Demons Prefer Blondes (4 page)

Heading to the back office, she recalled the strange events of the day. From Gerardo’s photography, to the almost-orgasm from touching the chest, to Mrs. Carlson’s mushroom perm, to Rafe… especially Rafe.

Never had she seen eyes so silver and vibrant, even more so than the costume jewelry she sold. His glistening dark hair that danced across his shoulders, beckoning her to reach out and touch. Would he have reacted the same way he had to Gerardo? Then again having a dowdy hairstylist touching his gorgeous locks was probably the last thing Rafe wanted.

And how could she forget that body? Thick muscles straining against his T-shirt and leather pants that molded to each ripple and bulge. He radiated power, and not just the physical kind. But then he’d put Gerardo in a choke hold. Why did the drop dead sexy ones always have to be homophobes?

Settling into her office chair, she fired up her computer. The only thing she hated about running a business. Balancing the budget. Maybe someday she could hire an accountant. After a few hours of boring bookkeeping, she wanted to pound her head on the keyboard.

The sound of Justin Timberlake’s latest hit broke her thoughts. Rifling through her striped Dolce and Gabbana purse, she searched for her cell phone. Curse Serah for buying her such a gi-normous purse. It was so huge; she could’ve stuffed the Statue of Liberty in it and still had room for the Eiffel Tower.

Flipping up the receiver, she answered the phone. “Hello?”

“Open up. I’m waiting in the back.” Serah’s voice, full of urgency, echoed in her ear. “I think someone’s following me and it’s freezing out here.”

Lucy chuckled. “Please! You think everyone’s following you. It’s just some weird chest, not the Arc of the Covenant, for God’s sake.”

Something deep inside nagged at her, but Lucy ignored it. She wanted to open this box. At first it was to prove Serah wrong, but now something else drove her. Something dark and dangerous. Maybe opening this chest wasn’t such a good idea after all.

“So are you going to let me in or what?” Serah huffed with obvious irritation. “It’s kind of hard standing here with a huge chest in my arms. Thank God for Bluetooth.” A loud clunk soon followed. “Just let me in.” The phone went dead.

Flinging her phone back into the purse, Lucy trekked toward the back door. The sooner she let Serah in, the sooner they could open the chest. Then her stupid curiosity would be sated.

Serah’s pounding, followed by a groan, came muffled through the door. “Stupid box. Ugh.”

“I’m coming!” Lucy said in the most annoying singsong voice she could muster. From the sounds of Serah’s grunts and grumbles, she was none too pleased. With a wide smile, Lucy threw open the door. Serah stood there glowering, the chest propped atop her pink Jimmy Choo-clad foot.

“It’s about time,” Serah grumbled, pulling her foot from under the chest. With another loud grumble, she kicked it. “Ouch.”

Lucy shook her head and chuckled. “Then don’t kick it.”

With an irritated huff, Serah hobbled into the shop. “Seriously. This thing isn’t worth the trouble. I’d return it if I could.”

“Why can’t you?” She reached down to collect Serah’s forgotten chest and followed her inside.

Serah plopped down into one of the dryer seats and pulled her shoes off. “The guy said, ‘No returns.’ He seemed pretty eager to part with it.”

“So you don’t want to open it anymore?” Leave it to Serah to deflate her eager curiosity. “This was supposed to be the highlight of my evening.”

Serah chuckled. “Yeah, I know you want to burst the bubble in my overly active imagination.”

“Something like that,” Lucy fibbed. Her reasons now went deeper than that. Something about the chest had put her curiosity into overdrive. “To be honest, I thought it’d be kind of fun, like we were in grade school again.”

Flailing her mangled Jimmy Choo in the air, Serah sucked in a deep breath. “Do you know how much these cost me?”

“More than your
über-expensive
box?” Lucy asked, arching a brow.

Serah took an exhausted breath. “Okay, fine. You got me there. I exaggerated on the box. I got a deal. The guy couldn’t wait to get rid of it.”

“Yeah, a pentagram on the top of a box tends to do that to people,” Lucy added matter-of-factly.

