Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(91)

Daniel nodded, placing his other hand on top of Matthias’s—an action that filled him with joy. Odd, yet extremely comforting. “I trust you.”

“Good.” He withdrew his hand from Daniel’s. It was time to get down to the problem at hand. He needed as much information as he could get. “Does she have anyone else that she works with. Pictures? Names? Anything?”

“She mentioned meeting with an old friend after the Paladins had been exterminated.”

“Any names?”

“Sally isn’t one to give out names.” Daniel pounded his fist onto the counter. “She was so damn secretive. I should have known.”

“She can be very persuasive. Many have fallen for her ploys.”

“I’ve dealt with shifty and shady people all my life. I have no excuse.”

Was there any getting through to him? Humans could be so stubborn at times. He thrust his face inches from Daniel’s, his eyes hard. “That’s the difference. She’s a demon, not human. She has powers.”

Daniel nodded and took a big gulp. “Okay. I understand.”

Did he really? Regardless, he would soon enough. Matthias pulled away and scraped his fingers through his hair. “I felt the same way when I learned she’d deceived me.”

“How long ago was that?”

“Nearly eight centuries ago.”

“Dear God, you’re old!” Daniel covered his mouth. “Oops. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to be so blunt.”

“No need to apologize. I am indeed a rather weathered individual.” He proceeded with more questioning. “So there’s no one else except Sally’s old friend?” He wondered if Balthazar was her old friend. He and the sauce demon were the only two Infernati he had come across recently. Then again, there was the demon that had come pretty damn close to getting Serah in an accident.

Then there was Balthazar to consider. What part did his old mentor play in this fiasco? It was no coincidence that both Salome and he showed up in Connolly Park right around the same time. The two had worked together before. That, and the fact that his descendant was of interest to them all. Salome was the demon who had stolen his son and altered his family line, after all.

He wanted to spit. He clenched his fists. Heck, he wanted to kill the bitch. But that itself was too humane a punishment for the hell she’d put Daniel through. For the hell she planned to put Serah through.

There was no mistaking the obvious. He loved Serah. He’d always loved her. But she deserved someone more human. He was a soulless abomination, not worthy of her. And for that, he’d protect Daniel too. He had a soul Matthias could only dream of possessing.

Why did this have to hurt so much?

Because love isn’t all roses. He glanced up at Daniel and Serah. They made a perfect couple. He would not stand in the way of their happiness.

Serah arched a brow, her lips drawn. “Everything okay over there?”

“Yes,” Matthias said with a nod. “I was just running ideas through my head.”

“Care to share?” Daniel asked.

Not really. “I am just hoping these effects take place immediately. Like Rafael, I don’t want to risk innocent lives.”

Time was of the essence. They needed to act fast.

Kalli strolled back into the kitchen, smiling wide. “Rafe will be back soon. After I take a swig, we’ll have our answer.”

“Are you absolutely sure you want to do this, Kalli? It could kill your human body.”

“Nothing I haven’t gone through before.”

“You are brave.”

“Anything for the cause.”

Daniel smiled. “It is good to see such dedicated people. Sally would delegate such things to one of the lesser people in the group.”

“And you seriously didn’t get the Jim Jones vibe from her at all?” Serah asked with a soft chuckle. “Tell me you didn’t drink the Kool-Aid.”

“Flavor-Aid, actually. Those poor people at Kool-Aid always get blamed. It was all caused by demons, you know.” Kalli shook her head. “What a terrible mess. Thank God I didn’t have to clean that one up.”

Matthias nodded. He’d heard about that incident. After that, he vowed never to take a mission that would harm another innocent life. Then Belial had blackmailed him. He wasn’t one to break a vow. He fought as hard as he could in Belial’s dungeon to get Serah out of there. He thanked God and all the angels that Belial hadn’t had the forethought to kill Serah first. And thank goodness for Lucy and Rafe. They had defeated Belial and sent all those demons packing.

With a giant whoosh, the office door swung open. “We got it!” Lucy pumped two small bottles above her head triumphantly.

“Is that going to be enough?” Serah asked, her brow tense with worry. “Those bottles look kind of small.”

Rafe strode out of the office, cardboard box beneath his arm. “Don’t worry. I stocked up.”

“I volunteered to try it out before you take it to get blessed.” Kalli grinned. Looking as happy as a lab rat that had no idea what it was getting into, she jumped up and down with eager anticipation. Then again, she’d lived for over two thousand years. She was far from stupid.

Matthias wasn’t going to let up. “Are you sure? I’m the one who’s protecting your asses.”