Underworld Lover (A Guardian Angel Romance #2) by haron Hamilton Read Free Book Online Page B

entertainment a good dark angel would ever want.
    He shouldered his way through the crowd as he trudged down the stairwell. There had been a recent series of true deaths in the Undertown quadrant, more than Josh had remembered. Something new was going on, all over the Underworld. So maybe there was a “Coming” after all, like his sponsor and mentor, Brutus, had warned him.
    Josh relaxed slightly as he inhaled the sandalwood and cigar smoke that filled the stairwell. It irritated his sensitive nose. At the bottom of the steps he let out an explosive sneeze, which wrenched his neck. He needed to get rid of the stiffness in his upper body. Nothing a good strong elixir and some recreational sex couldn’t remedy.
    He made it to his favorite microbrewery, the Blue Raven. The place was packed, even though it was barely dark. A couple of nude female dancers were gyrating in a metal cage as best they could to a pounding beat. They were connected to one side of the cage with a leash and studded collar. Patrons tried to grab at their feet but often got their hands pierced with a well-placed stiletto heel. Since the angels would heal within minutes, it was all fun and games. And some were into the pain of it.
    A man named Willard was the bartender and manager of the pub, although, like everything, the Underworld actually owned the Blue Raven. Private and business property rights had been disallowed hundreds of years ago. Even the citizens of the city were property of the Underworld. This was why Josh spent as much time “up top” in the human realm, where he could breathe freely and at least have the illusion of being in control of his own destiny.
    Josh leaned in on the glowing amber bar, one boot on the brass kick rail, and waved down Willard. He wondered how the man got to keep his “stage” name, as they liked to call their human label.
    “Hey, Josh. Been awhile, man.” Willard gave him the grip of greeting and settled his hands behind the bar, waiting for Josh’s order. The bartender’s face was pasty and pockmarked, but his lips were bright red, a sure sign he was into using RedEcstasy on a regular basis. Josh was surprised at this. Another change.
    Since the recent introduction of the raging red elixir, said to be laced with a highly addictive drug, a definite change had occurred in the demeanor of the population of the Underworld. On one hand, the red syrup seemed to heighten certain sexual urges, but it generated a craving that left the “host” begging for larger and larger doses. This lack of self-control Josh didn’t appreciate, and so stayed away from the drug.
    “Willard. You old fart. You messin’ with the Red stuff?”
    This drew a smile across the old angel’s face, made almost comical by the stain of red on his teeth. “If you can’t lick ‘em, join ‘em. Here, try one.” He poured a brew from the tap that was as red as blood, with an attractive pink head on top, and handed it to Josh.
    It glowed in the dull light coming off the yellow slab of amber. Josh held it up. He had to admit, it was a beautiful color, more like that of a nice cabernet, which was where his tastes leaned.
    “I’m not sure, my friend, that this is safe to drink.” Josh set the glass down on the bar and stared into Willard’s disappointed eyes. “You got any Sexual Apricot?”
    Willard shrugged. “Suit yourself.” His back half turned, he poured Josh a small tumbler of thick golden liquid from a squat bottle, then placed it before Josh with a clink of glass on amber as he set it down. Even the mixture had a touch of peach in it, indicating some RedEcstasy was present.
    “Willard, don’t you wash your glasses? You’ve got RedEcs in it.”
    “Can’t help it. It’s in everything now. Nobody minds.” He leaned into the counter on his elbows and forearms. “Since when did you become a purist?”
    That was a comment Josh didn’t expect to get. It also indicated Josh would not be able to ask the questions he was dying