Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(86)

“It’s too late to cancel the show.”

They all spun around to see Daniel standing there with his arms crossed.





Chapter 33


Uh oh. Busted! Exactly how long had Daniel been standing there listening?

Lucy gulped down her soda, nearly coughing on the drink.

“Why would we want to cancel the show?” Serah asked in a feeble attempt at nonchalance.

“No need to hide. I heard enough of the conversation.”

“And what are your plans for us?” Matthias asked. He moved closer to Serah, wrapping his arm around her. Warmth spread throughout her body. She relaxed against him, as if she were truly protected. Then again, protecting her was supposed to be his job.

Daniel blew out a long breath. “Do you want the long version or the Reader’s Digest condensed version?”

“I don’t like anything condensed. Not soup, not orange juice, and especially not reading material.”

“I figured as much. Let’s see.” Daniel paced the floor, scratching his chin. “My early life in Chicago wasn’t the greatest. My mother, she was heavy into heroin. There isn’t a time I recall when she was ever clean. The state bounced me around from foster home to foster home. Then I turned eighteen and aged out. I did not want the same life my mother had. I was determined to make something of my life.” He took another breath. “I was a big-boned person. I worked out and kept myself clean. I took a job as a bouncer at a club downtown.”

“I read all this on your online biography,” Matthias said, his gaze penetrating.

“You asked for the long version.”

Matthias nodded. “Fine, continue.”

“Thank you,” Daniel replied, leaning against the counter. “While I was working the crowd one night, I met Sally. She said she was a producer, and thought I had the look of a star. It was weird. It was like she knew exactly who I was. Being young and determined, I never questioned it. That’s how I ended up on Princes and Paupers.”

“Great show, by the way.” Lucy smiled. “One of the only reality shows I liked. Too bad it lasted only two seasons.”

“Sally’s choice. She wanted to move to cooking shows instead.” Daniel shook his head. “Completely surprised me because I don’t think I’ve seen the woman eat at all while we worked together.”

“That’s the California mentality,” Serah murmured. “Eating is a sin there.”

“Perhaps, but even the skinniest supermodel binges every so often.” Daniel shrugged. “Anyhow, I did like the show’s idea. I’m also someone who enjoys a good meal every so often, so it was a win-win situation. Then your audition tape came through. There was something about you. Sally’s interest was intense. More than I had seen with other audition tapes. She made the legal team rig up a contract, which I’ve never seen before with any of the other guests. I just assumed she really wanted you for the show.”

“What can I say—no one can resist my charms.”

“Then Sally told me the truth. She said she was a member of an anti-demon taskforce that was designed to rid the world of evil.”

“What did you tell her?”

“I told her she was crazy,” Daniel said with a chuckle. “Who wouldn’t. Demons? Yeah, right.” His gaze grew serious. “Then she showed me videos. Demonic possessions, demon attacks, demon everything. It was very convincing. She said she needed both of us to help win the war.”

“Wow.” Serah chuckled. “YouTube has some freaky stuff on it, but most of it is totally fake.”

“You’d think so, but there was something very real about these videos. It was disturbing.”

Matthias turned to Rafael. “Are the Paladins aware of any human militia or organizations determined to wage a war on demons?”

Rafael shrugged. “I’d have to discuss this with the Council. As far as I know, the only humans who can truly fight a demon are the Pure-Bloods. Even priests are inept when it comes to exorcism.”

Matthias turned back to Daniel and crossed his arms. “So what is your reason here?”

“Sally wanted me to get Serah to join the cause. The TV show was the excellent backdrop.”

“What cause?”

Daniel took a deep ragged sigh. “The Brotherhood of Enlightenment.”

Rafael narrowed his gaze. “I’ve never heard of this organization.”

“No one has. We have only fifteen members as far as I know.” Daniel drew his lips tight. “But after I reported in to Sally, she told me the mission had changed.”

“How did it change?” Serah asked. She dreaded Daniel’s answer.

He took Serah’s hand in his. “She told me we had to kill you all. She said you all were demons and that you had been tainted by their influence.”

“How did she know this?” Matthias asked.

“I gave her your name.”

“So it’s someone who knows Matthias?” Serah asked. She turned to Matthias. “How many humans know you and your name?”

“The humans who knew my name have since parted this world.”

“So Sally was right?” Daniel asked, nervousness lacing his voice. “You all are demons?”

“Uhh…” How the hell were they going to get out of this one? “I’m not a demon.”