Demons Like It Hot

by Ayers, Sidney

  “All blessed!” Gerardo said with a grin.

  “That’s it?” Matthias asked, wonderment evident in his tone.

  Gerardo nodded. “Beginner’s luck, I guess.”

  “Don’t let Gerardo fool you. He’s an excellent angel. His disguise as a human fooled three Paladins.”

  “Impressive.”

  Gerardo’s cheeks reddened. Must be the cherub in him. “Rafe, you flatter me. And here I thought you didn’t like me when we first met.”

  “Water under the bridge, friend.” Rafe reached down and grabbed the box. “We need to head back. Don’t be a stranger. You know how much Lucy cares about you.”

  “¡Si! I will never abandon our friendship. Lucy will understand. She’s good like that. Frankie I worry about. He won’t have anyone to argue with.” Gerardo shook his head. “I’m sure Kalli can fill in.”

  “She’s doing a smashing job so far.” Rafe smiled. “She’s got some great ideas to help Lucy with the shop too.”

  “¡Bueno! I knew she would.” Gerardo waved his hand and wing. “But don’t let me keep you. You have some mean and nasty Infernati to take care of.” He turned to Matthias. “Serah is lucky to have such a dedicated Paladin watching over her. Keep her happy. A pleasure to meet you, Matthias.” With that, Gerardo whipped his wings around his body and vanished into the mists.

  Keep her happy? What did the effeminate angel mean by that? He didn’t think he’d ever get used to all this cryptic stuff. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to try.

  “Let’s head back. Serah has some kick-ass tiramisu to make—and hopefully it will help us kick some Infernati ass as well.”

  ***

  “I’m getting nervous.” Serah gnawed on a fingertip as she swished the remaining coffee in her mug. “It’s been way longer than an hour now.”

  “Maybe they stopped for a beer afterward,” Kalli said over her second cup of coffee.

  “Not now, Kalli.”

  “Just trying to lighten your mood. Sorry.” She set her mug on the counter. “I’m sure everything’s fine.”

  The door to the office flew open, the gust rattling the pots and pans.

  Kalli grinned. “See?”

  Matthias and Rafe stepped back into the kitchen. Swiping snow and ice from his shoulders, Matthias allowed a wide grin to spread across his face. It was amazing. He was amazing.

  “The silver is blessed,” he said, his voice as smooth as butter. Serah didn’t need this now, when they needed to concentrate on Gerardo and the tiramisu.

  “Something happened to Gerardo,” Lucy said, rushing to Rafe. “Frankie called me. Some angels came and took him with them.”

  Rafe nodded. “I know.”

  “What happened?” Serah asked. “We’re worried about him.”

  “He was promoted. He’s no longer earthbound.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “He’s a cherub now,” Matthias said, setting the box on the counter.

  Serah scrunched her brows. “Aren’t they pudgy little babies?”

  “Stupid human painters,” Matthias mumbled. “They always misrepresent what they do not know.”

  Kalli snickered. “My fault. I was a muse for a while. It was better to keep our secrets by misleading the artists.”

  “A cherub? Really?” Bemusement flooded Lucy’s face.

  Rafe nodded. “In the fifth order too, which means he’s strong.”

  “I always knew he had it in him.” There was no mistaking the pride in Lucy’s voice. “Was he the one who blessed the silver?”

  Matthias nodded. “He was.”

  “Good. That means we’re well protected.” Serah grabbed one of the bottles. “Looks like we’ve got some tiramisu to make.”

  “Let’s get crackin’,” Kalli said, popping open the egg carton.

  “I never pegged you for the domestic type,” Serah said. “But nothing surprises me anymore.”

  “Don’t let the lace and fishnets fool you. I’ve done my fair share of baking and cooking, enough to last a millennium or two.” Her ruby-red lips spread into a wide smile. “Besides, we’re cooking up trouble for the Infernati. That’s an opportunity I can’t afford to miss.”

  “I’m so lucky to have friends like you.” Serah grabbed Lucy and Kalli in her arms and hugged them both.

  “How many bottles do you think we need?” Matthias asked.

