Old Demon and the Sea Witch (Welcome to Hell #9) - Eve Langlais Page 0,21
If he’s tired of it, he should learn to delegate more,” Dottie remarked.
“His daughter handled a few catastrophes threatening the nine circles recently.”
“She’s been acting as his general on the battlefield. Not the same as running the Pit.”
“She did step in once.”
“Only because Lucifer went cuckoo for a bit.” Dottie swirled a finger. “Way I hear it, his daughter vowed…never again.”
“She’s not the only one who’s tried. He did abdicate his throne for a while there when his fake son took over as King of Hell.” I pulled on some swim shorts.
“Didn’t last, though, did it? The devil enjoys his work.”
“Don’t let him hear you say that.” Lucifer was likely to have Dottie silenced before someone overheard.
The witch smirked. “Don’t you worry about me. The Lord of Hell and I have an understanding. Which is why I agreed to keep an eye on you.”
I paused before grabbing a shirt. “Keep an eye on me? Those are your orders?”
“The devil thinks you’re plotting against him and told me to stick close.”
“That explains why you came running to my room. And here I thought it was because you wanted to say yes to my proposal.”
“I am not marrying you. I am here because Lucifer knows you’re meeting with his wife.”
“I had a feeling he did. What did he say? Did it end with ‘off with Shax’s head?’”
“You’re not going to deny it?” Dottie eyed me, looking rather cross.
“Nope.” I buttoned the shirt, only three of the fasteners, just enough to keep it from fluttering.
“Why are you meeting Gaia in your room?” Dottie snapped. She cleared her throat. “I mean, Lucifer wants to know what reason you could possibly have for meeting his wife in secret.”
“Not doing what your jealous eyes are accusing me of, that’s for sure,” I retorted.
She tilted her chin. “This isn’t jealousy.”
“So you wouldn’t lose your shit if you found out I was giving her a hand? Doing my best to please a goddess?”
The color in Dottie’s cheeks amused, but before she could explode and sink the ship, I chuckled. “Relax. I’m helping her with a bit of research.”
“Don’t you need a library for that?”
“I do. But not the one in Hell. The tidbit I’m looking for is in Atlantis.”
“If she’s only doing research, then why is she sneaking around?”
“Because.”
Dorothy’s gaze narrowed. “What exactly is she searching for?”
“I am not at liberty to say.”
“Must be bad if she won’t tell Lucifer.”
“She’s worried he’ll overreact.”
Dottie sighed. “Oh, crap on a stick. She’s doing something to protect him, which means when he finds out, he’ll be split between being pissed that she’s babying him, and maudlin because she loves him so much.”
“Bingo.” I nodded. “She’s trying to prevent another of his mood swings.” The devil had been going through quite a few since he hit a certain epic milestone birthday.
“And she thought sneaking around with another male would be better than telling him the truth?” Dottie snorted. “Lucifer is a powder keg set to go off. So, do yourself a favor and tell me what’s going on. What does she want you to find?”
“I can’t tell you because you’ll just run back to Lucifer.”
“I will not,” she huffed. She lied.
I shook my head. “You are his minion. Tonight is the solstice, and I already know you’ll be dancing naked for him.” I’d learned about witches over the centuries. Curious about the one I’d lost.
“I’m a witch. It’s expected of me.”
“It’s old-fashioned.”
“Maybe I like being old-fashioned.” She tossed her head.
“If you were old-fashioned, you’d be married and wearing a skirt.” I paused. “To your ankles.”
Her lips rounded. “That is sexist.”
“And you are modern. As am I. I would prefer to know you’re dancing naked around a fire because you want to.”
“That’s just it, though. I do like it. The freedom in having the air kiss my skin. The heat of the flames licking it. The decadence of it and embracing life. It’s fun. You should try it.”
“Are you asking me to come dance naked by the light of the moon with you?” I arched a brow. “I accept.”
She squeaked. “I was only saying that in jest.”
“I am quite serious.”
“You’ll be the only man. The warlocks think they’re above that kind of thing. It’s why witches can be stronger. The dark lord blesses us for the gift.”
“Are you trying to uninvite me? Because that’s rude, which I guess is being done on purpose to please your lord, so I can choose to ignore your uninvite and just crash your naked bonfire party. Should