Demons R Us

Demons R Us Alice Gaines All rights reserved.

Copyright ©2008 Alice Gaines

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ISBN: 978-1-60521-034-6

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Demons R Us Alice Gaines Vicky Burke has to get her soon-to-be ex-husband and his girlfriend out of her house before someone discovers he’s using the mansion to make porn movies. When a mysterious book of spells drops into her lap, she decides to summon a demon to evict the whole bunch of them. Imagine her surprise when two, not one, emissaries arrive from hell. Imagine her delight when Asmodai and Ilbris inform her that they don’t want her soul in exchange for their help. They want her body.

Chapter One First, they make you take a vow until death do you part, and then, they won’t let you kill the bastard. Vicky Burke planned to divorce her dearly beloved the minute a judge signed the court order. In the meantime, she needed to get him out of her house. She pressed the buzzer at the front gate again and put her mouth up to the intercom. “I know you’re listening to this, Stewart, and I know what you’re doing in there.” After a few more seconds of silence, she pushed the button and held it down. She’d lived in there for years before she’d met Stewart and had heard the unholy noise the bell made. Not even the sociopath she’d married could put up with it forever. Finally, static came out of the speaker. “If you want to see me, talk to Lorelei,” Stewart said. “I’m not calling my own secretary to make an appointment with my own husband.” Ex-husband and former secretary, ever since she’d caught the two of them doing the nasty in Stewart’s Jaguar after the company holiday party. “Suit yourself.” The speaker clicked off. She pushed the button again, and this time she leaned on it. Lorelei was probably in there with Stewart, and with any luck, the buzzing would give her a migraine. It made sense in a perverted way for Stewart to settle back into her house while she visited London on business, but what in hell had possessed him to move his bimbo in with him? He had to know she’d put their butts back on the street the minute she got home. She’d been home for days now, though, and the butt removal had proved a lot harder than she’d expected. To make matters worse, she’d had an earful from Mrs. Radnich, the neighborhood snoop, about some truly raunchy goings-on since her erstwhile love lizard had slithered back. That crap had to stop.

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The speaker came to life again, so she removed her finger from the buzzer.

“What can I do for you?” Stewart practically trilled it. Phony as all hell, as usual.

“You can get the fuck out of my house.”

“But, dearest, you told me when we got married that it would be our love nest.”

Ye gods, had she really called a ten-bedroom, twelve-bath stucco villa with pool,

tennis court, and six-car garage a nest? Probably, back when the asshole had her convinced the sun rose and set in his eyes. “Cut the BS, Stewart. You know you hate my guts.” “Pot. Kettle. Black.” “Listen, Stewart, you can be my ex-husband or my late husband. Your choice.” “Is that a threat?” he said. “Take it however you want, but you will vacate the premises.” He heaved a sigh so loud it crackled over the wires and came out the speaker on her end. “I can see I have to explain things to you.” “Just try.” “I’ll be right out.” The speaker went dead. Vicky walked to the gate and tried it. Still locked. The asshole wouldn’t even let her onto her own property to talk to him. She shook the metal like a crazed zoo ape, but the lock held, of course. Her own security system. How humiliating. Stewart appeared at the front of the house, dressed in jeans and a sports shirt. He’d draped a tennis sweater over his shoulders and tied the sleeves in front. Very calculated casual attire and very expensive. Every sandy hair lay in place. Why did she always fall for good-looking jerks? He held some papers in his hand as he approached the gate and stared through at her. “Did you have a nice trip?” She shook the gates again. “Let me in.” “I’m afraid I can’t do that. The restraining order forbids it.” “Restraining order? What are you talking about?” she said. “I didn’t get any restraining order.”

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“I did,” he answered. “I had it served at your office.” “What the fuck?” Millie, the receptionist, had said something about legal papers. She’d ignored the whole thing. “You see, the last time you were here you threatened my business associate and me with violence.” “Business associate,” she repeated. “Lorelei and I have formed a film company.” “Porn, you mean,” she said. “I heard all about it.” “So, those were Mrs. Radnich’s binocs,” he said. “We had to move to the pool side of the house where she couldn’t see us.” “You’re using my house to make dirty movies.” He leaned toward the bars. “You and I used to watch adult films together, remember?” If only she could forget. The dumb bow-chicka-bow music, the men with the huge schlongs, the women with the impossible bodies. She’d put up with that garbage because it made Stewart randy and they’d had hot monkey sex afterward. Not that he or his equipment were anything to write home about. Lorelei was getting all that goodness now. She could have it. “It’s one thing to watch that filth and something else to actually make it.” “What an attitude.” He sniffed. “And to think, I was going to invite you to a shoot.” “I’ll shoot you.” “Which brings us back to the restraining order.” He handed some of the papers to her through the bars. “Read it and weep.” She skimmed the words. The document appeared official, although you could cram everything she knew about law into a thimble. “So, you see, you’re not even supposed to show up at the gate,” he said. She glared up at him. “How did you get a judge to sign this?”

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He pointed toward the microphone. “We’ve been recording everything you say into the intercom, and you’ve made some pretty amazing threats.” Oh yeah. Hiring a guy named Moose with an AK47. Poisoning the water supply. Cutting off his balls and giving them to Lorelei in gift-wrap. “Married people say that sort of thing to each other all the time.” “Apparently, the judge doesn’t say that to her husband.” “I was angry,” she said. “You’re shacking up with my secretary in my house.” He gave her his most evil smile, and he knew some really nasty ones. “But, you see, it’s my house. You deeded it over to me.” “You’re nuts.” He handed her some more papers. The top one did say deed on it, and the last one had her signature. Or, something very much like her signature. “Lorelei can sign your name better than you can.” Damn it. Why had she trusted the little airhead to sign things for her? Still, she would have had to get the deed witnessed. Vicky pointed to the official stamp. “How did you fool the notary?” “He’s someone I know. I told him Lorelei was my wife.” “It’s malpractice if he didn’t ask for ID,” Vicky said. “He’s not too bright,” Stewart said. “Plus, I have the prenup stating I get the house if we divorce.” “You’re out of your fucking mind.” She could only stand and stare at him. “I never agreed to anything like that.” “Here you go. These are copies. You can keep them.” He handed her the rest of the papers. Sure enough, the title read “Pre-Nuptial Agreement.” “My ‘wife’ signed that, too.” “The date’s wrong,” she said. “It’s three weeks ago. We’ve been married for two years.” He crossed his arms over his chest and grinned at her. “As I said, not too bright.”

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“I don’t believe this.” She crushed the papers in her fist. “You’re in there -filming porn -- and I’m out here.” “Technically you shouldn’t even be there. I could call the police.” She raised her fist and waved the crumpled documents under his nose. “You won’t get away with this.” “I don’t expect I will, but with the deed and the prenup and the restraining order, everything’s a big, complicated mess, and you know how long it takes for those things to go through the courts.” She didn’t, actually, but she could make a wild-assed guess. Glaciers moved faster than the wheels of justice. “By the time you get me out of here, Lorelei and I will be rich from our films,” he said. Her heart sank until it bumped against her intestines. Dirty movies, with her own house as a backdrop. “We’ll get our own place,” he went on. “You can have this one back.” “I hate you, you know. I really, really hate you.” “Go away, Vicky. Have a nice life.” “I will the minute I have the two of you on a spit over a barbecue fire,” she said. He pointed again. “Would you mind saying that into the microphone?” Aaarrrgh. Before she could do anything that would land her in jail, she turned and stalked back to her Mini Cooper.

*** A drizzle set in as Vicky drove past the lake on her way to her loft near Jack London square. This beautiful part of town usually lifted her spirits. Today the rain -- so unseasonal for late May -- fit with everything else going on in her personal life. Her company was going great guns, thank heaven. Luxury lingerie always sold well, even in economic down times. The trip to London had landed her an entire new market for expansion. She’d planned to celebrate until she got home and found the locks changed. Stewart moved fast when it suited him. Who would have guessed that

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the hothouse flower too delicate to hold down a job could maneuver through the legal system so quickly? He hadn’t even broken a sweat. She stopped at a red light and stared through the wet windshield at the businesses on the next block. One didn’t look familiar, although that might just be because the slap-slap of the wipers obscured her vision. Somehow, a light seemed to hover over the place, as if the clouds had parted right above it to let the sun in. Impossible. The bay fog hung too thick for that. When the light changed to green, she drove slowly through the intersection and stopped in front of the storefront. With the luxury of an empty parking space, she could pull over, so she did. “Demons R Us,” said the sign above the shuttered display windows. Cute. A toy store for demented children. What would yuppie parents think up next? Odd that the owners had hung curtains in front. You’d think they’d want to display the goods. The glow still hung around the place, and it didn’t make any more sense than it had when she’d sat at the light. She got out of the car, closed the door behind her, and tipped her head back to look at the sky. All she got for that was a raindrop in her eye. “Come in, come in,” a voice said behind her. She turned to find a woman standing by the open door to the shop. Quite portly in build, she wore a flowered smock over sweat pants. A bandana was wrapped around her head, but patches of bright red hair escaped here and there. In her hand, she held a feather duster. “Are you going to stay out there getting wet?” she asked. “Are you talking to me?” Vicky said. “I don’t see anyone standing next to you.” The woman crossed her arms over her chest, nearly sticking some feathers into her face. “You came for the grimoire, didn’t you?” “I don’t even know what that is.” “Good Lord, another one.” The woman went back into the shop, but the door didn’t close behind her. “Get in here.”

