A Job From Hell (Ancient Legends #1)

the rules say no mortal may ever be harmed, Your
Highness?”
    “The mortal’s alive and well, isn’t she?” Layla snapped. “If they were truly my rules, she could as
well be bludgeoned to death for all I care.”
    I breathed out, relieved that Layla couldn’t change her mother’s legacy no matter how
hard she tried to match her in strength. “Once everyone finds out a mortal’s
carrying the prize, she’ll be hunted down and forced to use it to their
advantage. Shadows have already tried to kidnap her. I urge you to strip her of
her powers before something happens to her. You know it’s just a matter of
time.”
    Layla’s eyes blazed with sudden interest. “Why do you care so much?”
    “I don’t.” I tried to keep my cool. Layla was jealous of true love. If I admitted I had
feelings for Amber, Layla would break the rules and
execute us. “I worry about you, about the fate that might befall you if the
rules were broken. Please reconsider.” I grabbed her hand again. “You’ve been a
kind ruler. Ever since you took over, the court’s been thriving. We don’t want
to lose you.” It was a big, fat lie. Few would actually care if she disappeared
and never came back.
    Layla’s face softened. She believed me, sucking in every deceitful word.
Appealing to her ego might just change her mind.
    I continued, “Strip the mortal of her
powers and hold another race, Your Highness. To demonstrate my honesty and
loyalty, I promise I won’t participate. The mortal doesn’t know how to use the
gift yet. She won’t even notice it’s gone, so there’s no danger of exposure.”
    A succubus floated past, feet barely
reaching the ground under flowing, transparent layers of chiffon as she
whispered in Layla’s ear. The goddess raised her
eyebrows. With a flick of her hand, she sent the succubus tumbling against the
wall, then smiled at me, sweetly. “The mortal’s keeping the prize. This meeting’s
over.” She turned her back on me as if I just ceased to exist. To her, I was a
mere inconvenience sitting at her feet like an adoring slave.
    “There’s something else I need to discuss
with you, Your Highness. Please, “ I said before she forgot about me. Layla spun, brows furrowed.
    “There you go again, killing the mood.” She
sighed. “Make it quick, then.”
    “Last time you employed my services, I
brought you Pharaoh Tutankhamen’s ring which you so desired. On top of my
wages, you promised one favor. I’m taking you up on the offer. Here’s what I
want: take the mortal’s prize back.” I regarded her through imploring eyes. Layla couldn’t go back on her word. She still needed my
services.
    “Did I say that?” She shrugged. “I can’t
remember, but the answer’s no.”
    Fury throbbed between my eyes. “I risked
everything to find you that lost ring. I wasted loads of cash and time, and
barely escaped death in the hot Egyptian sun.” I blinked to suppress my rage. “How
can you say you don’t remember?”
    “And I paid you quite handsomely. I don’t
deny that you’re my best bounty hunter.” She winked. “Because that you are.”
    “I might not be for long.”
    She looked away for a moment, getting the
hint, probably considering what she’d be losing in the future. Eventually she
said, “My entire kingdom’s at your disposal, but I can’t grant you this
particular wish.”
    I knew instinctively it was the best I’d
get from her today, the best anyone might ever get. “Thank you for your
consideration. I’ll move on to my next wish then. A seat in court for
Cassandra, daughter of the Dark Lord.”
    “What do you get if the chaos angel enters
the court?” Layla seemed amused but not aversive to the
idea. All wasn’t lost yet.
    “She’s a friend. I’m doing her a favor, not
the other way around. I suspect she wants to learn from a real master like you,”
I said.
    “Very well. She may have a seat.” Layla turned, heading for the door.
    I trailed after her, staying a few feet
behind. “Not just any seat. Promise me you’ll make her the new ambassador.” Not
that her word was worth a darn.
    “You give the word ‘dead’ a whole new
meaning. You’re lucky I’m a sucker for hotties .
Ambassador, then. She won’t last a fortnight.” Layla burst out the door, ready to torture the next soul or whatever it was that took
her fancy these days.
    I pulled out my fire whip before the succubi came nearer and made my way out. Now I’d need a
good scrubbing before I