Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(48)

“Do you really need an energy boost? I thought you demons didn’t need sleep.”

“Just get the coffee.”

So much for trying to make conversation. “Does Edie want anything?”

“The usual.”

“Got it. Be there in ten. Bye.” With that, she ended the call. Two people could play this game.

***

Matthias crossed his arms. He did not like leaving Serah unprotected. Especially after what she just said happened. He clenched his teeth.

“Iz Miz SanGermano on her way?” Edie adjusted the white, muffin-topped hat on her head and flipped her red hair. She had the most intriguing accent he’d ever heard.

“Yes. She is getting coffee. What part of France are you from?”

“Here and zere. Everyvere. Me parents moved a lot. France, Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, even Liechtenstein.”

“Interesting.”

“But France has alvays been my home.”

If only he had some sort of truth talent. Something about the redhead seemed off. Her aura, though, was clean. No evil surrounded her. She seemed harmless enough.

“Can you tell me about this American Chef show?”

“Very popular. The host!” She fanned her face. “Très beau. Oh là là! Daniel Blackburn can coucher avec moi any day.”

Too much information for his tastes. He needed to research this show more. What better way than a computer? He might have been almost eight hundred years old, but that didn’t mean he didn’t keep up with the ever-changing technology trends. “Is there a computer I can use?”

“Oui.” Edie grinned. “The laptop iz over zere.” She headed to a small desk in the back of the kitchen. She lifted the lid of the laptop and pressed a button.

The laptop hummed to life as the display flashed in front of him. He took a seat and stretched out his legs—as much as he could, sitting at a desk that he dwarfed. The computer chimed and brought up a password entry screen.

“Oh, I forgot ze passvord.” She leaned over and typed in a few letters and digits. She clicked the touch pad and stepped back. “Voilà.”

Did it really take this long for a computer to load? How many programs did she have running on this machine? “Does this computer always run so slow?”

“Vindows Bista. It needs upgrade, no?”

Edie did not need to say any more. That’s what happens when you allowed demons to help program your software. You’d think after the whole millennium ordeal, Bill Gates would have learned. The screen flickered and the desktop appeared. Matthias clicked on the browser icon. After a couple of minutes the web browser loaded.

“Apparently it does.”

Edie looked at the clock on the wall. “I need to prep zee kitchen. Can you handle it vrom here?”

Matthias nodded. “I just need to look up info on American Chef and this Daniel Blackburn.”

“Google has everzing!”

He couldn’t argue with her there. “Thank you for the help, Ms. Fontaine.”

“De rien, Mr. Ambrose. Call me Edie, s’il vous pla?t?”

“Thank you, Edie.”

“Can I call you Matthias?”

He wanted to keep his distance. It was bad enough Serah had already whittled her way into what remained of his soul. He didn’t want to make friends. He wanted to complete his mission. Friends and affections only complicated matters. And friends could turn on you. However, civility got you further than gruffness. “If you must.”

“I certainly must.” A wide smile spread across her ruby red lips.

Matthias nodded. “Then call me Matthias.”

“Thank you, Matthias.” Edie took his hand in hers and offered a healthy shake. “Oh! Strong grip. You vill make excellent security guard.”

He gave a tentative shake and pulled his hand from hers. “You’re welcome.”

With that, Edie skipped off toward the supply closet, a cheerful hum rolling through the air. She certainly was odd, but that added to her eccentric charm. It was comforting to know that Serah was surrounded by such friendly people—Farquhar included.

He turned back to the computer and typed American Chef into the search screen. He clicked the link to the official website. The show seemed innocuous enough. The host simply traveled across America, spotlighting different chefs, restaurants, and caterers throughout the United States. He worked with the show’s guests to cook up and serve masterpieces to a rather eager crowd. He clicked a link to a video.

Daniel stood over a metal pan stirring a reddish sauce. The man with him poured in some cherries while Daniel continued to stir.

“You might want to stand back for this, Daniel.” The chef took the handle from him and stirred the mixture on final time.

“Oh, but this is my favorite part,” Daniel said with that same pristine smile. He reluctantly handed off the pan to the chef.

“Can’t have you burn that handsome face of yours.” The chef grinned, giving Daniel a friendly—or maybe a little more than friendly—pat on the back.

Daniel stiffened ever so slightly and chuckled. Not a genuine laugh, but uneasy and awkward.

Matthias arched an eyebrow and pressed his lips together. Daniel wasn’t as feminine as he thought. No wonder these women ate this stuff up. No pun intended.