Evan didn’t seem bothered by my criticism in the least. “Maybe that’s what your group is directed to do. But this is what ours is supposed to do. We all serve different purposes in the greater plan.”

I was sure I had an idiotic look on my face, so I tried to shift back to the alluring, seductive mode that had landed me this job in the first place. Surely it couldn’t be that difficult to sway him, particularly considering how fresh my succubus glamour was. Reaching out, I took his hand and delicately stroked it with my fingers.

“You’re doing amazing things,” I reiterated, moving closer. “Really amazing. But maybe it’s time to move on to the next level, to truly bring darkness to the world.”

His eyes studied my hand for a moment, then looked back up. His breath caught as the full effect of my glow enchanted him. He swallowed nervously. “Perhaps. But not now. This is our purpose for the time being.”

“Only because you haven’t tried something else. Maybe that’s why I’m here, why the Angel sent me: to expand your influence.” I leaned my face close to his, lips only inches away from the side of his face. “I can teach you things. All sorts of things.”

Zealous or no, I was definitely affecting him. He took another deep breath, trying to steady himself. “We’re already doing what the Angel wants.”

I ran my lips across his check, letting my tongue flick out. “Are you sure? Let me show you how we honor the Angel . . .”

He shot up abruptly and put his back to me. After several deep breaths—honestly, he was in danger of hyperventilating—he turned around to look at me. Warring desires danced in his eyes. He still had that crazy yes-man zealot look, but he also looked like he was already envisioning me naked. It was intriguing that his devotion to a largely fictitious entity could stand up to my charms, but religious fanatics had a history of being tenacious. “You’re very . . . sweet,” he said at last. “Very. But I can’t—we can’t. I mean, this is what we do. What the Army does. We can’t change that, not without talking to the others.”

Progress. I kept the smile turned on, wondering if I should keep pushing on him now or try to enthrall the whole group. I opted for the latter, largely because I could think of few things more unarousing than having sex on the black Ozzy Osbourne plush rug on the floor. Especially if Evan decided to turn on any black lights. “Of course,” I purred. “When can I meet them?”

He raked a hand through his hair, still a little hot and bothered. “Well . . . you should come to our next meeting. It’s Saturday at ten a.m. Over at the big Tim Hortons on Broadway.”

“Okay, I’ll be—” I blinked, my sultry façade faltering. “Did you say Tim Hortons?”

He recovered himself and returned to his upbeat nature. “Oh, yeah. You guys don’t have them, do you? They’re these donut shops and—”