Demons Prefer Blondes (11 page)

She wouldn’t complain. Without this woman, there wouldn’t even be a salon to stand in. “It’s okay. You’ve done so much as it is. My mom’s just about done. I can go to the supply store and pick some up.”

Kalli shook her head. “I’m afraid you can’t leave the salon, at least not until Rafe gets here. I promised him.” She paced back and forth, scratching her dreadlocks. “We’ve surrounded the building with an enchantment that reduces your… ahh… condition.” Thank goodness Kalli chose to speak in a hushed tone. Despite her mom bonding with her, Lucy wasn’t quite ready to drop the bomb on her just yet.

“Who’s going?” Frankie asked, flinging his hands on his hips. “I’m staying here with Lucy.”

Gerardo shook his head. “I’ll stay here. You go.”

Apparently, the effects of her
condition
still hadn’t fully worn off. Would her pheromones ever let up? Frankie and Gerardo stood nose to nose, tall and proud, as they sized each other up. Hands on their hips, they narrowed their gazes in the stare-down of the century.

“Oh, come on, guys,” Lucy muttered. “This is silly. It’s just a drive to the stupid supply store. I’ll be fine.”

Kalli sighed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize such a slight oversight could cause such tension.”

Lucy gave her a reassuring gaze. “Don’t be. Part of this is my fault. Some of my effects apparently haven’t worn off yet.”

Gerardo finally spoke. “Frankie can go. He saved your ass the other day. Now it’s my turn.”

Saved her ass? When?

Frankie arched a brow, clearly confused as her. “I did?”

“Mrs. Gunderson,” Gerardo replied with a wink. “I think the words you used were, ‘I saved Lucy’s pretty little tush.’”

A slight blush crept to her cheeks. Did these guys forget her mother was setting right across from them? Although, having two blatantly gay men calling her tush pretty was a huge ego boost. Not that she needed any more of that right now.

Frankie rolled his eyes. “Oh please, you and I both know that’s not the same thing.”

“Oh yes it is!” Gerardo flung his arms across each other. “I’ve heard those feet are killer.”

With a hiss, Frankie stomped an impatient foot. “I look beyond the feet.”

Gerardo blinked. “Oh,” he muttered through taut lips. Slumping his shoulders, he backed away from Frankie. He stuck up his chin. “I’m still staying with Lucy. I have reasons.”

“What reasons?” Frankie prodded.

“Personal reasons.” Gerardo crossed his arms. “That’s all you need to know.”

Her mom, who must have been an arbitrator in a previous life, cleared her throat. All four of them whipped around to face her. Victoria Gregory stood proud and authoritative, like a woman who knew how to take charge. That face used to have Lucy trembling in her moon boots as a child. Now there was the mother she remembered. “I’m sure Lucy’s quite capable of performing such a menial task.” She ran her fingers through her newly cut and colored hair and rolled her teeth over her lip. “Not that any of your work here is menial, you know.”

Bemusement flooded everyone’s faces. Gerardo and Frankie stood there in stark silence, while Kalli twisted a pink dreadlock around a finger. Her expression, however, leaned more toward amused than bemused. Lucy almost broke out into laughter. The stunned silence wasn’t because of her comment about menial tasks. It was the fact that she’d finally stood up for her daughter.

“What?” she asked, gazing at each of them. She exhaled a deep sigh. “What I meant to say was… you know… the supply company is right next to Joshua Carlson’s office.”

So much for her mom’s metamorphoses. She should’ve known her mom had an ulterior motive. So she still wanted her to schmooze with the snobs of Connolly Park? Not that Josh was a snob or anything, but still…

“Umm… he’s getting married soon. Larissa Harding, remember?” Lucy snorted back a laugh. “I don’t think it’s good form for his ex-girlfriend to make social visits to his work.” Could you say “awkward”? Especially after the pheromone overdose she gave him earlier this morning.

Mom shrugged and nibbled her lip. “They just don’t seem to have that spark, you know?”

Lucy knew, all right. More than her mom realized. Joshua, bless his heart, wouldn’t know what a spark was even if it bit him on the ass. But he was still a good person.

“I’ll go,” Kalli blurted. With a smile, she threw her mass of hair over her shoulder. How did she hold all that hair on her head?