  Serah pulled out of the friendly group hug and shrugged. She turned to Daniel. “How many people are going to be there?”

  Matthias let out a sharp breath. He clenched his fists. Did he still not trust Daniel? After all the information he gave him?

  “Is something the matter?”

  Matthias gave a slight shrug. “No.”

  “Whatever.”

  Lucy wrapped her arms around Serah’s shoulders. “Can you put aside the animosity for now?”

  “Fine.” She angled a glance back to Daniel. “How many?”

  “Fifty people.”

  Serah did the math. “Let’s make three, nine-by-thirteen pans.” She shook her head. “No. Four. We need to show the final product for the show. Let’s do half Kahlúa and the other half silver. If we quadruple, we’d need exactly a cup of Kahlúa. So one half cup each.” She pulled open a drawer, pulled out two half-cup measures, and set them on the counter.

  “Sounds good,” Daniel said.

  “Let’s get busy,” Kalli said, throwing the cupboard door open. She pulled out a bowl and spun it around on the counter, where it glistened as light reflected off it. “Silver mixing bowl? Can you actually cook with it too?”

  Serah nodded. “I guess once something’s blessed by an angel, it becomes usable in all applications.”

  “Bonus. A weapon of mass destruction and a utensil of mass enjoyment in one.” She gave the bowl one final spin.

  Rafe turned to Lucy and zipped up his leather jacket. “It looks like everything here is fine for now. Let’s head home.”

  “No poofing tonight?”

  Rafe smiled and shook his head. “No, I want to spend time with you. If I have to do it in your cramped sardine can of a car, so be it.”

  Lucy smiled and wrapped her arms around Rafe. She looked up at him and kissed his lips. “And here people always told me that demons were bad.”

  “Nope, just the Infernati giving you all a bad name.” Serah’s lips curved into a wide smile. Those two were perfect for each other. She wished she could have a man as strong, gentle, and sweet.

  “So, you okay if we leave?” Lucy asked.

  Serah nodded. “We have it under control.” She turned to glance at the bottles sitting on the counter. “How much do I owe—”

  “Call it an early birthday gift.”

  “My birthday was over three months ago.”

  “Okay, a really early birthday gift, then.”

  “Fine, whatever.”

  Lucy strolled over and gathered Serah in her arms. “Rafe took care of it,” she whispered. “He used his Paladin Express card. He never leaves limbo without it.”

  She couldn’t tell if Lucy was joking or not. The Paladins and Fore-Demons were a strange bunch. “Umm… okay.”

  “So it’s been taken care of by the Fore-Demon Council. No IOU needed.” Lucy gave Serah a quick hug. “See you tomorrow, girl.”

  She turned to Matthias, giving him a knowing gaze. “It’s a pleasure working with you, Matthias.” She held out her hand.

  “Matt,” he replied. “The pleasure is mine.”

  Matt? What the hell? He was on a nickname basis with them now? What was she? Boiled cabbage? No, she was worse than that. She was a brussels sprout.

  Lucy smiled. “Take care, see you tomorrow, Matt.” She turned and winked at Serah, like he would give her the same pleasure.

  After the earlier sex, his actions pretty much said it all. He wanted to keep his distance. And probably a good thing. Bad things happened when you mixed business and pleasure. Take a look at Bodyguard. The moment Kevin and Whitney go
t together, their whole world blew apart.

  Lucy looped her arm through Rafe’s. “Cramped sardine can, here we come.” With that, she let Rafe lead her out.

  “Can I measure?” Kalli asked eagerly. It was weird. She’d never seen Kalli so ready to ax the demons.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. I can’t help much tomorrow, so I wanted to make it up to you. I figured helping prepare the food would be as good a way as any.”

  Serah smiled. “Ahh, okay. You are more than welcome to help.” She handed Kalli the Kahlúa. “Have at it, hon.”

  “Yay!” She unscrewed the cap and poured the dark liquid into the measuring cup. Pushing the bottle to the side, she reached for the silver. Cracking open the lid, she poured the clear liquid in with the liqueur. Swishing the cup, she mixed the liquids.

  So far so good.

