men?" He coughed. "That's going to be difficult to enforce, given the number of demons here."

"I don't object to weapons in the slightest, just not in the office. Especially anywhere near Luce." Mel sighed. "Perhaps tell your men that Luce has my permission to insert any weapon used offensively up its owner's fundamental orifice, though I'm sure you'll put it more succinctly than that."

"Attack Lucifer and he'll shove your sword up your arse," Sarkis blurted out, then thought better of it. "Sorry, ma'am. I mean Mel."

She laughed. "Oh, I've heard worse. Wait until you hear the harpies talking about the latest erotica book they're reading in the lunchroom. I'm sure even your boys will blush. I know I do."

"So the official position is what you told us in the café – Lucifer is your responsibility and we're to stick to the lesser demons?"

Mel nodded slowly.

"And what about the unofficial one? What is the Lord of Hell to you?"

While she preferred honesty to lies, some information was not for common knowledge. "Luce and I are together. It's not a secret, but we do try to keep our relationship quiet, as it does shock many people. Of course he's seductive, but he's more than that to me, or his brash brand of seduction would have gotten him nowhere. Despite his dark wings, Luce is no demon – I couldn't have considered what we have if he wasn't an angel. And while he might hide things from others, he can't hide anything from me." At Sarkis' suspicious look, she reached out. "Give me your hand, Sarkis. Let me show you what I mean."

He reluctantly placed his hand on hers. "I'm a soldier, not a soul-reader, so I apologise in advance if I don't understand."

Mel laughed. "It takes a lot of practice and I've had the time for it. You'll see just fine." She closed her eyes and focussed on the memory of the stormy night when Luce came to her home, begging for help and a kiss. She watched the memory fondly until the kiss was complete, then gently pulled her hand from Sarkis'. He didn't need to know how far they'd proceeded after the kiss. "You see?"

Sarkis fell to his knees, his eyes firmly fixed on the carpet. "I'm sorry, my lady. I should never have doubted you. It takes a powerful angel to survive an encounter with Lucifer and before today I'd have said his redemption was impossible. Yet you…you…conquered the darkest demon there is with a simple kiss. I am…in awe."

Mel smiled shyly. "You make it sound like it was all my doing, when Luce's own fortitude played a significant part in his redemption. Without his powerful desire to conquer his own darkness, nothing I did would've helped him at all." She paused for a moment, then continued, "Most demons aren't aware of the change. The very nature of their souls prevents soul-reading. But with Luce on my side, I want to take his initial idea of a global HELL Corporation and turn it into a power for good. While deals and domination are definitely demonic, a company with this sort of worldwide reach can help untold millions. But for that, I need your team to police the demons, to make sure humans don't suffer while the company grows. I need you to maintain order the way only Exousiai can, because I have other responsibilities." She glanced down. "Please get up. I try to keep things very low-key around here as many of the demons have never heard of Lady Muriel, nor the power I hold." She waved at herself and the simple linen dress she wore once more. "No wings, no gold finery, no glow. To them, I'm very much an ordinary angel called Mel."

Sarkis clambered stiffly to his feet. "An extraordinary angel who can do the impossible and negotiate a middle road between angels and demons. Don't doubt yourself. I will do whatever you need me to. What would you like me to report to George?"

"Whatever you feel you need to. I'd recommend full disclosure, as that would make it easier for you to request reinforcements should the need arise. If I know him, he already suspected something when Raphael requested Exousiai to do the work of a lowly guardian angel."

Sarkis executed an elaborate bow. "Being your guardian would be an honour and nothing less. It's a pity you need no such protection."

This time, they laughed together.

Mephi perched on Luce's visitor chair beside Mel. Luce watched with interest as his PA returned Mel's smile before donning her usual professional mask. The demon dropped a yellow folder on Luce's desk and tapped with a scarlet-lacquered fingernail. "I have everything you asked for, Mr Iblis. Miss Black's schedule, travel arrangements, bookings, credit card statements. I have some of her email and IT records, too."

Luce leaned forward. "I'm sorry. Miss Black?"

