On the heels of the scent came the darkness, black and endless as it coalesced on a spot just next to them until it formed the shape of a doorway.
The spirit at Mary’s side fluttered, her eyes wide. “What is it?”
“Hush.”
The echoing of footsteps, as if coming from far off, sounded. And the scent grew thicker, richer, making sweat bloom upon Mary’s skin and her clockwork heart go just a bit faster. She took a steadying breath and tried to ignore the shiver working through her body.
Through the darkness he came, his step jaunty and arrogant. Mary swallowed. Gracious, but the demon was sin incarnate. Tall and lean, black hair tousled about without care, and light-amber eyes beneath thick, stern brows. His aquiline nose would be considered too big on a lesser face, his mouth an angry slash, yet somehow plump and inviting. Such intense masculine beauty was dizzying.
Oftentimes Mary wondered if Adam was an incubus. Especially when he smiled as if he knew exactly how he stirred their emotions, and his deep, rich voice rumbled over them like heated cream.
“My delicious daughters,” he said fondly. “My most lovely creations. How may I be of service?”
Daisy cleared her throat, a high blush warring with eyes flashing in annoyance. “My lord Adam, we have one who desires to join.”
His gaze was a palpable caress. It slid warm and sticky over Mary to rest on the silent spirit. Adam’s nostrils flared as he drew in a deep, sharp breath. Odd, as he was never anything other than nonchalant or flirty.
“Your name?” His lazy tone had gone clipped. The loose-limbed way in which he normally carried himself tensed.
The spirit narrowed her eyes, her gaze sliding up and down Adam’s form as though inspecting something distasteful. “Eliza May.”
“Mmm.” It came out as a dubious rumble. Adam flicked his attention to Mary. “I’ll have a word with you, sweet Mary Chase—”
“And you are?” Eliza May cut in, her translucent hands upon her hips.
“Not to be interrupted, treats.” Adam’s expression was hard and cold.
Eliza lifted her chin. “I’ve a right to know your name, sir.”
With a smile that chilled the bone, Adam sauntered over to the hovering spirit. When he reached out to trace the line of her cheek, his finger did not drift through her, but made contact, as though she were flesh still. “My Lord and Master, My Irresistible Liege,” he murmured in his rich purr. “Pick whichever one you want. Then shut up. I am speaking, and not to you.”
His gaze moved to Mary but stopped as he spied Eliza’s body lying bloodied and battered upon the cobbles, her skirts still rucked up, a pool of blackening blood widening about her head like a macabre halo. His lips flattened as his eyes glowed so brightly that the area about them was illuminated with golden light. Mary had seen the reaction before, and it never failed to unnerve. But she understood. Violence against women was something he could not abide.
Eliza, seeing the direction of the demon’s gaze, swished over her body as though she might hide it. “Don’t look at me, it.” Her teeth bared in a snarl. “At my body.”
“Why?” he asked, mildly. “It’s dead. And if you want to keep it, it’s also mine.”
Eliza flinched, her mouth gaping before snapping shut. “I thought… they said that you wouldn’t want…”
The glow in Adam’s eyes returned, not as bright, but quite fierce. “Devil take it. I quite literally have beings knocking against each other for the opportunity to have me.” Indeed, ghosts stuck between worlds had gathered, bumping against the periphery of the alleyway as though held back by an invisible wall. The silent, wraiths twisted and undulated in unmistakable entreaty. “I’ve no interest in unwilling, prissy misses.”
Eliza’s mouth curled in distaste. “Oh, how the other ghouls must envy you.”
The air about them trembled and heated. Adam took a step in Eliza’s direction. “Let us get this over with. Will you swear fealty to me?”
“What would I have to—”
“Yes or no. Right now, Miss May.”
Eliza May glanced between Mary and Daisy, her expression unsure and pained. They could not speak now, nor assuage her. It was forbidden. But Mary tried to convey that it would be all right with a soft look.
“Tick-tock, Eliza.”
“All right.” She drew herself up. “I swear it.”
The triumph in Adam’s expression was absolute, and not what Mary was accustomed to seeing. “Excellent.” With a flick of his wrist he conjured a thin golden chain. Lightning-fast, it coiled around Eliza’s spirit and her body. Adam gave the chain a lazy tug, and Eliza flew into her body. A great gasp broke from her lips as her body arched off the ground, then flopped back, struggling against the golden bonds like a fish in a net.