Playing with Fire Read Online Free PDF

everything, figuring I might avoid the heinous fate he had planned if I could bring him the quintessence, but his own choice of words saved me. I lifted my chin, looked him dead in the eye, and said with absolute honesty, ‘‘No, I have not seen something that you would want.’’
    He ground out his cigarette on the carpet. ‘‘I will rephrase my question—what did you find out about the archimage Kostich?’’
    ‘‘Not much,’’ I answered, my fingers tightening around the doorknob as I sorted through my memories of the previous night for anything of interest. ‘‘He seems to favor Greek and Roman antiquities, has two original Renoirs and one fake hanging in a reception room, and possesses a mistaken belief that arcane magic will protect his most valuable objects.’’
    Magoth lit another cigarette, watching the flame on the lighter for a moment before snapping it closed. ‘‘Where was the vial?’’
    ‘‘In a case in his study.’’
    ‘‘What else was in the case?’’
    ‘‘The only things I saw were a couple of old vases, some gold jewelry that looked to be Etruscan in origin, and a fertility figure.’’
    He was silent for a moment, his eyes hooded, but I knew he was examining me for signs I was lying. My stomach revolted for a moment at the thought of what he’d do if he found out I was picking my words carefully to avoid lying.
    ‘‘Very well,’’ he said at last. ‘‘If you are sure I cannot tempt you to stay and enjoy the gratification that only I can bring you, you may leave.’’
    I stifled the urge to whoop and dance for joy, bowing my head in a show of submission.
    ‘‘I will have need of you again in a few days, once I transmute this Liquor Hepatis to Balsam of the Soul. Come naked next time, hmm?’’
    I shot him a startled look.
    He grinned. ‘‘It was worth a try. Until we meet again, my delectable one.’’
    I inclined my head again, and left the room, collapsing against the door as it closed behind me.
    ‘‘Still in one piece?’’ Sobe asked, glancing up from the laptop. The demon looked vaguely surprised, its perfectly shaped eyebrows rising a little. I felt a familiar twinge of irritation that something that wasn’t human could look so much better than myself. From all appearances, Sobe was a gorgeous blonde, perfect in every way. ‘‘That didn’t take long.’’
    I curled my lips in a faint smile and told the demon that I would be back in a few days.
    ‘‘You’ll need to come to Madrid, then. We’re leaving for Spain tomorrow,’’ it answered, flipping through an appointment book. ‘‘We’ll be there for two weeks. After that it’s a week in America, and a month in Brazil.’’
    ‘‘I’ll find you,’’ I said, gathering up the things I’d left in the outer office.
    Sobe considered my well-worn duffel bag that I used when traveling, a slightly wistful look in its eyes. ‘‘I almost envy you. You get to go places and see things. We travel, but . . .’’ It shrugged. ‘‘We’re always limited to the Abaddon side of things, and I never seem to have time to go out and see the mortal world for myself. Where are you going now?’’
    ‘‘Back to Greece.’’
    ‘‘Really?’’ It eyed me with enough interested speculation that I assumed it had somehow listened in to the conversation Magoth and I had.
    ‘‘My twin is there,’’ I explained, forcing myself to smile. ‘‘She wants to have a little vacation, and since Magoth won’t need me for a few days, I figure I’m due for some time in the sun.’’
    ‘‘I wouldn’t have thought that was quite your forte,’’ it said slowly, eyes still speculative. ‘‘I didn’t think your kind liked the sun.’’
    ‘‘Anything is bearable with proper precautions,’’ I said lightly, waggling a bottle of sun block at the demon. I hurried out before it could ask me any more penetrating questions, muttering under my breath as I left the house. Unless a demon lord was very powerful,