Demons Prefer Blondes (Demons Unleashed #1)(84)

She gritted her teeth, frustration pounding its way through her head. Would she ever get through to her? Probably not, but that’s what made Serah—well—Serah.

“We told you to stay put. Why the hell couldn’t you just stay there a few more hours?”

Serah smacked her lips a couple of times as the phone rustled. “I have to talk to you. It’s important.”

“You think everything you have to say is important.” Ouch. That didn’t come out right. “What I mean is you have a tendency to exaggerate.”

“This time it is important. Trust me.” She ended her sentence on a whisper. “Please?”

“Bloody hell.” This time she didn’t care if she used one of Rafe’s favorite lines.

“I’m serious. We’re almost there. Squeaky misses you too.” The phone rustled a bit. “Right, Squeaky?”

“Yeah,” she heard squeaked in the background.

A frustrated sigh burst out of her mouth. “Rafe won’t like this.”

“Like we give a f*ck what Rafe likes or doesn’t like.”

Blinking, she pulled the phone from her ear. Now that was odd. “What the heck’s going on? Isn’t Squeaky Rafe’s pet?”

“That’s why we need to talk. We’re almost there anyway. What’s Rafe going to do, send us back across town?” She let out a deep chuckle. “Then again, he probably would.”

What was up with Serah’s sudden disgust with Rafe? What kind of line had Squeaky fed her? Yeah, he and Squeaky had started off on the wrong foot, but hadn’t they worked out their differences? Maybe the freezing-cold poof had affected Squeaky’s brain.

“Rafe’s trying to protect you, can’t you see?”

Serah blew a deep breath of air into the phone. “We don’t need nor want his protection.”

Lucy had enough. Serah would speak before she reached into the phone and beat some sense into her. Now that’d be a cool skill to possess. “What the hell’s going on?”

“I’d rather talk in person.”

“Tell. Me. Now!”

“We’re right outside. Why not just let us in?” With that, the phone cut off.

“Whatever,” she muttered, slamming the phone shut. Flinging it onto the black granite countertop, she sighed. But like Serah said, what would Rafe do? Certainly not send them back.

The doorbell chimed, announcing the arrival of her unexpected guests. Not wanting to dawdle, she padded back through the living room and to the foyer. With a quick glance out the peephole, she spied the distorted image of what appeared to be Serah’s impatient glare. She pulled up the sleeve of her pink marshmallow-esque jacket, looked down at the diamond-trimmed watch on her wrist, and sneered.

Arching a brow, she pulled the door open. Next to Serah stood Squeaky in a black wool overcoat, gold pinky ring blinging in the moonlight. He stomped his oversized chimp foot with clear impatience.

“Can we come in or what?” Eyes narrowed, Serah tilted her head, her brunette curls bouncing beneath her knit hat. “It’s freezing out here.”

Swinging the door wider, she nodded. What else could she do, let them stay out there in the bitter cold? She was a better friend than that. “Fine, come on in. Rafe will deal with it.”

“I’m sure he will,” Serah replied, ripping her hat off. With a quick scan of the living room, she rolled her lip between her teeth. “So where is he, anyway?”

Lucy flung herself into the easy chair and leaned back against its worn out splendor. “He had to go back to Limbo for a while.”

“Perfect,” she said with a breath of air.

Nodding in agreement, Squeaky bounded onto the futon and made himself at home. “Have we got news for you.”

“Very big news,” Serah added as she sauntered toward her. With a quick swipe of a curl, she pursed her lips and tilted her head.

“So spill it already,” Lucy ground out, her fingernails digging into her palms.

A loud huff burst from her lips. “Very well.” Serah turned back toward Squeaky. “Should it be you or me?”

“One of you better say something before I scream.”

Squeaky arched a furry brow. “Why don’t you do it? My voice is annoying.”

“Fine, I thought you were supposed to be a familiar.” Serah crossed her arms and bit her lip.

“I’m not a familiar, remember.”

Serah narrowed her eyes and kicked the chimp. “Enough.”

“Not a familiar? Weren’t you sent to help Rafe?” Bemusement laced her tone. “Someone better explain.” Lucy reached for the cell phone. “Before I call Rafe.”

Serah snagged the phone from her grasp. “No need,” she replied, her voice stony. “Rafael Deleon is no longer a Paladin. That’s why he was sent back. You’re in danger.”

She angled her gaze toward the imp. “That’s the real reason they sent Squeaky. To bring Deleon back to Limbo.”

“That’s crazy.” What? Rafe? Demoted? Why would the Fore-Demons send him here then change their minds? Then again, Rafe had said everything they did was for a reason. Now, she hated this Fore-Demon Council more than ever. Shaking her head, she clenched her fists. She would bust down the gates of Limbo and give these old crusty demons a piece of her mind.