Making Demons Purr (Flushed and Fevered Book 2) (18 page)

Thorn chuckled. “She doesn’t scare me.”

Sera shook her head. “She should. Bridget can be very myopic in her desire for revenge if she wants to be. I should know; I’m her familiar.”

“Has she broken any of the laws that govern witches?” Curiosity filled Thorn’s tone.

Sera released Thorn’s hand as Carver opened the door for her. “No, but she’s come close to that line.”

She settled in her seat and turned her attention back to the men. Both of them had visibly paled. Witches who were willing to skirt that line to protect those they loved were even more dangerous than those who dabbled in black magic. It made them wild cards. As her familiar, she helped stabilize Bridget’s magic, helped the witch connect to the power that gave her energy and anchored her to the present.

“Well, now. We’ve been warned. Looks like we’ll have to be on our best behavior.” Carver closed the door and made his way to the other side of the car, with Thorn at his heels.

Nervous energy fluttered in Sera’s stomach. She nibbled her bottom lip. Had she said too much? Unlike the secretive vampires and demons, witches sought knowledge but were secretive about their own processes. Each witch and familiar had his or her own Book of Shadows that was filled with spells. Each spell was specially concocted and tested. Whether they failed or succeeded, witches wrote everything down to be passed on to the next generation.

Sera hadn’t handed over any of Bridget’s personal spells, but demons weren’t exactly completely trustworthy when it came information. They dealt in secrets and contracts.

“Why do you two own a coffee house and not a law firm?” Sera asked once they were all settled in the car.

Carver answered first. “Both our families are part of huge law firms. We even went to law school, but we found that it didn’t appeal to either of us.”

Thorn picked up the story. “We wanted a challenge and we were tired of the crappy coffee we were getting for our late-night study sessions from the little corner café near our dorms. It started out as a joke, but as time went by we became serious about opening our own café with the best coffee and food out there.”

“So what did you do?”

Carver gave her a sneaky smile. “We took night courses. Wore us thin, but we took law during the day and at night we took business. We researched everything to do with coffee. In our spare time we worked the crappy café with the weak-ass java and it took off from there. Took years but we did it.”

“How did your families take it?”

Thorn answered. “They let us go our own way. They loved us, were supportive, but expected us to fail within the first year and come crawling back to them, eager to practice law and continue the family business.”

Carver gave a wicked chuckle. “They were wrong, and now they’re addicted to our brew. We still help out when we have time, but The Java Demon is our baby.”

Sera let the information roll over her. They had more in common than she’d thought. All of them had gone against the family grain and done their own thing, but where Carver’s and Thorn’s families had accepted their choices in the end, her own mother hadn’t. Her father hadn’t lived long enough to see her strike out on her own. Sadness tugged at her heartstrings as a weight descended on her chest.

“I’m glad you have your families’ approval. I don’t even know if my father would approve of my choices. He left my mother when I was eleven and didn’t really look back. Not even on his deathbed did he call for me. I don’t hate him for that. I’m thankful to have my half sister, but sometimes I wonder…” She let the words trail off as memories of the past floated up to dampen her excitement.

“Hey.” Carver reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. “If he was as intelligent as your sister has told us he was, he’d be proud. I don’t know why he left you and your mother, but he’d be a fool if didn’t approve of your life choices. We know we’re proud of you.”

Tears burned Sera’s eyes and she blinked them away. She tightened her hold on Carver’s hand, feeling anchored and connected to them both.

Thorn reached out from between the seats to clutch her shoulder and give it a squeeze. “Everything Carver said I feel too.”

Moisture slipped over her cheeks and threatened to ruin her eye makeup. She reached up and carefully wiped away the moisture. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“Enough sadness. The past is the past. I have people who love me and would never leave me.” She grinned and released Carver’s hold. “I think I deserve some chocolate!”

Thorn chortled. “Well, yes, I think you do. No thinking about what your father or mother did.” He handed her a piece of white chocolate with dark-chocolate drizzle.

She put it in her mouth and sighed as the contrast of creamy sweetness and the bite of dark chocolate melted on her tongue. With a moan she closed her eyes and allowed herself to savor the small treat.