  She glanced over at Matthias. He stood in the shadows, his facade unrevealing. Arms crossed, he glanced up. Sorrow flashed in his eyes.

  “Did you want to help?”

  “I don’t want to burn down another kitchen.”

  “There’s no oven involved.”

  She wished she knew what was going on with him. He was passionate enough. She’d seen that earlier, but now he was distant, aloof. She didn’t like it. Bodyguard be damned. She couldn’t stand Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston anyway.

  “I insist you help.” She handed him a bag of ladyfingers. Soaking them in alcohol and silver was simple enough. Something so easy even Lucy could do it. “All you need to do is roll them in the alcohol and silver.”

  A tiny smile curved his lips. “I can handle that, I think.” He leaned in, his breath inches from her ear. “Thank you, Serah.”

  “You’re welcome, Matthias.”

  He didn’t correct her. That answered her question.

  Chapter 37

  It was torture being so close to her and not reaching out to stroke those luxurious curls. He had to refrain, however. He didn’t want things to be any more complicated than they already were.

  Serah covered the last pan of tiramisu with foil and put it in the fridge. She took out the pan she had made earlier with Daniel and unrolled the foil.

  “Anyone want a slice?”

  “Me!” Daniel said.

  “Me too.” Kalli licked her lips. “If it’s as good as that filling we just made, I’ll be in heaven.”

  “You ate some of the silver-tainted filling?” Daniel asked, concern etched across his face.

  “Blessed silver doesn’t hurt the Paladins,” Kalli said, giving the spatula a lick.

  Daniel nodded. “Makes sense.”

  Matthias supposed he should have some too. That way he could have a little piece of Serah. “I’d like some.”

  “All righty then.” She grabbed a knife and cut four slices of tiramisu. With a warm smile, she handed him a plate. It looked delicious. Layer after layer of ladyfingers lay nestled in a bed of fluffy filling. A sprinkle of cocoa dusted the top. A chocolate-covered coffee bean sat on top, giving the cake a simple elegance. He scooped up some with his fork and took a bite.

  The mixture of coffee, cream, and mascarpone exploded along his tongue. He’d had tiramisu before, but not quite like this. Delicious was an understatement. More like divine.

  He angled a covert glance at Serah, who handed a plate to Daniel. She patted his shoulder and giggled cheerily.

  Divine, indeed. Just like the woman who’d made it. He gritted his teeth and fought back the emotions that brewed. It was better this way.

  “Can I bring a piece to Sally? That way she isn’t suspicious,” asked Daniel.

  “Great idea,” Kalli said, grabbing the knife. She slid the knife through the tiramisu. “Any to-go boxes?”

  Serah nodded and opened a cupboard. She pulled out a small, foam container and handed it to Kalli. “Here.”

  “Not much of an environmentalist, are you?”

  Serah smirked. “Spare me the lecture. They’re recyclable.”

  “Okay.” With that, she lifted the cake server and plopped the tiramisu into the container. She closed the lid and handed it to Daniel. “There you go.”

  Daniel smiled. “Thanks.”

  The sound of wind chimes echoed through the kitchen. Daniel sighed. “It’s probably Sally.”

  He set the foam container down and reached into his back pocket. With a nod, he tapped on his screen. “Hello?” He blew out a frustrated breath. “We had to make an extra pan. We forgot about the display.” There was a pause. “We’re just finishing up. I’m bringing you a piece so you can try it.”

  So far so good. The guy was a natural. He would have eventually made it on his own, even without Sally’s—Salome’s—help. Too bad he’d gotten wrapped up in the wrong crowd.

  “I’m leaving now, Sally… All right… See you soon. Bye.” With that, he mashed his finger on the screen and ended the call. Matthias decided right then and there that he’d help Daniel straighten out his life. After all, if he could do it, Daniel could too.

  “So?”

  “She doesn’t seem suspicious.” Daniel shook his head. “Doesn’t mean she’s not. But she’s not pleased that I’m late.”

  Typical Salome. Controlling and callous. If he could march right into that hotel and give her a piece of his mind, he would. He would not let her corrupt another human—or demon for that matter.