Serah shrugged. “I didn’t see the pentagram until you pointed it out. The only visible thing was the inscription.” Her gaze grew serious. “I know you think I’m a loon, but maybe we should just forget it. I can put it on eBay.”

“Yeah, you do that. I’d hate to see the freaks who’d bid on that thing.” Then again,
she
was the freak who itched to open it. “Well, it’s here now, so why don’t we just have some fun?”

Serah shifted in the chair and blew out a deep breath. “Fine. I Googled the eclipse. It’s supposed to happen just around two-thirty.”

“In the morning?” Lucy craned her head toward the clock on the wall. One a.m.? “Time flies when you’re not having fun.”

“Yeah?” Her friend arched a brow. “That’s why I have an accountant to handle my books. I hate math.”

“You and me both.” Lucy plopped into a chair next to her and stretched her legs. “I don’t have enough business to hire one yet.”

Serah grinned. “Soon, girl. Trust me. I’m sending a few of my best clients your way.”

“That’s awesome.” Knowing the type of clients Serah’s catering business had, Lucy could make a killing. Then again Mrs. Carlson was one of her clients.
Yippee!
“Just make sure they aren’t Mrs. Carlson’s cronies.”

Serah shook her head and snorted. “That old bat? I dropped her as a client. Way too demanding. You’d think it was her wedding. I swear she sprouted horns when I walked in earlier. You’re so lucky you dumped him.”

Why did everyone think she broke it off? “It was mutual. We dumped each other.” Raking fingers through her hair, Lucy looked out the front window. Her loud gasp echoed through the empty shop. The faint light of the moon trickled in. An eerie blood red hue surrounded the slowly eclipsing moon. If only she had a camera. Where was Gerardo when you needed him?

“Check that out!” Lucy pointed at the creepy moon.

Serah stared, transfixed, at the reddish orb. “Amazing! Are you ready to do this or what?”

“I thought you didn’t want to do it anymore?”

Lips curved into a wide grin, Serah shrugged. “Like you said. It’ll be a big sleepover, like in junior high.”

“Okay!” Lucy leapt from the chair and skipped toward the box. Maybe she was taking this junior high thing way too seriously. Lugging the chest to the center of the room, she allowed the tingles, no longer painful, to fill her body. She threw her head back and allowed the current to race through her veins. It felt so good.

“Lucy!” Serah’s shout broke her daydream. “What the heck?”

With heavy reluctance, Lucy pulled her hands from the box. Wiping her damp brow, she turned to face her friend. “I told you it shocks me whenever I touch it.”

“Shock?” Serah chuckled. “You looked like you were enjoying it. If that’s electrocution, sign me up.”

Now Serah thought she was into that kinky shit. Then again, Josh did say she was “too wild.” How much fun was the missionary position all the time? Sex should be fun and adventurous, not the same ole, same ole. What would’ve happened if she’d pulled out the
Kama Sutra
? A coronary, probably. Quite a feat for a thirty-something cardiologist.

His idea of fun was jogging five miles a day, and the most excitement she got from him was necking in a movie theater. Call security! Then again, maybe that’s how he kept his ticker healthy. Recalling the many times she’d tried to spice up Josh’s dull life over the years, she allowed a devious smile to curve her lips.

Serah cleared her throat. “What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing. Just recalling my life with Josh.”

She threw her head back in laughter. “You mean lack of life.” She smiled, her gaze warm. “Trust me, Lucy. He gets it from his mom. Be very happy.”

“Hello! It’s been five years. I’m over him.” Enough was enough. “I’m happier than ever.”

“It’s just that you haven’t dated since him.” Serah squatted down next to her. “People talk, you know.”

None of the men in this suburban hellhole held that spark of life Lucy needed, and it irritated her beyond reason. And, to her utter chagrin, the first spark ever had to come from a homophobic ass-crack.
Lucky me!

Lucy put on a mask of indifference. She ground her teeth and her heart thudded. Gripping her fists tightly, she turned to her friend, her gaze ready to burn. “Let them talk.” Her voice came out deep and gravelly, almost inhuman.

Serah jumped back, her eyes filled with alarm. “You know, maybe we should call it a night. You’re obviously stressed or in need of something else.”

