“I’m not going to help you manipulate Nathaniel so you can piss off Puck,” I said. “I don’t want to get in the middle of your sibling rivalry.”

“My dear, you are already in the middle of it,” Lucifer said.

I shook my head. “No. I’ve got enough to do. Now, if you won’t help me by blasting all the vampires into oblivion, will you at least tell me what I have to do to get rid of them, short of raising my own army?”

Lucifer stroked his chin thoughtfully. “You did not completely unleash Nathaniel’s power, did you?”

“I told you, I don’t want…”

“This is relevant,” Lucifer cut in. “You want to know how to defeat the vampires, yes?”

“Yes,” I said cautiously.

“You need to finish what you began with Nathaniel, and the solution will be revealed,” Lucifer said.

“I’m not going to bang Nathaniel for your amusement,” I said.

“Nobody said anything about ‘banging,’” Lucifer said. “But if that’s your preferred method, then who am I to argue?”

“I’m not discussing this with you anymore,” I muttered. “Are you saying that once Nathaniel comes fully into his power, he will be able to get rid of the vampires?”

“No. I am saying the solution will be revealed to you,” Lucifer said.

“Why can you not just help me?” I shouted in frustration.

“If I did, then my enemies would descend on you like ravening wolves,” Lucifer said seriously. “You need to demonstrate that you are capable and strong, that you do not require my assistance.”

“Haven’t I done that already, over and over and over again?” I said, my anger draining away and leaving exhaustion behind. “When do I get something out of this relationship besides misery?”

“I have offered numerous times to make you my heir and you have refused,” Lucifer said.

“Yeah, that doesn’t really seem like a gift to me,” I said.

“But it is,” Lucifer said. “If you were my heir, you would also have the benefit of my protection. Those who seek to destroy you or your child would be subject to my retribution.”

“So you’re saying that this blood relation confers all the disadvantages and none of the benefits unless I am recognized officially?” I said.

“In a manner of speaking, yes.”

It was tempting. Oh, so tempting. It would be a blessing to throw off the weight of responsibility, to live a day without feeling hunted. But on further examination, that apple Lucifer held out to me looked a lot more like a cage. Temptation was his first and best skill.

“Thanks, but no thanks.”

“I can wait,” Lucifer said easily. “I think my offer will appeal to you sooner or later.”

“Keep dreaming.”

Lucifer smiled in a way that made me nervous. “Now that we have answered your question, it is time for my request.”

“You don’t make requests,” I said. “And I’m not feeling inclined to help you.”

“Too bad you do not have a choice,” Lucifer said, and he didn’t sound as though it was too bad for me at all. He sounded like he was quite enjoying himself. “You can either carry out my task under your own power, or you can do it under the compulsion of the Hound of the Hunt. And believe me, you will not be able to resist that compulsion. If I order you, then you must obey.”

Lucifer looked triumphant. He’d boxed me in again. A part of me had been expecting this ever since Lucifer had made me the Hound.

“What is it that you want me to do?” I asked, knowing the answer, dreading the words.

“I want you to fetch Evangeline and my son from the land of the dead and return them to me, of course.”

15

“NO,” I SAID AUTOMATICALLY. “NO, I WON’T DO THAT.”

“I told you, you haven’t a choice,” Lucifer said silkily.

“I don’t even know how to get to the land of the dead,” I said desperately.

“You’re an Agent of Death,” Lucifer said. “The ways are within you, even if you are not aware of them.”

“I’m not an Agent anymore,” I said.

“Once an Agent, always an Agent,” Lucifer said. “The Agency can give nothing to you nor take anything. It is all within you.”

“I don’t even have wings,” I said. “Why don’t you do it?”

“I am not permitted,” Lucifer said.

“I’m not, either. The Retrievers will come for me for sure,” I said.

“You have more flexibility than I,” Lucifer said. “The one rule that neither I nor my brothers will break is this.”

“But you are breaking it. You’re just sending me to do your dirty work.”

“The letter of the law will be honored,” Lucifer said. “I will not leave my son in that dead place.”

“You should have thought of that before you got busy with Evangeline,” I said. “You’re putting my child, Gabriel’s child, at risk.”

“I will allow you the time you need to deal with the vampires,” Lucifer said. “And then you will go.”

“No,” I said.

“You will go, by my word or your own,” he said. “And I know you well enough that I think you would prefer not to be under the compulsion of the Hound.”