Free Succubus Takes Manhattan by Nina Harper

subtle silver at his temples. Mephistopheles makes a very good-looking man.
    “Lily, thank you for joining me,” he said graciously as he passed his hand over the table. A platter of fruit and cheese and paté appeared in the center, and three Venetian wineglasses and a decanter of red joined it somewhat closer to Meph. “I know this is less convenient than sending me e-mail or telling me over the phone, but you were concerned about our privacy.”
    I nodded, in complete agreement.
    “I am sorry not to engage in small talk, but perhaps under the circumstances it would be best if you simply told me as much as you know, as clearly as you can.”
    So I told him. I told him about talking to Marduk and the problems in the Treasury and Budget. And I told him how frightened Marduk was. I also told him about Craig Branford showing up at Public today of all days.
    Meph sat absolutely still. I had no idea of what he was thinking; he could have been a simulacrum for all the reaction he showed.
    He waited until I was done with my recitation, and paused for a moment after to pour wine.
    “Interesting,” he said. “So Marduk may even be approachable as an ally.”
    I nodded vigorously. “I think so. I think he is more concerned with where the money is going and who is stealing from Satan than with his own status at the moment.”
    If Satan discovered the theft before Marduk had caught the culprit and replaced the funds, Marduk would have less status in Hell than a newbie demon doorman. Marduk was fighting for his survival, which for a former god and head of a pantheon must be horrible.
    I smelled the familiar incense, almost identical to what I had lit in my bathroom, and Mephistopheles poured a third glass of sherry. “Our newest confederate,” he said.
    The smoke glimmered, and when it cleared Marten stood in front of the spindly chairs. In a long deep-gray robe and iron lamin, with a silver ribbon tied around his forehead, he looked haggard, and older than he’d seemed on Aruba. His face was set and grim and he shook Meph’s hand before taking a seat.
    Only then did Marten notice me, and his eyes grew wide for a moment before a slow knowing smile acknowledged me.
    Well, that answered a lot of questions.
    Suddenly I was conscious of the fact that I was not particularly well dressed for the occasion. Marten was dressed in robes that probably reflected some astrological event and sphere of existence, Meph was in Brioni, and I was in jeans.
    “I believe you are already acquainted,” Mephistopheles said in his best imitation of a Regency gentleman. “Still—Lily, Marten, as you know, is a ceremonial magician. Part of his agreement with me includes a bit of investigation in the same matter as I have asked you about. Marten, I know you are aware that Lily is a succubus and one that I am proud to claim as an ally. You may not be aware that she is also one of Satan’s Chosen companions, and so is assisting me in this matter as Satan’s Own Handmaiden.”
    Marten stood and bowed to me formally. I just waved my hand. “Oh, sit down,” I said to him. “I’m still going to dress nicer for tonight.”
    He sat.
    “Please let us know what you have discovered,” Meph said to him. “Lily has just given me evidence that Marduk is probably not the traitor we’re looking for, but is being set up himself.”
    Marten nodded slowly. “Yes, that would make sense. Hatuman mentioned several times that Marduk might be replaced. I found that especially interesting as there were no rumors, no gossip, about why Satan might be displeased with him.”
    I shrugged. “Marduk can be a stick in the mud, but he’s loyal. And he’s happy doing a job that no one else wants. He’s not important enough in the Hierarchy himself,” I mused, but Meph held up his hand and nodded toward Marten.
    “Please continue.”
    Marten addressed his next remark to me. “I don’t believe that Hatuman has anything to do with this. He’s more interested in