Demons Like It Hot (36 page)

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Serah said with a frown.

He hated that frown. It made him shiver. He wished she could never frown again. He reached out and took her hand in his. “I know you don’t particularly care for me right now, but I know you can do it.”

“Well, at least one person trusts me.” She leaned in and whispered, “Thanks.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. What was that for? His whole body sizzled. Sparks flew through his veins. Bloody hell.

“Here goes nothing.” She closed her eyes and stood tall. She threw her hands up in the air, and her head flew back. With that, a large burst of light flew from the necklace, bathing the entire kitchen with warmth. The shimmers of light trickled away to reveal a brilliantly clean kitchen. The counters and floor sparkled. Every utensil and pot gleamed bright. It was so clean that Matthias could eat off the floor if need be. She could definitely give one of the Paladin’s best cleaners a run for their money.

“Is it safe to open my eyes now?”

Lucy and Rafael stood there, mouths agape—just as amazed as he was.

“Well?”

Lucy finally found her voice. “It’s safe. Really safe.”

Serah inched her eyes open. “Wow!” she gasped. “I did that?” She covered her mouth, shock still evident in her gaze.

Matthias nodded. She was indeed special. He would do everything in his power to keep her safe. He owed it to her. He owed her his life. She helped him in so many ways.

“You are an amazing woman, Serah SanGermano.”

“If you think I’m amazing, you should have met my Nonni.” She smiled, her hand drifting across the locket again. “She wanted to protect me.”

“We all make mistakes, Serah.” And he was living proof of that. He’d made the biggest mistake when he accepted that mission. He wished he could take it back—every bit of it. But what was done was done. He’d live with it. Then again, what other choice did he have?

“You did what you thought you had to do to save your family. My Nonni did the same thing.”

Matthias nodded. “I wish we could have met under different circumstances, Serah. Believe that.”

“I do.”

“Good.”

Lucy cleared her throat. “We’re still here, you know. Should we get back to business?

“A few of the phantoms are hovering around the hotel to check for anyone or anything that seems out of place. So far, nothing. Either this guy’s record is extremely clean, or he is working for a demon who is.”

“I’m betting on the last one,” Matthias added.

Rafael’s expression grew pensive. “Oh?”

“He mentioned my name to the person he was talking to on the phone.” He hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but now that he did, it made perfect sense.

“So it could be a demon who knows you?” Serah asked.

Rafael smirked. “There isn’t a demon—Infernati or Paladin—who hasn’t heard of Matthias Ambrose. As much as I hate to admit this, you’re a legend.”

“I wish I had a legend worth talking about. Not one because I fought and killed a lot of demons.” Some legend that was.

“I read your record before you were assigned. The Paladins you killed… they straddled the line of right and wrong. They all deserved the fate you dealt them.”

“If you say so.” Matthias blew out a deep breath of air. Every time he took a mission, he worried that it would take him over the edge. He almost had with Serah. His mind wandered to the sex, her body against his, her fingers digging into his shoulders. Never mind. He already had stepped
way
over the edge.

Lucy took a glass from a cupboard and headed toward the refrigerator. She pulled out a bottle of soda and unscrewed the cap.

“So how are we supposed to proceed with Daniel?” She poured the brown, fizzy cola into the glass and took a sip.

“It’s too late to cancel the show.”

They all spun around to see Daniel standing there with his arms crossed.

Uh oh. Busted! Exactly how long had Daniel been standing there listening?

Lucy gulped down her soda, nearly coughing on the drink.

“Why would we want to cancel the show?” Serah asked in a feeble attempt at nonchalance.

“No need to hide. I heard enough of the conversation.”

“And what are your plans for us?” Matthias asked. He moved closer to Serah, wrapping his arm around her. Warmth spread throughout her body. She relaxed against him, as if she were truly protected. Then again, protecting her
was
supposed to be his job.

Daniel blew out a long breath. “Do you want the long version or the
Reader’s Digest
condensed version?”

“I don’t like anything condensed. Not soup, not orange juice, and especially not reading material.”

“I figured as much. Let’s see.” Daniel paced the floor, scratching his chin. “My early life in Chicago wasn’t the greatest. My mother, she was heavy into heroin. There isn’t a time I recall when she was ever clean. The state bounced me around from foster home to foster home. Then I turned eighteen and aged out. I did not want the same life my mother had. I was determined to make something of my life.” He took another breath. “I was a big-boned person. I worked out and kept myself clean. I took a job as a bouncer at a club downtown.”

“I read all this on your online biography,” Matthias said, his gaze penetrating.

“You asked for the long version.”

Matthias nodded. “Fine, continue.”

“Thank you,” Daniel replied, leaning against the counter. “While I was working the crowd one night, I met Sally. She said she was a producer, and thought I had the look of a star. It was weird. It was like she knew exactly who I was. Being young and determined, I never questioned it. That’s how I ended up on
Princes
and
Paupers
.”

“Great show, by the way.” Lucy smiled. “One of the only reality shows I liked. Too bad it lasted only two seasons.”

“Sally’s choice. She wanted to move to cooking shows instead.” Daniel shook his head. “Completely surprised me because I don’t think I’ve seen the woman eat at all while we worked together.”

“That’s the California mentality,” Serah murmured. “Eating is a sin there.”

“Perhaps, but even the skinniest supermodel binges every so often.” Daniel shrugged. “Anyhow, I did like the show’s idea. I’m also someone who enjoys a good meal every so often, so it was a win-win situation. Then your audition tape came through. There was something about you. Sally’s interest was intense. More than I had seen with other audition tapes. She made the legal team rig up a contract, which I’ve never seen before with any of the other guests. I just assumed she really wanted you for the show.”

