Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(103)

“Too bad their Balthazar wasn’t nearly as bad as ours—but not by much.”

She decided she’d wear something a little less fancy. Ripping the closet door open, she grabbed the first thing she could find. A blue, cowl-necked, cashmere sweater. The material was thin, not too heavy. She should be fine under the hot stage lights.

Why did she have to fall in love with him? She could tell he cared about her too, in his weird, demonic sort of way. She pulled the sweater over her head and yanked it down. She grabbed a nice pair of dressy blue jeans and quickly put them on. Taking a look at the full-length mirror that dangled from the half-repaired door, she shrugged.

Not bad at all.

She quickly headed into the adjoining bathroom and sprayed some detangler on her dampened roots, running a comb through her crazy curls. With a final draw of the comb, she sighed.

“I’d wait until you get there to put your makeup on.” Kalli stepped into the bathroom. She twirled one of Serah’s curls around her finger. “Did I ever tell you how awesome your hair is?”

Serah shook her head. “Thanks. When did you get back here?”

“Five minutes ago. I wanted to make sure Farquhar was okay.” Her eyes flashed with concern. “Why are you moping around? We’re about to kick some big, bad Infernati ass.”

“Nothing.”

“Want me to do your makeup for you? You’ll need more than you’re used to.”

“Thanks Kalli. I’d like that a lot.”

“By the way, he loves you.”

Serah blinked. What was she talking about? “Who? Daniel?”

“No, you dumbass. Matthias,” Kalli said with an irritated huff.

“What a funny way of showing it.”

“He’s afraid. Look at what happened to his wife. He doesn’t want Salome to do the same to you.”

“Seriously?”

Kalli nodded. “I can’t read his mind, but when he thinks no one is looking, it’s plain as day on his face.”

“Then why does he push me away?”

“I suspect that Salome and Balthazar have something to do with it. Even more so after what Balthazar did to Farquhar.”

“But he’s acted uptight from the get-go.”

Kalli exhaled. “Are you daft or just unobservant? He was afraid to tell you the truth about what he did. Then his old mentor and Salome showed up.” Kalli took a deep breath. “The less anyone, especially Salome, suspects anything, the less of a threat you are to them.” Kalli sighed. “You’re already a threat as it is. Imagine if Salome knew that Matthias cared for you?”

Serah nodded. She understood—too well.

“Salome never forgets a thing, especially when someone she turned into a demon defies her. She’ll do anything to see him suffer. And if it means, killing you, she won’t even bat an eyelash. But that’s not the bad thing.”

“What?”

“She already plans on killing you. She’ll make it even slower and more painful if she knows the truth.” Kalli gritted her teeth. “Matthias is dedicated. He’ll die himself before that happens.”

Well, then. That changed things—a lot. She wasn’t just going to draw her out of the crowd. She was going to a hell of a lot more. She couldn’t let Matthias risk his life for her.

“Not if I have anything to say about it.”

Kalli smiled. “So you see my point?”

“I do.”

“Good.”

Serah smiled. “So… Do I get more weapons other than the poisoned tiramisu?” She would not sit idly. She would bring these bitches down—one way or the other.

“Huh?”

“You know—daggers or silver bullets or anything?” Then again, her necklace worked pretty damn well the last time. “I… ahh… just want to be safe.”

“I’m not stupid. I’ve seen that look before.”

“Really? When?”

“When Lucy fought Belial.” Kalli shook her head. “You two are too determined for your own good.”

“And that’s a bad thing?”

Kalli shrugged. “Not always, I guess.”

“So can you hook a girl up or what?”

“Sure, I guess.”

“Kalli, you rock.”

Kalli grinned. “You said that already.” She pulled a silver-inlaid dagger and sheath from her boot and handed it to Serah.

Serah pulled the dagger from its sheath. It was a simple blade—no fancy etchings or jewels. Then again, all you needed was silver. It all sliced the same.

“For your protection only. Never anger. Remember that.”

Serah nodded and sheathed the weapon. She remembered full well. She’d seen where anger had gotten a few of the Paladins—an extended stint on the Paladins’ injured reserve list. Then again, she wasn’t demon and she wasn’t a Paladin. “Do those same rules apply to Pure-Bloods.”

“Frankly, I wouldn’t take any chances.”

Good advice, actually. Anger never got anyone anywhere, in real life and fiction alike.

“After all the crap we’ve been through, I don’t think I should either.”

“Glad we agree on one thing, at least.”