Katenka had initially wanted a harem look for her new office but, she had found it incongruous to place a desk in that decor. She settled finally on a Victorian parlour, taking pleasure in the delicious irony. It was perfect. In polite society, Victorians were, well, Victorian. Behind closed doors...so very different — delightfully salacious.

She paced the intricately patterned carpet, in argument with herself. At least, that's how it had appeared to her receptionist Ivy. Ivy had seen the client leave, but then she continued to hear Katenka's voice. That's odd... Then again there's definitely something weird about that woman! I wish I could hear what she's saying...

"He is a member of the board. I have no wish to see him at this time mother."

"COME BACK YOU FOOL! He is our boss! You are yet untrained Zoiia, unable to roam far without a body. If you exit, he will still sense your presence, irrespective of whether you are a part of me or not. Besides, once I die the transition will become permanent. How will you hide then? You may as well get used to it." Katenka laughed. Zoiia was certain she was enjoying her discomfort.

"And if he forces me to go with him? What will you do then mother dearest? How will you survive without me?"

"I have known Asmodeus or Ashmedai as he is sometimes known, for many many years. He will not let me perish." Katenka smiled fondly.

"If you truly believe that, then you are a bigger fool than I will ever be. He is a demon mother, and you are as expendable as I am!"

"Perhaps, but right now he wants something. If I provide it, I will be rewarded — so will you by default!"

"And perhaps you will regret the cost, because there is always a cost. I know that now," Zoiia argued.

They would have continued to argue back and forth, but Ivy buzzed Katenka's office.

"Yes, Ivy?"

"Mr Ashley Medai is here for his appointment ma'am."

"Thank you, Ivy. Send him in." Zoiia swore under her breath but she re-entered Katenka. "Ash, darling." Katenka-Zoiia kissed the demon on both cheeks when he was escorted into the room by Ivy. She knew better than to address him as Asmodeus in any setting where they were not completely alone.

Asmodeus waited until Ivy had retreated to the front desk before responding. "Katenka, beautiful as always, and..." He scowled and froze Katenka's body. "Well, well, well, so that is where you went Zoiia. Lilith will not be pleased. Come out of Katenka this instance!" he commanded.

Zoiia obeyed. Away from her host body, her smoky crimson outline resembled dying embers. Her mother sunk to the floor, unconscious. "I told mother you would not be pleased my Lord, but she insisted I remain for the meeting." She pouted.

"Mother? Katenka is your mother and she agreed to your possession of her? Explain!" When Zoiia did, Asmodeus laughed long and hard. He was truly amused. "But this is perfect! Tell me honestly Zoiia, would you like a little revenge? Let me make you an offer."

"Revenge my lord? On whom?" she replied sweetly.

"On Myrddin who destroyed your body, on Rosemonde whom he loves, and on Azazael for failing to protect his High Priestess."

Well this is intriguing. He would not be plotting against Azazael, unless he believed he could win. "I am interested of course my lord," Zoiia replied carefully. "However, the last time I accepted an offer from a board member, I lost a great deal more than I gained. What is in it for me, if I accept?"

"A share in my empire," Asmodeus replied with confidence.

"What empire is that my lord?" Zoiia barely refrained from sounding mocking.

"Careful Zoiia. I am already favoured by Lucifer but if my plan succeeds, I will be seated at his right hand and you could be beside me."

"Along with ninety-nine other concubines, like the time you impersonated Solomon? I believe I deserve more than that after my service, and what I have been through."

"I agree," Asmodeus replied smoothly.

"You do?" Zoiia was still sceptical.

"I am offering you more than you think Zoiia. How did merging with Lilith make you feel?"

"It was not long enough for me to learn much, but I'll admit I enjoyed the time I had with her."

"And she, with you, Zoiia. Lilith rarely bestows praise on a host, but she genuinely liked you. So, here is my proposal: merge with her again, become one with her, and become my queen."

