Wicked Pleasure (42 page)

Holgarth sat beside Deimos. “There's the chapel. My God, there must've been a sale on Easter egg dye.”

Brynn had his arm wrapped around Kim's waist, and he leaned forward with her for his first glimpse of Ye Olde Victorian Wedding Chapel. “Pink, blue, and yellow. Cheerful but ugly. Strip the paint from that sucker and you'd have a nice house.”

Holgarth tapped Conall on the shoulder. “There's a parking space right in front of the chapel. I'm sure they know we're coming, so there's no need to do any sneaking.”

Conall followed Holgarth's directions, and everyone piled out of the van to stand staring at the chapel. Kim already had Fo out as Brynn pulled Gabriel from his pocket.

“I don't know how much help Gabriel will be, but he did say he could destroy nonhumans.” Brynn spoke low to Kim.

“Now what?” Deimos's eyes gleamed with the excitement of being on his first real action assignment.

Kim hoped her sister would keep an eye on him. Lynsay might be the human half of the duo, but she was a rung up on the maturity ladder.

Holgarth held up an imperious hand to get their attention. “There's a light in the chapel, so someone's waiting for us. We'll simply go in together and confront the archdemon if he's there. If not, I'll do my best to close the portal.”

“Um, about confronting the archdemon.” Kim refused to back down from Holgarth's glare. “I know you have tons of really impressive power, but if you remember, we didn't do a great job of stopping him at the castle. Have you come up with any new strategies since then?”

Holgarth adjusted his hat and looked wise. “This time Sparkle and Asima will help, won't you, ladies?”

Sparkle avoided his gaze by flicking a speck of dust from her leather pants. “I'll do my best, but sex is my thing. If you want me to seduce the archdemon, I'll give it a shot.”

Holgarth looked grumpy. “Well, do what you can.”

Asima scratched behind her ear.
“I have a great deal of power. If Conall's in danger, I'll use it.”

Conall cast all of them a helpless look. “Why me?”

“Messengers of Bast don't have loose lips.”
Finished scratching behind her ear, Asima blinked her big blue eyes.
“I think we need to stop talking and get moving.”

“Speaking of power, Sparkle, what's Ganymede doing?” Brynn thought as Kim did, that this army didn't have nearly enough firepower.

“When I left he was eating a bowl of ice cream. By now he'll be watching a late-night movie.” Her frown said she wasn't happy about that.

Evidently giving up on Ganymede, Brynn glanced at the others. “Okay, let's do it.” He led them onto the porch, stood to the side of the door, and knocked.

“An action hero would kick the door down.” Deimos's take on the situation.

“Yeah, and an action hero would get his head blown off.” Kim's take on the situation.

Beady red eyes peered at them through the small pane of glass in the door. “Come right on in, dearies. Miss Abby's been waiting for you.”

Everyone looked at the red eyes and then at each other. Kim had a really bad feeling about this.

Holgarth took over command. “Lynsay and Kim are the only ones here who aren't immortal, so they go in last. If the archdemon is inside, everyone will throw whatever power they have at him. I'm certain it'll be enough. Remember that last time the archdemon escaped from Dirk before the full effect of our combined powers could harm him. In common terms, he was running scared. This Miss Abby isn't in the same league as the archdemon. We'll question her, and then Fo can destroy her.”

Kim still wasn't convinced the forces of goodness and light would walk away from this encounter without a few demonic dings from the One Whose Name Cannot Be Uttered. “So what if we give it our all, and the archdemon laughs in our faces?”

Holgarth offered her an exaggerated sigh. “I'm positive that won't happen. But we can always call for Eric to join forces with us.” He placed himself directly in front of the door so that he could enter first.

Hey, if he wanted to be first, it was all good with Kim. She shared a glance with Brynn that told her he had his doubts about this operation, too.

She moved to Sparkle's side. “Hypothetically speaking, how long would it take to get Ganymede here if we really needed him?”

Sparkle looked as though she'd been wondering the same thing. “Ganymede can move through time and space at will, so he could be here right after I put out a call.”

Brynn nodded. “Keep the lines open to him. Just in case Napoleon's advisor there gets us in over our collective heads.”