Lucy pulled Kalli to the side. “Is it safe to leave me alone?” Rafe would be pissed if anything happened while he was gone. Not that she should care if he was mad or not, but for some reason she was. Stupid man.

Kalli grinned. “As I mentioned earlier, the shop is surrounded with Rafe’s and my energy. You have nothing to worry about. And you don’t have to worry about your newly budding fan club. You’re protected all over.”

Cool! Because she didn’t stand a chance against a bunch of hormone-intoxicated men. “That’s comforting.”

Frankie’s eyes flickered. “So you’re a succubus, huh?”

“Afraid so.” Flashing her pearly whites, she struck a pose. “Never would’ve guessed it, right?”

Gerardo rolled his eyes and a laugh rolled out. “Please, I knew it all along! You had
sexpot
written all over you.” He reached across the front desk and pulled out his blasted portfolio. “Remember this?”

She should’ve known. Gerardo and that stupid photo. He just couldn’t part with it. “Do you want me to sign my mug shot? It may increase the value.”
Yeah right.

Frankie arched a brow. “If it’s
that
bad, we can use it as a before-and-after picture.”

Lucy narrowed her eyes and arched her brow in befuddlement. Had the lunar eclipse done more than unleash demons into the world? These guys were talking like a bunch of silly willies. Scratch that; she was acting a little nutty, herself. Then again, she was entitled to, considering the circumstances.

Frankie, obviously mistaking her expression as look of intensity, gulped. “Not that the before picture is bad, but… you know… you’re off the chart on the smokin’ hot scale now…” Frankie’s gaze darted around the room. “I think I’m gonna shut up now.”

“I’m pretty sure that borders on false advertising, anyway,” Lucy added with a chuckle. She could just see the advertisement.

Want to go from this to this? All you have to do is boink the life out of someone.

No way! “Then again, we could always add the line ‘Results may vary.’” Taking in Gerardo’s and Frankie’s sidelong gazes and the excited grins on their faces, Lucy shook her head. “I’m joking. Don’t get any ideas.”

Both men blew out disappointed breaths—in unison! They could’ve been twins, save for Gerardo’s swarthy skin and dark hair and Frankie’s pale face and sandy blond hair. Then again, Gerardo wore feathers, and Frankie thought he looked like a giant flamingo. Besides being gay, the similarities pretty much ended there.

Gerardo puffed out his chest like the giant—albeit lovable—peacock that he was. “I’ll stay here and protect Lucy.” He jumped in the air and kicked. “Hi yah!” Backing up, he bowed. “I’ve been dying to show you that move forever!”

Lucy’s mouth gaped open. Gerardo knew karate? What else had the Latino been hiding? His ability to knit three sweaters in a single bound? “When did you learn karate?”

“I dated a karate instructor. He gave me private lessons.” Gerardo winked and added, “And let me tell you, private lessons are much better than public ones.”

Lucy didn’t doubt it, but she didn’t want to hear about it either.

Kalli coughed and sputtered. “Ahh… Frankie can go with me. Mr. TMI stays here with you.”

For being a demon, or whatever she was, Kalli sure had the modern lingo down pat. Then again, she probably lived in this world before most of Lucy’s ancestors. Maybe she should ask her how old she is, to sort of break the ice. The older-sister-type vibe rolled off her where Rafe was concerned. What a relief!

Smirking, Kalli leaned in and whispered, “Isn’t it rude to ask a woman her age?” With a soft chuckle, she turned back to Frankie. “Let’s go.”

So she could read minds? Could Rafe too? Talk about awkward. Like she wanted the man she needed to boink knowing her every thought. Raking a hand through her hair and gritting her teeth, she tossed a surreptitious glance at Kalli. With an unconcerned shrug, she smirked. What else were these demons hiding from her?

The blast back to Limbo proved uneventful as always. Rafael had long grown used to the rush of icy winds barraging his face while he teleported. He glanced down at his companion. Squeaky, apparently, hadn’t. Long arms wrapped around his chubby chimp body, he shivered. A sliver of ice dangled from his nose. Imps! Not developed enough to handle the transport between worlds.

But if what Kalli said was true, this wasn’t any ordinary imp. This was Quetzalcoatl, long-lost god of the Aztecs. He must have done something horrible for the Fore-Demons to diminish him to an imp. Rafael shook his head. Not bloody likely.