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Who could turn down a gracious invitation like that? Vicky followed. When her eyes adjusted to the dim light, the true weirdness of the place became apparent. This was no kiddie store. In fact, Stewart might have bought props for his porn here… if his movies leaned toward bondage. Whips, spiked collars, and leather bustiers with metal studs shared space with human-sized cages and even what looked like a rack in the corner. “Don’t stare like you’ve never seen this kind of stuff before,” the woman said from where she stood behind the counter. “I haven’t,” Vicky said. “At least, outside of my nightmares.” “Gotta carry something to bring in the paying customers. Nobody appreciates the good merchandise anymore.” Vicky walked to a display case and peered through dusty glass at the figure inside. It appeared to be a man dressed in black. Batlike wings spread out behind him, and his face held a smile so evil it reached down inside her and started a fire in the secret place she’d thought long dormant. “Asmodai,” the woman’s voice came from behind her. “He’s a charmer, that one.” Vicky pressed her fingers to the glass. “What is he?” “What do you expect to find in a store called Demons R Us?” “He’s a demon?” “That’s a statue. The real thing is life-sized.” Something heavy thudded behind her. She jumped and glanced over in time to see a cloud of dust rising from a huge book the woman had put onto the counter. It emitted the same eerie light that had hovered over the shop. She approached and looked down at it. “How does it glow like that?” “I don’t know how, but I know why,” the woman said. “It knew you were coming.” “But, I wasn’t coming here.” “It called you.”

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“How could it do that?” “Why all the questions?” The woman pushed the book across the counter toward her. “Just take it.” “Why would I want a dusty, old thing like that?” The woman leaned on the counter. “It’s a grimoire.” “That doesn’t mean anything more to me than the first time you said it.” “It’s a catalogue of demons and their spells and how to call them forth.” Vicky lifted a corner of the object and looked underneath, as if she’d find an evil spirit there. “You’re kidding me, right?” “I swear, if I get one more unbeliever in here…” The woman huffed. “Look, you must have some need of demonic intervention or the grimoire wouldn’t have called you here.” Demonic intervention. As in ridding a certain mansion of certain human vermin? Using the guy in the glass case -- or his life-sized counterpart -- to get Stewart and Lorelei off her property? Oh, no. That was too nuts to even contemplate. “Sorry,” she said. “No sale.” “I’m not selling it to you. I’m loaning it to you,” the woman said. “More like it’s loaning itself to you.” “I don’t want it.” The woman picked the book up and held it in both hands. “Doesn’t matter. Either take it willingly, or it’ll follow you home.” “A book can’t do that.” The woman shoved the grimoire, as she’d called it, toward Vicky. “Can a book glow?” Oh, hell. She might as well take it. Borrowing it wouldn’t cost her anything, and she’d return it in a week. At least, she could give it a good dusting. “Okay.” She accepted the volume and hefted it. For paper, the thing weighed a ton. She could use it for a doorstop or something.

***

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“Angela, isn’t there anything you can do?” Vicky said into her cell phone. “Sorry, hon. Judge Rafferty got pneumonia, and she won’t be able to hear your case for a week or more,” Vicky’s lawyer answered. Vicky set the Chinese take-out on the floor next to the bed and kicked out of her shoes. She wasn’t about to buy a dining room table for a rented loft while she had a perfectly good one at home. Oh, God, the porn actors were probably fucking each other on it. “Can’t we get another judge?” she said.

“Get back into the queue?” Angela answered.

She groaned. “I guess not.”

“These things take time. You’re not hurting for money. We’ll get Stewart out of

there sooner or later.” “I want it sooner.” “Do you think he’s damaging the property?” Angela asked. That depended on how you defined “damage.” Stewart always took care of his stuff, and by now, he thought everything she owned was his. He’d maintain the property as well as she would. But, in the meantime, her home would appear in those movies. For all she knew, her board of directors watched bow-chicka-bow in their spare time and would recognize her house. “The process will work itself out,” Angela said. “What’s your rush?” Oh, no. She was not going to tell her attorney and friend what went on at 25 Willow Drive in her absence. Angela would probably go in search of Stewart’s latest magnum opus. “I’m sick of sitting in this empty loft,” she said.

“So, furnish it.”

“Not on your life. I want my own things in my own house.”

“Then take a trip,” Angela said. “I’ll call you when I need you in court.”

“I just got back from a trip.” That was how this whole mess got started.

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“I don’t know what to tell you.” Angela sighed on the other end of the line. “Want to go out and have some fun?” “Thanks. Some other time.” Angela’s idea of fun was man-hunting in swank clubs. Being a consolation prize for Angela’s date’s friend got old really fast. “Okay. Call me if you change your mind.” Right after pigs sprouted wings. “Bye.” The line went dead. Vicky flipped the phone shut and set it on the bedspread next to the book that strange woman had insisted she bring home. A grimoire. A catalogue of demons and spells. Her latest chick-lit book reminded her too much of her own life. Spells and demons might make for a nice change. She opened the general’s chicken and used the disposable chopsticks to dig in. Careful not to soil the pages, she lifted the cover of the book and studied the frontispiece. Damned if she didn’t almost drop her dinner on the spread. The drawing there depicted the same figure she’d studied in the glass case at the shop. The caption read, “Thirteenth-century woodcut of Asmodai, aka Asmodeus, Chief Demon of Wrath.” The artist hadn’t given him the same seductive smile, but he did have the leathery wings. Even though this version of him was supposed to depict evil, he gave off an untamed sexuality. Any woman who went near him would end up playing with fire. Did she, Vicky Burke, feel like playing with fire? She set the Chinese food down again and turned to the index. Asmodai had a lot of entries -- more than any other demon. She found the one subheaded “to conjure” and flipped to that page. “To summon the lord of wrath, the witch seats herself at the center of a pentagram enclosed by a pentagon, all spun out of spider webs,” she read.

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She looked up into the corners of the room. No spiders up there, thank heaven, and no webs, either. On the other hand, she had lots and lots of pantyhose in the chest of drawers that held her underwear. Maybe they would fool a medieval demon. She got a bunch out, tossing the packaging aside as she worked. A pentagon first and then a pentagram defined by laying stockings from point to point. With luck, she could just fit her butt into the center. She picked up the book again. “The demon will only come to the smell of burning flesh and the witch’s blood.” “Screw that,” she said. “I’m not burning myself. I don’t care how hot the guy is.” Still, it didn’t say human flesh, and her dinner did have chunks of chicken in it. What about blood? She’d pass out at the sight of that. Why not try perfume, instead? The chicken would already smell weird with the sauce. Maybe Asmodai wouldn’t notice she’d given him Surrender Summer instead of O positive. What the heck? If this didn’t work, she’d only have a mess to clean up. She got a candle and the atomizer from the bathroom and assembled everything, finally sitting gingerly between her stretched out pantyhose. After lighting the flame with a match, she grasped a piece of chicken with chopsticks and held it over the fire. It stank well enough as the sauce burned. She sat cross-legged, chanting “Ommmm” until the meat had a nice char and then picked up the perfume with her free hand and spritzed the whole mess. The flame shot up, nearly singeing her eyebrows. She yelped and dropped everything. Damn it, the perfume had alcohol in it. She should have thought of that. She could have set herself afire. What an idiotic thing for a grown woman to do. Now, the chicken lay smoking next to the candle and she had a sticky stain in the carpet. Damn, damn, damn. The smoke didn’t dissipate though. It grew and moved away, filling the room. Shit, now what? The fire extinguisher. Out in the hallway. Before she could get to her feet, the most gawd awful sound came from the center of the cloud. Human, sort of. It wasn’t a scream for help or alarm but more like a

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victory cry wrapped up in an operatic crescendo surrounded by an orgasm scream. Deep and male. It knocked the air right out of her lungs. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Not even a whimper. Powerless to move a muscle, she sat and watched as the smoke collapsed in on itself and took form -- a huge pair of wings that nearly reached from one side of the sleeping area to the other. As the air cleared, a man appeared at the center. His eyes opened, and he smiled. She knew that smile, or rather, her spine did. Her bones took on the consistency of toothpaste, and she almost crumpled into a heap. Her nerves kept working, though, as messages zinged along them right to her crotch. Asmodai looked around himself out of eyes with nearly black irises. After a minute, he waved his hand in front of his nose. “What in hell is that stench?” “Burn…” Her voice came out on a croak, so she cleared her throat to try again. “Burning flesh?” “More like arson at a tire factory.” He folded his wings behind him, and they seemed to disappear, leaving what looked like a normal human being. If you could considered a gorgeous man in leather with black, black hair and impossibly dark eyes normal. “And you would be…” he said. “Vicky Burke.” “Well, Vicky Burke, you just bought yourself the services of two demons.” “Two?” “Late as usual.” He looked upward. “Where in hell are you?” Another one materialized. First wings, like Asmodai’s but smaller, and then a man. This one appeared opposite to Asmodai, with white hair, pale skin, and golden eyes. He had the same wicked smile, though. It faded quickly, as the demon wrinkled his nose. “Is it supposed to smell like this?” “She got creative somehow,” Asmodai said. “Mortals. Who knows what they’ll think up next?”

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The golden one spotted Vicky, and his strange eyes widened. “I like this one. The last human was a bag of bones.” “Hey, I only conjured one of you,” she said. “I’m training him,” Asmodai said. “Can I know who ‘him’ is?” The blond winked at her. “Ilbris, at your service.” “And the two of you are demons?” she said. “We’re not Boy Scouts,” Ilbris said. Asmodai opened his mouth and made that amazing sound again. It seemed to come from the soles of his feet, through his chest, and out of his throat. He stretched his wings wide. “Damn, this feels good.” “Show-off,” Ilbris said. “So, you have the biggest wings.” “Your pecker’s larger.” Ilbris grinned. “There is that.” Asmodai folded his wings away and glanced around the room. “I don’t know if we’ll all fit in that bed.” “No sweat,” Ilbris said. “I’ll just hang upside down from the rafters.” Vicky gaped at him. “I don’t have rafters.” Asmodai backhanded his friend’s arm. “Don’t tell the mortals things like that, asshole. They’ll believe you.” “I have to get my jollies somehow.” “Why do you need a bed?” Vicky asked. “You’re… well… demons.” “While we’re here, we’re flesh and blood,” Asmodai said. “We have requirements.” “Such as…” “In a minute,” he said. “Let’s get down to business, shall we?” “Let’s,” Ilbris said. “I could use a pizza and a beer.” “Not that kind of business.” Asmodai turned to Vicky. “You conjured us. What did you have in mind?”