“Let’s not talk about my love life, all right?” Lucy slammed her fist into her palm. What in the heck had come over her? “We came here to have fun, not argue,” she added, her voice softening.

“Deal,” Serah said offering her hand. “On one condition.”

Lucy narrowed her gaze. “Your condition?”

Serah’s mouth spread into a wide smile. “We can’t talk about mine, either.”

“Deal.” She took Serah’s hand and shook. She turned her attention back to the chest. “So let me look at that inscription again.”

After spending a half hour translating the words, they needed to choose the victim. They solved it in the easiest of ways.

“Rock. Paper. Scissors!” Serah danced around the box like a giddy schoolgirl. Then again, that was the purpose of this experiment, to relive their pre-teen years. To be honest, there wasn’t much reliving for Lucy. Her mother had kept her on lockdown for most of her junior-high years. But, much to her mom’s chagrin, Lucy finally rose up and put her foot down.

“Fine.” After all, it did beat a thumb war. Lucy held out her fist, waiting for her friend to return the favor. Smiling, she nudged Serah’s with her own.

“Rock, paper, scissors,” they both chanted. Lucy held her hand in perfect scissor position.

Serah, unfortunate gal, held out her paper hand. A large pout quivered on her lips as a loud whoosh of air came from her nose. “I knew I should have called rock.”

“Oh well,” Lucy said with a smirk. Glancing at the dim, reddening moon, she narrowed her eyes. “You know, the moon is getting creepier.”

“I looked up some websites earlier. That’s just the Earth’s reflection.” Serah craned her head to look. “But you’re right. It is creepy.”

“Tell me about it,” Lucy said. “So how much longer?” She snuck a glance at the chest, her gut clenching. Not in fear but something more carnal. Like it contained a treasure trove of toys, and not the kind that you give a kid. Had it been that long that she now craved inanimate objects? She needed help.

“Like now,” her friend replied. “It’s two-twenty-five, according to my watch.” Serah held up her hand and twisted her wrist, sparkles glistening against the dimmed lights of the salon. Oh brother, yet another crazy purchase. But if you have the money, you might as well spend it.

“New watch?”

Serah shrugged. “It belonged to my granny. Just wanted to wear it for some reason.”

Lucy smiled and hugged her friend, allowing her comfort. Even though her grandmother had died almost a year ago, Serah still mourned from time to time. It wasn’t her business to pry, but Serah dealt with her grief the only way she could. And truth be told, Lucy wasn’t a psychologist anyway. Much to Mom’s chagrin, of course.

“Let’s do this,” Lucy said, pulling from their friendly embrace. With a quick lick of her lips, she focused her attention back to the chest.

As if a golden orb had surrounded it, the chest glowed. Her body ignored her conscience, disregarding what she knew to be wrong or right. Lucy took slow, almost sensual, steps toward the box. Her lips spread into a devious smile as warmth enveloped her. Never had she felt so alive. Her stomach twisted in knots and her insides throbbed. She had to touch it, and no one would stop her.

Serah’s concerned voice faintly echoed in her mind. “Lucy, are you okay? You’re acting strange.” She reached out to grab her hand.

“I am fine,” Lucy gritted out, digging her nails into Serah’s palm. “I know what I’m doing.” The bad thing was she actually did, but she had no idea how she knew.

“Ouch, that hurts,” Serah yelped and pulled her hand from her superhuman grip. “We should forget this, Lucy. Something isn’t right.”

Lucy turned to face her friend and narrowed her eyes, her glare challenging. With a wide, calculated grin, she reached up to brush a stray hair from Serah’s brow. “No, Serah. Everything is just right.”

With that, she slammed her palm into the handprint and closed her eyes.

Rafael pushed into the mortal realm, pulling himself from the shadows. He dusted off his black leather trousers and cursed Dominic for dressing him like a bloody biker. Taking in the scene before him, his stomach lurched. The moon hung low in the sky, full and taunting, as if it knew the direness of the situation and welcomed it.

Blasted moon.

Pulling the antique watch from the inner pocket of his black leather pea coat, he flipped it open. He needed to act, and fast. He took long, purposeful strides toward Lucia’s shop. Peering into the window, he groaned. She wasn’t alone.

