Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(111)

She glanced across the room. The humans just sat there, not moving, as if they were catatonic, oblivious to what was going on around them.

“Why aren’t any of the real people moving?” Serah grabbed an elderly lady’s hand and let go. It fell to her side.

“Rafe and I put a spell on the water. Any humans who drink it are entranced.”

“Cool.” Serah dodged a demoness, her blue fangs bared and ready to bite. Screaming, she flung a battle-ax right at Serah’s head. Serah ducked in time, grabbing the demoness’s feet and hauling her to the ground.

The ax connected with the mirror on the far wall, sending shards flying. “That’s seven years bad luck, you dumbass demon.” She slammed the knife into the demon’s sternum, the crack echoing in her ears.

Standing, she wiped the dark demon blood from her face. She wished Matthias were there, standing next to her like Rafe had been there for Lucy. But that damn bitch Salome was too smart. She wouldn’t give up. She’d find a way, even if she had to blast through that door herself.

“Serah, I love you!” She turned toward the bolted door. Had she heard him? Her heart soared.

She had an idea. She closed her eyes and concentrated on channeling her energy. The warmth filled her body. She pulled the energy into the locket.

She had to break through. She needed him there. She loved him too. She kept her eyes closed and visualized the door bursting open and him rushing to her side.

A loud explosion shook the room. She flew backward, landing against a table. She grabbed ahold of a man’s leg. The entranced man just sat there, unknowing, while hell erupted around him.

“Serah!”

She’d recognize his voice anywhere. She spun around. Matthias burst into the room through the hole she’d just made with her necklace. Kalli followed, an AK-47 on her shoulder.

“Matthias!” She wanted to run to him and let him know she didn’t care about baggage. She wanted the entire package, baggage included.

All of a sudden, Barry Holland appeared right behind him, an evil gleam in his translucent eyes. Without warning, he grew taller, his fangs gleaming. Talons extended, he swung out his arm, ready to slice. Balthazar! Her stomach wrenched. This would kill Matthias inside.

“Watch out! Balthazar!”

Matthias dodged to the left and swung around, pulling out his handgun, aiming it at his old mentor. Balthazar threw his head back, crazed laughter bursting from his mouth. “You picked the wrong time to play hero, Matthias.”

“It’s never too late.” He stood in front of Serah, his sword drawn, protecting her. Lucy and Rafe joined Matthias, their weapons glistening. Kalli trained her machine gun on Balthazar’s head.

“I beg to differ.” The saccharin sweet voice did nothing but rankle her nerves. “How dare you turn my minion against me.”

Salome stood there, her soulless, turquoise gaze penetrating. She vanished in a cloud of smoke and rematerialized right behind Daniel.

“Daniel,” Serah shouted. “Behind you.”

But she was too late. Salome vanished in another swirl of smoke and appeared where she had previously stood.

“A pity now that he needs to die.”

Balthazar came to stand next to Salome, his fanged grin sardonic. “As does your descendant.”

“Show me this descendant.” Matthias said through gritted teeth. “I still don’t believe you.”

“They’re in this room,” Balthazar challenged. “But who?” Balthazar shrugged, examining one of his talons. “Is it her?” He asked, tracing a finger along a young twenty-something woman’s auburn hair. “Or maybe him?” Bal traced another talon down a middle-aged man’s cheek. “Or maybe, just maybe, it’s her.” He laughed loudly as he sliced the cheek of a young blonde.

Matthias shrugged. “Maybe it’s none of them.”

“Do you dare challenge me? I taught you everything you know.”

“Enough theatrics, Bal.” Salome swung out her hand, sending Balthazar crashing into the wall.

“Here’s your last remaining descendant,” Salome said, thrusting Daniel out at them, then flinging him in the air and back in her clutches.

Salome scratched her chin. “I forgot one teeny-weeny detail. He’s not your descendant.”

“Then what is he?” Matthias gritted out.

“He’s your son.”

Son? How? The world spun. His heart clenched. He’d seen Daniel’s eyes before. His wife’s eyes, blue as a placid lake. Daniel had her hair too, the color of wheat. He clenched his fists.

“I’m his son?” Daniel asked, bewilderment flashing in his eyes. “Wouldn’t that make him like two when I was born?”

“Silence, you ignorant fool,” She yanked him against her, her gaze maniacal.

“How?”

“I’ve discovered I have a truly fortuitous talent. Who needs Peragrans when you can travel through time.”

“Time travel?” Serah murmured. “Oh God, even I am baffled.”

“I was going to raise your son as my own.” She turned to Kalli and sneered. “But Kalli showed up and ruined my plans. I transported myself to the first place I could. I tried to bring your son back in time but I’m only allowed to move a person once. I left him with one of my minions. I knew I’d meet up with you one day. Now we can raise our son together.”