"I'm surprised you're still breathing," Naberius said, backing the car up. "What the hell were you doing in the park at night? How could you see where you were jogging?"
Brianna merely looked down, bringing her shoulders up in a shrug.
Did Naberius not feel for what Brianna had been subject to? Asmodeus would demand an explanation from him, but he didn't want to upset Brianna more than she already was.
They drove in silence to Naberius's, though he could sense Naberius wanted to go much further with the conversation. The bastard was lucky he kept his damn mouth shut. Smart man.
As they pulled into Naberius's driveway, Brianna put her head in her hands. He ran a hand up and down her arm. She was shaking, clearly upset. How could Naberius not see she was genuine?
Brianna had to stifle a laugh. Whether it was from inappropriate giddiness or just a plain psychotic breakdown, she wasn't sure. She was covered in dirt, and the stench from the Nephilim made her lightheaded.
Having heard the conversation between the three demons, she was a little on edge. Her hearing had been amplified from the powers she had gained. It was an exhilarating feeling.
She would have to take this slow, gain their trust. Naberius and Raum had made perfect sense, and yet Asmodeus had defended her.
Why?
Asmodeus helped her out of the car, putting a hand under her elbow and one on the small of her back. She let him lead her into the house and up the stairs, as if she needed his strength to make it.
He opened a bedroom door and held out his hand. "I'll run a shower for you."
She nodded and walked into a large bedroom. It had a flat-screen television, a six-drawer chest of drawers with an antique mirror anchored on top, and a large bed covered in a gold and hunter green comforter. Two overhead lamps were secured to the wall next to the bed. The room reminded her of high-priced hotel accommodations.
Asmodeus walked past her into the bathroom. She glanced around the room, wanting nothing more than to test out her new powers. This was awesome. She had to calm herself down. In the car she'd nearly drowned in a fit of giggles. For years she had wanted to know what it was like to be a true witch, a natural, and now she knew. It was better than she had imagined.
She heard the shower turn on, and seconds later Asmodeus emerged from the bathroom.
"I'll get you a robe from Valencia. You left your bag of clothes here. Did you pack something to sleep in?"
She nodded.
"Are you okay?"
Was that concern in his eyes? "I'm better."
He put a hand on her forehead and quickly pulled away as if his action surprised him. "I'll be right back."
He walked out and close the door behind him. Why did he act as if he cared about her wellbeing? He was a demon. He cared about no one but himself.
Not to mention his friends were going to talk to him again, trying to convince him there was more to this situation, which there was.
How could Asmodeus not see the obvious?
To him there wouldn't be a motive, because he knew nothing of the angels or the mission they had given her.
She'd make damned sure he never knew.
She dismissed his show of concern. She had a job to do. Now that she had these awesome powers that job was going to come much easier.
Taking her cell out of her jogging pants, she placed it on the dresser. She left the arrowheads in her pocket. She would have to keep this from becoming personal. She had never killed a person before, but then again, she'd never been threatened with the Abyss either. Killing him wasn't a choice. It was a necessity.
She turned to go into the bathroom and caught sight of Asmodeus's sword on the bed. She walked over to it, running her hand along the unadorned hilt. The steel was engraved with vines, and it shone from the light of the lamp, reflecting its light on the wall above the bed.
What weapon would she use to kill him when the time came? His own sword? That thought seemed dark, dishonest somehow. Heartless.
The door to the room opened and she stepped away from his weapon, dropping her hand. A robe lay across Asmodeus's arm. He handed her the robe and her bag. Out of the corner of her eye she saw his sword disappear, which made it quite apparent he didn't like her near it.
She took the bundle and thanked him, making her way into the bathroom. She had to regroup and think things through.
Her plan had been to get accosted by a Nephilim—check. Gain access to Asmodeus—check. Now she had to play up her feminine wiles, flirt a little, and earn his trust in the process. It was obvious Naberius and Raum were having their doubts about her attack, and soon Asmodeus would be questioning her as well.
Seducing him seemed like the easiest part of the plan. Hell, he was supposedly the Demon of Lust. It was perfect. Seducing him shouldn't be hard at all. Getting attacked had been harsh, getting access to Naberius's house had been precarious at best. But seducing the demon of carnal desire? Piece of cake.