Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(101)

“You have?”

Serah nodded. “But you’re right, we should keep our distance.” Her face fell into a frown. “You need to learn how to forgive yourself.”

“My ignorance got my wife killed and my baby stolen.”

“No. Your love gave them hope. Salome is responsible. Not you!”

Maybe now he’d get those pieces glued back together. If not, it had been worth the try.

“Good night,” she said, storming off to the bedroom and slamming the door behind her. She twisted the lock. Right now, all she wanted was to be alone.





Chapter 38


Reality came barreling at him.

He’d tried to keep distant, and that had only made things worse.

Despite the anger and frustration lacing her words, they hit him right in the gut.

He’d been too busy blaming himself he hadn’t even bothered to see the truth. He was Salome’s pawn in her sick, twisted game of world domination. And he’d fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. What’s worse, he’d—no, Serah was right. It wasn’t his fault. Salome had taken the only thing he’d ever cared for in this world—until now. He’d be damned if he let her do it again.

“Thank you, Serah. For everything.” He owed her his life.

There came a faint scratching at the front door. It could be Farquhar or his Persian goddess coming with news. He prayed it was good news.

He peeked through the peephole. No one was there. The scratching grew louder, more urgent. Obviously something was there.

“Who’s there?”

“It’s Inanna. I found Farquie.” Her voice raised a few octaves. “He’s hurt.”

“Let me get Serah.” He whipped down the hall and pounded on the door. “Inanna’s here. She has Farquhar. Get out here.”

The door flew open. Serah pulled her robe tight and rushed to the front hall.

Inanna stood there, Farquhar’s limp, blood-soaked body draped over her back. Her eyes wide and alert, she burst into the room. “There’s a note tied around his neck.”

Matthias’s blood turned cold. Quite a feat for someone who’d already been dead. He clenched his fists. Farquhar coughed and sputtered, blood dripping from his heart-shaped nose.

Serah ripped the letter from Farquhar’s neck. “Call Kalli. She can help.” She glanced down at one of Farquhar’s shattered legs and gasped. “I hope we’re not too late.”

He yanked the phone from his back pocket. “Call Kalli.”

“Calling Kalli,” the phone replied. The phone rang three times. Finally, after the fourth ring, Kalli picked up.

“Hello, Kalli’s Cleaning Company, how can I be of service?”

Was there ever a time this woman didn’t joke? “Farquhar’s been attacked. We need you here now.”

“On my way.” With that, the call dropped.

Despite the fact that Farquhar was really an imp, the scene was still gruesome, reminiscent of that sad commercial he glanced at before turning in for the night. They made even the strongest of demons teary-eyed. Salome had to be stopped.

“It was Salome. I know.”

Serah gripped the letter tight, tears streaming down her cheeks. She shook her head. “It wasn’t.”

She handed him the bloodstained paper. He recognized the handwriting right away. His skin crawled.

My Dear Friend:



If you do not uphold your end of our bargain, this will be the same fate in store for your descendant. He won’t be nearly as resilient. I know where he lives and will be more than happy to oblige. Salome is the least of your worries.



Yours,



Balthazar





This time, it was indeed his fault. He should have finished him when he had the chance.

There was a knock on the door. Serah looked through the peephole and opened. Kalli strode in, flinging ice and snow from the mass of hair on her head.

“Where is he?”

Serah led Kalli to Farquhar’s bloody and broken body.

“Dear God, they skinned him alive. Bastards.” Kalli bared her teeth. “Just because he’s an imp doesn’t make it any better.”

She knelt down, placing both hands on Farquhar’s body. She closed her eyes and ran her hands up and down his mangled body. Skin started to heal. Blood faded. His broken tail unbent on its own. A soft mewling moan broke from his lips. He shook out his once-broken leg. Swatting his paw, he bounded up on all fours. “Hi-Yah! There’s more where that came frae.”

Farquhar’s eyes widened. He looked around the room and glanced down to see the blood-soaked floor beneath him. “Mebbe there isnae more where that came frae.”

“What happened?” Serah asked, gathering the impcat in her arms. She stroked behind his ears and rubbed the top of his head.

“Ah was jumped by Balthazar th’ magnificent—not.” He narrowed his eyes at Matthias. “Seriously, ye need tae pick better friends.”

“That is not the same person I was friends with.”

Farquhar nodded. “He said Ah was gawn tae be an example. Wha’ever that means.” He puffed up his fur. “That infernal dobber picked a war wi’ the wrong Scot, that’s fer sure.”