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“Oh, yeah, well…” She honest to goodness had two demons standing in her bedroom. She’d called them by dousing her dinner in perfume and setting it on fire. They were flesh and blood, and they had requirements. Ilbris crouched in front of her. “Come on, honey. Spit it out. You must want something.” “My husband,” she said. His brow furrowed. “You want your husband?” “No! He’s going to be my ex as soon as I can unload him.” “I see,” Asmodai said. “You want us to rip out his guts and feed them to the vultures?” Good Lord. “No!” “Lake of fire,” Ilbris asked. “Not that, either.” “Eternal torment, pillar of salt, boils and blisters?” Asmodai asked. “Oh, yuck.” Ilbris lifted her chin, and his touch made a pleasant tingle against her skin. “What do you want, then?” “I want him out of my house.” Asmodai crossed his arms over his chest. “You want us to evict him?” “Pretty much, yes.” “You don’t need a demon to do that.” “Two demons,” Ilbris corrected. “Call the sheriff,” Asmodai said. “It’s complicated. He has the legal system in knots.” Ilbris glanced up at his friend. “She could be right about that. Beelzebub has the courts royally fucked.” “All right, we’ll get your husband out,” Asmodai said. “You might want to reconsider the lake of fire, though. It’s impressive.” “No fire. No torment.”

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“Very well. We’ll expect the usual payment,” Asmodai said.

Oh, lordy. She obviously hadn’t thought this through. Payment? What could she

have that a demon would find interesting? “You want my soul?” “Hell no,” Ilbris said. “What would we do with that?” “We have to talk to Lucifer,” Asmodai said. “His obsession with souls is making us all look like perverts.” “Then, what do you want?” “Your body, baby.” Ilbris’ wings fluttered behind him. “Sex.” “Let’s get started,” Asmodai said.

Chapter Two Ilbris took her hand and helped her up. They walked to Asmodai, and she stood between them, craning her neck to gaze up at one and then the other. “You two don’t mind sharing?” “I’m teaching him how to fuck, too,” Asmodai said.

“Hey, no one’s better than me in the sack,” Ilbris said.

Asmodai raised an eyebrow in the most regal put-down imaginable. “You need

more than a huge cock, dipshit. There’s such a thing as technique.” Ohmigod. Two gorgeous males -- one with an enormous cock and the other with expertise. Her knees got weak. She hadn’t had any sugar for months. She’d even left her vibrator at the house when she’d left for London and hadn’t gotten another one. Her pussy dampened in anticipation. If she’d known conjuring would get her stud service, she would have bought the grimoire ages ago. “I have technique,” Ilbris said.

“Only what I’ve taught you.”

“I made the last woman come three times,” Ilbris said.

Asmodai reached over her and thumped his finger into Ilbris’ chest. “Only

because I ate her pussy first.” “Hey, old man.” Ilbris pushed his hand away. “She said no one had ever shtupped her like I did.” “She was being nice.” Ilbris leaned toward his coworker. “Nice had nothing to do with it.” Asmodai took a step toward him, making Vicky the stuffing of a demon sandwich. “She took pity on you, pea brain.”

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“Boys, boys.” She rested a hand on each chest and held them apart. “I can settle the argument for you if you want.” Asmodai looked down at her as if he’d forgotten she was there. “You?” “You want to decide who’s best at satisfying a woman,” she said. “I’m a woman.” She listened to the words coming out of her own mouth, and her heart thudded in her chest. She’d offered herself as a judge in a fucking competition. Two hunks vying to see who could give her the most orgasms. Hot damn. Ilbris turned her around and bent to claim her mouth for a kiss. Electricity seemed to arc between them at the contact. She gasped at the shock and leaned toward him for more. A pleasant scent of smoke curled through her mind. As if he’d started a fire inside her and would fan it until she went up in flames. She very well might. While their lips explored each other, hands came around her from behind. Strong fingers went over her breasts and squeezed while teeth nibbled gently at her earlobe. Asmodai roared softly into her ear and then circled the tip of his tongue around the edge. Damn, she’d never had anyone do that to her ear before. It gave new meaning to the word erotic. Ear-otic. Whatever. It sure felt good. While Ilbris parted her lips with his own and ran his tongue over the bottom, his hands went to her blouse and worked at the buttons. Agile buggers, his fingers opened one after another until he got to the end. Asmodai took over, pulling the sleeves down her arms while he nibbled along her neck to her shoulder. Hands went everywhere over her body. Someone unfastened her bra and pulled it off while someone else unzipped her slacks. She ought to know who was doing what, but the fever in her brain blurred everything but the tingling of her nipples and the throbbing between her legs. Someone knelt before her. Ilbris, right. He slid her slacks to her ankles and helped her kick out of them. Asmodai’s fingers covered her breasts again and this time toyed with the nipples. Slowly teasing them into hard points. Every nerve registered his

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touch as he circled over them, and again and again, while she rested back against his chest. Now, Ilbris parted her legs and placed his mouth over her mound, blowing hot air on it. His tongue came out and flicked over her slit. That shouldn’t be possible. No one had a tongue that long. But, who in hell cared? As long as he didn’t stop. A tongue fluttered at the base of her throat, too. Rough. Scaly, even. She opened her eyes. “Hey, you guys?” “Hmm?” Asmodai murmured into her ear. “Your tongues. Are they… uh… normal?” “Shhh,” he whispered. “I mean it.” She pushed Ilbris away from her and stared down at him. He smiled and flicked his tongue at her. “Yikes.” It was forked, like a snake’s, and it moved lightning quick. “You didn’t look like that before.” Asmodai shushed her again, but this time it sounded more like a hiss. The two of them definitely had their reptilian sides, but that didn’t bother her body one little bit. What woman wouldn’t enjoy a long, forked tongue that could move as quickly as a hummingbird’s wings? So, when the man behind her pulled her toward the bed, she went without resistance. He lowered her onto the mattress and pulled off her panties. Smiling, he lifted the silky material to his face and breathed deeply. “Oh, yes. I’ve missed this.” “My turn,” Ilbris said. “I haven’t eaten pussy for months.” “Watch the master and take notes.” Asmodai eased her thighs apart and covered her sex with his mouth. He stroked the lips. Back to front, front to back. Over and over, just grazing her clit on each pass. The rough texture of his tongue contrasted with the light pressure against her flesh to create a perfect storm of sensation. Every nerve ending went into high gear as her entire world collapsed into the space between her legs.

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She turned her head and glanced toward Ilbris. He’d concentrated his attention on watching his teacher, but his hand rested on his crotch, rubbing and squeezing his cock through the leather of his pants. When he noticed her staring at him, he dropped his arm and thrust his hips forward, showing her the dimensions of his erection. What an erection it was. Stiff and thick, it stretched from the base of his torso almost to his waist. “Want to see it?” he asked. Speechless, she nodded. He snapped his fingers, and his clothing disappeared. Poof. Gone. Now, his cock stood straight out from his body. Beautiful and enormous. He gripped the shaft in his fist and pumped. “Hurry up, pal. I’m getting hot.” Asmodai made a noise of disapproval, and the expulsion of his breath vibrated against her nether lips. She melted against the bed, staring at Ilbris stroking his hard-on while Asmodai sucked her clit, better than anything she’d had in her most erotic dreams. Now, the tips of his tongue zipped over her clit. Fast but gently enough to build her arousal with maddening speed. “Oh,” she sighed. “Oh my, ohmy, ohmy.” “Want something to suck on?” Ilbris asked. He stood next to the bed now, bringing his cock near her face. It had turned near crimson with arousal, and the vein along the underside seemed to throb. She reached for it, and he climbed onto his knees next to her. Now, she could wrap her fingers around the base and guide the head into her mouth. He sucked in a breath. “Shit, you’re good. I’m gonna come.” Asmodai removed his mouth from her muff but continued teasing her clit with his thumb and finger. “Hold off, man. You know it’s better if you make it last.” “Yeah.” Ilbris thrust his hips, pushing more of his cock into her mouth. “But, damn, you wouldn’t believe how her lips feel.” “I’ll find out later. Do this right, asshole.”

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She swallowed as much of the cock as she could, using her hand to stimulate the rest. Asmodai went back to work at her pussy. Now, he lapped at her outer lips and sucked on one and then the other. They swelled, parting for him. His tongue probed into her pussy. Almost as good as a cock. Her heart thundered, the blood pounding in her ears. She’d climax in a minute, better than she ever had before. He went back to loving her clit. Even faster now, and harder. He’d finished playing her and was going to push her over the edge. She kept up the suction on the cock in her mouth while the energy twisted into a knot in her crotch. Asmodai slid his arms under her thighs and pulled her against his mouth while his tongue fluttered and fluttered and fluttered. She lay back, still clutching Ilbris, and gave in. She hung, close to the edge for breathless seconds. Any minute now, the dam would burst inside her and she’d climax like mad. Unable to concentrate on anything but her own need, she let the cock slip from her mouth but still clutched the shaft like an anchor to reality. In the end, even that failed as her pussy clenched and then burst into spasms. She screamed, and her hips jerked upward, but the pressure on her clit never stopped. The scrape of his tongue wrenched the ultimate response from her until she couldn’t breathe from all the pleasure. When he’d finally finished, she sagged against the mattress, gasping, and her mind floated off on a cloud of satisfaction. Amazing. A warm body scooted up next to her, and an arm went around her ribs to pull her close. Warm? More like hot. The sunniest day at the beach with the heat baking into her skin. Brimstone had its purposes, it seemed. She stretched. “I should have conjured a demon long ago.” “Don’t get too used to it,” a dark voice whispered into her ear. “We can’t stay.” She opened her eyes and stared into the blackness of Asmodai’s gaze. “You’re going to help me get Stewart out of the house, right?”