One thing was certain; there was more to the chimp that met the eye.

“Let’s not do that again,” Squeaky shook crystals of ice from his fur.

The squeaks were too much.
Time to get this monster a muzzle.

“Come,” Rafael bit out. Yanking the pesky imp by his arm, he pulled Squeaky behind him. “The Fore-Demons await.” The sooner he got this mess straightened out, the sooner he could join Nic in saving Coby.

Coby.
How was Nic’s rescue going? Remorse flooded inside. He should be the one rescuing her. They were bonded by blood. They were twins. Connected. He should be there, with the sweat, blood, and brimstone, fighting for his sister. Instead, the Fore-Demons sent him to Earth to get the blasted chest—the same chest that had put Coby at risk. The same chest that now held Lucy captive. He’d spit on the
Arca Inferorum
if he could. He, however, still valued his position as a Paladin. He hadn’t even given one thought of Coby while on Earth. He’d been too busy with Lucy. Too busy becoming enchanted.

“Do you ever smile?”

I’ll smile when I vanquish Belial back to the fires of Hell.
He gripped the hilt of his sword. Perhaps if they realized he was ready to fight they’d reconsider his assignment.

“They won’t change their minds.” Squeaky hunched down on his arms and swayed back and forth. “Nice piece though.” He reached out his bulbous hand. “May I?”

Rafael tightened his grip, the silver etching along the hilt digging into his palm. “Why?”

“I’m a connoisseur of fine swords. Especially seventeenth-century Ottoman sabers.” Squeaky smiled. “Funny, I always pegged you for a Frenchie.”

Rafael shrugged. “And I thought you were Aztec, not Italian.”

“Oh, a wise guy, are ya.” Lounging against the wall, Squeaky scratched his ape chin and chuckled. “There may be hope for you yet.” He gazed at the sword, his tongue wagging.

With a deep breath, Rafael unsheathed the weapon. The silver glinted in the glow of the tapers hanging on the wall. Even though the sword had been his for over four centuries, he never stopped marveling at its beauty. Carved dragons and their intricate breaths of fire wrapped around the hilt and vined their way down the blade. Sapphires along with rubies dotted their eyes and emeralds sprinkled along their spines. Nothing matched its exquisiteness. Save for that seductive swirl of emerald and amber that flashed in Lucy’s eyes.

Desire flooded his body. Rafael clenched his teeth. This obsession was unhealthy. He’d lost focus. He’d lost his edge. A loud grumble formed in his throat. He was going soft.

“Ahem!” Squeaky coughed out. “Earth to Rafe.” He scratched his hairy chin. “Oh yeah. We aren’t on Earth. Limbo to Rafe. Come in, Rafe.”

Shaking his head, Rafael leaned against the hall’s gilt wall. Too much gold for his taste.

With reluctance, he handed it to the imp. If it got the thing to shut up, he’d let it handle all his weapons.

“The sword was a gift from my Turkish trainer.” Right before Nic and he traveled to Roanoke. The first strike. Thanks to Lamia and her bloodlust for children, his first assignment had been a failure. Nic had since proven himself. Rafael, however—the strikes were constantly against him.

The watch in his left pocket burned a hole in his jacket and singed his skin. Not literally, but it might as well have. He stiffened. Don’t reflect on the second strike.
Not now.

With a quick parry and thrust, Squeaky danced back and forth. Was that a flourish?

“
En garde
!” Squeaky lunged forward.

What the bloody hell?
Rafael gazed down at his white shirt, now emblazoned with three slashes in the shape of a Z. Rafael grumbled. “My sister gave me this shirt.”

“Your sister would tell you to remove the stick from your ass, Rafe.”

Rafael jerked his head to lock gazes with Nic. Swiping a hand through his sandy blond hair, he shook his head.

“She’d do no such thing. We think alike.”

Nic snorted. “How well you know your sister.” His expression hardened. “I have news, by the way.”

“Tell. Me. Now.” From the sternness of his friend’s gaze, it wasn’t good. His stomach roiled and his head spun. The longer Nic waited, the more anxious he became.

