Kiss of Surrender by Sandra Hill Read Free Book Online Page A

Jasper turned to Haroun.
    “We took a dozen Al-Qaeda members just last week, Lucifer be praised,” Haroun informed him. “And many soldiers of all countries who were at their tipping points for sin. Most important, I am well pleased with the progress we are making in turning Najid bin Osama, who, as you know, is from my territory. It helps that he is the long lost son of Osama bin Laden, one of dozens of his sons, lost or otherwise.”
    “And a wonderful job you are doing with him, Haroun.”
    “By the by,” Heinrich interrupted, “Satan is having a grand time ‘playing’ with Osama bin Laden down there in his deluxe suite.” Heinrich grinned, which, with his fangs exposed, gave him a most ludicrous expression, like a clown.
    Ignoring Heinrich, Jasper addressed Haroun once again. “The havoc Najid is creating worldwide is leading to something special, I presume.”
    “Most definitely.” Haroun passed folders to everyone at the table. “September 11 of this year, the anniversary of that most infamous event, we have planned multiple events around the world.”
    Everyone skimmed the documents, and various members of the council praised Haroun’s efforts.
    “Well done, Haroun! Well done!!” Jasper said, clapping his hands. The others joined in.
    After each of the other commanders discussed issues of importance in their territories, with special emphasis on newly killed humans and newly created Lucipires, there was another round of applause. Five hundred and sixteen kills in the past three months! Not bad!
    “Master?” Heinrich said then, raising his hand for attention.
    Jasper wasn’t fooled by the sudden deference, but he tilted his head in recognition.
    “Lucifer has a particular interest in the Special Forces Project that was started recently. Can we hear more about this?”
    “Haroun is heading that project, as well.” Jasper sat down and gave the floor to Haroun.
    The Arab stood. “As we all know, for many centuries our emphasis has been on increasing our kills and expanding our ranks, part of that through reorganization around the world.” He nodded to others around the table for emphasis. “But then, several months ago, a suggestion was made that we could increase our stature if we were able to add some of the military special forces to our side. Although we don’t have any firm ‘recruits’ yet, there have been ten initial fangings that we intend to follow through on. Two of them are Navy SEALs, two Delta Force, two Mossad, two British SAS, and two Russian Spetsnaz.”
    “I thought our goal was to get some vangels in our nets, especially one of the seven VIK. I would love to nab one of those seven brothers.” Yakov, the Russian Cossack, licked his lips at the prospect of such pleasure.
    “Wouldn’t we all?” Dominique remarked. “The things I could do with one of The Seven! Pleasure-pain is my specialty, you know.”
    Yes, they all knew!
    “Aren’t we overextending ourselves a bit?” Zebulan asked.
    Jasper could feel Heinrich stiffen beside him. Any opinion the Hebrew extended would be rejected by Heinrich out of hand.
    “Wouldn’t we be better off directing our energies where they would be most effective . . . the general population?” Zebulan continued. “Those special forces guys are a breed apart. I mean, they might be wild on occasion, but bravery and fidelity and discipline and all those graces are hard to dilute with a sin taint.”
    “We just have to work harder on those fellows,” Heinrich interjected.
    Any more interjecting, and Jasper was going to interject something in him. And wasn’t it ironic how Heinrich always said we but never managed to exert himself into any significant doing.
    “And, by the way, there are female SEALs now, too,” Heinrich interjected, then ducked his head when he realized he’d spoken out of turn again.
    “Did you see all the press on those Navy SEALs when they took down Bin Laden? Superheroes turned into demons? I don’t see it