Hell's Kitty (Welcome To Hell) (3 page)

The girl certainly has lungs.
Felipe didn’t quite wince, but it was close, especially since she uttered the shrill scream just inches from his ears.

“I guess I should
excuse myself for startling you.” A polite apology, something Lucifer would hate, but Felipe had learned over the years the value of a strategic excuse, especially where women were concerned.

“What did you do to my aunt?”
she demanded, her voice a low, sultry buzz that, while not on the same songbird pleasant level of the woman who met him by the dock, actually made his inner kitty want to purr.

“Do you mean the blonde who came to greet me and the boatman?”

“Yes, her. What did you do to her?” she asked, a tiny line forming between her brows.

“Nothing. I just asked her if she could point me in the direction of one Jenny
of the isle, and she told me to look up here.”

“She did
?” The girl blinked in surprise and moved away from the edge to sit on her haunches, her gown puddled in a heap around her.

Felipe used her momentary distraction to vault himself over the edge. The precarious stairs cut into the rock were more suited to a mountain goat or his hellcat shape than a man—no matter how nimbly the blonde siren skipped down them.

On even ground, he perused the chit before him. Unlike the voluptuous blonde siren who met him, this girl was … different. For one, her hair was a striated green color, ranging from a deep almost black green to a pale almost blonde. It hung in rumpled waves around her head and gave her the appearance of having just rolled out of bed—after a lively night of lovemaking.
Meow.

Her skin was pale
and almost pearl-like in its luminosity while her lips were the pink of rose petals. As for her eyes, they were the dark blue of a stormy sea and fixed on him with curiosity and suspicion.

He couldn’t tell much about her shape other than she seemed to possess an impressive set of tits, the kind a man could bury his face in and blow satisfying raspberries.
Overall, she was cute, and his inner kitty urged him to get closer, maybe rub against her and…

“What manner of ear protection are you wearing? I can’t see it.”

“I’m not wearing any.” Because he’d learned by accident some time ago that the sirens’ songs didn’t affect him. Something he’d not mentioned to Lucifer when trying to back out of the mission, but which he suspected the Dark Lord already knew.

“
You’re not? And you can hear me?”

What an odd question. “Of course I can. Would we be having this conversation otherwise?”

“And you’re sane?”

He couldn’t help but chuckle. “I guess that depends on who you ask.”

“I mean, you don’t feel an urge to throw yourself off the cliff? Claw out your own eyes? Choke yourself? Jab needles in your ears?”

As her list went on and one, his eyes widened until with her, “
Have an urge to eat brains?”, he halted her. “Slow down, sweetheart. If you’re asking if I have any suicidal, homicidal, or cannibalistic desires currently on my mind, then the answer is no.”

She seemed even more flummoxed than before. “Not even one?
You feel nothing?”

“Well, if you’re asking how I feel, then I am a tad hungry
. The culinary skills of the boatman left much to be desired. And maybe a touch tired.” The sunlight called to his kitty to find a warm patch and curl up for a nap. He also didn’t mention the slightly horny state he found himself in. That wasn’t something any male blurted aloud unless drunk or in the company of nymphs. And even then, a male should be careful.

Arousal around any group of nymphs was akin to throwing a slab of steak to a hellhound after a day spent on patrol. You were likely to get devoured
. You just might not survive it.

“This is incredible,” she mumbled.

If she was talking about him, then yes, he’d have to agree. He would even love to show her. He bet her hair would look lovely fanned across a pillow with her skirts hiked high around those creamy, surely plump thighs of hers. Incredible wouldn’t be the only word she’d use to describe him once he was done pleasuring her.

Slow down, kitty.
Curtailing that line of thought, he brought himself back to the mission at hand. “As I said before, I’m looking for someone. A girl named Jenny. Do you know her?”

“Yes. Very well you could say.”
The pink lips curved.

His cock
swelled and urged him to get closer, as in between her legs, skin-to-skin closer.
Down, boy.
Answers first, then seduction. “Is she nearby?”

“Closer than you’
d expect.” The girl leaned forward and stared at him. “You really aren’t affected, are you?”

By her presence?
Oddly enough yes. But he wasn’t about to admit it. “No. Now, if you don’t mind, much as I’m enjoying our conversation, I really need to find this Jenny person.”

“What for?”

He bit back a sigh. “Because I need to talk to her.”

“About?”

It might have taken him longer than it should have, but Felipe finally clued in. “You’re Jenny, aren’t you?”

“Maybe.”

“Don’t maybe me. Are you or aren’t you?”

“I am. So now
that you know, will you answer why you want me?”

I want you because you’ve got incredible lips, fascinating hair
, and a mouth that really needs a set of lips, my lips actually, to stop the never-ending questions.
He instead settled on, “I’m supposed to bring you back to the inner circle of Hell to meet with Lucifer.”

