Sweet Reckoning

“Yes, it was,” Pharzuph agreed. I heard the crinkle of a folded paper opening. “You sign the estate paperwork tomorrow?”

“Yes, sir. In the morning.”

“Here is my new account information. You’ll receive your own funds from the life insurance and inheritance. Everything else needs to be transferred to me. If a penny is missing, I will know it.”

Kaidan’s voice sounded tight when he responded, “I understand.”

“Good.” It sounded like Pharzuph took a deep, sniffing breath. “Smells like old lust in here. You were always a good worker.”

My stomach turned.

A surprised pause filled the air. “Thank you, Father.”

“But things are not always as they appear, are they?” Pharzuph’s voice held a tone of challenging amusement.

Oh, crap.

“In what way?” Kaidan asked.

“Something’s not right.” Pharzuph began to move in slow, but confident, steps. It sounded like he was circling Kaidan. I could imagine him prowling, trying to intimidate his grown son. “I haven’t been able to put my finger on it. Ever since that summit when the damned angels showed up, we’ve been watching the daughter of Belial.”

Kaidan made a scoffing sound. “Her? No offense, Father, but I don’t see why an unremarkable Neph like the daughter of Belial would warrant such attention. I’ve worked with her. She’s excellent at her job, but on a personal level she’s rather . . . boring.”

Ouch.

“So you took no pleasure from your time with her?”

“Oh, I took my pleasure. I also got out of there as quickly as I could. She’s got zero personality unless she’s wasted.”

Double ouch. I knew he didn’t mean it, but the words still cut.

Pharzuph chuckled. “I know being with her was a chore, but it was necessary. She’s somehow been able to fly under the radar. Now we know for sure that she’s a threat.”

“A threat?” Kaidan laughed.

“You think this is funny?” His voice seemed to get closer to Kai. “You think I have time to joke around?”

“Of course not, but having spent a good bit of time with her, it seems preposterous. She cares about nothing except where she’ll find her next drink.”

“Then she’s fooled you well.” Pharzuph’s voice turned deadly, making goose bumps sprout on my arms. “That boring Neph who you think’s so benign was caught being affectionate with her human mother-figure this morning. We sent five Legionnaires to get more information, and the girl took out four of the spirits! She’s a mercenary of heaven.”

“Wha—? How is that possible?” Bravo, Kaidan—he sounded genuinely shocked and confused.

Pharzuph seemed to hesitate, then said with reluctance, “She’s somehow able to wield a Sword of Righteousness. Only angels of light have been able to do that.”

A beat passed before Kaidan said, “But . . . why would an angelic weapon allow her to use it? I’ve watched her lead souls astray, and I’ve banged her myself. She’s hardly angel material.”

“I . . . we don’t know.” It was the first time I’d ever heard a Duke sound less than confident. Defeated, even.

“Is it possible someone is trying to deceive all of you? Point you in the wrong direction? I mean, how do you know about the sword and the spirits she supposedly killed?”

Kaidan sounded so convincing, and it seemed like his father was buying it.

“One of them escaped.”

“I hope that spirit isn’t misleading you.”

“They’re too stupid to come up with something like that,” Pharzuph said. “Unless they’re being led by someone. But I haven’t seen a spirit that terrified since the Fall. We sent it down to Lord Lucifer for further questioning. He’ll get the truth out of it.”

I shivered as Pharzuph kept talking.

“We’ve got Legionnaires on the hunt for both her and her father. Belial’s been eluding us for a while now, so he’s definitely up to something.”

“I see you’re keeping several whisperers with you to keep an eye out. That’s good.”

“I’m not going to let that girl get in a sneak attack. The other Dukes and I are staying armed and ready. We’ll find her and hold an emergency summit to learn the truth and get rid of her once and for all, angels be damned.”

“What can I do to help?” Kaidan asked.

“Do you have her mobile number?”

“No.”

Pharzuph cursed. “Then search for her. If you find her, she becomes your prisoner and you’ll notify me immediately. Do whatever is necessary to keep her with you and get her to the location we choose for the summit. And most importantly, disarm her. Under no circumstances should she be allowed access to the Sword of Righteousness.”

“Of course. I’ll begin immediately. I have a few ideas where she might be.”

“Good.” His next words were spiked with coldness. “It’s in your best interest not to fail me in this endeavor. Do you understand?”

I felt the chill between them from a quarter mile away.

“I understand,” Kaidan said, his voice low and deadly.

Finally, Pharzuph spoke again. “I’m going to Marissa’s tonight, and I leave in the morning. My new duty station will be in New York City, so it’s time for me to get settled there. Don’t waste any time getting to work on your task.”