The Babet & Prosper Collection I: One Less Warlock, Magrat's Dagger, A Different Undead, and Bad Juju by Judith Post

Author:Judith Post
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: urban fantasy, fantasy, witches, demons, necromancer, shapeshifters, voodoo, shifters
Publisher: Dystel and Goderich Literary Management

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Lillith looked as ravishing as usual with her wavy, honey-colored hair framing her perfect face and a low-cut gown displaying ample bosom. Babet hated to admit it, but part of the reason she went to extra effort when she visited here was that sharing the same room with the original succubus could make any woman feel dowdy, even after going to extra bother with hair and makeup. She’d come here once, unprepared, and felt like last week’s leftovers. Never again. Her ego couldn’t survive it.

A young, female vampire sat beside Lillith today. Not the usual vampire girl. Most were unnaturally attractive. This girl was plain to the point of mousey.

Without introductions, Lillith looked at the girl and said, “Virgine, tell Babet about your nocturnal visits along the river walks.”

The girl flushed furiously when Babet turned to look at her and lowered her head.

Lillith sighed. “Virgine’s shy. She usually avoids attention. I keep telling her that we could glamour her up and send her out to clients, but she won’t do it. Has a Cinderella complex. She’d rather scurry around as a servant. Won’t take sips from humans either. Even though some have offered. She’ll only drain strays, lots of rats and cats.”

Babet shook her head. “I don’t understand. Does this have something to do with Celeste?”

“Virgine.” There was an edge to Lillith’s voice.

The girl looked up, clasped her hands together in her lap, and dove in. “I can always find enough food along the river and in the alleys behind the restaurants that line the walks there.”

Babet could believe that. The city had done its best to make the area a tourist attraction, lining the streets with bricks, installing old-fashioned lamp posts, and planting dozens of flower boxes on shop windows. When it became obvious Virgine wasn’t going to say more, Babet tried to encourage her. “Have you had trouble there lately?”

Lillith slanted the girl a look.

Virgine took a deep breath. “There’s nothing. Something’s wiped out every rat and stray.”

Babet frowned, trying to read some kind of implication into that fact. She came up empty. Turning to Lillith, she said, “I don’t get it.”

It was Babet’s turn to get the look. Lillith shook her head. “You’re a witch. What do witches need to cast dark magic?”

“Oh.” Suddenly, Babet got the point. “Blood.”

Lillith smiled as though rewarding a small child for a job well done. Babet wasn’t fond of playing the part of the slow-witted companion, but she’d earned it this time. Lillith’s expression turned serious. “I know witches who practice black magic use blood, but a witch couldn’t bring back Celeste, could she?”

There was no reason to sidestep the question. “Yes.” Babet’s answer surprised Lillith, she could tell. She hurried on. “But why go to the bother when she could summon a demon instead?”

Lillith narrowed her eyes, considering that. “You’re right. A demon’s more powerful and versatile. So it must be someone who doesn’t have enough magic to control one. Who else can bring a person back in the flesh? Someone besides witches?”

Babet rubbed her arms.

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