He expected a few reactions
—an adamant no, maybe more questions, possibly even tears begging him not to take her. What he got was laughter, a laughter that vibrated every one of his nerves, a laughter that had his inner feline rolling onto its back in ecstasy, purring, and an urge to drop to his knees and kiss the perfect, chuckling lips.

I’m bewitched!

Of all the things she expected the handsome stranger to say, his wanting to escort her to meet with Lucifer wasn’t on the list.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to let me in on the joke because I don’t get it,” he said, interrupting her mirth with a grouchy query.

“Sorry. It’s just you’re the first person to ever come looking for me, which in and of itself is, well, kind of amazing. And then you tell me you want to take me to visit the Lord of the Pit.” She shrugged. “I’m not even sure why that’s funny
. It just is. I mean, are you sure he said Jenny? There have got to be a lot of Jennys. What makes you think I’m the one?”

“Are there any other
Jennys on the island?”

“No.”

“Then you’re the one.”

Stranger and
stranger, just like him. But that she could solve. “Who are you?”

“Felipe.”

“That doesn’t tell me much.”

A wicked arch of one brow went well with the
tilt of his lips. “Are we exchanging life histories? Fine. Here’s mine in a nutshell. Orphaned as a cub, I was taken in by a kind witch who raised me as her beloved pet until I got old enough to get a job, find a place of my own, and move out. I enjoy getting drunk with my friends, wenching, getting into catfights and antagonizing hellhounds. In my spare time, I do work for Lucifer, usually because I need to do something to get back in his good graces. I’m not much one for rules.”

The more he spoke, the rounder her eyes surely grew. His story sounded fine except for one sticky part. “Beloved pet?” What woman would treat a child like that
?

He chuckled. “Before you go getting the wrong idea, I guess I should mention I’m a shapeshifter.
A hellcat to be precise.”

“A cat? Really? Can I see?”
She’d not gotten many chances to interact with animals given most of them died before she’d finished saying, ‘Aren’t you just the cutest thing.’

“
Maybe later. We really should get moving if we don’t want our boatman to sail away on the next tide without us.”

“I’d worry more about my aunts adding him to their collection. Pickings have been slim lately. The Bermuda
Triangle hasn’t been sending as many ships this way as in the past. Apparently, the mortal realm sailors are getting better at avoiding it.” The aunts had spoken a lot recently of either getting the interdimensional rip moved or having a new one created. They’d yet to progress past the talking stage since the creation of new tears in reality was costly and difficult.

“Then we should hurry.”

“You expect me to rush off with you on the basis of your word without talking first to my aunts or packing anything?”

“Well, yeah. I mean, I kind of hoped.” He shot her an engaging smile
, and she almost found herself saying yes.

She frowned instead. “You say Lucifer sent you. He’s the one in charge of Hell
, right?”

“The one and only.”

“How intriguing. My history lessons speak of the circles and their leader.” But Jenny had found the subject dull and didn’t pay much attention. Who cared about a place she’d never visit and a man she’d never meet? “What does he want me for?”

“He wouldn’t say.”

“Well, it doesn’t really matter. Want me or not, even if I decided to go, I couldn’t.”

“Why not?”

“The monsters of the Styx and the Darkling Sea seem to take issue with me leaving the isle. The last time I attempted to go for a boat ride, they sank us less than a league out.” For some reason, Jenny was confined to the island. The other sirens could come and go as they pleased, but Jenny? For all intents and purpose, Jenny was a prisoner.

“
I am aware of your dilemma. That’s why Lucifer sent me. You could say the beasts in the river and I have an understanding.”

“You can speak to them?”

“More like eat them, but since they both have to do with my mouth, I’d say they’re close enough to be considered the same.” His lips split in a wide smile, which showcased a mischievous dimple. “So, what do you say? Are you coming with me?”

Jenny’s tummy did that funny thing again.
Supper must approach.

Leave? Leave the one place that accepted her for who she was, whatever she was?
Frightening and exciting all at the same time. “I need time to think about it, and speak to my aunts.”

“But the boat—
”

“Will be fine
, as will your pilot,” Raidne said, interrupting them. She crested the cliff, skirts held in one hand, displaying her rounded calves. “He’s not my type anyhow. Why don’t you follow Jenny back to her cave and spend the night? We can gather in the morning to discuss your plans.”

Jenny
practically squeaked in shock. Her aunt wanted her to take this virtual stranger to her home, alone. What if he attempted to ravish her or something?
I should be so lucky.

“I guess spending one night
wouldn’t hurt. Lead the way, ladies.”