Scratching his chin, Nic drew in a deep, calculated breath. He tugged on his ceremonial tunic, the red eagle emblazoned on his chest. “We know where they’re keeping Coby.” He clenched and unclenched his fists. “It doesn’t look good.”

“Why? Has she been thrown in the pit?” Rafael cringed at his question. If that were the case, all hope for his sister was lost. Icy shards raced through his blood.

Nic shook his head. “Quite the opposite, my friend.” He paced the expansive marble. “I know how you prefer to stand to receive your news, so I won’t beat around the bush.” He rubbed at the stubble on his chin. “Your sister appears to be a welcome guest in Belial’s palace.”

Welcome guest? Coby had given in to that evil monster? He couldn’t believe his ears. He gritted his teeth and his jaw locked. While he was strutting around Earth chasing a woman he couldn’t have, his sister had been tortured so much that she’d turned to the dark. Beautiful Coby, the one who kept him balanced? Not bloody likely. He wouldn’t give up hope. Not yet. Belial would pay.

***

After two haircuts and one capping, Lucy had time to relax. Taking a bite of her turkey club sandwich, she leaned back in her office chair and stretched her legs. The bland turkey and burnt bacon wasn’t much, but it would do. Her tastes had matured.

A hot plate of Rafe, anyone?

Lucy shook her head. She wasn’t sharing him with anyone.

Glancing at the computer clock, she sighed.
Five after two.
Where in the hell were Frankie and Kalli? They should’ve come back by now. Frankie’s appointment was due to arrive any moment.

The doorbell chimed.
Like now?

Just what she needed. An irate customer on top of her uncontrollable succubus powers. And no Kalli to teach her how to reign them in. Hopefully, this protection shield she and Rafe had put up was strong enough. Otherwise, she’d be S-O-L.

Gazing down at her half-eaten sandwich, she sucked in a breath. She just wanted a few minutes to herself to
think
. Her world was changing. She was changing. Energy she never knew existed ripped through her body. For the first time in five years, she was scared. Was her life a lie? Was she good or evil? She had so many questions. But only one truly plagued her.

If she was a sex demon, who was her father?

She shuddered. Obviously not Dr. Louis Gregory, orthopedic surgeon.

“Gerardo can handle one simple customer.”

Pushing her sandwich away, she turned her attention back to the computer and clicked her mouse. What better way to pass the time away than an über-boring game of solitaire?

She aimed the mouse pointer at the ace of spades, letting it pop to the top right of the screen.
Yawn.
A seven of hearts here, a ten of clubs there. She moved a king of diamonds over and revealed another ace.
Yippee!
She prepared to click the card.

“Lucy!” Gerardo burst into the office, a wide, excited smile spread across his face. “There’s this hunky guy up front looking for
you
!”

Gerardo’s gaze floated to the ceiling and his breath hitched. Absolutely comical. Never a dull moment at Luscious Locks where Frankie and Gerardo were concerned. Now it was rubbing off on her. Case in point: Exploding shampoo bowls and demonic chests.
Yee haw!

“Me?” Maybe Rafe’s and Kalli’s energy was wearing off. She hoped not! Why, oh why, couldn’t Kalli have given her lessons before she went traipsing off with Frankie? She didn’t like it one bit. Rafe wouldn’t either. Something didn’t add up.

“Yup!” He clapped his hands excitedly and jumped up and down like a giddy schoolgirl—sans the plaid skirt and stockings, thank goodness. “And he asked for you
by name
.” He let out a dramatic sigh. “
Dios mío
, Lucy. You’re one lucky
chica
.”

Hardly.
Being an overactive sex demon didn’t necessarily exude luck—unless you were into that freaky shit. She flashed Gerardo a sidelong glance. Bedecked in a magenta feathered sleeveless shirt, he lounged against the doorjamb in his black leather skinny jeans. Now there was someone who got freaky with the best of them. Oh, the stories she could tell. Imagine that, a Mexican who couldn’t hold his tequila.

“Men love me. What can I say?” Shrugging, she pulled herself from the desk. Not that she wanted the love. Not if it was as obsessive as it was earlier this morning. She saw how it affected Frankie and Gerardo. No, thank you! Being an object of one man’s desires was good enough for her. She let out a long sigh of hope.
Hope?
Where’d that come from?

