Free Redemption by La Kuehlke Page B

there, kid. Let’s eat,” he said, slinging an arm around her shoulder. “You know, Cass? I’m glad you’re here. Makes me feel a whole lot less like the third wheel.”
    “I know what you mean, Bryan.” She tilted her head up to face him. “I’m glad you’re here, too.”
    He closed the door behind him and paused a moment. A familiar scent hung in the air.
    Mara.
    Bryan felt a pang of guilt for being with Cassidy, even if they were only friends grabbing dinner. He kept his arm casually draped across her shoulder, not wanting to alert her to any changes, to raise suspicion, to cause her to ask questions he didn’t want to answer. It was better if she thought he was the same Bryan she remembered.
    Still, Mara was nearby. He could smell her.
     
    Mara paced the hallway outside of Bryan’s room, the scent of the lotus trailing in her wake. That little, blonde....she shrieked. Bryan belonged to her . Why was his arm around that mortal? She knew the stone was working because she could see him respond every time she activated it. Yet, he resisted.
    Because of her.
    She narrowed her glowing eyes. If it wasn’t one mortal getting in her way, it was another. And to make matters worse, Bastion had warded the hotel room. She’d tried to flash inside, only to find herself slamming against an invisible wall.
    She made a fist, her nails digging into her palms, drawing blood. Mara didn’t even notice as the droplets left a trail behind her, smoking as they hit the carpet. She’d infuse the stone with more of the lotus. That would work.
    And if it didn’t, she would go to him. She could remind him of the pleasures she afforded him. She would make him forget again.
    Mara was startled by the sudden appearance of a small, disfigured creature. The lesser demon pointed a gnarled claw at her and bared his teeth. Some of the fallen retained their beauty, not so with this one.
    “You are failing, Apathy,” he hissed. “He is not going to be pleased with you.”
    “Oh, shut-up, Insult. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” She flipped her hair and stalked away from him. Casually dropping into a chair, she threw her legs over one side and stretched sensuously across the other. “I have everything under control.”
    The lesser demon’s mouth began to water. She knew exactly how to manipulate him. Insult, forever following her around, begging for scraps.
    Hold my hand, Apathy. One small hug, Apathy, and I will be satisfied. Kiss my cheek, Apathy, and I will tell him anything you want.
    Mara rolled her eyes.
    “I have been watching you closely, Apathy. You are his favorite, and he needs to know what you are doing.” He flicked out his black tongue and licked his lips. “I have seen you with the mortal. You are enjoying him differently.”
    “What do you know of enjoyment, Insult? When has anyone ever bothered to really touch you ?” She knew she was being cruel, which was usually fun; but Insult had gone too far this time. The thought of him seeing her with Bryan, seeing Bryan, was unacceptable.
    He was annoying, and she just wanted him to go away. She grimaced. There was no denying she’d have to step up her efforts with Bryan. If Lucifer thought she was failing him...Well, to say that there would be Hell to pay was a giant understatement, favorite or not.
    The lesser demon looked wounded by her words. Not good. After centuries of spying on her for Lucifer, his normal routine, after being near her, would be to report only what she asked him to and then return to watch her some more. The little creature had something of a crush on her, and Mara easily manipulated him to serve her needs. She sighed.
    “Fine, Insult. What do you want from me to keep this report between the two of us? I assure you, the mortal is completely under my influence. However, I do not desire for you to report otherwise to Lucifer,” Mara grumbled. “Tell me what it’s going to take. A hug? Would you like to sit with me for a while?”
    His