  “You’d better get going,” was all he said. He bit his tongue.

  Serah nodded in agreement. “The last thing we want is her angry right now.”

  Daniel nodded. “She wants me back here at nine. The taping starts at eleven o’clock. Is that okay?”

  A sly smile curved Serah’s lips. “It will have to be. If you try to defy Sally—Salome—whatever—she may become suspicious.”

  “Okay!” He wrapped his arms around Serah and pulled her into a tight embrace. Serah returned the hug, her arms wrapping just as tightly around him.

  Matthias stifled the growl. Why in the hell did he have to be so jealous? Serah needed someone like Daniel, someone with a clean conscience. Someone who hadn’t lived almost a millennium.

  Daniel fit the bill perfectly.

  Daniel withdrew from the hug and gave Kalli an equally warm hug. Daniel then turned to him. “Thank you for allowing me to help, Matthias.” He held out his hand.

  “Call me Matt.” He took Daniel’s hand in his and gave him a hearty shake. He glanced over toward Serah, her face in a tight scowl. What now?

  He gave Daniel a pat on the back. “Be careful, friend.”

  Daniel smiled. “I will.” With that, he gave a quick wave and made his way toward the front door.

  Matthias blew out a breath. Maybe some of this jealousy would abate with Daniel gone. He could only hope so.

  “I’m heading off too.” Serah said, grabbing her keys from the wall.

  “Not without me, you’re not.”

  “Not this again.”

  “I don’t want a repeat of this morning. You are too important to—the world. I can’t lose you.”

  Kalli arched a brow. “I think I’m going to go poof. I have a feeling you two need some alone time.”

  “No!”

  “Sorry, but I think it’s best for both of you.” Kalli gave them no chance to answer. “Don’t worry, I’ll use the office.” She spun toward the office and strode off.

  “You’ve been acting weird all night, Matthias. What is the deal? Daniel is harmless. I saw the way you looked when he hugged me.”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Yeah, sure.” She spun away from him.

  He reached out and grabbed her elbow, bringing her to face him. He took her chin and angled her face to meet his gaze. “I worry about you, is that so wrong?”

  “No,” she breathed out.

  He allowed his arms to reach around her neck and wind his fingers in her curls. He knew he should resist, but the damage had already been done. He lowered his lips to hers. With slow tentative sweeps,
he pressed into her mouth, his tongue sweeping against hers. A soft moan escaped her lips as her teeth grazed against his tongue. It was too much. His member pulsed and throbbed.

  He couldn’t do this to her. Not now. It was the excitement from the impending battle that affected him. He’d seen it in battle before. But not like this. Not so tender or caring. Bloody hell. He was in love, that’s why.

  He withdrew from the kiss. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to take advantage of you. We can’t do that again.”

  Her lips trembled and her sapphire eyes clouded. “You’re right. We can’t.”

  Those words cut him to the core.

  ***

  They rode home in silence. Serah turned the corner and pulled into the driveway. She just wanted to go to bed and make the night go by faster.

  It was a hard task with Matthias so close. She glanced down at her phone. How did she miss all these calls? A number she didn’t recognize. She pushed the button on the machine to get her messages.

  “Farquie, where are you baby? The human went out on a date. I’m all alone.”

  Serah shivered. She really didn’t want to know.

  “It’s me again, my little pussycat. You’re not answering your cell either.”

  A cell phone? Where the hell was he hiding that?

  Now she was worried. It wasn’t like Farquhar to miss Inanna’s calls. She dialed the number that appeared on the caller ID.

  “Farquie?”

  In all her excitement over the show, she’d completely forgotten her sidekick. What kind of human was she?

  “No, it’s Serah. Farquhar isn’t here.”

  Inanna gasped. “Oh shit. Farquie’s going to be pissed.”

  “I already know you can talk and that you’re imps, Inanna.”

  “Oh. Whew,” Inanna murmured.

  “I talked to him earlier when I was fighting a demon. I told him to stay home. He obviously didn’t listen to me.”

  Serah sighed. How could she have done this? “He spends all his time with you, so I assumed you two were together.”