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“We can stick around a bit after that, too,” he said. “But, eventually we have to go back home.” “To hell?” “That’s where we live.” “I don’t think I want you to go to hell,” she said. “It’s not so bad.” He nuzzled the side of her face with his nose. “As long as you’re the demon.” “Besides,” Ilbris said. “Hell is having a cock this hard and no pussy to put it in.” Asmodai chuckled. “Genius here can’t control himself.” “Sure, you talk about control. She hasn’t been sucking on you for the last hour,” Ilbris said. “Hour?” Asmodai snorted. “It feels like it. Lucifer’s balls, do we have to keep talking about it? I need to fuck before I come in my hand.” She glanced at him. Sure enough, while she’d been gazing into Asmodai’s remarkable face, Ilbris had been running his fingers over the length of his cock. A white droplet appeared at the tip -- a sure signal that he’d climax in a minute. He smoothed it into his skin, and his whole body shook with unspent need. “Okay, boy toy,” Asmodai said. “Go for it.” “About fucking time.” Ilbris nearly jumped on her in his haste, but he managed to position himself between her legs and drove his enormous hard-on into her with one thrust. While he pumped into her as if his life depended on it, Asmodai put his mouth to her ear. “He won’t last, but I’ll finish you.” A whole new set of sensations washed over, around, and through her. His member inside her, thrusting, stretching her, stroking the walls of her sheath. The muscles of his chest grazed her nipples as he moved, even though he kept his weight supported on his elbows. His golden eyes glowed with passion, and his breath came in grunts, fast and shallow.

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“Shit, yes,” he gritted. “Fuck, I needed this.”

She wrapped her legs around him and tilted her pelvis to take him deeper.

“Wet and tight,” he said. “Sweet. So sweet. Can’t… hold… off.”

“Do it,” she said.

He moved like a wild man, pounding into her as if he’d nail her to the bed with

his cock. His eyes squeezed shut, and a sheen of sweat glistened on his shoulders and pecs. Never had she seen anything like him. A powerful male in full rut, straining for the ultimate. His wings unfurled behind him, shivering at the edges as if a strong wind blew them. “Now!” he shouted as his body went rigid. He pumped a few more times, and a roar burst from his chest. She could almost feel the waves of semen as they spurted into her. Deep, so deep. All the way to the entrance to her womb. Finally, he collapsed onto her, his wings going limp to cover them both. “Holy shit,” he whispered. Asmodai’s fingers appeared on Ilbris’ shoulder. “Get off.” Ilbris groaned. “In a minute.” “Now.” “Wait until my bones stop melting.” “You left the lady wanting,” Asmodai said. “Move.” Ilbris opened his eyes and smiled at her. “You need more?” “That’d be nice,” she answered. “I’ll show you nice,” he said. “Later,” Asmodai grumbled. “Let the grown-up take over.” Ilbris laughed. “Horny, old man? Where’s the control now?” “Just move.” Asmodai hadn’t made a request. He’d issued an order. Ilbris kissed her quickly and then pulled out of her and rolled aside.

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Asmodai took his position, kneeling between her legs. Instead of lowering himself into her, he pulled her hips upward and wrapped her legs around his waist. The tip of his cock eased into her pussy, and he tugged harder until he’d embedded himself fully inside her. Now, she could watch as he slid in and out of her. His hands held her thighs, the tips of his fingers digging into her flesh. Could there be any more erotic sight in the world than a rigid male member disappearing between the lips of her sex only to reappear, glistening with her juices? At this angle, he penetrated her all the way to her core, and the walls of her pussy gripped him despite her wetness. He fucked her slowly but with a ferocity that would have scared her if she hadn’t wanted this so much. He opened his mouth, baring his teeth, and the forked tongue flicked outward as if it could taste her rising arousal. Instantly, her clit responded at the memory of that tongue and how it had pushed her past endurance. Now, each inward thrust brought his pelvis against her mound to bump the hard bundle of nerves at the apex of her thighs. Enough of this pressure, and she’d shatter. She’d fly apart while he continued moving inside her. Her pussy would grip his cock as the orgasm hit. He might have come from hell, but he’d take her to heaven. And, every sensation was real. She let her gaze wander upward, over his abdomen to his sleekly muscled chest. Smooth and hairless, his body reached perfection from his flat stomach to his pecs and their brown nipples to the sculpted collarbone and broad shoulders. His dark eyes registered her appreciation, and he gave her the smile that had reached to her core even when she’d seen it on a statue. Now, it caused a lightning flash of desire in the pit of her belly. Her sex released more moisture, but even that couldn’t lessen the friction as he plunged his swollen cock into her over and over. Something brushed her nipple. Ilbris’ tongue. He teased it as Asmodai had done with her clit earlier. Gentle rasping as his hand cupped the other breast and squeezed, rolling that peak against his palm. With a human lover, she would have closed her eyes

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to savor the touches, but nothing could make her look away from the lover between her legs. Ilbris’ hand moved lower. Over her ribs and across her stomach. Slowly, his fingers approached her mound and toyed with the curling hairs there. She held her breath. Would he touch her clit? Would he stimulate that most sensitive spot while his friend fucked her? Could anything possibly feel better than what she already had? When he did it, she gasped and nearly bucked off the bed. “Easy, little one,” he crooned against her skin. “It’s meant to give you pleasure.” “Yes,” she sighed. “Yes, oh, yesss.” He kept fingering her clit with a maddening rhythm. Now and now and now and then resting for a beat before starting up again. Her mind hovered above them, looking down at a woman in the throes of passion. One male consumed with lust as he shoved his cock into her and retreated. The other smiling at her while his fingers danced over her clit. Then, as the orgasm built, she crashed back into herself to feel every sensation. The wave built inside her and then crested to wash over her as the contractions started. She couldn’t even cry out as the power knocked her into another universe of blinding, white heat. Asmodai turned himself loose, now thrusting frantically. His wings whooshed open and spread wide while he tipped his head back and opened his mouth. His roar filled the room and bounced off the walls. Savage, feral, and beautiful. His hands clawed at her, yanking her hard against him as he emptied his seed into her depths. The two of them soared together for a moment, and then he lowered her and cradled them both in the folds of his wings. She buried her nose in his chest and did her best to take air into her lungs. After a bit, Ilbris’ warmth nestled against her back, and the three of them lay together as if sharing their mother’s womb.

***

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Vicky needn’t have worried about getting into her own house this time. Asmodai took one look at the gate, proclaimed it “a puny human defense,” and spread his huge wings. He picked her up in his arms and swooped over the fence with Ilbris close behind. They flew longer than necessary, skimming over the lawn toward the pool. Stewart’s movie crew had gathered around that area. Everyone wore clothes, thank heaven, although Lorelei’s bathing suit didn’t cover much. Ilbris noticed her immediately, as evidenced by the low note of approval in the back of his throat. He furled his wings and almost nose dived toward her beach chair. Her head snapped up, and she spotted him and yelped as if something had bitten her. That got everyone else’s attention and they all stared at Asmodai and Vicky as they landed gracefully on the grass. A man in a Hawaiian shirt and cargo shorts approached them, his eyes wide. “Rad effect, man. How did you do that?” Asmodai folded his wings behind him and glared at the man. “You would be…?” The man stuck out his hand. “Howie Berg, director. Are you auditioning?” Asmodai’s enormous wings came out again and fluttered with indignation. “Demons don’t audition.” “Yeah, yeah, demon. What are you, some kind of method actor?” Asmodai answered with his unearthly roar. “Smooth,” Howie said. “Really smooth.” Another cry of alarm came from where Ilbris had landed. He and Lorelei danced on either side of her chaise. Every time she made a move to get away from him, he countered, grinning evilly. Finally, he lunged across the chair toward her, and she shrieked and took off toward the house. “Cut it out, moron,” Asmodai called. “She’s not interested.” Ilbris climbed off the chaise, righted it, and then shrugged and sauntered back toward them. His tight outfit showed off the outline of his erect cock. Howie pointed at it. “Is that real?”

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“Impressed, mortal?” Ilbris said.

“I want to hire you,” Howie said. “Both of you.”

“They’re busy,” Vicky said. “Where’s Stewart?”

“He went for supplies.”

“Good,” she said. “We’ll look around without him.”

She turned, but Howie put his hand on her arm. “Hey, who are you?”

She stared at his fingers and then into his face. “The owner.”

“If the lady says we’ll look around, we’ll look around,” Asmodai said.

The three of them crossed the lawn, climbed to the terrace, and entered the house

through the open French doors. When they got into the living room, her jaw dropped. Stewart had made it into a sound studio, with cameras and sound equipment. Stage lights hung from the lofty cathedral ceiling. The props were the weirdest, though. A huge, round bed dominated the center of the space with piles of cushions in the corners and a rack like the one she’d seen at Demons R Us to one side. Whips and restraints hung over it. “This place is big enough to fly around in,” Ilbris said. “And look at all this stuff.” “It’s not supposed to be like this,” she said. “I had couches and an entertainment center.” “What exactly are they filming here?” Asmodai said. “Porn.” “Humans,” he said. “And they call us evil.” “I wouldn’t mind that kind of evil,” Ilbris said. “Business first.” Asmodai made a circuit of the room, running his fingers over things as he went. A cushion here, a klieg light there. “What did you have planned, Vicky?” “Me? You two are the demons.” “We specialize in torment and haunting,” he said. “Not evictions.”

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She hadn’t figured out the logistics. She hadn’t really expected she could conjure a demon, let alone two. She might have considered enjoying herself with them -- a nice distraction while the wheels of justice turned -- but now that she’d seen what Stewart had done to her home, he had to go. Now. “Maybe you can scare him out,” she said. “That ought to work except for one thing,” Asmodai said. “They think we’re actors and the wings are special effects.” “That Howie guy didn’t seem impressed,” she admitted. “Oh, he was impressed… with my young pal’s cock.” Ilbris shrugged. “If you got it, flaunt it.” “You didn’t impress Lorelei,” she said. “You mean the blonde?” Ilbris waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “Not much to her, anyway.” “There’s enough of her to break up my marriage,” she said. Ilbris laughed, but after a second his smile faded. “You’re kidding, right?” “I don’t find adultery funny.” Asmodai frowned. “She’s the husband’s girlfriend?” “In the flesh.” “Silicone’s more like it,” Ilbris said. “There’s not enough flesh on her to make a sandwich.” “Whatever. She’s the one fucking my husband.” “Let me get this straight,” Asmodai said. “You married a man stupid enough to prefer Miss Peroxide to you?” Put that way, she did end up sounding dumb, but then, she’d guessed as much about her choice in men before. “Guilty as charged.” “I hope, at least, he was good in bed.” She cleared her throat. “Oh for two, I’m afraid.” He walked to her, took her chin in his hand, and looked into her eyes. “Why?”

