Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(78)

The locket continued to radiate, the heat and energy coursing through her entire body. Her head pounded and her toes tingled.

Close your eyes, someone whispered in her head.

Serah wasn’t in a position to argue, so she squeezed her eyes shut.

Harness the power. Control it.

How in the hell did she do that? It wasn’t like she’d done yoga or anything to become one with her inner chi. She’d have better luck milking a billy goat.

The answer is in your heart. She didn’t have time for this cryptic shit. She needed to kick some Infernati ass. Why did everything have to be so danged confusing?

She kept her eyes closed. In her heart, huh? Fancy that particular organ thumped wildly against her rib cage. She took a deep breath. With that, she concentrated on her heart. She visualized all the warmth of her body surrounding it, pouring energy into it. Confidence pounded its way through her veins. She kicked out her foot, sending the demon reeling back.

The demon grunted and righted itself. Wiping some trickling red sauce from its brow, it hunched low.

“Die, Pure-Blood bitch!”

“Uh, no thank you.”

“Arrgh!” It lunged forward again.

Serah dove to the left, slamming against the side of the buffet. Adrenaline pumped through her body, her pain at the back of her thoughts. She didn’t need a bodyguard after all. She was doing fine all by herself.

“Ha. Ha. Ha! Got you now.” The walking mound of marinara spread his slimy lips into a mocking grin. Slithering along the ground, it reached out and grabbed Serah by her shoulders and turned her to face it.

Heart still pounding and full of energy, Serah stood her ground. Feet firmly planted to the floor, she stood tall.

“Isn’t that pot a little small for both of us?”

“Where you’re going, size doesn’t matter.”

She knew what she had to do. It was time to trust her heart. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Oh, yes you are, and I’m going to take you there.”

She squared her shoulders. “No, I’m not.” With that, she closed her eyes. She sent all her heart-energy shooting through her body, right to where the locket rested on her collar. She threw her head back and let the energy rush through her.

“Aggggh!” the demon gurgled. “What have you done?”

She opened her eyes. The sauce-man flailed its arms as flames lashed out from beneath it. It lunged forward in a last-ditch attempt to take her to hell with it.

Serah spun out of his grasp and snatched another sharp knife from the counter.

“I’m pretty sure I just vanquished your ass. See ya, wouldn’t wanna be ya.” She sent the knife flying, lodging deep in the demon’s chest.

“Bitch,” it garbled out. With that, it burst, sending marinara sauce spraying across the kitchen walls.

She slumped against the counter, tightly gripping the edge. What in the hell had just happened? She turned toward the counter and rushed toward Edie. Leaning down, she brushed a wisp of hair from her cheek. She hoped she wasn’t dead. Then again, if she was a goddess, Edie was probably immortal.

“Are you okay?”

Edie murmured, her eyelids fluttering open. She reached up, and brushed a fingertip across Serah’s chin. “Oui! Now that you are safe.”

“What goddess are you?”

Edie sat up and stretched out her arms. “You should know. I’m a good cook.”

“I thought Bacchus was a guy.”

Edie rolled her eyes. “He’s the god of wine. I am the goddess of food.” She sighed. “Unfortunately, I’m not that well-known.” Her sigh turned into a smile. “Not that I shouldn’t be. I’ve helped so many famous chefs achieve their lifelong goals.”

“Well?”

“Edesia’s my name. Food is my game.” She stood up, allowing her garments to billow about her. “I’m not supposed to be here. I just wanted to make sure you remained safe. I owed it to your grandmother—to you!”

Her grandmother was a blessed woman, in more ways than one. “So, you’re the goddess of food?”

“Oui! I am!” Edie smiled. “But you do not need much help with that.”

“Thanks, I think.”

“You’re welcome.”

A loud pounding echoed on the door. Matthias’s voice boomed. “Serah! Are you okay? Let me in!”

“I must go. Matthias, he is a good man. He will take care of you.” With that, Edie spun around, allowing the warm mists to envelop her. A loud pop echoed in the air and then she was gone.

Serah flew backward from the percussion, only to find herself caught by two very muscular arms. Her head crashed back against more muscles. The familiar scent of ginger and spice wafted to her nose. Matthias. Had he seen Edie?

“Edie,” she murmured.

“Edie isn’t here.” A gentle hand swept a blob of sauce from her cheek. He took her into his arms and cradled her against his chest. Fingers laced into her hair, stroking her neck. Maybe Edie was right.

Letting out a deep sigh, she snuggled up against his hard, muscled chest. “I’m just going to order a pizza instead,” she whispered, as the events of the ordeal finally took their toll.





Chapter 31


“What the hell?” Serah mumbled, rubbing her temples. She groaned as she fought to open her eyes.