Linking her arm through Jenny’s, Raidne le
d the way, hips swinging, skirts swishing. Casting a less-than-discreet glance over shoulder, Jenny noted Felipe followed at a slower pace, taking in the islands sights. Facing forward again, Jenny hissed, “What’s going on?”

“
Whatever do you mean, dear child?”

“Don’t dear child me
. Not your type? So long as they’re still breathing any man is your type, and I thought our caves were off limits to men. Isn’t that what the love shacks are for?” And, yes, that was as tawdry as it sounded. Ensorcelled prisoners were given little cabanas, which basically consisted of a large bed and washroom facilities. While sirens had uses for men, it didn’t extend to companionship outside the bedroom.

“Our new friend here isn’t a conquest but a guest. Guests are treated differently.”

“I wouldn’t know. We’ve never had a male guest before.”

Raidne’s lip c
urled with disdain. “Because our usual visitors lack balls. But not this Felipe fellow. He’s got a strong will to go with his big muscles. A shame we can’t play with him.”

“Why not?” Jenny had never known the sirens to abstain from anyone before.

“You heard the man. Lucifer wants you.”

“And for that reason alone, Felipe is off limits?”

“All of Lucifer’s special soldiers are, even we are not so foolish as to cross the Dark Lord. And messing with one of his minions on a mission would definitely accomplish that.”

“So why even the pretense of discussion? If you’re so scared of him, then why aren’t I already sailing away?”

“Because, dear child, one doesn’t simply give in at the first request. Have we taught you nothing? Always play hard to get. Find out as much as you can before you gracefully give in.”

“
Find out what, though? Felipe has already stated he doesn’t know what Lucifer wants me for.”

“
Yet, it must be important because, despite Thelxiope telling him no over the phone, he felt a need to dispatch one of his more accomplished and handsome minions to complete the task.”

“You mean you already know of Lucifer’s demand for my presence?”

“Oh, did we forget to mention it? Yes, we were aware and, of course, answered on your behalf. Thelxy told him no.”

“I’m confused. Didn’t you just say you shouldn’t cross him?”

“Yes, but as I also said, we couldn’t just say yes. It would set a bad precedence. We do have a reputation to maintain. And I think Thelxy was kind of hoping to goad the Dark One to pay us a visit in person. The man is a veritable machine in the bedroom, and his stamina…” Raidne let out a dreamy sigh. “But ever since he hooked up with that goody two shoes, Gaia, he no longer plays the field. He’s now monogamous. Who would have thought we’d ever see the day when the world’s most renowned player would tether his balls.”

When it came to lovers, the sirens held the opinion variety was best.
“Can we get back on track instead of discussing your sex life?”

“If you insist
, although I personally think my coital pursuits are of more interest than a short phone call. Lucifer called. Asked if he could borrow you. Big sis said no, I said maybe, Lucifer said he’d send a man, end of story.”

“No, not end of story. Why is it no
one thought to ask me?”

“Do you want to go?”

Jenny’s first impulse was to say no. The island was all she knew. Her aunts the only ones to not run and scream when she spoke. Or were until Felipe came along. Were there more people like him in the nine circles of Hell? Could she explore past her current boundaries and see what else life had to offer a girl who was neither mermaid nor siren?

“
I wouldn’t be averse to seeing the world a bit.”

“Then it’s settled. You can leave in the morn with the handsome cat.”

Trust her aunt to make it seem so simple. “But what of the Styx monsters? You know they won’t let me leave.”

“The hellcat seems to think he can get past them.”

“And if he’s wrong?”

Raidne shrugged. “Then he’ll get eaten. Really, Jenny
, you need to stop with the pessimism. I know your life here isn’t all you could wish. Can you really tell me you’re not tempted to take a chance and go with the young fellow and see what Lucifer wants? What lies beyond our rocky shores?”

Raidne’s observation so closely mirrored her own thoughts that she could almost wonder if she’d read her mind.
Or just understands me better than I give her credit for.

Ever since her abandonment, Jenny struggled with trust. While he
r adopted aunts had welcomed her with open arms, she feared one day they too would drug her and dump her, no longer willing to deal with her flaws.
If my own mother couldn’t love me, then how can I expect anyone else to?

“Hey,” Raidne whispered against her ear. “Don’t turn around, but
I do believe the handsome cat is checking out your ass.”

He was what? Despite being told not to, Jenny’s head swiveled
, and indeed, she caught Felipe, a few yards behind, staring unabashedly. At least she assumed he felt no shame, given the wide smile and wink he tossed her.

Cheeks flaming, she quickly turned away, but she couldn’t stop her racing pulse.
Why did he have such an effect on her? What did it mean? Would it get worse?

I hope not because
I am taking him to my cave, and I really don’t want to embarrass myself.
By all the sand in the ocean, she hoped she’d not left any underwear on the floor.