Demons Prefer Blondes (Demons Unleashed #1)(104)

“Fuck your priestess.”

“Already have… many times.” Belial smirked. “A fine lay, but I’m sure my little succubus bride will be better.”

Her stomach roiled at the thought of Belial and his naked cinnamon and sulfur-scented body anywhere near her. Shivers of revulsion coursed through her body. “I just threw up in my mouth.”

“Very funny. Now move,” he said with a not-so-gentle push inside the chapel door.

Tall, dripping candles lined the walls, casting pale shadows throughout the chapel. At the front of the chapel stood the priestess, cloaked in billowing dark capes. She stood there in stark silence, darkness shrouding her face. The air thickened with a heaviness she couldn’t distinguish. A hard lump filled her throat and her heart constricted. Remorse.

“Priestess, show yourself to my bride-to-be.”

With a slow, submissive nod, she stepped away from the podium and made her way toward her. With the agility of a cat, she weaved through the array of metal folding chairs that were scattered about. And here she was expecting something more demonic.

“I am the priestess.” Her voice, although beautiful, held no life. Like a robot. “I shall perform your wedding rituals.”

“She doesn’t seem too thrilled, sweetie.” More waves of revulsion rolled through her. Had she actually said sweetie? She bit her tongue. There was only one man she wanted to call sweetie.

“She’s thrilled, aren’t you dear?”

The priestess nodded. “Indeed, I am.”

“See?” Belial grinned. “Now let’s head back outside. It’s time for us to marry.”

“We aren’t marrying in here?”

“No. This silly chapel has been blessed. The people of Hell are more religious than I realized.”

“Sucks to be you, doesn’t it?”

“On the contrary, my dear. I believe it sucks to be Rafe.” With that, he gave her a violent shove out of the chapel.

What was this fixation with Rafe? Belial was a prince of Hell, and Rafe was a mere centurion in the Paladin forces. She could easily pawn it off on jealousy, but something deep inside kept nagging her. Yes, it was Rafe’s mission to recover the chest, but she couldn’t help but wonder if there was something more.

“Definitely won’t be getting any husband-of-the-year awards,” she said, catching her balance on the doorjamb. “And what’s with your obsession with Rafael Deleon? You can’t stop talking about him. Are you sure you don’t want a bro-mance instead?”

Belial’s eyes sparked like two demonic ambers, hot and angry. He reached out, wrapped his fingers around her neck, and yanked her to him, sucking the breath from her body. “I’ve never met the man. But as soon as his slow vehicle arrives, we’ll become very acquainted.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” She stood tall. Proud. “And then you’ll get his sloppy seconds.”

The winds picked up swirling around them. Warm and humid winds. Steam and vapor sizzled around her. Snow melted. Ice dripped from the trees. Maybe Gerardo had sent for reinforcements. He was smart like that.

“What?” came a screech from the melee of demons, humans and angels. With claws bared, Larissa lunged at her. “How dare you?”

“How dare I? You’re the one to talk. You made no qualms about snatching Josh from me. Sucks that we were already on the outs, though, huh?”

Lizard tongue flicking, Larissa hissed, her scaly palm connecting with Lucy’s face. “I saw the admiration in your eyes. I saw how you still cared for him.”

The winds built, like a giant vortex of hot and steamy air, whipping around them with eager flicks. For some reason, it spurred her on, gave her life. Rafe. Her heart thumped in excitement.

“I care for Josh as a friend. There’s a big difference, you know.” Lucy threw back her head and chuckled. “Oh never mind, you probably don’t.”

She fully prepared herself for the physical lash that would soon follow. She welcomed it. She wanted Larissa angry. Instead, Larissa threw back her head and cackled, the sound cracking in her ears. “But I know this, Lucia. Rafael Deleon loved me first.”

Those words sliced into her, filling her with anger. With a deep growl, she lunged at Larissa and wrapped her fingers around her slender throat. Boiling rage bubbled inside her as she tightened her grip. The bitch had put Rafe through so much. She deserved to suffer.

“Yes,” she gasped out, her smile remaining. Of course she’d be into that kinky shit. “Anger, mmm. Yes, Rafael loved me first.”

The humid winds swirled and spun, creating a cocoon of intense warmth and energy. Calming, relaxing. The familiar scent of peppermint and spice wafted to her nose.

“You’re mistaken,” Rafe’s voice boomed through the mists. “I cannot love a monster.”

The steam fizzled away as Rafe, flanked by Kalli and Nic, burst into action. Reaching into his black leather coat, Nic pulled out a dagger, ready to strike. Rafael grabbed his shoulder, his silver eyes stormy.

“She’s mine.” Even through the snow, Lucy caught the spark in his silver eyes.

Shaking his head, Dominic extracted his arm from Rafe’s hand.

Larissa grinned. “I’m still his,” she hissed in her ear. “I’ll always be his.”