Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(108)

“Just watch the bloody show and you’ll see.”

Matthias nodded. He wouldn’t miss the show. And after they defeated Salome and her minions, he’d make it up to her—any way possible. He’d find a way to make everything work. He’d been ignorant for too damn long. He just hoped he wasn’t too late.

***

“Seriously, I love your hair the way it is.” Lucy said, twirling a strand of Serah’s hair around her finger. “So bouncy and full of life.”

Kalli lounged on the twin bed. “I have to agree with Lucy here. We both have experience in the hair-care field.” She smirked. “Can’t tell it from this head of hair, huh?”

“I love your hair, Kalli. It’s a statement of individuality.” Serah smiled. “Not many women can pull off the dreadlock look, except for maybe you and Crystal Bowersox.”

“Don’t forget Whoopi.” Lucy scrunched Serah’s hair with her fingers.

“Whoopi too,” Serah added.

Lucy blew out a breath. “If I do anything else with your hair you’ll look like you just stepped out of a bad eighties hair-band video.”

“Fine. I trust you guys.”

“Good, because we’re right.” Kalli handed Serah a tube of lipstick. “Here. The pièce de résistance.”

“It’s not black, is it?” Serah asked with a quick giggle. It was so amazing how these two women could calm her nerves so well.

“It’s rosy pink.”

“Darn. I really wanted to shock them.”

“They’ll get a shock soon enough,” Lucy whispered. “By the way, Daniel hooked Matthias up with some hidden cameras. He’s got a view of both the kitchen and the banquet hall.”

“That’s good. I know how he hates being in the dark where my safety is concerned.”

“So what’s the deal with you two besides the you-know-what?”

Not now. He made it clear he was leaving after this mission. She didn’t want her feelings and emotions to complicate things further.

“He’s not that into me.”

“Bullshit,” Kalli said through a muffled cough.

“What she said.” Lucy took Serah by the shoulders. “He’s crazy about you. Why not just tell him how you feel and see what happens.”

Kalli crossed her arms. “He says he cares about you. I bet it’s more. Men have a difficult time admitting their feelings.”

“He says he has too much baggage.”

“Tell him you’ll be his bellhop. I see the way you look at each other.” Lucy winked. “I’m a sex-demon so I’m pretty knowledgeable with this stuff. Those gazes aren’t just lust.”

“Yeah, I love him.”

Lucy shook her shoulders. “Then tell him.”

“Fine.”

“Good.”

Her phone rang. “It’s Daniel,” she said as she answered it. “Hello?”

“We’ve got about ten more minutes until Showtime at the Apocalypse. Are you ready?”

“Yeah, Lucy and I will be right out.”

“Okay, see you soon. Bye.”

“All righty,” Serah said, shoving the phone into her purse. “It’s now or never.” She reached over and gave Kalli a hug. “You know when to make your entrance, right?”

“Of course! I’ve been waiting almost eight hundred years to take down Salome. I can’t wait.”

She’d have to fight Matthias for that honor. “Don’t be surprised if Matthias beats you to the punch.”

“I know better than to step in his way.” Kalli grinned. “I’m sure I can find a way to keep myself occupied.” She cracked her knuckles.

“Okay.” With that, Serah opened the door and stepped out.

“Ready?” Daniel said as he loped toward them.

Ready as I can ever be, she supposed. “Yeah.”

“I’ve made things easy for us. There’s a teleprompter that will deliver our lines.”

“Wow, just like a news anchor. I really feel special.” Nothing she could do would calm the nerves building in her. Her pulse raced. Sweat dampened her brow. Thankfully, the thick coat of foundation Kalli used was waterproof. She couldn’t wait to wash that junk off.

“So how do you feel?”

“Like a frickin’ clown.” She rubbed at some of the foundation.

“Yeah, it’s a little itchy at first. After a while you get used to it.”

“Sorry. This is the last time for me.” She saw where the temptation of fame had gotten her. Almost ready to get annihilated by a legion of angry demons.

“You know,” Daniel said, leaning in close. “I really feel you. I’m thinking of cashing in my chips after this.”

“But you’re so good at it.”

“It’s time to move onto bigger and better things. Heck, if Snooki can write a book, then so can I.”

“What would you write?”

“Fiction, because this stuff is too weird to be considered true.”

Serah couldn’t disagree there. “You could do a whole Blair Witch sort of deal, how the demons took over the show?” Then again, there are a few weirdos out there who thought that shit was true. Then again, maybe it was.