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She’d asked herself that question a lot recently. To be strictly honest with herself, a little voice inside her had asked it from the very first -- even before the wedding. The voice had gotten louder when she’d been bored out of her skull on her own honeymoon. Enough self-deception could drown out even the loudest inner voices, though, and she hadn’t faced the truth until she’d found them together naked in the expensive car she’d given him as a present. “How could you get yourself hooked up with such a loser?” Asmodai said. His eyes got a funny light in them. Deep and dark, as usual, but somehow, they softened, too. Concern, maybe. Affection. Tenderness. A tender demon? She had to look away before he had her blushing. “I don’t know,” she said. “I guess I fell for the old lie that a woman has to have a man.” “A bastard who doesn’t learn to satisfy his woman is no man,” he said. “A creep who’d take up with another woman in your own house is no man.” “Yeah, Vicky,” Ilbris piped in. “Let us give him the lake of fire.” “I don’t want him tortured. I just want him…” What was the word she needed? “… gone.” “Okay, let’s come back when Stewart’s here and show them a real haunting,” Asmodai said. “Something that’ll convince even Howie.” Ilbris slapped a fist against the palm of his other hand. “Let’s bust some stuff up.” “Yeah.” Asmodai glanced around him and grinned. “It’d be a shame if something happened to this expensive equipment.” “No one gets hurt, right?” she said. “For someone who conjures demons, you have a weak stomach,” Ilbris said. “I mean it, guys.” “We’ll do it your way,” Asmodai said. “But, this time tomorrow your husband will be out of your hair.”

***

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Porn seemed to be a twenty-four, seven operation. Despite the fact that Vicky and her two sidekicks waited until after midnight to return to the house, filming continued, full speed ahead. She crouched between her own personal demons with her nose just above the windowsill and peeked in at the action. While the cameras rolled, a foursome performed on the huge, round bed at the center of the living room. While one woman -- a redhead with gigantic tits -- sucked on one man’s cock, the other knelt to accept the other man’s member, doggie style. Although both actors had nice equipment, they didn’t match Ilbris for size or Asmodai for beauty. Watching shouldn’t have turned her on. It probably wouldn’t have except for one thing -- gorgeous, male flesh stood on either side of her. If she said the word, the three of them could go back to her loft and spend the rest of the night trying out new positions. But, if she spent all her time with them fucking, they might have to return to hell before they’d gotten rid of Stewart and his friends. Business first. Pleasure later. “Man, this is making me hot,” Ilbris whispered.

“Try thinking with your big brain for a change,” Asmodai answered.

“What about you, Vicky?” Ilbris said.

“Um…”

“See?” Ilbris said. “I knew it.”

“Keep your voice down,” Asmodai whispered. “We need to keep the element of

surprise.” “Come on, big guy. Let’s have a little fun,” Ilbris said. “Cut, cut.” Inside, Howie jumped out of his director’s chair and approached the bed. “Look, Rich, you have to hold Janice’s hair out of the way so we can watch her swallow you.” Janice sat up on the bed and stifled a yawn. “Can’t we knock it off for the night?” “No, we can’t,” came the answer from a corner of the room outside of their view. “Stewart,” she whispered. “Everybody, take five,” Howie ordered. “Keep it hard, Rich.” Rich nodded and rested back against the bed, stroking himself.

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The second woman looked over her shoulder at the actor who kept thrusting into her. “Howie said to take five.” “Can’t,” the man answered. “Shit,” Howie said. “You’re not supposed to come yet.” The man didn’t answer but continued, holding his partner’s hips while he moved. In and out. Faster and harder. “Did you hear me, asshole?” Howie shouted. “You’re going to ruin the scene.” “Oh, yeah,” the man said as he kept right on going. “Damn, it’s good.” “Fucking idiot!” Howie yelled. “You’re supposed to be acting.” “What’s the problem?” This time, Stewart came into view. If her libido had started humming, it went cold and dead at the sight of her husband. Howie gestured toward the man on the bed. “He won’t take direction.” “Oh, boy, here it comes,” the man shouted. “Oh, man.” “Get the cameras rolling, or we’ll miss it,” Stewart ordered. “You heard the man,” Howie yelled. “I want close-ups.” “You still feeling horny?” Asmodai asked. “I’d rather have the real thing,” Ilbris muttered. In the center of the room, the man’s breathing turned to grunts, and he moved faster. “Pull out,” Howie ordered. “Now.” “Hot damn,” the man shouted. “Do it, shithead, or you’ll never work again.” The man obeyed, finally, yanking his cock from the woman’s body and working it with his hand. She wiggled her ass as semen spurted from him to spill over her buttocks. “Okay, now take five,” Howie ordered. “I’m glad that’s over,” Asmodai said. “Let’s go.”

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“Time to take out the trash,” Ilbris said. He pushed the window open, and as soon as he had enough room, he flew inside. Asmodai followed, and the two of them soared over the film crew. Stewart stared up at them, his eyes wide. “What the fuck?” “It’s the ones I told you about,” Howie answered. “Effects and all.” “They aren’t effects.” Asmodai’s words came out so loud, they boomed off the walls. If hell had a voice, surely, it would sound like that. Ilbris swooped low over a stage light and batted it with his wing. It toppled over and smashed. The crew scattered to the corners of the room. Stewart raised his fist. “What in hell do you think you’re doing?” “Closing this operation down,” Asmodai boomed back. “You have no right,” Stewart shouted. Vicky climbed inside and walked toward her husband. “They have the right because I say they do.” Stewart spun in her direction. “What are you doing here?” “I live here.” “Get out,” he said. “Not on your life.” Ilbris toppled another light stand then swooped down and did the same for a camera. “Hey, that stuff’s expensive,” Howie shouted. Ilbris flew straight at him and dipped to smack his head with one hand and then the other. Howie lifted his arms to ward off the blows, but he couldn’t defend himself from the flapping wings. On his next pass, Ilbris twisted his face into the picture of demonic rage and put his nose next to Howie’s. “Get out!” “Okay, okay. I’m going.” He turned and ran to the doorway that led to the verandah. Several others did, too. Both demons roared in unison, and flames issued from their mouths. The bed vaporized -- just turned to smoke and disappeared. An acrid, chemical smell hung in the air as screams went up and the few stragglers rushed

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toward the exit. Stewart tried to get away, but Asmodai caught him up and flew around the room near the ceiling. “I’ll finish up outside,” Ilbris called. “Do that,” Asmodai said. “I’ll take care of this one.” Ilbris soared out the open door, and soon, the sounds of crashing and screams came from there. “The pool, it’s boiling,” someone shouted. “I’m getting out of here,” someone else screamed. “This way… hurry!” Engines started and tires squealed along the driveway as the cars and vans outside headed toward the gate. Inside, Stewart’s shouts rose above the fluttering of wings. “You’re a maniac,” he hollered. “Put me down.” “I ought to find a cliff and throw you off,” Asmodai answered. “Don’t kill him,” she called. “Stay out of this, Vicky,” Stewart shouted back. “I’m trying to save your hide.” “Don’t do me any favors.” Asmodai dropped Stewart, and he fell onto his stomach near the space the bed had occupied. The air went out of him with a loud “oof,” and he lay there long enough for Asmodai to drop to his feet beside him. “Okay, asshole,” Asmodai said. “Get up.” Stewart lay there and moaned. She really ought to feel something for him. She’d honestly loved him once. He’d made such a dashing bridegroom. At the time, she’d felt so lucky to have him. If she couldn’t feel sympathy for him, at least, she ought to hate him, but even that wouldn’t come. When you came right down to it, the man was a cipher. Nothing. “I said, get up.” Asmodai bent and hauled Stewart up by the front of his shirt. “I’m going to call the cops,” Stewart said.

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“Try it, and I’ll crush your dialing hand.” Stewart glared at him. “What do you want?” “This is about what your wife wants.” Asmodai’s voice rose on the word “wife.” “If it were up to me, you’d be up to your neck in fire right now.” “What does she have to do with you?” “You see, it’s this way.” Asmodai put his nose into Stewart’s face, his features turning into the same mask of evil Ilbris had used on Howie. “I’m a demon out of hell. Vicky conjured me to get rid of you.” Stewart glanced at her. “Is this true?” “It kind of happened that way,” she said. Asmodai pulled Stewart up so high, only the tips of his toes touched the floor. “You ever watch those exorcism movies, pal?” “Sometimes.” “Well, you see, I’m your own, personal nightmare. Clear out of here or spend the rest of your life with your head twisting around on your shoulders.” Ilbris returned, on foot this time. “Man, we made a mess in here.” “It’ll clean up.” Asmodai set Stewart on his feet but kept the shirt bunched up in his hand. “You get the rest of them out?” “Every last one and whatever equipment they could take before I destroyed it.” “Lorelei?” Stewart said. “She went in the last van.” “That only leaves this guy,” Asmodai said. “Yeah.” Ilbris went to Stewart’s other side, and the two demons glared at him as if they planned to make him their next meal. Stewart held his hands up. “All right. You win.” He walked toward her and stared into her face. A certainty settled into her gut. This was the last time she’d look into his blue eyes from up close. The next time she saw him would come in court, and then no longer. “I understand you’re angry,” he said. “But, demons?”

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“Yeah?” “Demons.” A long silence stretched out between them. If they had anything to say to each other, it would come out now. Like “I’m sorry. I tried to make it work between us. A part of me will always love you.” Anything. “That’s not right,” Stewart said finally. “All right, buddy, enough.” Ilbris appeared behind Stewart, grabbed him by his collar and the seat of his pants, and hustled him to the door. He tossed her husband outside. Stewart made a satisfying thud as he hit the verandah. “Write if you get work,” Ilbris called after him. “All right,” she said. “Let’s go see what they did to my kitchen.”