With a low growl, he clenched his fists. He was no longer welcome in her shop, and she had yet to call for him. He needed in—
now
. Before it was too late. He raised his fist to rap on the front door.

“Rafe,” came the haunting voice, floating in the air. “Save me… please.”

Coby. His only weakness. His only reason for living the life of the damned. He gulped down the lump in his throat. Curse the angels for giving them each a weakness. It was inevitable that his twin sister would be his. Clenching his fists, he turned toward the sound of her heavenly voice. Yes, she may have been a demon, but her voice belied her species.

“Over here, Rafe,” her voice drifted in the air, luring him across the street. “I need you. Please! Before Belial returns.”

The thought of his sister at Belial’s mercy—even though the fiend more than likely didn’t possess any—spurred him onward. He jogged across the street, following the sound of his sister’s voice.

“Coby?” he called, keeping steady with each movement. “Where are you?”

Her laughter filled the air.

Laughter?
She was being held by Belial and she was laughing? The hair at the back of his neck pricked. He clenched his teeth and dug his fingers into his palms. Something wasn’t right.

“Behind you, brother.”

Spinning on his heels, he did what they called a
complete one-eighty
in this time. Her silver hair whipped around her head as she floated above the ground, her silver gossamer gown fluttering at her feet. A dress? Coby never wore dresses, even though she looked stunning in them. Her eyes, usually silver sparks with life, reminded him of dull pewter.

“Took you long enough, brother.” Her voice, no longer wispy, grated in his ears. Curse his hide, he’d been duped. Before he could reply, Coby lunged at him, her features molding into something more primal.

Lamia.

Her legs wrapped around each other, green scales replacing her porcelain skin. Her silvery waves of hair twisted into a torrent of blood red corkscrews. She smiled, then bared her serpent teeth, an eerie hiss escaping her lips. Allowing her long barbed tongue to loose itself from its cavern, she traced it along his neck.

“Always the fool for your sister, Rafael. It will be your undoing.” She lashed her tongue out, the forks catching his cheek. “Tasty as ever.”

Smashing his fist into his palm, Rafael sneered. “And here I thought you’d never submit yourself to Belial’s will. What a disappointment.”

Lamia sucked in her tongue and threw her head back in laughter. Her obsidian eyes, rimmed with red, sparked. “When I heard the mission involved you, I couldn’t refuse.” Her snakelike body slithered back and forth, spiraling along his leg.

She craned her head toward Luscious Locks and a devious smile curved her lips. “One of my sisters, it appears, with a silly mortal. Belial is right. She’s strong. I’ll enjoy vanquishing her and devouring her friend.”

Not on his watch. Yes, she may have been assigned to him, but something else drew him to her. Something he didn’t understand.

“Moved on from children, I see?” His stomach roiled as he remembered the last time he and Lamia clashed. Recalling her penchant for innocent blood, he gritted his teeth. He’d caught her on a small island just off the Virginia coastline. By the time he and Nic had arrived, it was too late. The children were dead and the parents, torn up with grief, had taken their own lives. His first assignment as a Paladin and he’d failed. Roanoke remained in the history books a mystery, but Rafael knew the truth. And sometimes fiction was better than the truth. Humans weren’t ready for it. Which is why he needed to get inside that shop.

Reaching inside his pea coat, he extracted the silver dagger. It wasn’t enough to vanquish the bitch, but at least he could slow her down.

“When times are dire, I do not discriminate. Adult blood, although diluted, can be very satisfying.”

She tightened her hold around his body, her dark eyes flickering. “What’s happened to you, Rafael? I remember a time when we got along so well.” Her tail slithered up his leg and between his thighs.

The silver blade glinted in the streetlight as he arced it down toward her scaly green tail.

Her face curved into a frown. “You wouldn’t dare hurt a lady, would you?”

“No, I would never hurt a lady.” His grip on the dagger remained firm as he sliced her tail clean through. “But you, Lamia, are no lady.”

Lamia screeched in anger, her severed tail vanishing into a cloud of dust. Reaching down to grab what remained of her severed appendage, her eyes flashed. Dark crimson blood, almost black, dripped from her. “Bastard,” she seethed. Craning her neck toward the shop, she threw back her head and cackled. “Look at that, Paladin.”

