Demons Prefer Blondes (Demons Unleashed #1)(35)
“You’re only part demon, Lucy.” He said it like she was a freak of nature. Then again, she probably was. She wasn’t quite human, and not quite demon. She was… Well, she didn’t know what she was. She didn’t like it one bit.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Rafe.” With a turn of her heels, she stalked to her mother. Her graying dark blonde hair hung limp around her head, her ocean blue eyes wide and pleading. If there was one thing her mom was good at, it was the puppy-dog look.
“Quit the dramatic, Mom. I’ll do your hair.”
She crossed her arms and pouted. “Lucia…”
“Fine. I’ll do your makeup too.” She pointed a finger. “But that’s it.” Why did her mother have to care so much about her appearance? She didn’t need any help. She was fifty and didn’t look a day over forty. Lucy could only hope to be so lucky. She snuck a gaze to Rafe and Kalli, who whispered in the corner. Never mind that, she was that lucky… or maybe unlucky. She had yet to find out.
Rafael sat in the chair next to Lucy’s mother, amazed at the resemblance. Both women had beautiful dark blonde hair, delicate cheekbones and delightful clefts in their chins. The only thing besides age that set them apart was their eyes, each woman’s beautiful in its own unique way. Where Mrs. Gregory’s were the color of a placid ocean, Lucy’s were a mixture of lush greens and exotic amber—breathtaking. Her enchantment became too much. Even the presence of her mother did little to slake his desire. He needed to speak to the council, and he needed to speak to them soon—before winter officially rolled in. Kalli had mentioned the solstice. How could he have forgotten? Keeping himself isolated in Limbo had faded his knowledge of the Earth and its cosmic proportions. When the Earth ceased to revolve, the underworld would still exist. It was immortal, after all.
“Stop staring at them, Rafe,” Kalli said as she leaned in and snipped a few hairs. “You’re making her mother uncomfortable.”
Rafael grumbled. “I understand, but something’s amiss. Two Pure-Bloods within the same city limits?” He shook his head. “Not bloody likely.”
“What makes you think they’re Pure-Bloods?” Kalli ran a comb through his hair and snipped.
Not that he worried about how much she’d cut, it’d grow back in a matter of an hour, regardless. Such the luck for an immortal. Only the strongest of demons could change their appearances. Not that he wasn’t strong, he just happened to like his hair. And Lucy liked it too. What in the deities? Where had that come from? Stupid enchantment. He had to speak to the council. He’d waited too long.
“Do you have any other brilliant suggestions?”
“There haven’t been any Pure-Bloods in twenty-five years. The Infernati wiped them out.” She set the scissors down. “The last one was burned alive in her home.”
“Where?”
Kalli scratched beneath one of her rough locks. “Chicago.”
“That’s not far from here.” Rafael knew he grasped at straws, but his options dwindled.
“True, but Lucy’s mom had carnal relations with an incubus. What’s not to say that that incubus simply gave her his protection?”
Chuckling, he leaned back in his chair. “An incubus protecting his victim? You’re losing your touch.”
“It’s time you realized I had a touch to begin with.” She thrust him the mirror and turned him around to examine his back. “You like?”
With a quick nod, he swiveled the chair back to stare his friend in the eye. “Good job.” Sure, he and Kalli didn’t agree on things, but he still admired her. She was the best damned cleaner the Paladins had, and she was the best stylist they had too. There wasn’t anything the demoness couldn’t do. “I can’t take any more chances. I need to speak to the council.” Something didn’t add up.
“There is more than the possibility of the Pure-Bloods that concerns you,” Kalli leaned in to whisper. “I sense it.” Kalli’s lips spread into a devious grin. “You’re attracted to her, aren’t you?”
Was it that obvious? With that information, Kalli could bring him down. Not that she would. But— “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m a Paladin. We’re immune to succubi.”
“All right then. Sorry I suggested it.” Kalli snickered. “Demons have needs too, you know.” She twirled a purple dreadlock in her finger. “Even me.”
Yes, he may have needs, but he wouldn’t let his needs fail the Paladins. Too much was at stake. “I don’t want to discuss your needs, Kalli.” Brushing snips of hair from his shoulders and chest, he rose from the chair and turned to lock gazes with Lucy.
Her hazel eyes glinted in disappointment and a small frown curved her lips. Perhaps Kalli hadn’t done that great of a job. “Wow,” she muttered. There was no masking the disappointment that cracked in her voice.
Kalli scrubbed her fingers through her thick mane. “I didn’t think it was that bad.” She snorted in laughter. “Never mind. I did too good of a job.” She knelt to the floor and scooped up some of his discarded hair. Swinging a dark lock in her fingers, she shook her head. “I forgot she said trim. She’ll be pleasantly surprised in a few hours when you have a full head of hair again.” She flung the hair to the floor.