Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(97)

“Let’s head back. Serah has some kick-ass tiramisu to make—and hopefully it will help us kick some Infernati ass as well.”

***

“I’m getting nervous.” Serah gnawed on a fingertip as she swished the remaining coffee in her mug. “It’s been way longer than an hour now.”

“Maybe they stopped for a beer afterward,” Kalli said over her second cup of coffee.

“Not now, Kalli.”

“Just trying to lighten your mood. Sorry.” She set her mug on the counter. “I’m sure everything’s fine.”

The door to the office flew open, the gust rattling the pots and pans.

Kalli grinned. “See?”

Matthias and Rafe stepped back into the kitchen. Swiping snow and ice from his shoulders, Matthias allowed a wide grin to spread across his face. It was amazing. He was amazing.

“The silver is blessed,” he said, his voice as smooth as butter. Serah didn’t need this now, when they needed to concentrate on Gerardo and the tiramisu.

“Something happened to Gerardo,” Lucy said, rushing to Rafe. “Frankie called me. Some angels came and took him with them.”

Rafe nodded. “I know.”

“What happened?” Serah asked. “We’re worried about him.”

“He was promoted. He’s no longer earthbound.”

“What does that mean?”

“He’s a cherub now,” Matthias said, setting the box on the counter.

Serah scrunched her brows. “Aren’t they pudgy little babies?”

“Stupid human painters,” Matthias mumbled. “They always misrepresent what they do not know.”

Kalli snickered. “My fault. I was a muse for a while. It was better to keep our secrets by misleading the artists.”

“A cherub? Really?” Bemusement flooded Lucy’s face.

Rafe nodded. “In the fifth order too, which means he’s strong.”

“I always knew he had it in him.” There was no mistaking the pride in Lucy’s voice. “Was he the one who blessed the silver?”

Matthias nodded. “He was.”

“Good. That means we’re well protected.” Serah grabbed one of the bottles. “Looks like we’ve got some tiramisu to make.”

“Let’s get crackin’,” Kalli said, popping open the egg carton.

“I never pegged you for the domestic type,” Serah said. “But nothing surprises me anymore.”

“Don’t let the lace and fishnets fool you. I’ve done my fair share of baking and cooking, enough to last a millennium or two.” Her ruby-red lips spread into a wide smile. “Besides, we’re cooking up trouble for the Infernati. That’s an opportunity I can’t afford to miss.”

“I’m so lucky to have friends like you.” Serah grabbed Lucy and Kalli in her arms and hugged them both.

“How many bottles do you think we need?” Matthias asked.

Serah pulled out of the friendly group hug and shrugged. She turned to Daniel. “How many people are going to be there?”

Matthias let out a sharp breath. He clenched his fists. Did he still not trust Daniel? After all the information he gave him?

“Is something the matter?”

Matthias gave a slight shrug. “No.”

“Whatever.”

Lucy wrapped her arms around Serah’s shoulders. “Can you put aside the animosity for now?”

“Fine.” She angled a glance back to Daniel. “How many?”

“Fifty people.”

Serah did the math. “Let’s make three, nine-by-thirteen pans.” She shook her head. “No. Four. We need to show the final product for the show. Let’s do half Kahlúa and the other half silver. If we quadruple, we’d need exactly a cup of Kahlúa. So one half cup each.” She pulled open a drawer, pulled out two half-cup measures, and set them on the counter.

“Sounds good,” Daniel said.

“Let’s get busy,” Kalli said, throwing the cupboard door open. She pulled out a bowl and spun it around on the counter, where it glistened as light reflected off it. “Silver mixing bowl? Can you actually cook with it too?”

Serah nodded. “I guess once something’s blessed by an angel, it becomes usable in all applications.”

“Bonus. A weapon of mass destruction and a utensil of mass enjoyment in one.” She gave the bowl one final spin.

Rafe turned to Lucy and zipped up his leather jacket. “It looks like everything here is fine for now. Let’s head home.”

“No poofing tonight?”

Rafe smiled and shook his head. “No, I want to spend time with you. If I have to do it in your cramped sardine can of a car, so be it.”

Lucy smiled and wrapped her arms around Rafe. She looked up at him and kissed his lips. “And here people always told me that demons were bad.”

“Nope, just the Infernati giving you all a bad name.” Serah’s lips curved into a wide smile. Those two were perfect for each other. She wished she could have a man as strong, gentle, and sweet.

“So, you okay if we leave?” Lucy asked.

Serah nodded. “We have it under control.” She turned to glance at the bottles sitting on the counter. “How much do I owe—”