Free Date With Death (Welcome To Hell) by Eve Langlais Page B

blossoming all over the visible parts of her body. Gray of complexion and unconscious, he cursed as he realized her human side was reacting to the toxin from the demons’ claws. He picked her up and cradled her carefully in his arms. He began heading toward the stairs leading down to her apartment when he realized Marigold wouldn’t have the unguents and remedies needed to help her. But I’ve got some back at my place where I can also keep her safe.
    However, his translocation magic didn’t allow him to bring a passenger. Only a few demons could create a portal strong enough for more than one entity. Much as it galled him, he called upon his boss.
    “Lucifer!” It might have appeared strange for him to call the Devil’s name out loud, but no stranger than having a reply in the form of a kilt-wearing, bare-chested Lucifer wielding a golf club, wearing a tam with a cigar hanging out of his mouth.
    “What the fuck is it now?” growled the lord of sin. “I was in the midst of practicing my swing.”
    He would have been better served hiring someone to dress him. “I need your help.”
    It was only then Lucifer noticed Marigold’s shivering form. “What the fuck, Mictain? I thought you liked the girl.”
    “I didn’t do this. Some of your demons did.”
    “Not under my orders,” was the indignant reply.
    “Renegades then. Doesn’t matter. I’ve sent them to dispatch for processing. But can we forget the who and how and get to the help part ? She needs medical attention.”
    “So take her to a hospital.”
    “You know as well as I do that they’re not equipped to deal with demonic poisonings.”
    “True. But she should have enough supernatural blood to help her pull through.” She whimpered and Lucifer added, “Maybe.”
    “She’s suffering.”
    “And? What do you want me to do about it? I’m a destroyer, not a fixer. If you wanted pansy healing magic you should have called Gaia.”
    “She’s your girlfriend. You call her.”
    “Can’t. She’s on some spa day, girl’s retreat thing with Muriel. No phones allowed. But she’ll be back tomorrow.”
    Mictain’s head just about exploded. “Then why tell me to call her if you knew she wasn’t available?”
    “I didn’t. I was just saying that in this type of situation, should it ever happen again—”
    “Alright. I get it. Can we move on? Time is a ticking.”
    “Fine. Be that way,” Lucifer huffed. “Try to give some guy advice and he jumps all over you.”
    “Sorry. Happy now?”
    “Not really.”
    “I’ll buy you a grog next time we go out. Okay?” Because Lucifer was a cheap bastard who hated to pay for drinks. “Now, p op us back to my place, would you? I’ve got some stuff that should do the trick or at least alleviate the worst of her symptoms.
    “I don’t know. Maybe I should just take her straight to her father. You haven’t done too good of a job protecting her so far. Two demon attacks in two days? You’re slipping, old man.”
    “Like hell. Who do you think saved her? As for taking Marigold to her dad, you heard her before. She’s got no interest in the man.”
    “But she’s injured now. That changes things.”
    “I can fix this. Don’t get her father involved.” Not when Marigold was at her weakest. She’d blow a gasket for sure when she recovered, and Mictain had enough apologizing to do as it was, starting with him not being around to protect her when she needed him most.
    “If she dies…”
    “Um, hello? Grim reaper her. I’ll just refuse to collect her soul.”
    Lucifer snorted. “That’s a dumb answer even for you. Good thing we’re friends or I’d punish you for it. As for taking her back to your place, I’ll give you both a ride, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
    What was the worst this so-called father could do?
    The question took a back burner as the familiar rush of cold air followed by stifling hot and brimstone -tinged rushed past his face. In seconds, Lucifer had popped them to Hell,