Rafael turned to the shop, his breath catching. “Fuck,” he grumbled, opting for a more modern curse. There was no mistaking the glow that emanated from inside. Diamond sparks spewed in the air as Lucia Gregory stood over the chest, her hand firmly planted on the lid. An aura of bright light surrounded her as she absorbed the energy from the chest. She may have been a latent succubus earlier, but she wasn’t now. He could feel it.

Lamia lashed out with her regenerated tail, wrapping it around his wrist. “Looks as if you’re too late… Again.”

Rafael spun around, sending Lamia flying. Thank the demons her newly grown tail hadn’t fully absorbed her power. “Better late than never you bloodsucking bitch.” With that, he sent the dagger flying. It connected with her chest, sending her into a giant puff of dust.

Lucia and her friend would be safe—for now.

***

Heat shot into her palm, up her arm and into her chest. She threw her head back as wave after wave of energy, growing stronger by the second, coursed through her body. The intense heat radiated through her entire being, edging her on.

“What the hell?” Serah’s voice, distant yet close, came out like a squeak. She reached out to shake Lucy, her hands clasping her friend’s shoulders. Crackles filled the air and she went flying against the wall. “Oh my God,” she wailed as she crashed against the shampoo bowls.

Lucy opened her eyes and turned her gaze to the chest, her hand glowing against it. Alertness raced through her body. Wrenching her hand free of the chest, she spun around. Panting unevenly, Serah clutched the foot of the shampoo bowl chair.

What have I done?

With a loud whoosh, geysers of water erupted around them. Spray hoses flung themselves around as jets of cold water gushed through the air. Mirrors one by one, cracked, sending bursts of shards flying across the salon. Lucy stood tall and confident, as if she’d taken a huge dose of liquid adrenaline. Oblivious to the glass slicing at her face, she took smooth confident strides toward her friend.

“Serah?” she asked, hovering over her.

Serah glanced up from where she crouched and brushed needles of glass from her face and hair. “Oh my God!” she screeched, scurrying away. Cowering in her corner, she held up her fingers in the sign of the cross. “You’re a demon!”

A what?
“Just because some silly box electrocuted me and blew the crap out of my shop doesn’t mean I’m a demon.”

Thanks, Serah. My shop’s just been destroyed and you’re accusing me of being one of Satan’s minions?

Lucy sucked in a deep breath and ran trembling fingers through her hair, dislodging a few stray shards of glass. “I’m not a demon.”

Serah reached out and pointed. With a shaky breath, she said, “Look.”

“Fine,” she replied with an exasperated huff. Jerking herself around, Lucy took in the scene. The box sat in the middle of the room, open, with glowing amber light emanating from inside. Showers of vibrant sparks shot up in a small yet beautiful fireworks display.
Great! Now the place would catch fire.

Her insurance company wouldn’t believe this. Heck, she still didn’t believe it.

“Close the chest!” she heard echoed in the air. Her breath caught and her pulse raced. Heat crackled inside her in sizzling waves. On its own accord, her tongue traced along her lips.

Rafe! Mmm…

Spinning around the room, she scanned every recess. More fountains of water erupted as more and more amber energy escaped the chest. Her gaze trained on the front door. There stood Rafe, taking up most of the entrance, his dark hair whipping around his face. His eyes flashed like two giant diamonds and glinted in the midst of the eerie light and sparks.

“Close it. Now,” he urged. “Before more escape.” The intensity in his glare showed he was serious.

As if a fire had been lit beneath her ass, Lucy sprang into action. Like she’d just stepped into a kung fu movie, she leapt over a dryer chair and tumbled into a somersault.
Whoa! Where’d that come from?
With as much strength as she could muster, Lucy pushed the lid closed.

“Say this: ‘By the power of the Paladins, I command thee closed.’”

“By the power of the Paladins, I command thee closed,” she repeated. All of a sudden, with a forceful whoosh, what remained of the amber glow shot back into the chest and the lid slammed shut.