"Persephone Black is the name she goes by at present, Luce," Mel said. She seemed uncomfortable about something, but didn't say anything else.

Mephi's pursed lips expressed her disapproval. "You didn't know your own PA's name?"

"I only met her a few days before we flew out," Luce replied defensively. "She handled all the travel arrangements, not me. And you'd booked everything in my name. I never needed to use her name." He grinned. "All I had to do was snap my fingers and –"

"Mr Iblis, I have explained the concept of sexual harassment to you. Would you like another briefing to refresh your memory?" Mephi's stern expression contrasted strongly with Mel's gentle laughter.

Mel managed to get a hold of herself. "I'm sorry, Mephi, but Luce probably has a good case against Persi for sexual harassment. As I understand it, all the unwanted invitations were made by her, and she persevered, despite numerous refusals."

Mephi's expression was one of disbelief. Her eyes rested on Luce.

"All right, once," Luce snapped. "She'd been begging to give me a blowjob for a week. She was on her knees and she already had me out of my pants. I figured if I let her, maybe she'd shut up for a few minutes." He sneaked a glance at Mel, praying she wouldn't reject him for his momentary weakness.

To his shock, Mel burst out laughing. "If there's one thing I taught Persi, it's not to talk with her mouth full."

Luce felt himself reddening under the combined weight of Mel's amused and Mephi's disapproving gazes. Did Mel think so little of him that she found it no surprise that he would sleep around at the slightest invitation? Or had Persephone already told her? What else had the nephilim said? Had she belittled his size and skill and stamina? She'd told plenty of other lies about him – why not that? His hands itched to wrap around the girl's neck and choke the life from her.

"But first we have to find her and that's why we're here," Mel continued. "Mephi, please give us a summary of what you know, so we can plan how to proceed."

Mephi nodded and flipped open the file with a shapely talon. "Three weeks ago, she was scheduled to fly to Heathrow. I booked the flights myself and I saw her in the office only a few hours before her departure. It's the last time I saw Miss Black. Her frequent-flyer miles indicate that she boarded the flight, but I have no record of London accommodation. Her credit card statement for the following day shows a purchase in something called Asda Omagh."

"Where?" Mel's suddenly alert pose mirrored Mephi's. "Asda where?"

"Omagh. It's in Northern Ireland. And I have a note from her telling me she was expecting a call from someone named Patrick. I never received it, so he must have called her back direct. That's the last day of her credit card statement and the next one's not due for another fortnight, so I don't know any more about her transactions. She hasn't sent a single email since she left the country."

Mel rose. "I need to call Patrick. Mephi, can you please book flights for next week? Looks like Luce and I are headed to London. Oh, and please find out if Bob can be the acting CEO during our absence. Luce, can you get me a list of your business contacts in the UK and Ireland? If Persi's there for business, I'm sure she'll have spoken to at least one of them. Who would she know?"

London? But weren't he and Mel needed here with the HELL Corporation? Luce tried to wrap his head around her sprinting thought processes and fell even further behind. "She'd know the government officials we met in London. That's all."

Mel nodded. "Fine. I'll arrange our accommodation in London."

Mephi coughed. "I usually take care of that. I have a list of Mr Iblis' preferred London hotels. I'll arrange a suite for each of you so you have all the privacy you need." She eyed Luce, as if expecting him to argue.

"That won't be necessary, Mephi," Mel said. "I prefer to stay in my friend's flat in Knightsbridge, where there'll be plenty of room for Luce and myself. Let me know what dates you can book flights for. Luce, please tell me when your contacts can meet with us. We'll need to arrive the day before the meeting, I think."

"Do I have to go?" Luce asked. He wanted to avoid the nephilim as much as possible.

"Yes," Mel responded. "Your business contacts there will expect to meet with you and not some girl they've never met before. It's not all bad. You'll have one of your wishes granted." He perked up but she continued before he could say a word, "I'll be your PA for the day."

Luce jumped and whooped, to Mephi's shocked disapproval. "And how personal will your assistance get?"

He raised suggestive eyebrows.

"Mr Iblis!" Mephi exploded.