Chapter Three Ilbris pushed his plate away from him and groaned. “All this, and she can cook, too.” “It was just an omelet,” Vicky said. “And sausages and home fries and biscuits,” he said. “You thought you wanted pizza,” Asmodai said. Ilbris hoisted his frosty mug. “I got my beer.” Asmodai wiped his napkin over his mouth. “Seriously, it was delicious.” “No biggie,” she said. “Wait until you try my fried chicken.” Asmodai scanned the room. “This is one hell of a kitchen.” “Yeah.” The six burner gas range, stand mixer, and copper pots hanging over the butcher block work table did suggest some culinary gravitas. “I call it home.” “How did you get such a big place?” Asmodai asked. “Your living room is bigger than most people’s houses,” Ilbris said. “I was brought up in the wrong part of town. My mom worked two jobs just to make the rent. I decided I’d have things easier when I grew up.” “Where is she now?” Asmodai asked. “Florida.” She took a sip of her wine. Silly to drink a red with eggs, but those idiots hadn’t gotten into her favorite cabernet, so she’d enjoy a toast to their departure. “Mom always wanted to live somewhere warm, so I got her a condo on the beach.” Ilbris whistled between his teeth. “You’re rich.” “I started my own company, invested wisely, and… yup… I’m rich.” “What does this company do?” Asmodai asked. “Manufactures and sells… things.” Odd she should feel shy about making luxury underwear in this situation. She’d made love with both of these men… er…

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demons and would again, based on the glances Ilbris kept giving her. But, they’d just watched her husband making nasty movies in her living room. The line between good and bad taste blurred sometimes. They might consider her on the wrong side of that line if she told them the truth. Asmodai straightened in his chair. “What things?” “Um… clothing.” “Why aren’t you answering the question?” “Is it any big deal?” she asked. “I wonder. Is it?” She picked up her wineglass and plate and rose to go to the sink. “Lingerie.” “Hoo-hoo,” Ilbris called from behind her. “Must be some lingerie if it can make Vicky blush.” She put her dish in the sink and turned. “I’m not blushing.” “Ah-hah.” Asmodai got out of his chair and went to her. “Blushing. What do you think, Ilbris?” The other demon joined them. “Pretty and pink.” “I’m not ashamed of what I make,” she said. “I just don’t want you two misunderstanding.” Asmodai’s eyes twinkled. “Fashion show.” She could only stare at him. “You want me to model my lingerie?” “I do, too,” Ilbris said. She could smack herself. She should have anticipated this. For some reason, these two drool-worthy males found her sexy. Only, this was where things got really embarrassing. “I don’t have any.” “Any what?” This from Ilbris. “Any lingerie, at least not the kind my company makes.” “No problem,” Asmodai said. “We’ll get you some.” All of a sudden, her clothes melted away. The same way they got themselves undressed, they’d stripped her down to her underwear. Only, this wasn’t the bra and

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panties she’d put on in the morning. Oh, no. Somehow, they’d conjured up a thong and the skimpiest push-up Dream Bra from the catalogue. Both in crimson silk, what there was of it. “Now, that’s what I call lingerie,” Ilbris said. She tried to cover herself, but Asmodai took her hands in his and moved them away from her body. “You don’t have to hide from us.” Her breath caught. Yes, she’d been naked with them, but the scraps of material made her feel more sensual than bare skin. The thong hardly covered her crotch and slipped between her buttocks. The bra made her breasts seem plusher where they swelled over the silk. The heat in both men’s gazes warmed her skin all the way down to her pussy. “Nice,” Ilbris said. “Let’s try this, instead.” The bra and thong disappeared to be replaced by a flowing negligee of a translucent material. It didn’t hide any more than the last costume. Ilbris’ wings appeared behind him, and his serpentine tongue came out to taste the air. “Damn, you make me horny.” “You’re always horny,” Asmodai said. “What’s that at the front of your pants?” What, indeed? A very nice bulge pressed against the leather of Asmodai’s pants. Ilbris had managed, too. Both demons had become aroused looking at her in the almostnude. Stewart had never reacted that strongly to her. These guys made her feel sexy, and that got her own motor running. She reached to both male bulges and covered them with her palms. “Looks like you two are happy to see me.” “I’d be happy to do a lot more than that.” Ilbris fluttered his tongue at her again. The negligee melted into thin air, leaving her completely nude. Ilbris fell to his knees, nudged her legs apart, and went to work with his mouth. Damn, if he was in training, how good would he get when he’d finished his apprenticeship? He found her

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clit immediately, rolling it and rubbing the rough texture over the tip. To give him better access, she put her elbows on the counter behind her and leaned onto them. Asmodai’s mouth went to her ear, and his tongue made slow circles around the edge while his heated breath slipped inside. A soft ahhh slipped from her as her bones turned to lava. While Asmodai continued along the length of her throat -- kissing and nipping her skin all the way to her shoulder -- Ilbris urged her legs farther apart. His tongue probed at the entry to her pussy. Pressing and then retreating. She instantly moistened as her body readied for penetration. He kept fucking her that way, pushing deeper and deeper inside. In the meantime, Asmodai sucked one nipple into his mouth. Two males totally dedicated to her pleasure. One at her pussy, the other at her breast. Now, Ilbris alternated. A thrust deep into her and then, several wicked laps at her hot button. Asmodai moved to the other breast, but continued to stimulate the first with his fingers. Every nerve ending in her body sang with arousal. So good, so sweet, so hot. Ilbris picked up the pace. Plunge, flick, flick, plunge. She was going to climax standing nude at her kitchen sink. She could only hold her breath and do her best to stay upright as the inevitable loomed a few seconds away. “Don’t stop,” she gasped. “Please, please, don’t stop.” Now, Ilbris thrust two fingers into her and devoted his tongue to her clit. Fast and hard, stroking it with both tips of his tongue. She opened her throat and cried out as the first wave rushed through her. She came with every part of her body, shuddering as she contracted around his fingers. It went on for long moments before she went limp and Asmodai held her against him to keep her from falling. “Wow,” she murmured. “Well done, kid,” Asmodai said. “Thanks.” Ilbris rose and stood on her other side. Now, she had warmth on both sides and the scent of two mates. Clean and different from each other. Asmodai gave off a perfume of wood smoke and herbs. Ilbris reminded her more of a garden in summer.

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She ran her arms around his ribs and rested her head on his shoulder. “I need to do something really nice for you guys.” “You will,” Asmodai answered. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Ilbris said. “Lake of fire,” Asmodai said. “Hey, wait a minute.” She opened her eyes and stared at him. “You didn’t say anything about torment.” “After all this, you don’t trust us?” He managed to sound hurt. Sensitive for a demon. “I didn’t want Stewart tortured,” she said. “I sure don’t want to be tortured myself.” “There are lakes,” he said. “And, there are lakes.” Ilbris turned her to face him. “There’s fire, and there’s fire.” “What are you two talking about?” she asked. “Let’s go skinny-dipping,” Ilbris said.

*** Out at the pool, the two demons undressed the way they always did. Poof, the leather disappeared. The first light of dawn revealed their beauty. Asmodai’s dark eyes and black hair. Ilbris’ golden irises and blond curls. Both bodies made of sculpted muscle. Both cocks stiff and standing straight out from their bodies. Ilbris picked her up and tossed her into the pool. She landed butt first, sending up a huge splash. He dove in after her. Sleek, like a sea lion, he swam under the surface using his wings to fly through the water. Asmodai joined him, and the two of them played together in an underwater ballet. They surfaced together, each shaking his head, spraying droplets around them. Then, they swam toward her. “Ready for the fire?” Ilbris said. “Fire?” she repeated. Asmodai cupped her chin in his hand. “Trust us?”

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She searched his face for any sign this was a trick. How could you trust a demon? And yet, after all the pleasure they’d given her, how could she not? “Ready,” she said. He snapped his fingers, and flames appeared on the surface of the water. They didn’t burn, at least, not in the usual sense. They licked at her skin, setting up a charge that had every inch tingling. Each flickering tongue held a rainbow of colors in it -alternately red, yellow, orange, and blue. “You like it?” Asmodai asked. “What’s not to like?” “Come toward the shallower end of the pool so you can feel it against more of your body.” Asmodai took her hand and led her in that direction. As each part of her rose above the water, the fire caressed it. First, her shoulders, then her chest. When her nipples emerged into it, she paused to savor the sensations. They hardened into tight peaks immediately. He covered one breast with his large fingers and watched as the flames shimmered over their skin as he touched her. Ilbris came up behind her, put his hands on her hips, and pulled her against him. His erection pressed against her buttocks and back. Cold water might shrink mortal men, but it didn’t seem to diminish demons. She took Asmodai’s rigid cock into her hand. He closed his eyes as a hiss escaped from between his lips. His wings stirred, and the forked tip of his tongue emerged. The sure signs of his arousal. She could read them now. She stroked his hardness from the base to the knob at the tip. “Want to feel my mouth on this?” In answer, he rumbled deep in his chest, and his wings fluttered. “I thought so,” she said. “Sit on the edge of the pool.” He went to the end and pushed himself up and out of the water. The fire seemed to up the heat a bit as she walked through it toward her demon. Now over her ribs and then to her belly, it sizzled and skittered over her flesh. When she reached Asmodai, she

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gripped the base of his cock and lowered her head to slide her lips over the tip and then down onto his shaft. He roared his approval, so she continued, sucking him as deep into her mouth as she could. His body trembled as she continued giving him pleasure in every way that occurred to her. While she did that, Ilbris spread her legs and dipped to nudge the tip of his erection between her pussy lips. She paused her work on Asmodai to concentrate on the feel of Ilbris entering her one inch at a time. He was so large she had to stretch to take him all, but after the long, slow slide, he’d impaled her on him. With one glorious cock in her mouth and another in her sheath, she let the moment linger. Then, Asmodai touched her cheek, silently asking her for more. She went back to sucking him. On each upward stroke, she used her tongue to tease beneath the head. When he moaned, she gently nipped at him. He moaned again, louder this time. Ilbris lifted her now and guided her legs around him so that he could thrust into her. The action brought her to the surface of the water, and the flames sparked against her mound. Ilbris reached around her to part her lips and expose her clit to the magical heat. Oh. My. God. She’d never had anything like this before in her life. Ilbris moved more forcefully, until her body slapped against the water. The fire consumed all of her, but especially the bud of nerve endings between her thighs. Asmodai’s breathing came hard and fast, signaling the approach of his orgasm. She’d fly out of control in a moment, too. No one could resist the onslaught of the firmness plunging in and out of her while the flames zigged and zagged against her clit. The beat of huge wings sounded. Both of her lovers had reached the end of their tethers. She’d join them when they came, and they’d all come together. The rising volume of Asmodai’s groans told her he’d arrived. She pulled his cock from her mouth and gave it firm strokes from his balls to the tip. Now, she could look

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up and enjoy the sight of a demon in the throes of his lust. He’d spread his wings wide and squeezed his eyes shut. As she pumped him, his hips moved upward. Semen sprayed out of his cock and covered her hand. The power of his orgasm infected her, and the climax washed through her. She grasped at the cock inside her and exploded into spasms. Ilbris shouted and jerked her back against him as he came, pouring his essence deep inside her body. All three of them remained connected in flesh and in spirit while the passion crested and waned. Then, slowly, the world returned to normal. The flames extinguished, leaving a perfectly ordinary swimming pool -- water splashing at the sides and making the flapper doors work overtime.

