Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(3)

“Damn it,” she muttered beneath her breath. What the hell was going on? Swiping the sticky sweet liquid from her face, she crawled toward the counter. She gripped the edge and pulled herself up. Without thinking, Serah swiped chocolate-coated fingers through her curls. Ugh! The rich sweet scent of cocoa clung to the air. She rubbed her nose, her fingers smushing into more sticky warmth. It certainly gave new meaning to brownnosing.

Chocolate continued to gush in the air like Old Faithful. More pots rumbled and shook, threatening to spill their contents. Serah sniffed the air, hoping to catch a whiff of evil demon. Not a rotten egg in the vicinity. Just great. She didn’t need this. Not now. Not ever.

Serah glanced down at the watch, the diamonds sparkling—taunting her, its unmerciful warmth spreading everywhere, down to the tips of her toes.

Sorry, Nonni, but I just can’t wear it anymore.

With that, Serah ripped off the watch and shoved it into the pocket of her jacket, where it would be safe—for now. After all, it was her grandmother’s watch. She had wanted her to have it. Serah couldn’t disrespect her memory. Not after everything she’d given up for her.

Edie shook her head, chocolate drops flinging from her chef’s hat and normally red hair. “I no sign on for zis, but I see you need help.” She stomped toward the utility closet and threw open the door. “Ve must clean now. Before Health Department cloze uz down.” With a smile, she wheeled out the bucket and mop. “I did not think people used zeez s’ings no more.”

“Mop’s always been good to me. I just can’t part with him.”

“After this mess, he might be the one who parts company.” The thick voice wafted through the air, along with the faint hint of lemon. Kalli Corapolous sauntered in, her tall, buckle-down boots squishing in the chocolaty layer coating the floor. Flinging a purple dreadlock to the side, she scanned the kitchen. What in the hell was she doing here?

“I’ve come to clean,” she said on a whispered breath. “I noticed a spike in otherworldly powers and came as soon as I could.”

“Do you mind?” Serah asked, her voice taking on a tinge of irritation. Her best friend, Lucy, told her all about Kalli’s demonic gifts.

“Mind what? The look on your face said it all. No mind reading necessary.” Kalli smiled, a warm smile despite the Goth getup she chose to wear. “Lucy’s on her way too.”

Great. Just what she needed. Everyone meddling in her life. She didn’t need help. Nothing was wrong. So she had a few unfortunate mishaps with a few minor imps and wraiths. Big deal. They’d seen worse.

“Just a little mishap with the fondue pot.” Serah smiled, twisting a finger in a chocolaty curl. “I was experimenting. I read somewhere that chocolate and its antioxidants were good for your face and hair.”

Serah popped a fingertip in her mouth and smacked her lips. The rich chocolate exploded on her tongue. Damn, Edie made a killer fondue. Too bad it was now sprayed across the kitchen. What a waste of fine chocolate.

Kalli’s gaze narrowed and she pursed her lips, the silver loop in her lower lip jutting out. “I’ll have to ask Lucy about that. I’m still getting refreshed with my hairstyling skills.”

Well this was an excellent way to change the subject.

“So has Lucy actually let you style hair yet?” Serah leaned against the counter, her arm landing in yet another puddle of chocolate. “Ick.”

Her question apparently fell on deaf ears. With a wary eye, Kalli continued to scan the shop. “Where’s Edie?”

“In the back room filling a bucket. Something tells me we may need more than a mop though?” Serah forced a chuckle.

Kalli nodded, her expression stern and stony. “What happened, Serah? And tell me the truth. I can smell bullshit a mile away.”

“Nothing happened. The fondue got a little too hot and boiled over. No imps, demons, or wraiths around.”

“There might not be demons, but something strange is going on.” Kalli turned to her, her amethyst eyes sparking. She grabbed her by the shoulders. “You and I both know this isn’t normal. You need help.”

A huff escaped Serah’s lips and she placed her hands on her hips. “The only thing I have going on is a rehearsal dinner and if I don’t get everything done, then my business is shot.”

She spun away from the counter and plodded to the sink. A quick turn from Serah, and the faucets roared to life. Squirting some soap into her hand, Serah lathered up. With a splash of water to her face, she scrubbed away the chocolate. She’d probably have blackheads for months now. She scrubbed her face harder.

“If you scrub any harder, your skin will fall off.” Her best friend’s normally smooth and silky voice grated in her eardrums. Now that Kalli had her reinforcements, she was due for an earful.

With a sharp twist, Serah turned off the water. Steeling herself against the admonishments of one and a half demons, she gripped the edge of the sink. Then again, the human half of Lucia Anne Gregory was just as formidable as the succubus half—if not more.

She turned to her friend and mustered the most confident and collected tone she could. “Lucy, everything’s fine. As I was telling Kalli, it was just an accident.”

“Pbbbt… A big accident.” Edie pushed her way into the kitchen, the yellow mop bucket sloshing in front of her. Pulling the lever, she released the wringer and yanked out the mop. Like a French ninja, she swung the mop from one hand to the other. Drops of water flung from the yarns, ricocheting against the wall. Passing her hand across her face, she brushed off some of the drops.