“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.”
Chapter 34
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.
And she was not one who was above using humans to
get what she wanted. Kalli had shown him that.
“She hasn’t been spotted on earth in almost thirty years.” Rafael said. “She was always one who liked her presence to be known.”
“Have you ever fought her?” Lucy asked, gazing up at Rafael.
“Once. Remember the incident I told you about? The thing in the early eighties?”
Lucy’s eyes widened, giving a slow nod. “The antique Model T?”
“That would be the one.” Rafael shook his head. “She has the strangest Peragrans I’ve ever seen. Smoke instead of frost. It’s weird.”
“It’s not a Peragrans.” Kalli strode in from the office, the frost following her. “I’ve only fought her twice. The one time—” She flashed Matthias an apologetic glance. She turned back to Rafael “And with you in the eighties.”
“She has a strange ability to transport herself without using the portals of hell. We’re still trying to analyze it.”
“Do you honestly believe Sally Lohman could be Salome?” Serah asked, her brow furrowed in concentration.
“They aren’t very creative when it comes to fake names, if that’s the case.” Lucy said.
“And she changed her plans when Daniel gave her my name.”
Daniel nodded. He shook his head and sucked in a ragged breath. “She told me they were protecting the world and doing good. Killing innocent people isn’t good.”
“How do we know that we can trust you?” Matthias asked. He was working for the enemy. He didn’t want to take any chances.
Kalli nodded. “I can’t read your mind either. So whoever you’re working for is powerful.”
Daniel sighed. “I’m confused and frustrated.” He took a seat at the dining table and put his head in his hands. “I wouldn’t expect you to trust me. But trust this. Tomorrow, when we film the show, her people will be there. They are going to ambush you. Even with my help, you all are doomed.”
“Comforting thought,” Serah murmured.
“After you feed them the tiramisu, and the credits have run, her people are going to kill you.”
“Wow. So she plans on airing the show, even when I’m dead? How heartless. There’s got to be something we can do.” Her sapphire eyes pleaded with him.
He wouldn’t let them near her. He’d take a blade if he had to. He was training to become a Paladin. The worst he would get would be a few years in limbo to recover. It was worth it. “I won’t let them take you.”
He hoped it was enough to ease her fears.
“If Sally is truly a demon, then the people working with her are demons too.” Daniel shook his head. “They’ll be mixed in with regular people. Can you tell the difference between a human or demon?”
“The Infernati have distinct odors,” Rafael said. “But when mixed in a crowd of humans, it is hard to differentiate between the two. I really don’t want to kill innocent people if I don’t have to.”
“What do these odors smell like?”
“Rotten eggs, Limburger cheese, moldy goat cheese, boiled cabbage.” Serah wrinkled her nose. “And that’s only the less-powerful demons.”
“Don’t forget the county landfill and the River City sewer system.” Lucy added for good measure.
“So basically, like shit.” Daniel scrunched his face. “Thank goodness I can’t smell it.”
“Sad thing is, those dumb Infernati don’t know how rancid they smell either.”
“Is there anything that can kill these demons?” Daniel asked.
“Silver blessed by an angel is the only way.”
“Maybe I could just finish Sally off when I go back to the hotel room.”
“Too obvious,” Matthias said. He wouldn’t let murder stay on anyone’s conscience, especially someone Serah had feelings for. He didn’t care what Lucy and Rafael said. He saw the way Serah comforted him. He had seen the kiss earlier too. It was sweet and tender, the way two people in love should kiss. Not hot and explosive like the ones they shared.
Truth be told, Matthias actually liked Daniel—despite the fact that he was working for Salome. He could see that he was a man who worked to get where he was. Even when Salome handed him a career on a silver platter—maybe not the best analogy—Daniel still worked hard. Daniel would have done well on his own. And that only made him angrier.
Besides, he was a demon. Daniel was human. It was a better, safer combination. A demon and a Pure-Blood together? Not likely in this century or the next.
Besides, he should be the one to kill Salome. She had taken away everything he held dear. He’d not let her take another. He had to protect Serah.
Rafael nodded. “Matthias is right. Not to mention it would be a suicide mission. Every one of Salome’s demon servants would be after you. It’s better to act as if nothing has changed.”
Daniel’s eyes flashed with worry. “I don’t know if I can do that.”
Matthias grabbed his shoulders, his gaze narrowed and intense. “You have to. You’re an actor aren’t you?”
