Demons Like It Hot (42 page)

“Did you not tell him to stay put?”

Serah nodded.

“Did he listen to you?”

She shook her head, a sob bursting from her mouth.

“I know you aren’t going to like what I’m about to say, but I’m going to say it anyway.” He cradled her head to him, his hand softly stroking her hair. “He made his own decision. Whatever happened to him isn’t your fault.”

He raised her chin so that their eyes met. “I’ve also tussled with the imp. He knows how to hold his own.”

Matthias was right. Despite his size, Farquhar could indeed fight with the best of them. “I know, but I still worry. What if it was Salome? What if she’s the one who got him.”

“Salome isn’t one to just kill a captive. She likes to make spectacle of things. All Infernati do.”

“I hate them. They need to die.” She clenched her fists. She had to end them. Now.

Matthias shook his head, his voice soothing. “No. That’s what they want. You can’t give in to the anger. If you do, you will lose. You could die. I will not let that happen. I—the world needs you too much. I need you too much.”

“You need me?” Serah glanced up. His onyx eyes burned.
What
did
he
mean
by
that?

“I just feel I have a purpose when I’m with you. I feel like I belong. I feel good.”

She nodded. “You need me to live so your mission is a success. I understand.”

“It’s more than that. I like you.”

Like me? He wouldn’t even let her call him by his new nickname. He may have been trying to keep his distance because of the mission, but he sure had a strange way of showing it.

“Could have fooled me.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“‘Call me Matt?’” she ground out, pulling from his embrace. “Does that ring any bells?”

“You don’t like me making nice with your friends?”

Serah growled, louder than she had ever growled before. “I don’t mind that. But you could extend the same courtesy to me if you
like
me
as much as you claim to.”

“I didn’t think you cared for me.”

Serah pounded her fists into his chest. “
Are
you
for
fucking
real?
I don’t just fall into bed with men I don’t like or hardly know.” She shoved him away. “I feel connected to you.” She sighed. “And not just because of our past, either.”

“I know, I feel it too. But you deserve better. I saw the way you and Daniel worked together. You need something like that in your life. Not a hardened assassin without a soul.”

“I doubt that.”

“Doubt what?”

“I doubt you don’t have a soul. You’ve shown it plenty of times.” She shrugged. He was probably right. He apparently thought he was too broken to be fixed. But with a little glue, a statue could always be put back together.

“We’re a lot alike, you and I.”

Bemusement flooded his face. “How so?”

“We blame ourselves for our pasts. Well, I’ve got a news flash—it’s the past. I’ve forgiven myself. Heck, I’ve even forgiven you.”

“You have?”

Serah nodded. “But you’re right, we should keep our distance.” Her face fell into a frown. “You need to learn how to forgive yourself.”

“My ignorance got my wife killed and my baby stolen.”

“No. Your love gave them hope. Salome is responsible. Not you!”

Maybe now he’d get those pieces glued back together. If not, it had been worth the try.

“Good night,” she said, storming off to the bedroom and slamming the door behind her. She twisted the lock. Right now, all she wanted was to be alone.

Reality came barreling at him.

He’d tried to keep distant, and that had only made things worse.

Despite the anger and frustration lacing her words, they hit him right in the gut.

He’d been too busy blaming himself he hadn’t even bothered to see the truth. He was Salome’s pawn in her sick, twisted game of world domination. And he’d fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. What’s worse, he’d—no, Serah was right. It wasn’t his fault. Salome had taken the only thing he’d ever cared for in this world—until now. He’d be damned if he let her do it again.

“Thank you, Serah. For everything.” He owed her his life.

There came a faint scratching at the front door. It could be Farquhar or his Persian goddess coming with news. He prayed it was good news.

He peeked through the peephole. No one was there. The scratching grew louder, more urgent. Obviously
something
was there.

“Who’s there?”

“It’s Inanna. I found Farquie.” Her voice raised a few octaves. “He’s hurt.”

“Let me get Serah.” He whipped down the hall and pounded on the door. “Inanna’s here. She has Farquhar. Get out here.”

The door flew open. Serah pulled her robe tight and rushed to the front hall.

Inanna stood there, Farquhar’s limp, blood-soaked body draped over her back. Her eyes wide and alert, she burst into the room. “There’s a note tied around his neck.”

Matthias’s blood turned cold. Quite a feat for someone who’d already been dead. He clenched his fists. Farquhar coughed and sputtered, blood dripping from his heart-shaped nose.

Serah ripped the letter from Farquhar’s neck. “Call Kalli. She can help.” She glanced down at one of Farquhar’s shattered legs and gasped. “I hope we’re not too late.”

He yanked the phone from his back pocket. “Call Kalli.”

“Calling Kalli,” the phone replied. The phone rang three times. Finally, after the fourth ring, Kalli picked up.

“Hello, Kalli’s Cleaning Company, how can I be of service?”

Was there ever a time this woman didn’t joke? “Farquhar’s been attacked. We need you here now.”

“On my way.” With that, the call dropped.

Despite the fact that Farquhar was really an imp, the scene was still gruesome, reminiscent of that sad commercial he glanced at before turning in for the night. They made even the strongest of demons teary-eyed. Salome had to be stopped.

“It was Salome. I know.”

Serah gripped the letter tight, tears streaming down her cheeks. She shook her head. “It wasn’t.”

She handed him the bloodstained paper. He recognized the handwriting right away. His skin crawled.

