Hell's Belles. Jackie Kessler

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      Praise for HELL’S BELLES

      “Kessler’s debut novel will captivate fans of Sherrilyn Kenyon and Laurell K. Hamilton from the very first page. The novel is steamy, humorous, and fast paced, with tons of imagery and symbols that take it to a deeper level, similar to that of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series.”

      —Romantic Times

      “Ms. Kessler has hit the jackpot with this debut novel of dark fantasy. Hell’s Belles offers something for everyone: devilishly witty humor, a sassy heroine, a hunky hero, and demonic creatures; what more could a reader ask for? Don’t miss it!”

      —PNR Reviews

      “Had me hooked from the first sentence…I’ll be reading this one again and again.”

      —MaryJanice Davidson, New York Times bestselling author

      “With characters that are intriguing and fully developed and a plot that’s out of this world, this is a fabulous start to the ‘Hell on Earth’ series. Hell’s Belles will enchant paranormal fans.”

      —Romance Reviews Today

      Praise for THE ROAD TO HELL

      “A deliciously wicked story that mixes romance and humor with dark urban fantasy.”

      —Romantic Times

      “Jezebel is a refreshingly angst-free character, cheerfully libidinous and very, very funny. This fun, fast-paced series works as urban fantasy or paranormal romance. There’s some great world-building here and an intriguingly subversive mythology, served up with a breezy tone that fits the heroine perfectly.”

      —Elaine Cunningham, author of Shadows in the Starlight

      “A wicked, deliciously inventive treat. This book thoroughly seduced me. It’d be a sin to miss it!”

      —Rachel Caine, author of Midnight Alley

      “Sizzling…Kessler’s raunchy blend of heaven, hell, and eros makes for a wild thriller ride, and hot, tough-talking Jesse has gumption and sass.”

      —Publishers Weekly

      Books by Jackie Kessler

      HELL’S BELLES

      THE ROAD TO HELL

      HOTTER THAN HELL

      ETERNAL LOVER

       (with Hannah Howell, Lynsay Sands, and Richelle Mead)

      Published by Zebra Books

      HELL’S BELLES

      JACKIE KESSLER

      ZEBRA BOOKS

      Kensington Publishing Corp.

       http://www.kensingtonbooks.com

      To the memory of Milton Segal,

       who told me years ago that

       if I wanted to be an author,

       I should “write something juicy.”

       I love you, Grandpa.

      Contents

      Acknowledgments

      PART ONE JEZEBEL

      Chapter 1 Caitlin’s House

      Chapter 2 Caitlin’s House (II)

      Chapter 3 South Station

      Chapter 4 Penn Station/Hotel New York

      Chapter 5 Belles/Hotel New York

      PART TWO MEGAERA

      Chapter 6 Then: A Client’s House/Periphery of Hell

      Chapter 7 Then: The Third Sphere

      Chapter 8 Then: The First Sphere

      Chapter 9 Hotel New York

      PART THREE DAUNUAN

      Chapter 10 Belles

      Chapter 11 Belles (II)

      Chapter 12 Then: The Second Sphere

      Chapter 13 Belles (III)

      PART FOUR LILLITH

      Chapter 14 Hotel New York

      Chapter 15 New York City/Belles

      Chapter 16 Belles

      Chapter 17 Then: Paul’s Bedroom

      Chapter 18 Belles (II)

      Chapter 19 Belles (III)

      PART FIVE PAUL

      Chapter 20 Hotel New York

      Chapter 21 New York City

      Chapter 22 Belles

      Chapter 23 Belles (II)

      Chapter 24 Belles (III)

      PART SIX LUCIFER

      Chapter 25 Then: Abaddon/Pandemonium

      Chapter 26 Then: The Lake of Fire/The Gates

      Chapter 27 Limbo

      Chapter 28 After Life

      Prologue On the Precipice

      Chapter 1 Spice

      Chapter 1 Coitus Interruptus

      Acknowledgments

      Many thanks to Ethan Ellenberg, super agent, for making this possible; John Scognamiglio, genius editor, for your enthusiasm and exuberance; and Darlene DeLillo, copy editor extraordinaire, for all the fabulous catches.

      Hugs and virtual chocolate to Heather Brewer, who loves all happy endings that involve blood; Renee Barr, who has suffered through nearly everything I’ve ever written; Faith Bicknell-Brown, who stuck with me before, during, and after all things Charles; Zinnia Hope, who convinced me that yes, I can write a nookie scene; Patti Hunt, who taught me that a beat ain’t just for music; Caitlin Kittredge, who lovingly coined the term “flesh puppet”; Joe Konrath, who taught me a very important lesson; everyone at Backspace who helped out along the way, especially Keith Cronin, E.J. Knapp, and Lesley Livingston; and the valiant members of my writing group for their feedback and steadfast support.

      Eternal gratitude to Mom and Dad, who have always encouraged me to follow my dreams (even when they lead to Hell); to Ryan and Mason, for sleeping through the nights and not minding that I was a bit tired in the mornings; and, most of all, to Brett, for everything from understanding why I would write until the wee hours of the morning to helping me with my (ahem) research, and everything in between—I couldn’t have done it without you.

PART ONE

      Chapter 1

      Caitlin’s House

      On the night the Underworld put a contract out on me, a crescent moon dangled overhead like a celestial fishhook and stars bobbed in the sky. Just my luck. I’d been hoping for a raging thunderstorm, maybe some hail. You know, something dramatic. But no. I got picturesque.

      Just another sign that Hell had gone to Heaven in a handbasket.

      I threw a nervous look over my shoulder, unable to relax even though I sensed only the thrumming energy of Salem, Massachusetts, in the predawn morning. Nothing infernal beeped on my psychic radar. For the moment, I was safe. Desperate and so terrified that I was pissing my metaphorical pants, but safe.

      Okay. Deep breath, like the way the humans did it. There. Oh, right. Release it. Mental note: Humans breathe continuously.

      Hmm.