Page 63 of Hell-Bound

“Do you…know what he wants?” she asked sheepishly.

Leo’s eyes became hard.

“No, Renata. My Lord and The Almighty Savior of Mortals has asked for an audience with you. I dare not question his supreme wisdom.”

“Yes, of course. It’s just that—I wanted to make sure I was prepared. Seeing a…god…must be an intimidating experience. Some might say a unique one,” she hedged, trying to see what he knew if he’d discovered that her patron was Azur.

He nodded reverently, calmer than before.

“This will truly be an inspirational moment for you. I have no doubt that once you are in the presence of The Almighty, you will recognize the urgency to recover your soul and turn to him. Nainaur will call upon you soon. Await his summons here at the tower.”

“Yes, all right. Of course,” she said, trying to sound as cooperative as possible.

“We will be in touch, Renata.”

With the slightest blurring in the room, he left.

Relieved, Ren sank into the nearest seat, rubbing her forehead with two fingers. With only the slightest change in temperature, she noticed that her hands were seeping the smoky substance.

“For the love of all that is holy and evil! Could you give me asecond!” she bellowed before vanishing once more.

The room changed, and Ren appeared mere inches from the form of Azur, who was standing poised in front of her—so close that she had to look up to see him.

He looked expectant. Annoyed even, without a hint, that he was at all affected by their tryst the previous evening.

“Ren, I again have need of your services,” he stated, plainly.

She backed up a few inches.

“Of course you do,” she grumbled.

He slid his hands into his pocket.

“Testy this morning, are we?” he asked in mocked concern. “Did you…get enough sleep? Or was there something or someonethat…occupied your mind?”

Her hands clenched into tight fists.

“No, nothingoccupiedmy mind. Nothing toointerestinghas happened to me as of late. I slept like a baby, actually.”

Hiding a smile, the Devil made a disbelieving sound through closed lips.

“I’m very glad to hear it. One mustn’t lose sleep. It leavesone wanting, don’t you think?”

“Look, what do you need? I’m a bit preoccupied right now.”

He slid the booklet out of his pocket.

“I need your help with this,” he said, casually.

Ren let herself smirk in response, feeling a bit gleeful.

“Well, well. Mr. All Powerful Devil God. You need myyyyy help?”

She batted her eyelashes, a move she’d recently learned from Jester.

“Yes, in fact, I do,” he said, his words laced with boredom. “Did you look at this document before you delivered it to me?”

She hadn’t. She hadn’t even thought to pry.