Holy Socks And Dirtier Demons Read Online Free PDF Page B

nine-millimeter
    pressed against my temple, ready to end it all. The rush of voices urged me to
    the Promised Land. Do it, they shouted in chorus. I chambered a round, and
    prepared myself for death.
    Goodbye cruel world.
    My finger grasped the trigger, applying a subtle pressure, enough to
    blow the back of my head off.
    Ding.
    The doorbell rang and the voices stopped. For the first time in over
    two years, my head was my own.
    “It’s better to be lucky than good,” she said, bringing me back to the
    present.
    “That better be true, because I’ve never been any good.”
    26

    Seven

    “How do you suggest we find the kid?” I broke the quiet that
    surrounded my last comment. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, nor was it
    unwanted. It felt sort of friendly. As that notion popped into my head, I
    jumped to my feet and paced. I didn’t want to be friendly with her. I wanted
    to hate her. Hate her for using me, hate her for getting me killed, and hate her
    for tempting me. Hate was easier.
    “I thought I’d check in with some of my buddies on the NYPD, see if
    they’ve got any leads.” She stressed the word I.
    “They don’t.”
    She closed her eyes. “Because you never filed a report.”
    I nodded.
    “Why the hell not?” Her eyes heated, turning to molten amber. “The
    cops can help you.”
    “No, they can’t.” I paused, trying to think of a rational explanation
    that didn’t include angels and God’s favored son. “The cops and I don’t
    exactly see eye to eye when it comes to what constitutes legality. In order to
    find the kid, I have to work outside the box, and that means outside the law.”
    “Fine,” she gave in. Much too quickly in my opinion, which only
    made me more suspicious. She added, “In that case, I’ll have to consult some
    of my less desirable informants, but it’s going to cost you.”
    Seeing as how I didn’t have shit to pay her with in the first place,
    adding to the bill wasn’t a problem.
    “When do we start?”
    Lilith smiled. “We, is it?”
    I nodded, not really liking the term. It was almost a declaration of
    partnership, one that meant trust and disclosure, or at the very least, dinner,
    and a movie.
    “Now is as good a time as any.” She pushed herself from the table
    and winked. “Give me ten minutes to freshen up and we’ll roll.”
    Why did I feel like I had just made the biggest mistake of my life?
    ~ * ~
    Twenty minutes later, I stood outside my apartment door, glaring at
    27

    my watch. The smell of sulfur fumed around me, and I turned to the source.
    “What’s taking your friend so long?” Lilith blew out the match she’d
    used to light the end of an expensive Indian cigarette. The aroma of rich
    tobacco and vanilla filled the hallway.
    “I wouldn’t call us friends.” I paused, thinking about ways to rid
    myself of the angel. “And I have no idea what’s taking him so long.” He was
    probably preening in front of the mirror again. I should just shatter it and
    solve the problem, but I was afraid he would start ogling himself in my
    spoons, which wasn’t sanitary.
    “If you’re not friends, why does he follow you around?” She inhaled
    a stream of smoke, her neck muscles flexing with what I assumed was
    pleasure. “Do you know what’s weird? I don’t even know his name.”
    Shit, neither did I. Did angels have names? Of course, they did. Let’s
    see, there was Gabriel, Michael, Raphael…Donner, Dancer, and Blitzen. I
    was bad at this. Why had God chosen me, I wondered for the thousandth
    time.
    Lilith brought me back to the present. “So what’s his name?”
    “Angel.” Not good under pressure, the name burst from my lips.
    She tilted her head. “Angel? Really? He looks more like a Harry or
    maybe Bob.”
    Bob. Damn it. Now why didn’t I think of that? A moment later, Mary
    saved me from answering. Lilith turned to the sound of Mary’s apartment
    door opening and the subtle scent of sage creeping into the hallway.