“What can I say—no one can resist my charms.”

“Then Sally told me the truth. She said she was a member of an anti-demon taskforce that was designed to rid the world of evil.”

“What did you tell her?”

“I told her she was crazy,” Daniel said with a chuckle. “Who wouldn’t. Demons? Yeah, right.” His gaze grew serious. “Then she showed me videos. Demonic possessions, demon attacks, demon everything. It was very convincing. She said she needed both of us to help win the war.”

“Wow.” Serah chuckled. “YouTube has some freaky stuff on it, but most of it is totally fake.”

“You’d think so, but there was something very real about these videos. It was disturbing.”

Matthias turned to Rafael. “Are the Paladins aware of any human militia or organizations determined to wage a war on demons?”

Rafael shrugged. “I’d have to discuss this with the Council. As far as I know, the only humans who can truly fight a demon are the Pure-Bloods. Even priests are inept when it comes to exorcism.”

Matthias turned back to Daniel and crossed his arms. “So what is your reason here?”

“Sally wanted me to get Serah to join the cause. The TV show was the excellent backdrop.”

“What cause?”

Daniel took a deep ragged sigh. “The Brotherhood of Enlightenment.”

Rafael narrowed his gaze. “I’ve never heard of this organization.”

“No one has. We have only fifteen members as far as I know.” Daniel drew his lips tight. “But after I reported in to Sally, she told me the mission had changed.”

“How did it change?” Serah asked. She dreaded Daniel’s answer.

He took Serah’s hand in his. “She told me we had to kill you all. She said you all were demons and that you had been tainted by their influence.”

“How did she know this?” Matthias asked.

“I gave her your name.”

“So it’s someone who knows Matthias?” Serah asked. She turned to Matthias. “How many humans know you and your name?”

“The humans who knew my name have since parted this world.”

“So Sally was right?” Daniel asked, nervousness lacing his voice. “You all are demons?”

“Uhh…” How the hell were they going to get out of this one? “I’m not a demon.”

Matthias leaned in and pushed her hair from her ear. “I’ll take care of it.” He directed his gaze toward Daniel. “Yes, we are demons.”

Daniel reached into his pocket and drew out a switchblade, his eyes wide and alert. “Stay back.”

Matthias approached him with slow cautious steps. He held out his hands. “Put your weapon away, Daniel. We aren’t going to hurt you. We are here to protect humans.”

“Sally told me you would say that.” He lashed out the knife at Matthias. “She also said you were deadly and not to be trusted.”

Matthias raised his hands above his head. “I’m unarmed. Feel free to search if you don’t trust me.”

Daniel continued to scowl, but he did shut the knife and shove it back in his pocket. “Fine. Just because Sally told me to not trust you, doesn’t mean I don’t.”

“But you just drew a weapon on us.” Serah came to stand next to Matthias.

“I’m confused.” Daniel said, his green eyes clouding over. “Sally said all of you were evil, but everything I’ve seen is just the opposite.” He shook his head.

“She said the Paladins were demons and had to be vanquished and that we needed Serah to do it.”

“Only the Paladins?”

“Yes, you demons are called Paladins right?”

“What about the Infernati?”

Daniel scrunched his brow. “Infer what?”

“Sally didn’t tell you about the Infernati?” Matthias asked, his face stern.

“How about your weapons? Did she tell you that the only blade that can kill a Paladin is one that has been forged in the fires of hell? That the Paladins actually have the blessings of angels? Did that slip her mind?”

Daniel balled his fists. “No!”

“The Infernati are the real enemies, Mr. Blackburn. Not the Paladins. We are your friends.”

“So do you believe us or not?” Lucy asked, her voice calm and collected.

Serah had to do something. “Daniel, you trust me, don’t you? I don’t just let anyone make tiramisu with me, you know. Not even my best friend.”

“That’s because you won’t let me use rum like any other respectable cook.” Lucy snorted. “Then again, I’m not known for my culinary expertise, either.”

“Captain Morgan and coffee don’t mix. Trust me.”

“You never know until you try it.” Lucy said, a small grin curving her lips.

“Let’s not and say we did.” Serah wasn’t in the mood to talk about Captain Morgan and its many medicinal qualities. “You know I’m more of a wine girl, anyway.”

“Alcohol snob.”

“See, Daniel? I trusted you enough to invite you and your crew in. I can see you’re a good person too. I sense it. You don’t really want us to die.”

“You’re right. I don’t.” Daniel sighed. “But why would Sally target the Paladins and not the real evildoers. That makes no sense.”

“Sally Lohman right?” She ran the name through her mind. “Do you have a picture of her so we can see if anyone recognizes her?”

Daniel shook his head. “No. She’s very private. I knew something big was up when she decided to be a part of the show. I told her I wasn’t going to kill anyone. It wasn’t in my contract.”

“A contract. How appropriate.” Serah rolled her eyes. “Does this woman get her jollies from keeping her people slaves to contracts?”

“Slaves.” Matthias gritted his teeth. His face hardened. “She’s a demon.”

“A lot of people use contracts to keep things under lock and key. Prenup anyone?” Serah smirked. “Don’t get married without one.”

“Demons like contracts too.” Matthias said in a muffled tone, his gaze moving to the floor. “Especially one demon.”

“Who?”

“Salome.”

He should have known it was her from the get-go, but he let himself get distracted. And, as Daniel proceeded with his story, it made perfect sense.

She was building herself an army. She’d been building one when she first turned him to the demon side. Now, with one of the seats of hell open for the taking, she’d need an army even more.