Free That Old Black Magic by Michelle Rowen Page B

perfect guy next door.
    He’d also nearly destroyed Darrak with a mere thought the last time they’d been face-to-face. Lucas might be charming, but the Prince of Hell didn’t take disappointment very well.
    He was powerful, dangerously so, even if he didn’t readily admit it.
    Eden felt a great need to fill the uncomfortable silence that fell between them. “My mother is back.”
    “Is she?”
    “I think you already know that. She’s a drifter now.”
    “You don’t seem pleased by this.”
    “I’m not. How do I get her to Heaven?”
    He studied her. “You don’t. She is where she needs to be. Her soul is an in-between case, Eden. Not dark enough for me to keep in Hell indefinitely, but not light enough for her to ascend to Heaven.”
    “So she stays in the human world forever?”
    “The slate is not cleared for Caroline Riley, but this is a chance for her to redeem herself—or damn herself further. Her actions now will tilt her one way or another. And one day she might be given the chance to move on, be it up or down. It’s nice to have choices. It’s something I never got.”
    Eden wasn’t going to touch that bitter comment with a ten-foot pole. Lucas had issues when it came to his fate. She had no idea how many years, centuries, millennia it had been since the original fallen angel was first sent down to Hell, but he had a chip on his shoulder the size of the planet Jupiter about it.
    “Fine. So I guess I’m stuck with my mother.”
    “You saved her soul. Does she even know that?”
    “No. And I’m not planning on telling her.”
    “So modest.” He walked a slow circle around her, and she felt very uncomfortable as his gaze slid leisurely over her.
    “Why am I here, Lucas?”
    “I like that you call me Lucas. It makes me feel more human.”
    “No comment.”
    “But you’re right. I did want to see you. Approaching you when Darrak’s around probably isn’t such a good idea.”
    She snorted. “Believe it or not, he mentioned you earlier today. Said that I should—”
    She clamped her mouth shut before she finished that sentence. Perhaps it was best not to venture into that territory.
    “Said you should what?” Lucas’s scrutiny was almost palpable as he took another turn around her like a circling shark scenting an injured seal. His gaze finally fell on her amulet. “Maybe I can guess why my name was brought up.”
    She clamped a hand over it. “Are you a mind reader, too?”
    “Another ability that would prove extremely useful. No, Eden, I can’t predict the future and I can’t read minds. But I’ve existed for a very long time and my skills of deduction are second to none. Your amulet is darker. You’ve been using your magic again.”
    Eden thought about the curse removal she wanted to attempt tomorrow morning. “I need to use it.”
    “Even knowing the consequences.”
    “Yes.”
    Lucas’s lips twisted with amusement. “Was it Darrak who suggested you kiss me again so I can take some of that darkness away or was it you?”
    Her cheeks warmed. “Neither.”
    “Liar.” Then the humor faded from his expression. “Drinking your darkness goes against my ultimate plan, Eden. I want to get back to Heaven, not push myself farther away.”
    “Then it’s a good thing I’m not asking you for anything.” She focused on the ocean and the sunset that didn’t rise or lower from its eternal position. “I need to go back now. I have things to do.”
    “Like attempting to break Darrak’s curse?”
    She stifled a gasp. “How do you know that?”
    “Skills of deduction, remember?” His smile returned. “Have you told him what your delicious celestial energy has done to him yet?”
    Eden blanched. “The subject hasn’t come up.”
    “It will destroy what little sense of self he still has left. The ego is very important to demons—especially lesser ones.”
    “I disagree.”
    “Then why haven’t you told him yet?”
    Frustration pricked at her. She turned away from Lucas