Demons Prefer Blondes (Demons Unleashed #1)(53)

Rafe’s brow jutted upward. “You’ve seen him before?”

Nibbling her lip, Lucy nodded. “At the restaurant, when I was out to dinner with my mom.”

“Then he was here before you opened the chest?”

This just kept getting weirder by the minute. “Yeah, I guess so,” she replied, her voice cracking.

The hooded figure hovered above the snow-speckled bushes, snow sparkling and blowing through it. All of a sudden, it turned back toward the house and vanished inside.

Her heart leapt in her chest, her pulse instantly spiking. “That isn’t good.”

Look at what she’d done now. Her mom was in danger, and it was her fault.

Lucy clenched her fists. She wouldn’t let an innocent person suffer for her mistake. Especially not her mom. Despite their differences, she was still her mother and only wanted what she thought was best for her. But enough introspect. She was ready to kick some creepy, cloaked demon ass.

“We better move,” Rafe’s voice cut into her thoughts.

She gulped. Nervousness crept in, scaring away any lingering lustful thoughts. Think about your mom, her new superhero ego burst out. She needs you.

But truth to the matter, it wasn’t her mom who needed her. Lucy was the one who needed her. She just hoped it wasn’t too late.

“I couldn’t agree more.” With that, she threw open the door to the car and flew out, ready to defend her family.





Chapter 15


What is it about her?

He should’ve been able to resist a succubus’s charm, yet Lucy had him under her spell—completely. From the first moment they locked gazes he’d been caught. He could still smell the sweet scent of green tea that floated with her every step. Fresh, exotic, and absolutely intoxicating. Regardless of his lack of success as a Paladin, he still had almost five centuries of training beneath his belt. He should be able to resist. But the more he resisted, the more he wanted her.

He was a moth drawn to her flame. He’d never felt such passion from a simple kiss, even the kisses he’d shared with others over the centuries. Maybe the Fore-Demons had sent him to her as a test, a test he would fail horribly. “I’m doomed.”

Once, he could shrug off as a fluke. But this had happened more than once. Twice they had kissed and twice, the reaction had been the same. Explosive passion. Lust and desire. If it hadn’t been for those two inconvenient interruptions, they would’ve gone farther than just a kiss, and that disappointed him.

Bloody hell. “I’m losing my powers,” he muttered beneath his breath.

It was the only explanation. Any time she came near, he couldn’t help himself. Pure molten desire raced through him whenever they touched. He angled his gaze toward the driver’s side window. Lucy stood in knee-deep snow, scanning the area. Hopefully she didn’t have any questions about their unwelcome visitor. Because, frankly, he didn’t have answers. At least not ones she wanted to hear.

The sooner he finished his mission, the better. The sooner he could concentrate on saving his sister. Maybe then he could forget about Lucia Anne Gregory and the almost obsessive hold she had on him. Had he known what he signed up for, he might never have accepted the mission. Then again, the Fore-Demons had made their choices. To go against them was to sign away your life as Paladin, forever wasting away in purgatory. What a bunch of good he’d do for Luc… Coby there.

“I’ll contact the elder council later tonight.”

Perhaps they could reassign him? Or maybe Nic would trade assignments with him. After all, Nic was more than capable of protecting Lucy, and he wouldn’t falter. Like I’m doing now.

Not bloody likely, his inner self replied. Knowing of Nic’s own private obsession, Rafael knew it would take a small act of God to get him to switch their missions. After all, this wasn’t a small outbreak like they were used to.

“This is the dawning of the bloody Apocalypse, and I’ve been thrown right into it.”

As a Paladin in training, he’d been warned of the impending crisis. Every Paladin’s thorough training had prepared them for it. He’d always assumed he’d fight with Nic and Coby at his side. He would have to fight this battle alone. He craned his gaze back to Lucy, who trudged toward her mother’s house, a string of expletives rumbling from her mouth.

She would not fight this battle. He wouldn’t let her. Things were more complicated now than he ever imagined. It wasn’t any normal apparition. It was a Sexubi. A rather powerful one at that. He hadn’t gotten close enough to know whether it was a he or she or if it was one of Lamia’s or not. Regardless, the situation was dangerous.

Lucy turned and tramped her way back toward the car. Knocking on the window, she threw him a piercing gaze. Bloody hell, he knew that look. Anger and frustration swirled in her eyes. To be honest, he couldn’t blame her. He felt the same way about his sister.

Rubbing his jaw, he concentrated back to Coby. He could only hope that Nic was still pursuing her rescue. From their previous conversation, he hadn’t seemed too hopeful. He clenched his fists. Some days he hated being a demon.

“Are you going to sit in the car all day? We need to vanquish a creepy demon thing.” She crossed her arms and let out an exasperated sigh.

Rafael blinked. She was picking up the demon lingo rather well. Throwing open the door, Rafael nodded. “I was thinking.”