The bustling sight of the central market in the First Realm welcomed him as usual. Vendors hawked their goods. People haggled. Crates of merchandise were being unloaded from huge wagons. The air was filled with the thick aroma of meat charred on hot coals and bread baked in the brick oven. Jean-Luc sniffed the delicious scent and walked to his favourite food stall. He hadn’t had his fill since he’d reported to the Pit last night. He didn’t know why, but each time he came back from the Pit, he was always in the mood for grilled meat. Strange.
Jean-Luc opened the tent flap and settled at the table near the grilling pit. Other customers avoided that particular table, but Jean-Luc liked the heat. The fiery embers peeking beneath the sizzling meats gave him strange comfort. It was just like the Pit. The servant nodded in his direction and scurried to his table, bringing him his favourite liquor. Jean-Luc placed his order and thanked him.
A hand slapped on his shoulder as he was about to pour his drink. “Fancy meeting you here,” a deep voice said.
Jean-Luc turned his head and saw his close friend Adrian Storke, a Reaper, joining his table. Adrian brought his plate of meat and started munching on his food.
“Where’ve you been?” Jean-Luc asked.
“Should ask you the same thing. Haven’t seen you around.”
“Been busy.” Jean-Luc filled his cup with the amber liquid and took a long gulp. He winced as the burning liquor slithered past his throat.
“The gigolo job?” Adrian guessed.
Jean-Luc snorted. “You knew?”
“It’s the talk of the town. Heard Basso put you on suspension until Lucifer returns.”
“A vacation. And the damned one I really need.”
Adrian turned to snort. “You? Vacation? You’re shitting me.”
“Do I look like I’m shitting you?”
The Reaper gave him a curious look. “Sure. Vacation. Did Basso tell you to lie low?”
“No.
Why?”
Adrian swiped Jean-Luc’s drink and gulped it down. “Heard me some rumours, too.” He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
“About?”
“Lilith wasn’t happy with the way things were being handled. She wants her gigolo back.”
“Why, of course.”
“The Duke wants the gigolo to do the time, while Lucifer is rumoured to want no part of the quarrel.”
“I thought Lucifer was on vacation.”
“To wash his hands of this clusterfuck. Seems you’re one ungodly lucky son of a bitch, stuck between a rock and hard place.”
“Think Lilith wants to use me to get her boytoy back?”
“That’s what I’ve heard. Just want to give you a heads up. What are you up to these days?”
“Doing nothing.”
“Good. Keep doing nothing. Go under the floorboards where nobody can find you. I heard Lilith has sent Jezebel to smooth things out.”
Jean-Luc gave a strained groan. He’d crossed paths once or twice in the past with the infamous succubus. Jezebel was twice the royal pain in the ass as her mistress. The bitch never took no for an answer. “Great. Just great.”
The waiter came with his order. A plate of scrumptious grilled meat was placed before him. His appetite had already vanished, however. Jean-Luc stabbed a fork into the pile of sliced beef and shovelled into his mouth. He chewed it without tasting.
Adrian noticed his change of mood. “Something on your mind?”