*** Even in the king-sized bed she’d shared with Stewart, the three of them crowded each other. Vicky came awake slowly and lay with her eyes closed. As usual, Ilbris had taken the side to the left of her, leaving the right side for Asmodai. That would mark the hand on her hips as belonging to her blond lover and the leg over her thighs Asmodai’s. She turned toward him and wallowed in his heat. He roused and threw an arm over her. “Damn,” Ilbris said behind her. “You almost put my eye out.” “Stop complaining, asshole,” Asmodai answered. “I can’t wait until I don’t have to share a bed with you,” the male behind her grumbled. The regular morning routine. She squirmed toward the head of the bed and extricated herself from the covers. “I’m going to start the coffee.” It took some climbing to get over all that male flesh, but she managed to get out of the bed, find her robe on the floor, and slip it on. She didn’t bother with slippers but padded downstairs and into the kitchen. After loading coffee into the pot, she took the carafe to the sink and turned on the water.

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Footsteps sounded behind her, but even if she hadn’t heard them, she’d know Asmodai had entered the room. Without trying, he dominated every space he entered. She poured the water into its container, replaced the carafe, and pushed the switch to on before turning to face him. He wore nothing but a towel, and his wet hair hung around his face. The scent of her perfumed soap wafted across the room toward her. You didn’t normally think of jasmine on so masculine a person, but he made it work. “That was a quick shower,” she said.

“We don’t have much more time.”

Her stomach sank. “Does that mean what I think it means?”

“We have to go back.”

That only made sense. She’d conjured them to accomplish her goal -- getting rid

of Stewart. They’d done that and had no reason to stick around. Except, maybe, for the fact she’d never had such great sex in her life. Not even just the sex, though. They’d been nothing but fun ever since he’d materialized out of the smoke in her loft, complaining about the smell of burning perfume. “Say something,” he said.

“How about ‘please, don’t go’?”

“I’d stay if I could.” He blushed. Actually blushed. “I’ve never said that before.”

“I guess Ilbris has to leave, too.”

“The kid needs to finish his training.”

That figured. It would have been nice to keep at least one of them, but a demon

had to do what a demon had to do. “Ilbris does a great job,” she said. “He needs to work on acting more frightening,” he said. “But, he’s good enough in the sack.” She had to agree there. Her pussy still felt the pleasant ache from stretching to take his bulk. Her clit would never forget the feel of that fire.

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“I’m going to miss you,” she said. Wow, what a grasp of the obvious. Understatement of the century. “You’re very special, Vicky.” “Yeah, not every woman smart enough to run her own company is dumb enough to marry a guy like Stewart.” He walked to her and raised her head until she had to look into his eyes. “Don’t put yourself down.” “I couldn’t even get him out of my house without help from hell.” “I’ve been on hundreds of missions,” he said. “People want me to do the most hideous things to their enemies. Torture. Beheadings. Bloody, gory stuff.” “And you do it?” He shrugged. “I’m a demon.” She ran her arms around his ribs and tipped her head back. “I think you’re wonderful.” “You wouldn’t let me hurt anyone. It felt good for a change.” “I’m glad,” she said. “So, can you stick around for breakfast?” “I could, but there are better ways to spend the time.” He pulled her against him, and the firmness of his erect member pressed into her abdomen. “If the idiot I work with ever finishes using your hot water.” “I’m here,” Ilbris said from the doorway. Like his coworker, he was naked except for the towel wrapped around his waist. He hadn’t even dried himself completely, and he’d made tiny puddles around his feet. “You didn’t think I’d let you get started without me, did you?” “You’d be late for Judgment Day,” Asmodai said. “What’s eating you, old man?” Ilbris stared at his partner for a moment. “Well, well. It’s finally happened.” “Shut up, will you?” Asmodai said. Ilbris joined them and tugged Vicky against his chest. “I get attached to my humans. Mr. Superdemon here never has before.”

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“How do you know what goes on in my head, junior?” “Because it’s written on your face,” Ilbris said. “Another first.” “If you spread this around hell, I’ll make sure your probation period never ends.” Ilbris chuckled. “He’s got it bad. What do you say you go back with us?” She swallowed hard. Go to hell? That was a curse and for good reason. No one in their right mind wanted that, no matter how fabulous these two guys were. Asmodai thumped Ilbris’ shoulder. “Vicky doesn’t belong anywhere like that, asshole.” “If you started acting really wicked now, you might get evil enough to make succubus in a few years,” Ilbris said. “What do you think?” “I’m afraid I don’t have it in me to act that bad,” she answered. “Of course she doesn’t. You’re thinking with your cock.” Ilbris sighed. “I have to do something with it.” She put her hand over the towel he wore. His member had swollen to full size, too. What a pair they made -- two powerful male figures in terrycloth. Whatever they had planned for her, she’d memorize every moment for the long days and nights ahead. “Want to practice a few aerial maneuvers?” Asmodai said. Ilbris grinned. “Tight formation?” “Very tight.” “Come on, Vicky,” Ilbris said. “You haven’t lived until you’ve fucked in midair.”

*** The three of them went out into the morning sun without a stitch of clothing on their bodies. The nearest house stood a football field away on the other side of a wall and a stand of tall trees. Even Mrs. Radnich couldn’t see them from here. She’d never planned the arrangement for purposes of aerial sex, but it worked. They should be fine as long as no news helicopters showed up overhead. Now, that would make for some pictures at eleven.

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Asmodai bent her over the balustrade that separated the verandah from the lawn and spread her legs wide apart. Knowing what to expect, she braced herself while he crouched behind her and drove his cock up into her pussy. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe,” he said.

“I’m ready,” she said.

He spread his wings and lifted both of them into the air. He didn’t take her high

enough that someone might spy them from the road. Just enough for her to feel weightless in his arms. Images blurred, and the wind rushed past her as he climbed and dipped, his sex firmly buried inside her own. They startled a hummingbird. It chattered at them and zipped away. He rolled and rolled again then soared upside down while the sun shone down on her naked body. Ilbris took up a position near them, so close the tip of his wings nearly touched Asmodai’s. Neither seemed the least bit worried about a collision but continued flying, their strong wings whipping the air around them. Asmodai flipped them over so that she faced the ground. She’d never seen her own yard like this before. Up here, the lawn looked greener and the roses more colorful. Even the water in the pool seemed like a faceted gem, sparkling. “Enjoying yourself?” Asmodai asked.

“It’s amazing.”

He moved his hips slowly, thrusting deeper into her. “And this?”

“Miraculous.”

Ilbris slid under them, and his wings brushed her as his path crossed theirs. The

leathery flesh caressed her breasts and teased her nipples into sensitive points. Now, Asmodai moved inside her in synch with the rhythm of his wings. She melted inside and would have closed her eyes in bliss if the scenery weren’t too beautiful to miss. His strong arms held her arched against him while he penetrated her over and over. “Now,” he called, his voice strained with mounting hunger. Ilbris executed a quick maneuver and appeared below her with his head between her legs. Holding onto her thighs, he placed his mouth over her sex and snaked at her

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clit with his forked tongue. She groped wildly and finally found his erection. When she took it into her mouth, he shuddered. The two of them continued flying with her sandwiched between them, one man fucking her from behind while the other gave her oral sex so good it belonged in an erotic dream. She could float this way, suspended by her two lovers while they gave her pleasure better suited to heaven than hell. Neither faltered, either in keeping them aloft or in the smooth glide of Asmodai’s cock inside her and the rasp of Ilbris’ tongue over her clit. They rolled and dipped and swooped while need claimed her. She continued sucking Ilbris into her mouth and as far down her throat as she could manage. Ilbris removed his mouth from her pussy. “Land!” “Not yet,” Asmodai said. “She’s too good. I’m going to come.” “Not yet.” Ilbris went back to her clit, now sucking it into his mouth. His wing beats got more erratic, though, and they jerked around in the air while Asmodai’s thrusts grew more frantic. Her control threatened to snap, and she could barely concentrate on sliding her mouth along Ilbris’ cock. He stopped again. “No good. I can’t last. Land.” “All right.” Asmodai allowed them to glide downward. Ilbris separated from them, and they all tumbled onto the lawn. A soft landing, but then, rough hands grabbed her. Asmodai knelt and pulled her pelvis toward him. When she parted her legs to give him access, he slammed his enormous hard-on into her. Jaw clenched, he thrust into her in a savage rhythm. Ilbris swung a leg over her and straddled her, his cock in the valley between her breasts. Although she’d never tried this before, she pushed the mounds of flesh around him, and he fucked her that way while Asmodai demanded total surrender from her pussy. By now, their three bodies worked as one. Giving, taking, and sharing pleasure. The cock inside her stretched her as it moved, creating friction along the walls of her sheath. The one between her breasts took on the ruddy color of maximum

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excitement. Above her, two sets of wings spread to full extension. Ilbris’ in front and Asmodai’s broader ones behind. Her clit throbbed, ultra-sensitive to every movement. Her whole body caught fire as her climax became inevitable. Who could resist two such magnificent lovers? “Now,” Ilbris shouted. “Hell, yes, now!” She hit the boundary between reality and madness and flew past. Shockwaves rushed through her as the orgasm claimed her. Her pussy contracted around the hardness inside her, grasping for the ultimate and finding it. Both men came, too, as their voices twined together in ecstasy. Hot waves of Ilbris’ lust spurted onto her chest, while Asmodai released his seed inside her. Their last perfect moment together. Lust so pure it would live in her heart forever.