His queen? Is it possible? There must be a catch. "I don't understand my lord. Would Lilith leave Azazael? And if I merge with her again without a body would I not cease to be? Does that not mean death? I may not have a body now, but I am still me. I am still alive! Why would I willingly choose to lose myself — to die? How would that be of any benefit to me?" Zoiia was sure she had caught him out now. Demons, they were all the same!

Asmodeus sighed and spoke very slowly as if explaining to a child, which he supposed, was what she was. He had existed for millennia. She was barely out of the womb in comparison. "Zoiia what could you remember when you channelled Lilith?"

"I remembered everything. All my memories-"

"Oh? Just your memories or was there something more? I'm asking you to be precise now."

Zoiia gaped at him in amazement. Finally, understanding what he was offering. "My memories but also Lilith's."

"And?"

"Jezebel's, and...and a multitude of others. Yes, I see now. If only I'd had a little longer. I had all of those memories — the knowledge of thousands across millennia; and I could have accessed any of them at any time!"

She was excited now. Perhaps Azazael had tried to honour her after all. She would certainly have had power with all that knowledge. She would have gained the capability of obtaining everything she desired. Only, one man had ruined it. Myrddin. Yes, she would destroy him and perhaps by helping Asmodeus, she could also dispose of Rosemonde. That woman had more lives than a cat. She didn't particularly like Paul, but to discover that he was killed by someone so mundane...

Asmodeus smiled shrewdly. He could practically hear the gears of Zoiia's greedy brain at work. "Indeed, and you can access those memories and all of that knowledge again. Just say yes. Lilith has been working with me for some time and she would love to have you back. I just know it." He licked his lips. He was close now. He could feel it. He had thought he was merely recruiting Katenka, but this would provide both he and Lilith with so much more.

Zoiia was pensive. "What about mother? I am bound to her. I took a magical oath. Unfortunately, it is already done."

"I won't lose Katenka. She will also be merged. I propose that you use another's body, someone young and healthy. But take on the appearance of Lilith, permanently. It will avoid complications. You are supposed to be dead. Katenka is dying, but Lilith can return to the modern world without too much drama. Be my queen."

Yes! I will be queen. I deserve this, but I will be cautious this time. "I am intrigued." Zoiia favoured him with her carnivorous smile. "Where is Lilith now? I need assurance from her that she agrees with your plan."

Asmodeus grinned. "Lilith is here, of course. She is having fun outside. Being the mother that she is to succubi, and this being a brothel named for one of the most beloved of her students, she couldn't resist. Why don't you call her?"

Zoiia closed her eyes and concentrated on Lilith. She sensed her in one of the themed rooms. An obese businessman was waiting impatiently for his favourite girl. He had fallen asleep with a smile on his face and had entered an erotic dream. Lilith was hungry, so she had taken advantage of his lust to feed ravenously as he dozed... Once the girl entered the room, the paramedics would be called, the cardiac arrest reported.

Zoiia suppressed a smile. She wished Lilith had taught her how to feed without a body. If she agreed to Asmodeus' proposal, she would soon learn. She would learn so very much.

"Zoiia? It IS you! I am pleased to see you again." Lilith entered the office, completely disregarding Katenka's prone body. Her smoky blue form settled beside Asmodeus. "You took your sweet time leaving your mangled shell. If you hadn't been so tardy, we'd have reunited much sooner. What happened?"

"Well, there was this light-"

Lilith roared with laughter. "You actually tried that? You foolish child! That would have been painful for you, to say the least. Poor Zoiia. You have so much to learn."

"And you are willing to teach me, my lady?"

"ABSOLUTELY! Dearest I haven't felt the loss of a host so acutely in ages. You are definitely one of my favourites. Why, I think I like you as much as I did Jezebel!"

Asmodeus smiled seductively. "High praise indeed, considering what we have planned. What say you now, Zoiia? Will you be our new Jezebel? Will you claim what she has bequeathed you?"

Zoiia returned his smile, "Teach me."