Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(112)

“He’s a grown man. Wouldn’t that be weird? He’s already been raised.” Serah rolled her eyes.

“I would take Matthias back in time with me to the day Daniel was born.”

“To 1228?”

Salome nodded. “You could have your life back.”

His life back? He’d never get his life back. He’d never see Serah again. He’d never be able to protect her—love her like she deserved.

“That’s the past. You might give me my old life back, but it will never be the same. I wouldn’t have the woman I love.”

He angled a sidelong glance at Serah. Her breath caught and her lips twitched. God, he wanted to wrap his arms around her and calm her fears.

“Even when I hold you by the proverbial balls, you defy me?” Her turquoise eyes glinted.

“I’ll always defy you, you evil bitch.”

Matthias gritted his teeth. He had to act. He had to save his son. He unsheathed his sword and lunged for Salome. “I won’t let you take either of them.”

He swept the blade up, slicing through Salome’s shirt. She threw Daniel down and lunged to the right.

Balthazar growled. “I thought we were going to kill Daniel.”

“Belial wanted to kill him. My intentions are different.”

Matthias clenched the hilt of his sword. He had to put an end to this. He’d rather languish in limbo than give up Serah for Salome.

“You duped me!” Balthazar howled, lunging for Salome.

She dodged to the right and kicked Balthazar in the head. Ripping a large machete from its scabbard, she swung the blade.

Balthazar gasped, his head rolling from his body, flames bursting from his neck. He fell back into a pile of blue ash and blew away with the breeze.

“You’re right, I did.” With that, she wiped the blood from her blade with one of Serah’s elegant tablecloths and sheathed the blade.

“That tablecloth was expensive, Salami,” Serah ground out, a hint of defiance flashing in her eyes.

Salome’s gaze narrowed. She let out a primal roar through gritted teeth. “You have no respect for your elders. You will pay.”

Matthias reached out and grabbed her arm. “Serah, no. Not like this.”

“I won’t have her torture the man I love.”

His heart soared at those words. He would end this—now. “Don’t worry, my love. I know what I have to do.”

“You sure?”

Matthias nodded.

“Okay.”

With that, he sprung in the air and lunged for Salome. He unsheathed his sword and angled the blade, slamming it into Salome’s gut. She pushed Daniel to the side and swung, slicing into Matthias’s chest.

“Always so brave,” she said, pulling Matthias’s blade from her stomach and dropping it to her side. Her laughter came with deep roars of thunder. “Look where that got you.” She held her machete high, ready to deal the final blow.

So be it. At least he had protected Serah to the best of his abilities. He closed his eyes, ready for whatever death she gave him.

Instead, she stumbled forward, her gasp echoing through the hall. Matthias opened his eyes. Salome slumped to the ground, thick dark blood pooling from her mouth. Standing above her was Daniel, his face sullen, gripping Matthias’s blade tight.

With that, Salome’s body burst into flames and an eerie pop sent her exploding into a million fiery pieces.

“Matthias!” Serah rushed to his side, and knelt down by him. Peeling his shirt back, shuddered. Blood poured from his chest and down his stomach. She had to do something.

“Kalli!” she shouted. “Do something!”

Kalli came to stand next to her and peered down, taking in a sharp breath. She drew her hands across his wound and shook her head. “There’s too much damage.”

Matthias gasped, reaching out to grab Serah’s hand. She took it, her grip gentle, caressing.

“I… I…” He winced, blood trickling from his mouth.

“Shh,” she whispered in his ear. “I know.” She knew, she really did. She didn’t need to hear him say it. She’d seen how he’d defended her. She loved him too, and that’s all that mattered.

And she could save him. She had to. Closing her eyes, she placed her hands on his wound. She pooled all her energy into her hands.

“Holy shit, you scar is glowing,” Daniel mumbled.

“Wow,” Kalli said under her breath.

Did she dare look? And risk Matthias’s life? Hell no.

Paying no heed to the conversation behind her, she continued to concentrate. “Heal, damn it! I won’t lose the man I love.”

Heat shot from her fingertips and she flung her head back. She had to save him. She wouldn’t survive if he didn’t. Matthias moaned, stirring beneath her.

“This doesn’t feel like limbo,” she heard him say.

Her eyes flung open. She glanced down at Matthias. The wound left by Salome was just a red, faded line. She wiped a hand gently across his brow and gathered him in her arms.

“No, sorry to upset you, but this is in fact not limbo.”

“Good. I don’t know what I would do without you.” Matthias reached up and brushed a stray curl from her forehead. He sat up and gave a low grunt.

“You need to rest.”