Rafe stood tall, his hands on his waist, the muscles bulging in his biceps. “Do you know what you just did?” His jaw twitched as his gaze bore into her. That intensity made her melt. And she absolutely loved it.

It scared the shit out of her. Where did all these hormones come from? She’d gone five years without sex, with only a slight urge every so often. The minute this man walked into her life, she became a walking orgasm.

She raised her chin as defiantly as possible. What was it about this man that drove her bonkers? “No, but I’m sure you’ll enlighten me.” She looked back at Serah, who struggled to right herself.

“I told you to call if you needed me.” He crossed his arms in front of the rocks that were his pecs. “Why didn’t you?”

Raking her fingers through her hair, Lucy chuckled. “Sorry, but you didn’t leave a number. How do you expect me to call?”

Rafe growled, a deep sound that left her senses reeling. What kind of cologne was he wearing? “You know what I meant, Lucia.”

“Well, Mr. Deleon, I’m sorry, but I had other things on my mind.” Lucy crossed her arms and raised her chin. “If you look around, you’ll see.”

Rafe stood ramrod still, his shoulders almost touching each side of the doorway. His gaze smoldered. The intensity morphed from anger and frustration to something more dangerous. Something naughty. She shivered at the images of that gaze in the midst of some hot, sweaty, monkey sex. Something she hadn’t had the pleasure of doing in… a long-ass time. In a flash, it was gone. Frustration creased his brow.

A loud clanging in the corner caught her attention. Serah ambled toward her as she plucked glass from her corkscrew curls.

“I can’t believe it! You
are
a demon.” She craned her head toward the door, her breath catching. “Have I died and gone to heaven?”

Here we go again, she thought as she recalled Gerardo’s enamored reaction to Rafe earlier. “No, Serah. We’re still in Connolly Park, Michigan.” Leaning in, she whispered. “The man’s a homophobe, by the way.”

“So what, he could be an ax murderer for all I care. He’s got major drool factor.” She smiled up at Rafe. “I’m sorry my friend’s being rude. Why not come in and help us tidy up?”

Rafe shrugged and skimmed his fingers through his silky mane. “Your friend hasn’t invited me in. I can’t enter until welcome.”

“You came into my shop earlier.” Lucy arched a brow. “How do you explain that?”

Rafe threw back his head in a throaty roar of laughter that sent her heart fluttering.
That homophobic, pheromone-inducing bastard.
“Your sign said, ‘Open. Come on in.’” His eyes flickered. “Then you ordered me to leave.”

“What are you? A vampire?” Lucy asked as she pulled a broom from the closet. Then again, with the amount of glass on the floor, she doubted ten brooms would help. At Rafe’s lack of answer, she sucked in a deep breath. “Fine, come on in. How’s that, big guy?”

Serah paced the shop, mumbling beneath her breath. “This is terrible. What are you going to do?”

Truth be told, she had no idea. And even scarier, she didn’t care. Her dream lay in front of her, in a pile of glass and a giant ocean upon the floor. “Yeah, sucks, doesn’t it?”

Serah grabbed her by the shoulders. “Don’t you care?”

“Do not touch her,” Rafe ordered. He leapt in the air and pulled Serah away. “You need to ask her permission.”

What was the deal with asking permission? “She’s my friend, that’s permission enough.”

“Very well,” Rafe said. “But heed my warning for future reference. A mortal may never touch a demon without permission.”

Not this again. “Not you too! How in the hell can I be a demon? I have two very
mortal
parents.”

“Succubus,” Rafe mumbled with a shake of his head.

“Suck a what?” Serah asked, interrupting the not-so-private conversation.

Rafe grabbed Lucy and turned her head to face him. “You’re a succubus. A sex demon.”

Yeah right! Because she was just screaming sex.
“And I bet you’re the pope come to save me from eternal damnation?”

Rafe pulled her closer, their lips inches apart. His breath danced along her lips and she ached to kiss him.
Absolutely nuts!

His eyes glowed hot and angry, leaving her hungry. “We have serious problems, succubus, so I wouldn’t joke.” He took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and inched her head up. The action, even though forceful, held gentle care. His gaze smoldered like hot embers. Lucy’s body quivered with need.