"Dear one, I am a demon lord," she said with a gentle smile. "Heartless is what we do best. Besides, Lord Bael would never tolerate someone who had compassion as a prince of Abaddon. It's just not done."
I closed my eyes for a moment, my heart sick. I had to figure out a way to get Ulfur and me away from them . . . or at least survive long enough for Alec to finish off the second wrath demon so he could come save us. I've never been a big fan of women needing a man to save them, but I was willing to recognize there was a time and place for it, and if ever I saw one, this was it.
"To get back to this unmaking business," I said, trying to stall for time. "What exactly is an Agrippa, and - "
Bael had no issue with cutting me off. "My time is valuable, Sally. What is it you wish to say to me?" he asked, putting away his phone and making a slight gesture of annoyance.
"As Cora mentioned, she's a Beloved." Sally pointed to me. "And he's a lich, and his lichmaster is the Beloved of another Dark One."
Bael frowned. "That is of little concern to me."
"Not in the sense of it being a threat to you, of course not," Sally said soothingly, undulating her way over to him, smiling her perky, tooth-filled smile. I wondered how she - even as evil as she obviously was - could stand doing so to a man who more or less exuded terror. "No one can threaten you, you're so very powerful."
I couldn't swear from where I was lying, but she may very well have batted her eyelashes at him.
"If you have a point, make it. I have much work to do to locate the Agrippa who made the Tools," Bael said, looking anything but impressed.
"Now, you know me, sugar - my poor little brain simply cannot cut to the chase the way yours does," Sally said, and this time I was sure she was flirting with Bael. She touched his hand as she all but cooed up to him. "However, I know you're a busy, busy man, so I will simply point out that where there are Beloveds, there are bound to be angry Dark Ones, and where there are angry Dark Ones, there is the Moravian Council. And I know that, given the nature of the relationship between you and the council, you do not want to antagonize them."
What was this? Did the vamps have some sort of a hold over Bael? If so, why had Alec not mentioned it before? I wanted badly to ask him. Alec? How are things going?
Argh!
That well, huh?
We destroyed the form of one of the demons, but the other . . .
I felt his pain as a blade slashed his arm. I winced, feeling guilty for distracting him when he needed to be focused.
Sorry. Radio silence until you're done there.
Bael said nothing for a moment, his gaze turned inward before he finally said, "I will see to them, myself. One of my lieutenants is still with them, so I will simply ensure that they understand their minions are beyond their help. You will take these two to my palace, and await the arrival of the Agrippa."
Sally bowed her head. "As you desire, my lord. I live, as you know, to do your bidding."
I waited until Bael closed the door as he left before I hissed to Sally, "You are going to be so sorry when Alec gets through with you. And I am not Alec's minion!"
Sally rolled her eyes and headed for the bathroom. "Must powder my nose. Be back in a mo."
Alec, I hate to distract you, but you have incoming. You have to get out - now.
Incoming in what form?
Bael.
He swore profanely. Are you and Ulfur away from here?
I wanted badly to tell him that he needed to come rescue me, but knew he had enough on his plate with the remaining wrath demon. We're . . . fine, I lied. Where's Diamond? Is she OK?
She hasn't left the bedroom. Christ!
What?
Just as I thought the words, another unearthly howl tore through the night.
That was close, Alec said, and even several floors away, I could feel his exhaustion.
You killed the demon? Good. Now get the hell out of there before Bael finds you.