“Love is an understatement,” Gerardo sauntered to the computer and flung himself into the chair. With a dramatic sashay, he swiveled around. “They
adore
you.”

His dark brown eyes brightened and he waggled his brows. Not that expression! What now? “Spill it, Gerardo.”

“Uhh…” He threw his hands up in exasperation. “
¡Dios!
I think he’s with the modeling agency I sort of… sent your photo to.”

Ugh!
She knew he was up to no good, and now she had to run damage control. She blew out a long breath. “When will you learn?”

Gerardo shrugged. “I don’t know. You’d be a great model, Lucy.” He heaved a sigh, his gaze all of a sudden somber. “I told you that chest was bad.”

“
Muy malvado
, right?” Maybe she was wrong. Sure there was a touch of evil in it, but she still sensed good.
Weird.

Gerardo nodded and crossed his arms over his flamboyant sequins. “Too late now,” he said with a click of a mouse. “You have more important things than being on the cover of
Vogue
. I’ll let you give Mr. Bell the bad news.”

“Thanks Ger. I
really
appreciate it.”

Gerardo smiled, his white teeth sparkling. “Any time,
chica
.”

She blew him a kiss and headed out of the office. One thing she appreciated about Gerardo—even when he was right, he never rubbed it in someone’s face. If what Rafe and Kalli said was true, she had just unleashed a legion of demons on Earth. Not comforting at all. On the upside, if what the inscription said was true, she could control them too. Maybe it was as simple as just commanding them back in the box? Could it be that easy? She hoped so. Then again, nothing in life was ever simple.

There she went again, her inner pessimist—surgically implanted by her mom and her crazy family. It was time to show the Jennings family she was worthy of something. Saving the world was as good as anything.

She made her way down the hall, the strong scent of permanent solution wafting in the air. Stronger than usual, like someone dropped a ton of rotten eggs on the doorstep. Had Frankie and Kalli returned with some new industrial strength brand? Hopefully not! She wanted to keep customers, not drive them away.

There weren’t any perms scheduled, though. The odor drifted away, and the cloying scent of cinnamon assailing her nose instead. She didn’t know what was worse, the acidic burn of the solution or the overly heady aroma of spices.

Rubbing her nose, she headed into the shampoo area and scanned the shop. Her gaze drifted toward the waiting area. At the front desk stood an angel. She’d never seen someone so golden. Wavy blond curls framed his tan face. A wide smile spread across his face, revealing pristine white teeth. He was everything Rafe wasn’t. Bright and vibrant, where Rafe was dark and brooding. His amber eyes sparked bright and beckoning.

“You must be Lucia Gregory?” he asked, his voice smooth as melted butter. She couldn’t place his accent, but it was sexy just the same. “You don’t mind me visiting you at work, do you?”

She arched a brow. “Depends on the reason for the visit, Mr.…”

“Bell. Jon Bell.”

“I don’t recognize your name, Mr. Bell.” It was best to keep things formal. After all, it appeared to be a business call and she still wasn’t sure of this man. Besides that, he was too hot for his own good. And in her experience, sometimes the hottest guys were the most trouble. She took cautious steps toward the golden god wannabe.

Mr. Bell smiled, stuck his hand in his designer suit, and flipped out a card. With a flourish, he handed it to her. Wow, he was smooth. Too smooth. “Here’s my card.”

Glancing down at the ornate script, she scratched her head. “Jonathan Bell,
River City Herald
.” A newspaper reporter? “You want to write an article about us?”

Mr. Bell flashed that expert smile again. He was a man who got what he wanted. She had news for him. He never met Lucia Anne Gregory.

“I want to write a feature on local beauty spas and their offerings. Yours came
highly
recommended.” He brushed his golden waves from his cheek. “I was in the area and decided to introduce myself.” He drew out each of his words on a wispy breath and extended his hand to her.

He smiled, his paler than pale blue eyes swirling. Unnatural and creepy. Then her head buzzed. Tingles filled her body. She felt this way earlier. When Kalli demonstrated enrapturement. Alertness zinged inside.
Demon!

Another demon? And from the creepy vibes he gave off, he wasn’t one of the good guys. So much for protection. She should have gone to get the foils. So that’s why Kalli wanted to go! She couldn’t believe it!