Demons Like It Hot (12 page)

Minerva hissed and with a light push sent Matthias flying back against the back of the sofa, the impact sending them both reeling.

Holy
shit!
What did they want from her? A catered three-course meal with devil’s food cake for dessert? That was all she was probably good for.

“I owe one of my dearest friends. I promised her I would deliver something.”

“Don’t let us stop you.” Matthias crossed his arms and leaned into the sofa.

“Good, now that we have that all out of the way.” Minerva steepled her fingers and rose from the chair. She snapped her fingers and a golden tray with three glasses of red wine appeared on the table. She plucked two of the glasses and handed them to Serah and Matthias, the red liquid sloshing. “Wine?”

Serah hesitated. She glanced toward Matthias, who was equally hesitant.

Minerva’s lips spread into a wide smile. “Lambrusco. A little birdie told me it was your favorite.” She thrust the glass out to Serah, giving her no chance to refuse. “Of the Dolce variety too.”

Serah took the fine crystal glass into her hand, allowing her fingertips to trace along the etchings. How did this woman know sweet Lambrusco was her favorite? Maybe she really was Minerva. “Thank you.”

Minerva nodded. “You’re welcome.”

Bringing the crystal up to her nose, Serah inhaled the deep, heady scent. Whatever vintage it was, it was exquisite. She took a sip. Despite the slight dryness, the delicate fizz burst along her tongue and the delicious notes of berries swirled in her mouth. It was amazing.

The goddess turned to Matthias and shoved the glass in his hand. “I don’t care if it isn’t your favorite. You demons need to broaden your tastes.”

Matthias grumbled. His eyes shooting daggers, he took a healthy sip of wine, gulping visibly as he swallowed. “Happy now?”

“Very.” Minerva swished toward the back hallway. “Now if you will follow me?”

Matthias rose from the sofa and placed his hands on his waist. He dwarfed the goddess by a good six inches. Either he was brave or just incredibly stupid. If this woman was truly a goddess, no one in his right mind would dare challenge her. Gods had smote people for less. “What sort of debt, Minerva? And don’t dance around the subject.”

Minerva only chuckled and patted Matthias on the shoulder. “If you were anyone else, I’d kill you. But I promised someone I’d keep you safe.”

“Me?”

“Well, you are her protector after all.”

Serah groaned. Were people this wise always so mysterious? Then again, she always knew Nonni had been wise beyond her years, and she was as mysterious as they came. “So what do I have to do with your promise? I’m just a caterer, born and bred in the Midwest.”

Minerva shook her head. “You are so much more, Serah SanGermano. Come.” She held out her hand. “I’ll show you.”

A spark of truth flashed in her green eyes. Serah nodded and took her hand. With no more effort than lifting a paper off a desk, Minerva pulled her to her feet. “This way,” she said, extending her hand toward the darkened hallway.

Matthias grabbed Serah’s elbow, the instant jolts of energy not so foreign anymore. “I don’t trust her. She’s been known to be very manipulative. I won’t have you hurt her on my—”

“First day on the job,” Serah said with a roll of her eyes. “You said that already. Besides, I think if she planned on hurting me she would have done it already.”

“Precisely!” Minerva interrupted. “You are much more valuable alive,” she added with a wink.

“Valuable to whom?” asked Matthias.

“To you, I imagine,” Minerva snickered.

Matthias glared.

Serah simply scratched her head with bemused wonder. “Are you working for the Infernati or Paladins?”

Minerva shrugged. “I work for myself and the occasional human or demon”—she punched Matthias’s shoulder—“who can pay me a price.”

“How do I know you aren’t being paid by Infernati right now?”

“Matthias can answer that.”

Matthias balled his hands into tight fists, as a flash of remorse altered his gaze. Serah wanted to comfort him. She’d never seen any man with that sort of pain in his eyes. It tore her up inside.
What
the
heck?
“The Infernati keep you prisoner until the debt is paid.”

“And this obviously isn’t a prison.” Minerva crossed her arms and lounged against one of her ornate tables. “Will you follow me now? We haven’t got all night.”

“I haven’t got anything better to do,” Serah said, angling a glance toward the front of the shop. “Balthazar has us pretty much blocked in for now.”

Minerva shook her head. “You have so much to learn. You won’t need to use the door to exit the shop.”

Serah sighed. Leave it to a goddess to show Serah her shortcomings in the IQ department. “No need to rub it in, oh wise goddess. I already know I’m not the smartest person in the world.”

“There is a difference between being smart and being wise. Smarts are learned, but wisdom you are born with. However you chose to use that wisdom… well, that’s up to you.”

Serah clasped her hands in front of her. “One of my teachers said my prospects weren’t that great.”

Minerva huffed. “Thereby proving that not all teachers know what they are talking about. You’re an awesome caterer, right?”

“I don’t like to brag.”

A mysterious smile spread across Minerva’s face. “See? You are wise!” She turned to Matthias. “This is for Serah’s eyes only.”

Matthias moved forward and grabbed Serah’s arm. Jaw rigid, he shook his head. “You might not be Infernati, but I still don’t trust you.”

“I swear on all that is wise, I don’t plan to harm her.”

Matthias crossed his arms, keeping that same stony look.

Minerva threw her hands up and blew out an exasperated breath. “Fine. You can stand guard outside the door. That’s the best I can do.”

Matthias offered a slow, reluctant nod. “But I warn you, if I sense the tiniest bit of harm, I’ll take you down.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less out of you, Matthias. How’s that favor working out, by the way?” She smiled and placed her hand on his shoulder. The touch sent an instant flame of anger inside Serah—she didn’t like it.

Matthias jerked away. Serah’s inner jealous bitch went back to her little corner. Jealous? What the heck for? He wasn’t her type. “It works well, thank you.”