All conversation stopped as the chapel door swung wide with an ominous creak. Miss Abby stood in the open doorway, smiling at them. “Welcome, welcome, dearies. Come in and relax at Ye Olde Victorian Wedding Chapel.”

Everyone crowded into the parlor. Kim kept Fo hidden under the flap of her jacket. A quick glance around showed no big yellow arrows labeled Portal to Hell Here. There were a few folding chairs for guests to sit on, and the rest of the furniture in the room was old and shabby. There was an open area at the back of the room ringed by artificial flowers and backed by a huge pink fake wedding cake that was a larger version of the bubble containers. The four-foottall cake rested on a table draped in white lace.

Sparkle leaned close to Kim. “Miss Abby's a trendsetter. She can call her new style shabby tacky.” Then she spoke to Miss Abby directly. “You know, a demon can be sensually stylish at any age. You really need to lose the cardigan, flowered dress, and knee-highs. And those chunky shoes are a disaster. Maybe some Hermes goatskin lace-up sandals, hmm? Have you considered lasic surgery? I'm sure you have I'm-as-hot-as-hell eyes, but those glasses don't do them justice. You need to do something with the hair, too, because those white waves are so not sexy. I'd suggest soft brown with blond highlights. Very youthful. A cosmetic surgeon could—”

“Be quiet!” Holgarth thundered, and everyone flinched.

Miss Abby smiled sweetly at Sparkle. “How interesting. Maybe we can chat later, dearie.”

“There will be no later, demon.” Holgarth sounded as though he was speaking through clenched teeth. “Where is the archdemon and the portal?”

“You want to see the portal?” Miss Abby looked delighted. She walked briskly over to the cake, her girdle squeaking merrily. “It's right here.” She reached for a CD player that sat beside the cake, and hit Play.

Carly Simon immediately affirmed that “Nobody Does It Better.” Miss Abby smiled at her gaping audience. “The One Whose Name Cannot Be Uttered chose that song.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Kim did some mental eye rolls. “James Bond and the One whose Name Cannot Be Uttered. Perfect.”

As the music swelled, the top of the cake opened, and a demon leaped out. Probably by demon standards she was pretty hot with her long fake eyelashes accenting her red eyes, her green nail color carefully applied to her claws, and pink glitter on the end of her tail.

But great accessories didn't impress Kim. She pressed Fo's red button. Demon ash rained down on the cake.

Miss Abby frowned. “Now that wasn't very friendly.”

“Where's the archdemon?” Holgarth sounded mad enough to crawl into the cake in search of his prey.

“I'm here.” Gabriel narrowed his big red eyes. “And you just offed Bon Bon, one of my favorites.”

Brynn dropped Gabriel.

“Ouch?” The red eyes looked affronted. “I was going to search for another human host, but this was so convenient. And I guessed that since he was one of only two detectors still working, you'd bring him with you.”

Fo's purple eyes were saucer size. “I knew the real Gabriel wouldn't say those things to me.” She looked up at Kim. “Let me get the demon out of Gabriel.”

“Hey, give it your best shot, cutie.” The archdemon sounded supremely unconcerned. “In fact, all of you have a go at it.” His soft chuckle dripped with evil. “And then it'll be my turn.”

Horrified, Kim stared at Brynn. “He was in the closet listening to us make love.” She knew her whisper said
ugh, yuck,
and
ack.

The archdemon had excellent hearing. “You guys were so hot I almost popped out of that closet and joined you. Can you imagine the rush? Threesomes are the best.”

Kim's answer was to aim Fo once again and press the Destroy button. At the same time, expressions around her grew tense and focused. If the total blast of everyone's power at once didn't blow the archdemon out of the water, they'd better vacate the premises fast.

There was the expected blinding flash of light from Fo, but this time there was almost a sonic boom of power from the others. The room shook, and pieces of plaster fell from the ceiling. Kim felt the power like giant hands pressing her body between them.

Then there was silence. The little black dots stopped dancing in front of Kim's eyes, and she looked for Gabriel. He still sat on the floor, his red eyes glittering with wicked amusement.

