The Devil's Beat (The Devil's Mark) (35 page)

“It would be beyond terrible beyond imagining, my boy. It would tarnish my reputation and ruin my perfect record!”

“Oh, horror of horrors,” said Max dryly.

Lucian scowled at him. “And it would make me very, very, cranky.”

“Oh.”

“Oh, indeed. So, you see Max, you really don't have a choice here.”

Max looked at him levelly. “No, I guess I don't.”

Lucian beamed at him. “Excellent! I always said you were my shining star! A paragon of reason and intellect—as well as a terrific singer!” Lucian clapped his hands together. “Well, now that is settled, I must be off. Places to be, souls to buy, you know how it is.”

Max watched Lucian turn and leave. He shook his head and wondered how he was going to tell Eunice and Lucian “go to hell” without invoking their wrath.

Max drew a deep breath and tried to put it out of his mind. He was successful enough for the next thought he didn't want to face to bubble to the surface. What if God really hadn't healed him? What if he wasn't forgiven? If it was just another trick by Lucian to drag him further to hell, could he still play? His stomach churned as it tried to vomit out this new poison. Max ran to the bathroom.

A few days later, Max sat with Alice in the heat of the Mississippi night surrounded by the sounds of the woods.

“You sure you don't mind?” asked Max a bit uncertainly. Even though this would only be a performance for one, it was for someone who had become very important to Max, and it mattered what she thought.

Alice said, “Of course, don't be silly, Max, I want to hear it.”

A deep feeling of satisfaction filled Max. In this one perfect moment, he felt redeemed. Regardless of whether it was another trick by Lucian, or a gift from god, regardless of what happened next: voodoo queens, monsters, or unrequited love, he would have this. It was more than he had ever expected just weeks ago. Somehow, when he wasn't looking, his ridiculous, precious house, and the new people in his life had brought back his desire to live. That alone was priceless, no matter how fleeting. In two weeks, Anisha would arrive for the biggest audition of her life. It was a real life drama, centuries in the making, and its outcome rested in the hands of an ancient killer and a modern actress. Tomorrow, Vlad would be at the orthodontist to see what might be done about his teeth.

Max brought his wandering mind back to the present, precious moment, willing to let the future take care of itself. He strummed a few opening chords, before Alice interrupted him. She said, “What's it called?”

Max smiled. “The Devil's Beat.”

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