“Good. I’m glad we could work together.” She flashed a knowing smile.

What exactly did she do for him? Jealous bitch stirred from the recesses. “What if I don’t trust you?”

“What would your dear Nonni say about that?”

“Nonni?” What did her grandmother have to do with this? “She died almost two years ago.”

With a frown, Minerva’s gaze traveled to the floor. Not something Serah would expect from a woman full of wisdom. “A terrible loss.”

“You knew Nonni?”

A wan smile formed her lips. “Quite well. She was one of my best customers. A true friend.”

Serah’s eyes widened. She always knew Nonni was spiritual. But Nonni was, like most people in their quaint town, a devout Catholic. A New Age shop was the last place the fine parishioners of St. Vincent’s Catholic Church would step into. Even from beyond the grave, Nonni surprised her.

“Don’t look so surprised dear. Your grandmother was a great woman who understood the spiritual balance of the world. One of the wisest too.”

Serah wasn’t buying all this wisdom baloney.
Me?
One of the all-wise and knowing Pure Persons Network? Yeah, right! “And then there’s lil ol’ me.”

“Stop, Serah,” Matthias ground out. “There is nothing little about you.”

“As to ol’—the only thing old about you is your soul,” said Minerva.

“Great, my soul is a Geritol-popping, walker-pushing dinosaur. I’m surprised it’s able to keep up with my body.”

Minerva groaned. “Don’t play dumb, Serah. You know what I meant.”

Matthias rolled his eyes, albeit only a little. “Now is not the time to be cracking jokes.”

Serah held back the snort that threatened. “Is there ever a time for jokes with you?”

“When you are safe from the Infernati that will never rest until you are killed.”

“It’ll be a while, I guess.”

“Just get this over so you can return to the safety of your home.”

“Sir! Yes, Sir!” Serah said, flashing her favorite salute, the one-fingered kind. With that, she padded behind Minerva toward the back room.

“So is this where you go to do all your secret goddess stuff?”

“Very funny.” Minerva twisted the knob and opened the door. “Unfortunately, it’s just a sitting room used for private readings.”

“Tarot readings?”

“Among others.” Stepping into the room, she flipped the switch. Bright fluorescent lights illuminated the room. Rows of books lined the back wall. Old grimoires as well new ones were stacked from floor to ceiling.

In the center of the room sat a simple circular table covered with a plain white tablecloth. Serah scrunched a brow. For a room used to predict the future, it looked
ordinary.

“Something wrong?”

“It just wasn’t what I was expecting.”

“We don’t need all those fancy embellishments. Our readers’ and psychics’ work speaks for itself.”

“Fair enough.” Serah turned to see Matthias standing in the doorway. Hands on his hips, he stood tall and proud. It was a wonder he even fit through. She turned back to Minerva. “So are you going to give me a tarot reading?”

With a dramatic flourish, she plopped into one of the seats. She reached across to grab the tarot deck.

Minerva’s hand stopped hers. “Not tonight.” She grabbed the tarot deck, shuffled the cards and placed them on the stand behind her. “What I have is much better than a tarot or rune stone reading.” Twirling a golden lock of hair around her finger, she flounced to an old, worn-out armoire. Paint chips peeling off of it and the door creaked as Minerva pulled it open. She mumbled to herself as she sorted through dozens of boxes in myriad sizes and shapes.

“I know it’s here somewhere. She asked me to keep it hidden.” She pulled out a false bottom and continued her search.

“Who?”

She pulled out an antique box and brushed off a layer of dust. Carved vines were etched across the sides of the tiny box. Serah stepped back and drew her lips straight.
Hell, no
. She’d had enough of creepy boxes and chests to last a lifetime. “Sorry. I don’t want it.”

“Good, because I wasn’t giving the box to you.”

Matthias, sensing Serah’s unease, stepped forward, hand clasped on his dagger. Did he ever let go of that thing? “Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine, Matthias. Save the dagger for someone who deserves it.” Minerva drew her fingertips across the latch and lifted it, the old metal creaking in protest. “I’m giving you what’s inside. The chest stays with me.”

“Maybe I don’t want what’s inside either.”

Minerva simply shook her head. “Oh, you’ll want this. Close your eyes and open your hand, Serah.”

“Is it necessary for her to close her eyes?” Matthias stalked into the room and grabbed Serah’s arm. He turned her to face him, concern flashing in his dark gaze. “You don’t need to do this. Minerva sometimes uses her wisdom to trick the unsuspecting.”

“I can hear you perfectly, Matthias.” There was no mistaking the annoyance rolling from the goddess’s tongue. She shook her head. “Men!”

She turned back to Serah. “I knew Angelica SanGermano. We were good friends.” She took a seat and set the box on the table.

“How come I never heard about you?”

“You weren’t ready. You needed time.”

“Time for what?”

“To accept your destiny.” She pushed a folded piece of paper across the table. “This will explain things better.”

With cautious fingers, Serah took the note and unfolded it. Her grandmother’s familiar handwriting scrawled across the page. Serah’s fingers trembled. The note was dated two days before she passed away.

My dearest Seraphina,

I hope this note finds you in good health. I know you have many questions. I wish I had been there to better explain things to you. I did what I thought was best to keep you protected from harm. Now I am not so certain I made the best decision. As I watched you grow into the beautiful young woman you are, I knew you had the gift. It was terribly selfish of me to keep you sheltered from the life you deserve. You’re a great cook, don’t get me wrong. But you are destined for greater things. It’s not too late. Embrace that destiny. Make it yours. Make your Nonni proud.

Love,

Nonni

Serah could only stare at the letter. She would have tried to say it was a fake, but the handwriting said it all. She’d know Nonni’s signature anywhere. The way she swirled the
n
’s and dotted the
i
’s. There was no way to forge it.