Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(87)

Matthias leaned in and pushed her hair from her ear. “I’ll take care of it.” He directed his gaze toward Daniel. “Yes, we are demons.”

Daniel reached into his pocket and drew out a switchblade, his eyes wide and alert. “Stay back.”

Matthias approached him with slow cautious steps. He held out his hands. “Put your weapon away, Daniel. We aren’t going to hurt you. We are here to protect humans.”

“Sally told me you would say that.” He lashed out the knife at Matthias. “She also said you were deadly and not to be trusted.”

Matthias raised his hands above his head. “I’m unarmed. Feel free to search if you don’t trust me.”

Daniel continued to scowl, but he did shut the knife and shove it back in his pocket. “Fine. Just because Sally told me to not trust you, doesn’t mean I don’t.”

“But you just drew a weapon on us.” Serah came to stand next to Matthias.

“I’m confused.” Daniel said, his green eyes clouding over. “Sally said all of you were evil, but everything I’ve seen is just the opposite.” He shook his head.

“She said the Paladins were demons and had to be vanquished and that we needed Serah to do it.”

“Only the Paladins?”

“Yes, you demons are called Paladins right?”

“What about the Infernati?”

Daniel scrunched his brow. “Infer what?”

“Sally didn’t tell you about the Infernati?” Matthias asked, his face stern.

“How about your weapons? Did she tell you that the only blade that can kill a Paladin is one that has been forged in the fires of hell? That the Paladins actually have the blessings of angels? Did that slip her mind?”

Daniel balled his fists. “No!”

“The Infernati are the real enemies, Mr. Blackburn. Not the Paladins. We are your friends.”

“So do you believe us or not?” Lucy asked, her voice calm and collected.

Serah had to do something. “Daniel, you trust me, don’t you? I don’t just let anyone make tiramisu with me, you know. Not even my best friend.”

“That’s because you won’t let me use rum like any other respectable cook.” Lucy snorted. “Then again, I’m not known for my culinary expertise, either.”

“Captain Morgan and coffee don’t mix. Trust me.”

“You never know until you try it.” Lucy said, a small grin curving her lips.

“Let’s not and say we did.” Serah wasn’t in the mood to talk about Captain Morgan and its many medicinal qualities. “You know I’m more of a wine girl, anyway.”

“Alcohol snob.”

“See, Daniel? I trusted you enough to invite you and your crew in. I can see you’re a good person too. I sense it. You don’t really want us to die.”

“You’re right. I don’t.” Daniel sighed. “But why would Sally target the Paladins and not the real evildoers. That makes no sense.”

“Sally Lohman right?” She ran the name through her mind. “Do you have a picture of her so we can see if anyone recognizes her?”

Daniel shook his head. “No. She’s very private. I knew something big was up when she decided to be a part of the show. I told her I wasn’t going to kill anyone. It wasn’t in my contract.”

“A contract. How appropriate.” Serah rolled her eyes. “Does this woman get her jollies from keeping her people slaves to contracts?”

“Slaves.” Matthias gritted his teeth. His face hardened. “She’s a demon.”

“A lot of people use contracts to keep things under lock and key. Prenup anyone?” Serah smirked. “Don’t get married without one.”

“Demons like contracts too.” Matthias said in a muffled tone, his gaze moving to the floor. “Especially one demon.”

“Who?”

“Salome.”





Chapter 34


He should have known it was her from the get-go, but he let himself get distracted. And, as Daniel proceeded with his story, it made perfect sense.

She was building herself an army. She’d been building one when she first turned him to the demon side. Now, with one of the seats of hell open for the taking, she’d need an army even more.

And she was not one who was above using humans to get what she wanted. Kalli had shown him that.

“She hasn’t been spotted on earth in almost thirty years.” Rafael said. “She was always one who liked her presence to be known.”

“Have you ever fought her?” Lucy asked, gazing up at Rafael.

“Once. Remember the incident I told you about? The thing in the early eighties?”

Lucy’s eyes widened, giving a slow nod. “The antique Model T?”

“That would be the one.” Rafael shook his head. “She has the strangest Peragrans I’ve ever seen. Smoke instead of frost. It’s weird.”

“It’s not a Peragrans.” Kalli strode in from the office, the frost following her. “I’ve only fought her twice. The one time—” She flashed Matthias an apologetic glance. She turned back to Rafael “And with you in the eighties.”

“She has a strange ability to transport herself without using the portals of hell. We’re still trying to analyze it.”