The Devil's Work: Mel Goes to Hell series, #1

By Demelza Carlton

Tired of torturing damned souls, Lucifer decides it's time for a career change. As the new CEO of the HELL Corporation, Luce Iblis is ready to take over the world, starting with a city he's sure even angels haven't heard about: Perth, Western Australia. 

Until an angel appears in his office, vowing that the Lord of Hell will never win.

Hell hath no fury like a devil scorned.

And Lucifer's about to raise Hell.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lost Plot Press
• Release date: Jun 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393714057

Book preview

THE DEVIL'S WORK

Demelza Carlton

Dedication

This one is for you, my awesome readers, because you asked for it.

Stay awesome.

Copyright © 2019 Demelza Carlton

Lost Plot Press

All rights reserved.

ONE

Do we have a deal? The rich tone rolled off his tongue like his first morning espresso, waking up the man in front of him more effectively than the coffee hit he so ardently craved.

A...deal? Richard Toller squeaked, then cleared his throat in an attempt to sound like a man and not a teenager caught masturbating by his mum.

Yes, where you sign that and we commence our...mutually beneficial relationship. Luce flashed impossibly perfect teeth. Yet anything but perfection would be out of place, from his sleek, dark hair to black shoes so shiny Toller fancied he could see his own reflection in them.

Toller tried to focus on the paper before him, but the words seemed to blur. Perhaps he shouldn't have had that glass of whisky before the meeting, or the two others he'd downed to hide his discomfort at being in this meeting.

Never mind. Toller knew he wanted what this man could give him, and to Hell with the price he paid for it.

In exchange for your significant campaign contributions, and your invaluable assistance in getting me re-elected, I propose to keep your company's interests foremost in my mind when voting or proposing any new policy or legislation. Toller ventured a smile. Like your own legal guardian angel.

Luce smiled, but it didn't seem to reach his dark eyes. Eyes like two black holes, sucking a man in so that he couldn't escape...

Toller blinked and shook his head. What exactly does your company do, Mr Iblis?

Luce never moved, but Toller had the sudden impression of fangs instead of teeth in a very different smile.

My company has many diverse interests throughout the world. We fund projects and individuals we feel will further our global interests, Luce said.

Toller nodded. So you're angel investors.

Luce chuckled. You might say that. Investors who expect to see a return from our investment, in the long term. He folded his hands. I'm not impatient, Treasurer Toller, but I most definitely expect a return from you.

Toller shivered in a sudden chill that had nothing to do with the warm room. I had my staff prepare a summary of what I propose for my next term in office. That way, you can draw my attention to anything I might need to consider before I stand up in parliament to discuss it.

He pushed the folder across the desk, where it drew the fathomless gaze of the businessman before him. Toller wished he had the courage to ask him who tailored his suits – for they were impeccably made, like everything else about Luce Iblis.

Sign it. The words seemed to issue from the very air, hissing their irresistible command.

Toller glanced at the contract again. The pen was already in his hand, and it was but the work of a moment to scrawl his signature across the bottom. He sagged in his seat, relieved, as the pen slipped from his fingers and rolled across the desk.

Luce Iblis caught it. Thank you. He snatched up the contract, signed it, then tucked it into the folder with Toller's plans. He rose. My staff will be in touch.

Toller shivered again, more violently this time. He really needed to get someone to look at the air conditioning in his office. No, scratch that. With this campaign money and all the government assets he intended to sell off once he was re-elected, he'd be able to afford to build a new office.

He might even take the rest of the day off. Never mind that it was only ten in the morning. His wife would be at work, so he could call his mistress and spend the rest of the day in bed. Celebrating.

For this was the most profitable day's work he'd ever done.

TWO

You will never know the domination of Earth or Heaven. Your realm will be Hell and the boundaries of your rule.

Fall, demon. You have no dominion here or on Earth. No one will help you now.

Luce felt his body plummeting through darkness. The cold cling of cloud, the furious rush of wind, weightlessness in his limbs, yet still he fell. His body burned as if cloven in two by the sword before it was torn free, but this became his only feeling as the icy plunge took his sense of touch along with his sight. He heard the air scream past, though he couldn't summon the breath to scream. He could taste his own blood like tar in his throat and wished the torment would end.

Wonderful. Now he was having flashbacks about his first fall from Heaven. Luce waited impatiently for the memory to fade enough for reality to return.

Luce detested the falling sensation in elevators. It put him in mind of other, less pleasant memories than the satisfying victory that should be uppermost in his mind at the moment.

But the devil's work was never done, so he opened the folder and skimmed through the contents. It was everything he'd hoped it would be, and more. Making the man sell his soul in the bargain had hardly been necessary. Dick Toller already had a place reserved in Hell, and no damned soul had ever been redeemed in the five thousand years Luce had been running the place.

Five thousand years was a long time in one job, though, and it was time the Lord of Hell branched out a little. Maybe to take over Earth as well. Once he held dominion over Earth and Hell, maybe he could even take on Heaven, and prove those smug bastards Michael and Raphael wrong.

THREE

Explain to me again why this plan will work, while every other one has failed, Luce commanded, propping his feet up on his desk as he leaned back in his chair. He admired the fit of his tailored suit pants on this rather delectable human body. Even if he wasn't about to become the CEO of what would one day be the most successful corporation on Earth, no man or woman would be able to resist him. Hell, he was having trouble resisting himself. No wonder he had trouble focussing on whatever Mephistopheles was saying.

Mephistopheles gave a long-suffering sigh and rolled her eyes. If you'd listened the first or even the second time, we'd be finished already, and you'd be halfway through the selection of sinners sent up from Level Two today.

Luce's eyes lit up. Halfway? You mean there aren't many new ones today? Perhaps I could deal with them first and we could reschedule this meeting for another time. Like never.

Mephistopheles slammed her tablet on the table, her eyes glowing red with anger to match her suit.