Free Succubus Takes Manhattan by Nina Harper Page A

passing gossip than actual politics. Honestly, I believe that Hatuman is too lazy to take initiative against Mephistopheles. Or, to be more accurate, that he has achieved his ambition. He throws the most popular parties in Hell.”
    “Not much of an ambition,” Mephistopheles huffed.
    “Now who’s being a prig?” I eyed him pointedly. “He had a goal and he’s attained it. Everyone wants invitations to Hatuman’s parties. Sometimes even Satan will make an appearance. And he’s a great source of information.”
    “For anyone,” Mephistopheles sighed heavily. “If this is all true. If we are not falling for some concealment.” He turned back to Marten. “Is there anything more?”
    “A great deal, none of it important, or even meaningful . . . on the surface. Beliel was not approachable last night.” At that, Marten looked at me with an eyebrow raised. I shrugged. Eros had deflected all questions at brunch and that had made me suspicious.
    “More interesting,” Marten resumed his briefing, “no one else from Security was there either. Now why would all of Security stay away? Even Beliel’s incubi were notably absent. Hatuman felt snubbed.”
    Meph filled the three goblets with wine. I sipped with pleasure. I had never drunk a Spanish Reserva before, and this was a lovely ’81 that was perfect with the salty Gouda Robusto on the tray.
    “I had an idea while I was talking to Marduk,” I said slowly, not sure this was the right time. I hadn’t had any time to develop the concept, but with both of them in the room it seemed too opportune to pass up. “He said he needs an accountant, someone who might be able to find out who’s stealing. And I told him I knew one.” I looked pointedly at Marten. “He said he would be interested in talking to someone. I realize I don’t know what you actually do. For all I know you specialize in Dutch taxes and this would be ridiculous. But if you could look at Marduk’s books, maybe you could find out more about what’s going on.”
    Meph’s eyes widened and he looked at me, and then Marten, and then he smiled. “Lily, you are a genius. This is brilliant. Marten’s expertise is precisely in the areas that Marduk needs.”
    “For a fee,” Marten interrupted. “For my full consulting fee plus expenses and extra for rush and confidentiality.”
    “But you’re not going to keep it confidential,” I protested. “You’re going to tell Mephistopheles.”
    Marten’s eyes became cold, and I could see that he was a little more dangerous than I had suspected back in Aruba. “I will not tell Satan, unless Marduk himself is the one behind it.”
    “I don’t want him hurt,” I said to Meph. “These people are dangerous.”
    The cold smile never left Marten’s face. “I can handle them, I think.”
    “I know they’re dangerous, Lily,” Mephistopheles interrupted. “They are threatening the base of the power structure and they have to be getting inside information. Which is why we have to take every possible opportunity to get rid of the source of information as quickly as we can.” Satan’s most trusted deputy came over to me and took my hands in his, palms up. “We cannot risk you,” he said softly. “The Knight Defenders came far too close last time. We have got to find the demon who has been giving them information before those fanatics can try anything again. I suspect that the increased activity of groups like Branford’s has been encouraged by someone in Hell. Someone is giving them information and money.”
    I stared at my palms. They had been burned deeply, roasted, by a note written on elegant bond that had been impregnated with holy water. My flesh had scalded and turned black and smelled like a backyard grill on the Fourth of July. Thanks to Satan they were perfect. Not a mark or scar marred my skin, no sign that someone had tried to destroy me.
    But Marten was still talking and I’d missed a bit of what he’d said.
    “There have been far