Wendy Higgins - Sweet Reckoning

Not a soul in the Vegas cocktail lounge had any idea demons were in their midst. Not a soul would believe the four gentlemen receiving appreciative stares and envious glares were some of the best workers of hell ever to walk the earth. Humans could sense their allurethe power and mystery in their handsome facesand were drawn to them like butterflies to bright, poisoned nectar.

Pharzuph, Astaroth, Mammon, and Melchom sat unsmiling in crisp new suits, sipping martinis and scotch, discussing events from the night before. Theyd taken four women to Melchoms private island off the California coast, ruined them, and then abandoned them at the docks after promising transportation back to Vegas.

Id love to see those cows explain this one to their husbands and fianc, Astaroth, the Duke of Adultery had said, laughing as they sped away.

But the fun and games were over now, and it was time for business. They sat contemplating all theyd learned last night about traitors in their ranks and among their children.

Mammon, the Duke of Greed, absently swirled his scotch in the melting ice, thinking about the son hed killed on the island. Flynn had been his favorite Nephilim child in centuries, and hed turned out to be an ungrateful Judas. The shock of his betrayal still stung. Itd been many years since Mammon had killed, and it left a bad taste in his mouthnot that hed ever admit that to his brethren of hell.

He showed no signs of rebellion before last night? asked the Duke of Envy, Melchom.

None. Mammon tilted back his drink and emptied it before slamming it to the table with a grimace.

Its time to tell the other Dukes. Well gather tonight. Pharzuphs arms were crossed as he thought.

Some have already left town, Melchom said. Like Belial.

Well call them back, Pharzuph said with a sneer. We cant let Belial know were on to him. Lets make him think were only suspicious of a Neph uprising.

Astaroth ran a hand through his shoulder-length blond waves and pulled out his cell phone, dialing. The others listened in on the conversation with their keen supernatural senses.

Yes? said a voice with French inflection.

Brother Rahab. Call the Dukes back to Vegas. We have news.

Rahab paused. Very well.

And one more thing, Astaroth continued. The old prophecy.

What about it? Rahab snapped.

Can you recite it for us?

To my knowledge . . . His voice went gravely with disgust. A Nephilim pure of heart shall rise up and cast demons from earth to the depths of hell, where they will remain until the end of days.

The table quieted, and the demon men appeared momentarily ill.

How certain are you of its validity? Astaroth asked.

Lord Lucifer himself told me of the prophecy.

The four Dukes exchanged silent looks as the lounge bustled around them. Pharzuph cleared his throat and took the phone from Astaroth, speaking low.

How did our Lord obtain this information?

Rahabs voice was a dangerous whisper. You dare to question him?

A carefully blank look remained on Pharzuphs face, and his smooth English accent never wavered. Dont be ridiculous. I question his source.

Rahab was quiet. Then, in a tone of reluctance, he admitted, It was a whisperer. One of the Legionnaires.

Again the Dukes exchanged skeptical looks. This was the reason nobody had ever taken the prophecy seriously. It seemed unlikely that a worthless Legionnaire spirit could acquire important information and recite it back correctly.

The prophecy is valid! Rahab shouted through the phone. Ive been telling you fools for two millennia not to trust the Nephilim race! Why are you bringing this up now? What has happened?

We will discuss our findings soon, brother, Pharzuph assured him.

Rahab let out a low grumble before disconnecting.

Right, then. Whats the plan? Astaroth asked.

First we find out if Belial and the girl followed through with the orders given at the summit. See if shes still a virgin. Shes number one on my suspicion list. The angels of light had never intervened for a Neph until her.

Melchom leaned his elbows on the table. How will we find out if shes pure?

A wicked grin spread across Pharzuphs face. Leave that part to me.

And if she is? Melchom asked.

We kill her immediately before the damned angels can stop us. Pharzuph finished his martini and eyed a woman who kept stealing glances at him. And wait to see Belials reaction to gauge whether theyre working together or if this is a Neph-run operation.

None of it makes any bloody sense. Mammon rubbed his forehead. We had the lot of them tailed after the summit.

Only for the first six months, Astaroth clarified. Apparently theyve been busy in the year since then.

Well have them tailed again. For as long as it takes.

Melchom shook his head. Lord Lucifer wont be happy about thisusing his Legionnaires to babysit the Neph again when they should be focusing on humans. He was livid about the wasted efforts after the summit.

Pharzuph sighed. Fine. We wont sic the whisperers yet. Well wait and see what we find out about the daughter of Belial.

They all nodded their agreement, and Pharzuph stood.

Lets enjoy a few hours of Vegas before our meeting. He walked toward the woman with the red aura, who was locked in his blue gaze. Best job in the world, he whispered to himself.

The moment I left L.A., a fire began kindling inside mea satisfying burn of purpose and drive unlike anything Id ever experienced. Never again would I sit back in silence and watch the Dukes take a life. Wed lost our ally Flynn, the son of Greed, killed by his own father when he was discovered as a traitor against the demons. I would never forget the helpless feeling of being submersed in the water under the dock at that island while the Dukes worked their evil. Never again.

We, the Nephilim, were going to rid the earth of demons, and I was slated to lead the way.

This knowledge sparked, caught fire, and spread through my veins. Despite all of the unknowns, Id never felt stronger or more focused. And love was to blame . . . that very essence of life believed to be a weakness by the Dukes of hell. They had no idea of its fortifying power.

I loved Kaidan Rowe, and he loved me.

I loved Patti and my father, and I knew they were willing to die for me.

I loved the Nephilim, and wanted to see them free from the terror of their fathers.

I loved the inherent goodness in humanity and the potential for a better future on earth without demon interference.

For the first time ever, I didnt doubt myself. When Patti met me at the curb at the Atlanta airport, I held her close, feeling different from the girl whod left her a week before. She pulled away and searched my face, brushing hair away from my shoulder and giving me a single nod as if she understood. It was time to take my place in the world. Time to fulfill my task. Pattis eyes watered, but her shoulders squared with motherly pride.