Demons Prefer Blondes (Demons Unleashed #1)(27)

“I need to guard the chest.”

The door swung open. The ape-faced imp from earlier waddled in. “Nope. Rafael Deleon, you’ve been summoned,” it said, sounding like Joe Pesci on helium. “The Fore-Demons request your presence. I’ve been ordered to watch the chest.”

No one would believe this crap. “A talking monkey? I’ve officially seen it all.”

“What? An imp guarding the chest?” Rage boiled in Rafe’s eyes. He clenched and unclenched his fists.

Grinning, the imp handed Rafe a piece of parchment. “Not just any imp. Your imp.”

“Bloody hell,” Rafe muttered. He crunched the fancy paper and threw it against the wall. “Can things get any more complicated?”

“Complicated?” The imp scratched its head then moved to its under-pit. How like a monkey! At least it didn’t smell its finger. “I’m a blessing. I saved your asses back there.”

It walked around the shop, eying everyone suspiciously. “Whoa! We gots lots of demons here.” Scratching its butt, it approached Serah with cautious steps. “What in Tartarus?” Its eyes bugged out and it cringed as a squeak erupted from its mouth. What looked like fear sparked in its eyes as it scuttled back behind Rafe and attached itself to a leather-clad leg. Lucky SOB!

Now she was jealous of a wannabe monkey?

Rafe growled and shook his leg, sending the poor imp flying against the wall. “Enough!”

“Owwie!” the imp cried, rubbing its head. “That hurt. Not a good way to start our relationship.”

Lucy arched a brow—a talent she was getting more proficient at. “What’s the deal? It’s kind of cute in a weird sort of way.”

Serah shrugged. “Yeah, even though it doesn’t like me.”

Rafe crossed his arms across his chest and stood stony still. “I’m not at all amused with this.”

“There isn’t much that amuses you. Lighten up some.” This coming from Kalli. She turned and shook her head at the imp. “Squeaky, I told you to wait until Rafe met with the council.”

Squeaky? How appropriate. Lucy tried to stifle her snicker but failed miserably. Squeaky’s fur-covered brow scrunched into a scowl, his hairy hands clenching into balls. “Sorry, I’m trying to get over the fact that you’re an imp that looks like a monkey that sounds like a chipmunk.”

Squeaky huffed, a sound like an annoying whistle. “I’m not a monkey. I’m a freakin’ chimpanzee. I’m pretty suave, though. Right?”

Oh brother! Did this thing think he was an extra from The Sopranos?

“Uh, sure.” She extended her hand to Squeaky, who had since given up Rafe’s leg. “My name’s Lucy. Thanks for saving our butts back there.”

He smiled, revealing giant yellow teeth. “It’s not my fault I got saddled with this body. I was busy teaching a lesson to some punks at the zoo and hopped into the first form I could find. Why in the hell couldn’t I have been near the Antarctica exhibit? I’ve always wanted to be a penguin.” Squeaky sighed. “Now I’m here, picking fleas from my stinky ass.”

An imp who was a chimp that wanted to be a penguin. Priceless. “Well, chimps are cute, and an impish chimp is even cuter.”

“What a woman! If I could take a human form, I’d give you a call.”

“You can’t take a human form?”

Squeaky shook his head. “Being an imp, I’m forced to take on the form of those less intelligent beasts. But I’m strong. I took your cousin’s form, y’know?”

“Why is Rafe so ticked?” Lucy turned her head to glance over at the enigma of a man. He stood in the corner glowering as he punched a number into his cell phone.

Kalli snorted a chuckle. “Because instead of a tiger or a lion, or some other beast for a familiar, the Fore-Demons sent Squeaky the Wonder Chimp instead.”

Talk about a blow to the male ego. “Chimps are intelligent, though.”

“It’s his familiar, an extension of his inner self. Seeing a part of you as a lower class primate isn’t that great.”

“Well, he is a man.”

“More than you realize,” Kalli said with a wink.

Rafe cleared his throat. “I am still here, Kalli. I’d appreciate it if you’d stop humoring yourselves at my expense.”

“But it’s so easy to ruffle your feathers.” Kalli grinned, giving Rafe a playful punch to his shoulder.

Lucy’s eyebrows arched. “Speaking of feathers, where are Gerardo and Frankie?”

“They are checking inventory in the back.” Kalli grinned, clasping her hands in front of her. “What a great crew you have.”

Lucy beamed. She couldn’t get any better than Frankie and Gerardo. They were dedicated, had great personalities, and most importantly, they were awesome stylists.

“What can I say? They rock.”

“Kalli, Lucy, and I need to talk.” Rafe motioned to Serah and Squeaky. “Privately.”

Serah took the hint. “I can go check on the guys.” She looked over at Squeaky, who cowered in the corner.

“Do I have to?” Squeaky eyed Serah as if she were a lion ready to pounce. “With her?”

“Yes.” Rafe’s answer was firm, leaving no room for refusal. He pushed the reluctant chimp toward Serah. “Go.”