Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(94)

“Costa Rican Dark Roast.”

“I’ve never had that blend before.”

“It’s delicious. It has a faint hint of dark chocolate and figs.”

“Sounds like a fancy chocolate bar, not a coffee, but I’ll give it a try.” She pulled out the grinder and canister and scooped out way too many beans.

“Are you trying to kill me?”

“The stronger, the better. Trust me.” Lucy covered the grinder and pushed a button, and the grinder roared to life. She poured the grounds into the top of the machine and turned it on.

The woodsy aroma of coffee filled the air, wafting to her nose. Yep, Lucy could at least brew a good pot of coffee.

“Smells good,” Daniel said.

“I’m good for one thing in the kitchen, huh?”

Serah nodded. “Indeed.”

Lucy opened a cupboard and pulled out Serah’s second-favorite cup, a tall mug that said “This cup’s for you.” Her favorite one had been melted, thanks to Matthias. She pulled the half-filled carafe out and poured some coffee into the cup. “I don’t do cream or sugar. You’re on your own there.”

She replaced the carafe and the machine resumed its brewing. Gotta love automatic drip.

“Probably a good idea,” Serah said with a chuckle. She ripped open a pack of I Can’t Believe it’s Not Sugar and sprinkled it into her cup. Coffee wasn’t something that she spent hours on, so she relied on the delicious mixes that Café Du Jour provided her. Sure it wasn’t real, but it tasted damn good. She pulled out the bottle of white chocolate caramel creamer and cracked open the lid and poured some into her coffee.

Without any warning, Lucy’s phone went off. The smooth crooning of Justin Bieber filled the room. Lucy blushed as she flipped open the phone. “Hello.”

Daniel grinned. “Nothing to be embarrassed about. I’ve met Justin before. A wonderful kid.”

Lucy smiled and nodded, followed by widening eyes. “What?” she asked, her voice booming with surprise. “Really? That’s amazing.”

Despite the surprise, she didn’t seem overly worried, which only piqued Serah’s interest more.

“What’s going on?”

Lucy pulled the phone from her ear and covered the receiver. “Hold on,” she whispered. She went back to her conversation. “So they came and took him, just like that?”

Took who? What was going on? Now Serah was starting to worry.

“Frankie, calm down. I know you wanted to give him a party.” Lucy shook her head. “He knew they were coming and he didn’t tell us?” There was a brief pause as Frankie said more. “I’m sure he just didn’t want us to make a big to-do about it. I’m sure he’ll be fine.” Lucy blew out a deep breath. “Rafe and the other Paladin who is guarding Serah have gone to limbo. I’ll ask if they can find anything out when they get back. We’re trying to make poison tiramisu and are waiting for the main ingredient.” She paused again. “Okay, I’ll tell her. Bye, hon.” She hit the button to end the call.

“Oh, brother,” Lucy breathed. “Something weird just happened at the shop.”

“What?”

“A group of angels came and took Gerardo away.”

“Wasn’t he going to be reassigned to a human child?” Serah asked.

“It wasn’t earthbound angels that took him. It was heavenly hosts, I guess. I hope he’s okay.”

“Me too. We’ll have to have Matthias and Rafe investigate when they get back.” If anyone could get answers it was those two. They could either charm with their looks or threaten with their muscles. She prayed it was the former. She never cared much for violence.

“Angels too?” Daniel threw back his head and chuckled. “It just got weirder again.”

“Yep. After a while, it will all seem normal, though.”

“I hope.” Daniel shivered. “And to think I was freaked out when I auditioned for Supernatural.”

Supernatural? He was cute, but she didn’t really see him as a Dean or Sam Winchester. “Sorry that didn’t work out for you.”

“Sally wasn’t too thrilled about the idea anyway.” Daniel shrugged. “She said it would be a conflict of interest with our work with the Brotherhood.”

“More like some of the episodes would make you suspicious of their organization. I mean they made angels villains. Who does that?”

“Hollywood.” Kalli said, pouring herself a cup of coffee. “Artistic license, you know. By the way, not all angels have angelic intentions. Matthias can tell you all about that.”

Serah nodded. He had mentioned it briefly when he related his story to her. But it really shouldn’t have surprised her. If demons could be good, what’s to say an angel couldn’t be bad?

Speaking of Matthias, where were they? It had been over an hour already. Then again, she was not known for her patience. “How much longer? I’m worried about Gerardo.”

“Frankie said Gerardo was happy to see these angels and willingly went with them.” Lucy took a sip of her coffee. “Ahh, just the way I like it.”

“So you think he’s okay?”

Lucy chuckled. “Even if he were in trouble, he can hold his own.”