“Reality star and actor aren’t always synonymous,” Daniel mumbled.
“You have to try, Daniel. You want to help save this town, right?” Matthias pulled him closer, baring his teeth. “You want to save Serah, don’t you?”
Daniel nodded. “I like Connolly Park.” He gulped. “And Serah.”
“Good. So you will try?”
Daniel nodded. “I will.”
He loosened his grip and stepped back. “Is there anything about Sally that we can use against her?”
Daniel shook his head. He held onto the counter and groaned. “How could I be so stupid?”
“You aren’t stupid, Daniel,” Serah said, wrapping her arms around him. She patted his shoulder and stroked her fingers through his shiny blond hair. Matthias yanked his eyes away.
“I am too. I let myself fall for Salome, or Sally, whatever-her-name-is’s story. She played me like a fucking fool.”
Matthias had to say something. “You’re not the only one, Daniel. She did the same thing to me. She’s a cold, calculating bitch. It wasn’t your fault at all.” He hoped it would help ease his distress.
Serah looked up, her sapphire eyes warm. She gave him a wide smile. Thanks she mouthed.
Nodding, he turned his gaze toward the window above the sink.
“I just wished there were some way to separate the demons from the humans,” Serah said, pulling away from Daniel. “If only I could just shove silver down everyone’s throats.”
“Very funny.”
“I have an idea.”
Everyone turned back to Daniel. His lips curved into a wry smile. “What would happen if a demon ate silver?”
Kalli shrugged. “They would die, more than likely, but I think they’d avoid anything with silver nuggets in it.”
“I saw a news report once about a guy who used to eat silver, because he thought it would cure his diabetes,” Serah said. “His whole body turned blue. It was so weird. Would the same thing happen to demons if they ate it?”
“Who in his right mind eats silver?” Matthias asked. Then again, humans did the strangest things to keep themselves healthy.
Lucy shrugged. “Silver does have some medicinal benefits, but I bet the guy was using colloidal silver.” Was she a hairstylist or a doctor? She seemed to know a hell of a lot about these things.
“Colloidal silver?” Rafael winced. “Sounds disgusting.”
“It’s silver particles suspended in a liquid. Some idiots claim it cures everything. I’m not one to diss alternatives in medicine, but it’s a little crazy.” She snorted. “And they will keep trying to sell this amazing cure until they are blue in the face—literally.”
“How in the world does an ordinary hairstylist know all this?” Matthias whispered to Serah.
Serah snickered. “You forget she took two years of med school.”
“Seriously? Hairstyling instead of becoming a surgeon? Who is crazy enough to do that?”
“Lucy. And she’s not crazy. It was the best decisio
n she’s ever made.”
Great. He’d just insulted Serah’s best friend. This wasn’t going well at all. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
Serah smiled. “No worries. Everyone thinks the same thing when they hear the story. But you just have to know Lucy, then you’ll know why.” She laid a reassuring hand on his chest. The zings tingled and chased through his body. She leaned in, her breath inches from his ear. “Oh, she’s afraid of blood too.”
“Afraid of blood?” Then again, the Sexubi weren’t the bravest where blood was concerned. This was going to be a gruesome battle. Would she be able to fight?
“Don’t worry. Infernati blood doesn’t scare her.”
“So would liquid silver work on demons?”
Rafael nodded. “The effects of silver are magnified where demons are concerned. The problem would be getting an angel’s blessing on such an unusual weapon.”
“How long does it take?” Matthias asked. “Didn’t you recently visit with an archangel?”
Rafael nodded. “The weapon had already been prepared and blessed. I just needed to claim it.”
“They got my katana to me rather quickly,” Lucy said.
“You are royalty, that’s why. That and having a bunch of loosed demons ready to take over the world helped a little.”
“Stop rubbing it in, Rafe.” Lucy gave him a playful punch to his shoulder. “But isn’t this just as dire?”
“Even if the last Pure-Blood is killed, it will not affect the Paladin or Council’s actions. They will still exist and function as before.” Rafael sucked in a ragged breath. “Not that I agree with that standpoint, of course. I think the world needs Pure-Bloods—more of them actually.” He angled a sidelong glance at Serah. What in the hell was he suggesting?
Of course, she’d need to breed more Pure-Blood women, thought Matthias. Which is why he could never be with Serah. They wouldn’t be able to have children. Then again, Lucy was living proof that a demon and human could mate. However, if they could have children, the demon bloodline would taint the Pure-Blood lineage.
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