Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(90)

“When is Salome expecting you back?” Matthias asked, breaking up the talk about motherly love.

“Around ten or so. I figured we had a couple pans of tiramisu to make.”

Matthias turned to Lucy. “Where can we find this silver substance? I’d like to try some before we go with the plan.”

“That homeopathic store in Green’s Corner probably sells it. I’m in the Rotary Club with the owner. He might work me up a deal.” Lucy grabbed her cell phone. “Believe it or not, some alternative medicine does work.” She pushed a button and headed toward the office.

“I can transport there in a matter of minutes,” Rafe added. He followed Lucy to the office. “I’ll do it in private. I know how Serah hates it. Daniel probably won’t like it much either.”

With that, he shut the door behind them.

“We could use the silver instead of the alcohol. I bet it would pack a better punch.” Daniel smirked.

“We don’t want it to be too obvious. I suggest mixing it in with the alcohol, so it blends in together,” Serah suggested. “Like the afterburn from a really spicy chili.”

“The kind that sneaks up on you. Yeah,” Daniel said with a nod.

“If you need someone to try the silver, I’ll do it.” Kalli twirled her tongue around the loop piercing her lip. “So what if my face turns blue—I’ll just shave my head and try out as an extra for the Blue Man Group.”

“But you’re a woman,” Matthias said.

“It’s the twenty-first century, jackass,” Kalli said with a roll of her eyes.

“I know that, but why call it Blue Man Group, then? I thought the idea was to make names and titles more—as humans say—politically correct.”

“Because,” Serah said with a wide grin. “The Blue Man or Woman Group doesn’t have as nice a ring to it.”

Women! So sarcastic. Like a breath of fresh air, nothing like the women he first knew. But he couldn’t imagine Serah any other way. And, frankly, he didn’t want to.

“Ahh, I guess that’s makes perfect sense.”

“Seriously, though.” Kalli lounged against the counter, examining one of her black-lacquered fingernails. “Let me try the silver before it’s blessed. We need to make sure it works.”

“Don’t you want to fight?” Serah asked Kalli. “I saw how well you kicked Larissa’s ass.”

Kalli grinned. “I’ll stick out like a sore thumb in that crowd. I’d be better off in the background.”

She meant to put herself in danger to protect her friends? Serah was lucky to have friends like that. In a way Matthias was jealous. As a demon, he’d never had any close friends, save for Balthazar, and he’d seen where that had ended up. But relief always overpowered the jealousy. These people were here protecting Serah—keeping her safe. He’d be forever grateful.

“Can’t you change your appearance?” Matthias asked. She was one of the oldest and most powerful demons. Surely she had enough power to change?

Kalli twirled a dreadlock around her finger. “My kind can only change their appearance every five years. I have about six more months left,” she said with a smirk. “Besides, I happen to like this look.”

Matthias knew there would be no chance of getting Kalli to change her mind. “I just worry that you might injure yourself. Then what good would you be to the Paladins?”

Kalli leaned in, hands on her hips. “I know what I’m doing. I’ve done it before.” She patted him on the shoulder. “But thanks for the concern. I’m oddly touched.”

“Protecting Serah means protecting her friends as well.” Matthias crossed his arms. “But if you want to be the guinea pig, there isn’t anyone stopping you.”

“Perfect! I’ll go in and make the arrangements with Lucy.” With that, she spun around and strode toward the office and shut the door with a quick snap.

“Interesting,” Daniel said, scratching his chin. “At first sight, I thought she’d be someone you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley. However, there’s this vibe about her that left me calm and relaxed.”

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Serah winked at Daniel. “That will only get you in trouble.”

“Something I am learning quite well today,” Daniel said with a sigh. “How could I be so stupid?”

Matthias’s heart clenched. He really felt for Daniel. They had a huge thing in common. They both had been duped by Salome. Matthias had had centuries to realize her treachery. Daniel, on the other hand was a human, with not nearly so much time on his hands. He hated Salome now more than ever. But he also needed to let Daniel know he wasn’t alone.

“Don’t beat yourself up, Daniel.” He took a deep breath. “Salome is known for her skills as a temptress. Even when she was human, she had those skills.”

Serah arched a brow. He loved that expression. “I thought she lived during biblical times?”

“Biblical being the operative word.”

“No way!” Daniel shook his head. “She’s that Salome? What in the hell have I gotten myself into?”

Matthias took Daniel’s hand in his, his gaze stern yet gentle. He couldn’t have him losing control. Not now—not with Salome and her minions so close. “Nothing we can’t get you out of. All we need is your trust.”