“That’s right, big boy, because you’ll always be a monster to them. Their lives will always be short, confusing, and pointless, and nothing you do will change them. Don’t go. This is mankind’s problem. Let them handle it. You belong with me. We’re two of a kind. I’m never bored when you’re around, and I simply can’t abide being bored.” She had to stand on her tiptoes to nibble on the back of his ear. She didn’t even draw blood. “Stay with me. Let me make you happy.”

“Don’t tempt me.”

“I’m a temptress. That’s sort of my thing.”

“You’re good at it.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet.”

The egg timer dinged. The Elixir was done cooking. Franks abruptly shook Lana off and removed the pot from the stove. “I’m still leaving.”

That really pissed her off. “So I’m just your demonic booty call!”

Franks stuck the remaining ingredients back into the case. “That part was your idea. I just needed someone to go shopping and help with surgery.”

“You want me to fix you a sandwich too?” she snapped.

“That would be nice.” Franks closed the case. “Make it to go.”

The succubus let out an inarticulate shriek of rage. Her eyes had turned violet and she’d grown black claws from the ends of her fingers. “You prick!”

Franks did not understand why he had that effect on women. “We’re even. You’ll want to hide until this over. Kurst will destroy anyone who helped me.”

“You should have told me that part first. That would have been the decent thing to do.”

“I suppose.” It was odd to be chided for a lack of decency by a succubus.

“You’re a heartless bastard, Franks.”

That was incorrect. He had two hearts. “Thank you for helping.”

She had not been expecting thanks. Lana was still seething, but at least her claws and fangs had retracted. “Fine. Go get yourself destroyed. See if I care. Take your slime and get out!” She stormed away.

Careful not to waste any, Franks began pouring the Elixir into a thermos.

Lana stuck her head around the corner. “I hope you win. Kurst is an ass. I’ve got a full social calendar. The apocalypse would crimp my style.”

For a soul-leeching demon, Lana really wasn’t all bad.

* * *

“I’ve got something!”

Everyone in the command center perked up. Stricken walked over behind the excited computer geek. A quick glance at the screen confirmed he was listening in on recordings of intercepted phone calls. “What’ve you got?”

“A tip to one of the Monster Hunters.” The geek pushed a button, putting the call on the speaker.

He recognized the voice of Rick Armstrong, head of Paranormal Tactical Consulting. “Is this who I think it is?”