My Dear Friend:

If you do not uphold your end of our bargain, this will be the same fate in store for your descendant. He won’t be nearly as resilient. I know where he lives and will be more than happy to oblige. Salome is the least of your worries.

Yours,

Balthazar

This time, it was indeed his fault. He should have finished him when he had the chance.

There was a knock on the door. Serah looked through the peephole and opened. Kalli strode in, flinging ice and snow from the mass of hair on her head.

“Where is he?”

Serah led Kalli to Farquhar’s bloody and broken body.

“Dear God, they skinned him alive. Bastards.” Kalli bared her teeth. “Just because he’s an imp doesn’t make it any better.”

She knelt down, placing both hands on Farquhar’s body. She closed her eyes and ran her hands up and down his mangled body. Skin started to heal. Blood faded. His broken tail unbent on its own. A soft mewling moan broke from his lips. He shook out his once-broken leg. Swatting his paw, he bounded up on all fours. “Hi-Yah! There’s more where that came frae.”

Farquhar’s eyes widened. He looked around the room and glanced down to see the blood-soaked floor beneath him. “Mebbe there isnae more where that came frae.”

“What happened?” Serah asked, gathering the impcat in her arms. She stroked behind his ears and rubbed the top of his head.

“Ah was jumped by Balthazar th’ magnificent—not.” He narrowed his eyes at Matthias. “Seriously, ye need tae pick better friends.”

“That is not the same person I was friends with.”

Farquhar nodded. “He said Ah was gawn tae be an example. Wha’ever that means.” He puffed up his fur. “That infernal dobber picked a war wi’ the wrong Scot, that’s fer sure.”

“Honey, let the big people handle it. I like you better like this, and not chopped into little pieces,” Inanna said, concern purring from her lips.

“Inanna makes a good point,” Matthias said, reaching down to stroke the top of her head.

“Get yer paws off mah lass.”

Matthias took his hand away from Inanna’s ears. “You’re one lucky SOB, Farquhar.”

“Why’s that?”

“You’ve got a woman who cares about you.”

Serah stiffened, then set Farquhar next to his lady friend. Inanna and Farquhar slunk toward the cat bed and snuggled with each other, wide grins from whisker to whisker spread across their feline faces. Cats can’t smile? Yeah, right.

He sidled a glance at Serah. “Lucky indeed,” she mumbled. With that, she headed back toward her bedroom.

He sprinted down the hall to join her. “Serah, wait. Let’s talk.”

She spun around, her sapphire gaze sparking. “You want to talk? Fine, let’s talk.” She threw open the guest bedroom door. “Privately.”

He followed her into the room and shut the door behind them. “I’ve never been in this sort of situation.”

She arched a brow. “How is this any different than any other mission of protection?” She stood there, wearing those cute little shorts and T-shirt, her hands defiantly on her hips.

She expected him to answer when she looked so delectable? He swallowed the lump in his throat. “It’s complicated.”

“I’ve got news, buddy. Life is complicated.” She reached out and grabbed his hand. “Things would be so much better if you just open up.”

Her touch electrified him to the core. He’d already opened up, more than ever. What more did she want? Her fingertips moved in circles around his palm. Even the most innocent of touches sent him over the edge.

“How’s this for opening up.” He reached out and pulled her to him, his mouth crashing down into hers. She moaned against his lips, her body melting into him. God she felt so good. He let his hands rove and explore as her own hands roamed over his shoulders and down his arms.

All thoughts of talking vanished and more delicious thoughts, of the carnal variety, took over.

Matthias traced a finger down Serah’s spine, reveling in the softness of her skin. She blew out a breath and pressed her body closer to his. The heat radiated between them. It scared him at first, but now he welcomed it. He wished it could last forever.

Alas, it couldn’t. They were going to go into battle. He leaned over and pushed some curls away from her neck. He nibbled and licked and traced his tongue down over her pulse.

She stirred against him, a deep sigh of contentment on her lips. She stiffened.

“Oh God. Not again.”

“Does my touch offend you that much?” he asked, placing a kiss upon her shoulder.

“No, but…”

“What’s wrong with two people with similar interests succumbing to pleasure?”

“It’s not safe.”

“You’re safer here with me next to you, trust that.”

Serah pulled herself away from him, taking the sheets with her. “There are other things that can harm us, besides the Infernati.” She twisted the satin sheet around her, shielding her curves from his view.

“I haven’t been that truthful with you.”

“Tell me something new.”

“Just hear me out. Back in the dungeon, I didn’t just try to save you because you were Pure-Blood.”

She shrugged. “Let me guess. You saved me because you wanted to jump my bones?”

“I admit, the thought did cross my mind from time to time.”

She rolled her eyes. He hated it when she was annoyed. “So why else did you do it?”

He reached out for her hand, flashing her a pleading gaze.
Please
take
it.
He needed her to understand.

With a reluctant sigh, she allowed him her hand. She took seat on the bed, the sheets billowing around her. “So spill it.”

“I…” Why in the hell were these words so hard to say? Those greeting cards made these things seem so damned easy. He wasn’t Shakespeare. He couldn’t pen her a sonnet. He couldn’t even say three measly words. He was pathetic.

“You what?”

“Oh, never mind.”

“Fine, whatever.” She jerked her hand away and grabbed the sheets. With an exasperated sigh, she headed toward the door. “We have to get ready for the
show.
We’ve wasted enough time.” With that, the door slammed shut behind her.