Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(55)

Including Justin Bieber, but she kept that to herself. “You have a point. My main issue is with the idiots who make fools of themselves just so their stupid videos go viral.”

“We have a lot more in common than just cooking, it seems. I hate that too.” Daniel wrapped his arm around her shoulder and gave her back a friendly pat. “Enough chitchat. Let’s see this awesome tiramisu I’ve heard so much about,” he whispered in her ear.

No tingles. No shivers. Again, nothing. Her libido was indeed shot.





Chapter 23


Matthias should have stayed outside. He sat at the desk and mashed keys on the keyboard. He’d seen Serah kiss Daniel. It had been the most clichéd, overly romanticized kiss ever, but he still saw it. He wished he hadn’t.

He gritted his teeth. Why in the hell did he feel this way? He was supposed to be strong, to keep his emotions in check. Ever since he laid eyes on Serah, his resolve had gone out the window. He was doomed.

Sera continued to laugh and giggle, pulling out mixing bowls and various utensils. He had no idea what they were or what they were used for, but the way they shined told him one thing. Silver. He relaxed slightly.

Daniel followed her around like a lovesick schoolboy, following Serah’s lead. So much for relaxing. All he wanted to do was retch. Unfortunately, as a demon, that was impossible.

Daniel reached up and brushed Serah’s shoulder. She smiled at him and tapped him on the back with a wooden spoon.

“Owwie,” Daniel yelped in mock pain. He leaned in and whispered something into her ear.

His conscience warred inside. He wanted to tune in and hear Daniel’s words, but he wanted to respect Serah’s privacy as well. He clenched his fists, his fingernails digging deep into his palms. He didn’t care if he bled. It was the only way he could keep himself sane.

“Iz zumzing bozzering you, Mizter Ambroze?” Edie sidled up next to him and took the empty seat next to his. “You seem… vhat iz zee word? Ah… tense.”

“I am fine,” Matthias ground out. “I’m just checking the perimeter.”

Edie nodded. “Oui. Security iz hard vork, no?”

Matthias arched a brow. What was with this woman’s sudden interest in his job? Serah’s employee seemed friendly enough, but he’d learned many things in his centuries of training. Sometimes the friendliest people made the worst enemies. And you didn’t know until it was too late. He angled another gaze at Serah and Daniel. They continued to frolic and giggle as she whisked something in the bowl. Daniel placed his hand on her shoulder as she cracked an egg.

And now Edie hovered. It was best to keep his distance. “It’s too much hard work for a sous-chef to worry herself with.” With that he shut the computer down and closed the lid.

Edie sunk back in her chair and scooted back. “My apologies. I vas just trying to make little talk.”

Matthias nodded. “I’m not really that much of a conversationalist.”

“Zat’s too bad. You look like zomevone who has lots to say.” Edie drew her lips straight and steepled her fingers. “Don’t vait or it vill be too late.”

Great, another cryptic person to complicate matters. There was one thing worse than cryptic goddesses, cryptic humans. This wasn’t going to be easy.

“I need to make a phone call.” With that, he pushed the chair back and pulled the phone from his pocket. He mashed his finger into the touch screen and pressed the phone to his ear. He marched to the same office Daniel had occupied earlier and kicked the door shut.

“Rafael Deleon.”

“Are you on your way? The TV guy is here.” Matthias took a seat at the desk, swiveled and stretched his legs out.

“Lucy’s already on her way. I’ll poof in back of the store in about five minutes.”

Poof? Even Deleon used those silly words to describe the demon travel? Matthias shook his head. Had he not seen how powerful Rafael Deleon had become, he’d say the Paladin was going soft in his life here on Earth with his half-succubus.

“I have questions about Edie.”

“The sous-chef?”

“Yes. Can she be trusted?” He leaned around to peer through the blinds. “She hovering. It seems suspicious.”

Rafael’s deep rumble of laughter echoed in his ear. “Edie is very protective of Serah. Gerardo informs me she’s not an angel, so no worries there.”

“Noted. I still plan to exercise caution.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less, Ambrose. Which is why you were chosen for this mission.”

Matthias controlled his sarcastic chuckle. Among other reasons, he was sure. The Fore-Demons wanted to make sure they could trust him. What better way than send him back to the woman he had almost helped the Infernati destroy.

Rafael’s booming voice broke him from his thoughts. “How about Daniel?”

“He’s not an unblessed demon. That’s not to say he isn’t working with the Infernati.”

“He could still be a demon?”

“I’m not ruling it out.”

“If he doesn’t smell of brimstone, then he’s one of us.”

Matthias groaned low, hoping Rafael didn’t hear. “Not necessarily.”

“What sort of angel is just going to bless random demons?”