Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(113)

“The pain is gone.” Matthias reached out and grabbed her hand. “I’m not a man of many words, so I’ll keep this simple. I love you.” He gathered her close in his arms. “I always have, since I first laid eyes on you.” He grunted again as he adjusted her in his lap. “I’m sorry I couldn’t find the words sooner. And now I’ve lost you.”

“I wasn’t very forthcoming either, you know.” She placed a gentle kiss on his nose, down to his chin and back up to his lips. “As for losing me? Not in this lifetime. I love you too.”

She couldn’t resist any longer. She brushed her lips across his. His arms reached out and crushed her to him, the kiss becoming more demanding.

“Awkward.” Daniel stepped back and tried to shuffle away.

“Yeah, I can understand that,” Kalli said. “Why don’t we let these lovebirds alone for a few.”

“A few? They’ll need more than a few,” Lucy said with a snort.

Serah shook her head. She’d give Lucy that one—for now. She was too occupied elsewhere to care. She wrapped her arms around Matthias’s neck and snuggled in his warmth.

Then again, Lucy was right. She definitely needed more than a few. She needed forever, and thanks to Matthias, she had finally found it.





Prologue


“What do you mean the chest is missing?” Rafael Deleon managed through gritted teeth.

Even though the clacking of boots on the polished black marble grated his nerves, he continued to pace the expansive room. Candlelight flickered and flitted, sending silhouettes darting against the ivory walls.

What about his sister? Jacoba had all but begged to join the guard, even though he’d pleaded with her not to. Unfortunately, Jacoba didn’t need his approval. She won the Fore-Demon Council over, instead.

Dominic Duvane, shrouded in darkness, stood solitary in the corner of the High Council chamber. A forlorn expression was etched across his face, adding to the already foreboding mood. The news was worse than Rafael had imagined. Utterly horrible.

Dominic drew in a ragged gulp of air. “The guards were ambushed.”

“Who?” He shook his head. He didn’t even need to ask the question. Belial, the bastard prince of northern regions of Hell.

Blasted Fore-Demons!

“Belial’s Infernati warriors. Have a seat, my friend.” Dominic motioned to the burgundy jacquard and gilt divan in the far recess of the room.

Rafael’s heart sank. Dominic meant to talk to him as a comrade and not a colleague. This didn’t bode well. He clenched his fists. He couldn’t panic. To do so would show weakness. He needed to be strong—or at least appear so.

“What… happened?”

“The Infernati swooped in and torched the encampment.” His friend’s gaze grew somber. “I suggest sitting, Rafe.”

Rafael folded his arms and raised his chin. “I’ll stand.” He’d receive the news like a man, not a coward. “Say whatever you need to say, my liege.”

Dominic growled. “I might outrank you, but I’ll be damned if I let you call me my liege.”

Rafael shrugged. “Too bad we’re already damned, Nic.”

“The chest was to be our salvation.” Dominic blew out an exasperated breath. “Bloody hell, Rafe. Why must you be so stubborn?”

“It runs in the family.”

Dominic grabbed him by the arms, his eyes blazing. “Your sister was captured.”

“She isn’t dead. Our connection isn’t severed.”

Dominic nodded. “Yes, but who knows what tortures Belial has bestowed upon her.” His gaze hardened and he clenched his fists. Jaw ticking, he paced. “I begged her not to join. I stood by you.”

Rafael shook his head. “Coby wouldn’t take no for an answer. Even if the council forbade her, she would’ve found a way.”

Fighting the thought of his beautiful sister, with her magnificent flowing silver hair and enchanting silver eyes at Belial’s mercy, Rafael crossed his arms in front of his chest. “What happened to her?”

“Coby’s a hero.” Dominic’s jaw twitched, the demon blood tears rimming his eyes. “She managed to send the chest away before the guards could take it.”

A soft smile curved his lips. Leave it to Coby to save the chest instead of saving herself. Despite his despair, he was still proud of his twin sister. However, he wasn’t in the mood for Dominic to divert his questions. His gaze grew stern. “Where is she?”

“I guess I shouldn’t hide the truth…”

Rafael arched a brow and leaned against the wall. “Well?”

Dominic sucked in a ragged breath, sending candles flickering. “This hurts me as much as you, you know.”

“I do.”

His friend nodded. “My sources report she’s in Belial’s dungeon.”

Rafael clenched his fists as he held his anguish inside. Grinding his teeth, he paced. Bloody hell. Only a few of the strongest Paladin warriors had escaped that hellhole, but they were never quite the same after.

“Where did she send the chest?” he managed.

“Earth.” Dominic flashed a halfhearted smile, his eyes wide and alert. “Your favorite place.”

He didn’t even want to think about the chest being opened on Earth. Belial already controlled half the underworld—what would happen if he took over Earth too? But Rafael had to save Coby first. The Paladin needed her. She’d been the one the Fore-Demons had prophesied.