“You guys are a real disappointment. I expected to at least get a buzz from the whole thing.” A deep humming noise started deep within Gabriel. “My turn now.”

Brynn stared into space for a moment and then looked at Kim. “I just told Eric to get his immortal butt here fast.”

Kim poked Sparkle. “Tell Ganymede to get his fuzzy face out of the ice cream container because we're in big trouble.”

Sparkle nodded, her amber eyes filled with real fear.

Lynsay had backed up against the door and was fumbling with the doorknob. Kim didn't need to see her sister's expression to know the door was locked. Not that a locked door would ordinarily stop the beings in this room, but she had a sinking feeling no one would be leaving if the archdemon didn't want them to go.

“Miss Abby will soften you up. She's my second-in-command. A lot more powerful than the demons on the street.” The archdemon sounded absolutely jolly. “She's out of range of your detector, Kim. And I'll keep you from getting any closer. I think I'll let her take out the weakest link, your sister Lynsay.”

“No.” Kim's harsh whisper of denial came at the same time Miss Abby's fingertips began to glow. “Do something, Brynn.” That wasn't fair. What could he do? She tried to move toward the demon but smacked into an invisible wall.

Deimos had wrapped Lynsay in his massive arms and put himself in front of her.

Miss Abby cackled. “I don't have to see her to kill her, dearie. You can't stop me.”

“But
I
can.” Brynn's quiet statement drew everyone's gaze.

Kim watched his face subtly change, and she knew he was purposely becoming the man he loathed, the demon of sensual desire. His eyes heated, backlit in fluid gold. His lips seemed fuller, more sensual. His sexuality was a living, breathing presence in the room.

“Come to me, Abby. Use my body in any way you want. You'll never know pleasure like I can give you.” His voice was the call of temptation to every woman from the beginning of time.

Yes! There was hope. Kim had forgotten about Brynn's power to draw any woman to him. She held her breath and steadied her finger on Fo's button.

Miss Abby's eyes darkened with sexual hunger. The tips of her fingers stopped glowing. “Mmm. I'm on my way, hot bod.” Girdle squeaking and chunky shoes clumping, she walked toward Brynn.

“Yo, stupid. Don't go any closer to them.” The archdemon sounded annoyed but not really worried.

Miss Abby kept walking.

“Abby, I command you to stop.” Now he was worried. The archdemon was invoking his seniority.

Miss Abby's gaze never wavered from Brynn. Kim waited until the demon was in range, and then she pressed the red button. When the beam was gone, Miss Abby was a small pile of ash on her chapel floor.

“Well, well. I underestimated the varied talents in the group.” The archdemon wasn't amused. “I'm bored with this whole scene. I think I'll destroy you now.”

Everyone froze as they waited for the attack. And waited, and waited.

The archdemon growled his fury. “This damned machine is fighting me. Why the hell would anyone give a machine free will? If I had that son of a bitch Sergei here, I'd kill him all over again.”

“Way to go, Gabriel.” Kim glanced out a window. Where was the cavalry?

“Oh, fuck it, I'll have to take my true form.” The air swirled, and reality seemed to shift. The smell of sulfur filled the room. And then the One Whose Name Cannot Be Uttered materialized in all his demonic hideousness.

Twice as big as an ordinary demon, with scarier eyes, bigger teeth, longer claws, a really impressive tail, and the prerequisite cloven hooves, he was the Big Bad on a gigantic scale.

“Oh, crap.” Conall said it for everyone.

The archdemon snarled as he turned his attention on Conall. “Too bad. You talked first, so you die first. I think that's fair.” He glanced around the room. “Don't you think that's fair?”

“No.” Brynn leaped forward but slammed against the archdemon's protective shield. Holgarth didn't have any better luck.

A feline scream filled the room and reverberated against the walls. Asima leaped in front of Conall. A brilliant white light enveloped both of them, and then they were simply gone.

“How'd she do that?” The archdemon sounded more baffled than furious. “Oh, well. There're a lot more of you to kill.”

Without warning, the door shattered as a great gray owl flew into the room. The owl instantly became Eric. Naked Eric. He smoothly changed into vampire form.