Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(88)
“Do you honestly believe Sally Lohman could be Salome?” Serah asked, her brow furrowed in concentration.
“They aren’t very creative when it comes to fake names, if that’s the case.” Lucy said.
“And she changed her plans when Daniel gave her my name.”
Daniel nodded. He shook his head and sucked in a ragged breath. “She told me they were protecting the world and doing good. Killing innocent people isn’t good.”
“How do we know that we can trust you?” Matthias asked. He was working for the enemy. He didn’t want to take any chances.
Kalli nodded. “I can’t read your mind either. So whoever you’re working for is powerful.”
Daniel sighed. “I’m confused and frustrated.” He took a seat at the dining table and put his head in his hands. “I wouldn’t expect you to trust me. But trust this. Tomorrow, when we film the show, her people will be there. They are going to ambush you. Even with my help, you all are doomed.”
“Comforting thought,” Serah murmured.
“After you feed them the tiramisu, and the credits have run, her people are going to kill you.”
“Wow. So she plans on airing the show, even when I’m dead? How heartless. There’s got to be something we can do.” Her sapphire eyes pleaded with him.
He wouldn’t let them near her. He’d take a blade if he had to. He was training to become a Paladin. The worst he would get would be a few years in limbo to recover. It was worth it. “I won’t let them take you.”
He hoped it was enough to ease her fears.
“If Sally is truly a demon, then the people working with her are demons too.” Daniel shook his head. “They’ll be mixed in with regular people. Can you tell the difference between a human or demon?”
“The Infernati have distinct odors,” Rafael said. “But when mixed in a crowd of humans, it is hard to differentiate between the two. I really don’t want to kill innocent people if I don’t have to.”
“What do these odors smell like?”
“Rotten eggs, Limburger cheese, moldy goat cheese, boiled cabbage.” Serah wrinkled her nose. “And that’s only the less-powerful demons.”
“Don’t forget the county landfill and the River City sewer system.” Lucy added for good measure.
“So basically, like shit.” Daniel scrunched his face. “Thank goodness I can’t smell it.”
“Sad thing is, those dumb Infernati don’t know how rancid they smell either.”
“Is there anything that can kill these demons?” Daniel asked.
“Silver blessed by an angel is the only way.”
“Maybe I could just finish Sally off when I go back to the hotel room.”
“Too obvious,” Matthias said. He wouldn’t let murder stay on anyone’s conscience, especially someone Serah had feelings for. He didn’t care what Lucy and Rafael said. He saw the way Serah comforted him. He had seen the kiss earlier too. It was sweet and tender, the way two people in love should kiss. Not hot and explosive like the ones they shared.
Truth be told, Matthias actually liked Daniel—despite the fact that he was working for Salome. He could see that he was a man who worked to get where he was. Even when Salome handed him a career on a silver platter—maybe not the best analogy—Daniel still worked hard. Daniel would have done well on his own. And that only made him angrier.
Besides, he was a demon. Daniel was human. It was a better, safer combination. A demon and a Pure-Blood together? Not likely in this century or the next.
Besides, he should be the one to kill Salome. She had taken away everything he held dear. He’d not let her take another. He had to protect Serah.
Rafael nodded. “Matthias is right. Not to mention it would be a suicide mission. Every one of Salome’s demon servants would be after you. It’s better to act as if nothing has changed.”
Daniel’s eyes flashed with worry. “I don’t know if I can do that.”
Matthias grabbed his shoulders, his gaze narrowed and intense. “You have to. You’re an actor aren’t you?”
“Reality star and actor aren’t always synonymous,” Daniel mumbled.
“You have to try, Daniel. You want to help save this town, right?” Matthias pulled him closer, baring his teeth. “You want to save Serah, don’t you?”
Daniel nodded. “I like Connolly Park.” He gulped. “And Serah.”
“Good. So you will try?”
Daniel nodded. “I will.”
He loosened his grip and stepped back. “Is there anything about Sally that we can use against her?”
Daniel shook his head. He held onto the counter and groaned. “How could I be so stupid?”
“You aren’t stupid, Daniel,” Serah said, wrapping her arms around him. She patted his shoulder and stroked her fingers through his shiny blond hair. Matthias yanked his eyes away.
“I am too. I let myself fall for Salome, or Sally, whatever-her-name-is’s story. She played me like a f*cking fool.”
Matthias had to say something. “You’re not the only one, Daniel. She did the same thing to me. She’s a cold, calculating bitch. It wasn’t your fault at all.” He hoped it would help ease his distress.