*** The guys left from the verandah, much as ordinary visitors would -- saying good-bye to her as if they’d dropped by for coffee. They wore their usual leather outfits, and she made the effort to take in every detail so she could call them up into memory. Asmodai’s dark beauty. Ilbris resembling the sun itself. Asmodai took her hands in his. “Take care of yourself.”

“I will. Thanks for everything.”

“It was an easy assignment.” He winked at her. “You’re fun to fuck.”

“I’ll say,” Ilbris tossed in.

“I never had anyone quite like you guys,” she said.

“Our pleasure,” Asmodai said.

“We’ll see how well the old man does once I’ve moved out on my own,” Ilbris

said. Asmodai glared at him. “You have a pretty high opinion of yourself, kid.” Ilbris shrugged. “What can I say? I’m a demon.” “Lordy but I’m going to miss you two,” she said.

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Asmodai pressed his lips to her forehead. An innocent touch for someone who’d had his cock in her pussy an hour earlier. Then he straightened and ran a finger along the line of her jaw. “We’d better go.” He backed away. “Damn, I almost forgot.” He stretched out his arm, and the grimoire appeared in his hand. She hadn’t thought about the book since she’d conjured them. It ought to have been in her loft. “Don’t take that,” she said. “I might need it again.” “No more demons for you, Vicky,” he said. “You don’t need them.” “But…” She hadn’t considered it, but as long as she had the grimoire, she still had a connection to the world of demons and to them. It offered hope that they weren’t leaving her forever but just for now. “I mean it,” Asmodai said. “You might not get someone as nice as us the next time.” “He’s right, Vicky,” Ilbris said. “There are a lot of maniacs in hell.” “Couldn’t I request you?” “You don’t need us,” Asmodai answered. “You need one of your own kind.” “Or two,” Ilbris added. Asmodai rolled his eyes. “I’m trying to give the woman some advice.” Ilbris walked to her and gave her a grin. “My advice… do the men of your realm a favor and wear some of that lingerie you make.” “Scamp.” He kissed her mouth briefly and then joined Asmodai. The two of them stood like statues for a second or two before dissolving into clouds of smoke and drifting away on the breeze. Damn. She did a mental inventory of her house, her feelings, and her life. Once she had the living room in shape, this would return to the place she loved, minus her idiotic husband. Her feelings? Wow. Pretty empty right now. Her life felt even emptier. Who would have guessed you could fall for a couple of creatures from hell?

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Then again, the conjuring hadn’t been so hard. She could do it again. She’d have to figure out how to conjure specific demons, but Asmodai hadn’t taken the only grimoire in the world. That shop -- Demons R Us -- would have more. She’d go back and get as much information as they had. At the very least, she’d get the statue of Asmodai for inspiration. This story hadn’t ended. Not by a long shot.

*** Hell and damnation. Vicky sat in her car parked in front of the mobile phone store where Demons R Us should have been. She’d driven the length of Grand Avenue where it ran along the side of Lakeside Park. Then, she’d circled back and covered the territory again. No strange, dusty shop with an unexplained glow around it. No shuttered display windows. Just Wireless Village. Could it get any more uninspiring? She climbed out of the car and went into the shop. A bell rang as the door closed, and a clean-cut young man wearing a polo shirt looked up. “Can I help you?” “I’m looking for the owner of the store that used to be here.” “That would have been a long time ago.” “It’s only been about a week,” she said. “I’m pretty sure Wireless Village has been here ten years,” he said. “I’ve worked here since my freshman year at Cal.” Shit. Without Demons R Us, no more research in how to bring her guys back. Without that, she didn’t dare call up another demon for fear of getting one of the maniacs. He might give her the real lake of fire, not the fun version. If she had a book, she might not use it, but she could still hold out hope to see her consummate lovers again. The young man pulled a telephone directory from under the counter. “I could help you find that shop.” “Thanks. It was called Demons R Us.” He stopped in the act of opening the directory. “Demons?” “The name was kind of a joke… I think.”

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“Okay.” He flipped some pages and then ran his finger over the listings. “Nothing like that in here. It was East Bay, right?” “It was here.” She turned the book around and looked for herself. Delbridge Catering, Dental Center, Devonshire House. No Demons R Us. Shit and double shit. “We can try the yellow pages,” he said. “What did it sell?” “Grimoires.” “Grim…” “Books about how to conjure demons.” He looked at her, and his jaw dropped. “Really?” “Whips, leather, torture devices.” He smiled, but he turned kind of green around the edges. “You could probably find that better in the city.” “It wasn’t in San Francisco. It was right here.” Tapping sounded on the window behind her. She would have ignored it except it got louder and more emphatic. She looked around to tell whoever it was to take a chill pill but found her lawyer, Angela, waving and gesturing like a crazy woman. She had a man with her -- someone who looked familiar although she’d never seen him before. She wouldn’t have forgotten the broad shoulders in the expensive business suit or the shaggy, dark hair that gave him a dangerous look. Angela made a “get out here” gesture with her hand.

“Thanks,” she muttered to the clerk and left the store.

Out on the street, she had a better view of the man with Angela. In fact, she

could hardly have looked anywhere else. She had to stop herself before “Didn’t you used to be a demon?” came out of her mouth. He was tall like both of her guys. He had Asmodai’s hair, all right -- midnight black and curling above the collar of his business suit. His eyes glowed the same golden color as Ilbris’. “Asner,” Angela was saying.

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“Excuse me?” She glanced at her lawyer to find a cat-with-the-canary grin on her face. What woman wouldn’t with a male specimen like this one at her beck and call? “This is Brian Asner,” Angela said. “A new attorney in our office. We were on our way to your loft when I saw your car parked here.” Brian Asner -- the most delicious lawyer to ever walk the face of the planet -extended his hand toward her. “Miss Burke.” She shook, and a tingle shot up her arm. Not unlike the pyrotechnics Asmodai’d created on the surface of her pool. “Mr. Asner.” He’d felt it, too, because his eyes widened, and he didn’t let go of her fingers. “Call me Brian, please.” She stood there like an idiot holding the man’s hand and looking up into his face. “I’m Vicky.” “I knew you two would get along,” Angela said. “I’ll leave you to it.” “To what?” Vicky asked. “I’ve told Brian about your divorce. He wants to help.” She glanced up at him. “You do?” “I despise men like your husband,” he said. “They give the rest of us a bad name.” “Oh, hey… look at the time,” Angela said, although she hadn’t checked her watch. “Gotta run.” Angela turned to leave, but Vicky caught her arm. “Where do you think you’re going?” Angela put her mouth to Vicky’s ear. “After Stewart, he’s just what you need.” When Vicky peeked over her shoulder to see if he’d overheard that, Angela slipped away, leaving her with Mr. Hunk, Esquire. He gestured across the street. “Let’s go to the park and discuss your case.” He touched her elbow as he escorted her across the street toward the lake. Canada Geese parted as they made their way to the shoreline, and children squealed as they fed the ducks.

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“From what Angela tells me, your husband and his girlfriend have committed several counts of fraud and forgery,” Brian said. “I didn’t think he had it in him.” “How did you get stuck with such a loser?” Asmodai had asked her the same thing. She still didn’t have an answer. She sighed. “Just lucky, I guess.” “With everything he’s done, it won’t be hard to clean out his bank accounts.” “Stewart doesn’t have anything,” she said. “It’s part of his charm.” He pointed toward a bench a few feet from the shore. “Let’s sit.” A black-crowned night heron vacated the place, flying away to give them room. She took a seat, and Brian joined her. “According to the prenup, he gets a monthly allowance,” she said. “He’s not going to need it in prison.” “Prison?” she repeated. “I don’t want him to serve time.” “That’s not your call, Vicky. The state decides.” “Oh, brother.” He rested back and studied her for a moment. “Why do you care?” “I don’t know.” She shrugged. “He was my husband.” “He wasn’t worthy of you. Why can’t you see that?” How could she answer a question like that? She’d been foolish enough to marry a man like Stewart. That didn’t say a lot for her ability to judge someone’s character. “Well, we can take care of that later,” he said. “I beg your pardon.” He leaned toward her. Not enough to get in her face, but sufficient to show an unlawyerly interest. “If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to get to know you better after I’m done acting as your attorney.” “But I thought… that is… you and Angela.” He laughed. “I don’t date my colleagues. Besides, lawyers aren’t very interesting people.”

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“You’re, um, interesting.” “My eye color is unusual.” He blushed, his cheeks turning a delightful pink. “I hope there’s more to me than that.” “I’m sure there must be.” And it sounded as if she’d get to find out what. “So, what do you do for a living?” “I manufacture luxury lingerie.” She lifted her chin and looked him straight in the eyes -- those gorgeous, golden eyes. “Very expensive lingerie, and very skimpy.” He grinned the same wicked grin she’d first seen in Demons R Us and then later on her demon lover’s face. “Now, that’s something worth doing.” “I think so.” He took her hand, but not for a businesslike shake. “We have an understanding?” Something tingled over her skin. From her toes to the top of her head, even under her clothing. The fire! Not as heated as it had been in the pool, but definitely demonic in nature. A signal from her guys. They’d sent this man to her. If they weren’t careful, they’d end up angels instead of demons. “Oh, I understand, all right.” He brought his face the tiniest bit closer. “You won’t change your mind?” “Not a chance in hell.”

Alice Gaines Award winning author Alice Gaines has published several sensuous and erotic works. She prefers stories that stretch the imagination, highlighting the power of love and sex. Alice has a Ph.D. in psychology from U. C. Berkeley and lives in Oakland, California, with her collection of orchids and two pet corn snakes, Casper and Sheikh Yerbouti. Visit her website at http://home.pacbell.net/halice/.