Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(46)

“So you’ve tracked Matthias?”

“A few times. He always managed to escape though. The one time I almost had him. My mission was terminated.”

“Why?”

“I never asked. Knowing his record, I can only suspect his next job was for one of us.”

Serah shivered. Could she really trust him with her life? Someone who quickly changed allegiance at a drop of a hat? “Comforting.”

Kalli, sensing her unease, wrapped her arm around her shoulder. “To be honest, I never got an evil reading from him. The Paladins he killed weren’t the most righteous of demons.”

What did she mean by that? Weren’t the Paladins blessed? They were the good guys. They couldn’t do wrong, could they? “But I thought they were here to keep earth safe?”

“For the most part. But there are still those who lose sight of the greater good.”

“Oh.” So much for good and evil. The demons were just as conflicted as humans. Politics remained the same, no matter what realm you were in. Talk about a kick in the pants.

“Does that make sense?”

“Perfect sense, actually. Demons and humans are more alike than we realize.”

“I never said we weren’t. Which is why I always avoided running for a position on the Fore-Demon Council. Too much backstabbing and too many ulterior vendettas for my tastes. I just don’t have the backbone for it.”

“Oh puhlease. You have the strongest backbone I’ve ever seen.”

“I don’t do well in positions of authority.” Kalli smiled. “I’d much rather be in the action than directing it.”

She turned to the kitchen. “Let’s see the damage.”

Serah pushed open the door, and the remaining smoke billowed out. Serah covered her cough and waved the smoke away.

“One demon did all this?” She reached over and grabbed a melted Tupperware bowl from the counter. “Something tells me their warranty doesn’t cover this.”

“Tell me about it.” Serah continued swatting at the hovering smoke.

“Allow me.” Kalli opened her mouth and held her arms out. With a giant whoosh, she spun around and the smoke wound its way around her, spiraling into her mouth in a huge vortex.

With a loud gulp, she swallowed. And just like that, all the smoke and stench was gone, including the smell that lingered on her.

“You know, you just made me break my New Year’s resolution. I was doing so well too.”

“Huh?”

“I gave up smoking.”

“Seriously, demons have temptations?”

“Almost as bad as humans, if not worse.”

“Sorry, hon. I didn’t know he couldn’t cook.”

Kalli grinned. “You’re forgiven. Tasting all that burnt smoke and ash shows me exactly what I’m not missing.”

“What’s next?”

“I can handle it from here. What I do next will make your head spin—literally.”

“Like Linda Blair?”

Kalli smirked. “Worse.”

After seeing her self-induced tornado, she didn’t doubt it one bit. “All righty then.” With that, she pushed the door open with her bum and backed through. “Lock up on your way out.”

“You got it.” Kalli smiled, shutting the door. A loud clanging of pans and glass rent the air.

I sure hope she knows what she’s doing. With that, she grabbed her keys off the coffee table and threw on her coat. What else could possibly go wrong?





Chapter 20


Serah checked the rearview mirror and put the car into reverse. She glanced through the windshield at her grandmother’s brick ranch and sucked in a breath.

There was nothing to worry about. The house was safe in Kalli’s and Farquhar’s hands and paws.

“Everything will be fine.”

Serah relaxed in her seat and turned on the radio. Lady Gaga’s latest tune rang through the speakers. The bass pounded in her ears. She adjusted the volume.

“Wow. Was the volume up that high last night?”

Matthias’s leg probably bumped it. He was kind of cramped in there.

She came to the intersection at A-Line Road, her least favorite corner. Who in their right mind designed the left turns in this silly state? Luckily, it was usually a long light. She had plenty of time to cross so she could use the turnaround. She picked up speed.

She looked down at her dashboard and snapped her head back up.

“What the f*ck?”

The light was already yellow. And without any more delay, it turned red. Didn’t anyone in this town know how to time the lights?

She slammed on the brakes. Tires squealing in protest, the car shuddered and moaned as the anti-lock brakes engaged. Her car swerved on the dew-dampened road and started spinning. Serah held on to the steering wheel in a desperate attempt to remain in control.

She looked out her side view mirror, her mouth wide open in fear.

“Shit!”

A red minivan came barreling down the road—right at her. Horns rang out. Another round of squeals echoed through the air. The van came to a stop—a mere two inches from her car.

The faint hint of burnt rubber and sulfur lingered in the air. Taking slow, even breaths, she clenched the steering wheel. She should have known demons were involved. Had they always been involved?