“Now, no more. We’re almost at the restaurant. We want this night to be happy.” Carver reached over and gave her thigh a squeeze. Heat surged through Sera’s body, filling her with consolation.

Carver turned into the driveway of an old Victorian that had been converted into a working restaurant and home for the family that ran it. The Para-Vic specialized in American comfort cuisine. Sera had never had food there but had heard it was to die for. She had also heard it wasn’t friendly to the waist. Oh well. If Carver and Thorn didn’t care, she wouldn’t either. She couldn’t wait to try their bacon-wrapped filet mignon with a side of steak fries and spiced string beans. Her mouth watered.

“Hey, stop drooling over the menu and step out of the car.” Carver stood next to her with the door open, his hand held out to her.

She hadn’t even noticed that they’d stopped. “Oh! Sorry.”

She undid her seat belt and slipped out. Both men held out their arms to her and she slipped hers though theirs. They led her up the stairs and into the building. It didn’t feel the least bit odd to have one man on either side of her as they approached the
maître d’
s station. Carver gave their name and they were guided to their table, where they were seated and left with menus.

“So you made it home safely the other night. Did you encounter the slug thing? Seems more was going on that night than we knew.” Carver’s lips quirked into a smile.

“Yeah, but then the drama happened.” She went into a brief summary of what had occurred with her mother and Vivi.

Thorn shook his head. “That woman needs to stop. She’s at risk of losing not only both her daughters but also the leap.”

“What do you mean?” Sera couldn’t see the leap turning against Francine. Her mother’s issues with her and Vivi were none of their business. So long as the money and business opportunities continued they wouldn’t turn on her.

“If she were a demon she would’ve been exiled by now. You can be arrogant, but you can’t pull shit like what she did to you and Vivi. Demons need their progeny. If you and Vivi leave the leap, who will she have to replace her as her successors? There would be a fight that could tear apart the feline shifter community. But what do I know? I’m just a demon.” Thorn smirked and Carver chuckled.

Sera thought over Thorn’s words. “I could challenge her…” She let the words trail off. This was the second time she’d thought about it.

“Yes, you could. And we would stand with you, as would Bridget and your friends. The leap would be better with you as its leader than Francine.” Carver put down his menu. “Is that what you’re worried about? The violence?”

“Yeah. I am actually. I hate fighting. And to pull Bridget into this wouldn’t be fair. Just as a familiar amplifies her power, she also increases my strength and speed. It’s a quid pro quo thing.”

“Wow. That must be nice. Wonder what would happen if she had a demon for a familiar? Is that possible?” Thorn placed his menu down on the table and gazed at her.

She shifted in her seat. “Well, yes and no. Demon magic is too dark, and only witches who specialize in that kind of thing have demon familiars. I’ve never heard of a white witch who has a demon as a familiar…well, only in books.”

The conversation paused when the waiter returned and took their orders. Once he was gone they continued the talk.

“So it could happen? Interesting.” Thorn glanced at Carver and something unspoken passed between them.

“Why? Do you want to be at Bridget’s beck and call? I can’t imagine that. And besides, I think Joe might have a problem with that. Two handsome demons as servants for his witch? Nope. Not gonna happen.”

“No, I’m just wondering about the benefits. A demon familiar would be powerful indeed.” A question glinted in Carver’s eyes.

Sera shook her head. “Powerful, yes. But not by your standards. He or she would have access to white magic, but it wouldn’t help with demonic status.”

“Maybe not, but sometimes perception is all that matters. Are there any witches who specialize in sex magic?” Carver launched into an explanation of the latest goings-on in the demon world and his uncle’s problem.

Sera mulled over the information. “Well, I’m not sure a witch is his answer. She’d have to be really desperate. Do you think he wants an arranged marriage?”

Carver shrugged. “Not sure, but it’s a possible solution. We’ll think on it some more.”

“If you want help, I’m can put together a list of available women in town. A lot of them come to us for love spells. Regardless of what Bridget says, they keep returning with that hope she’ll bend the rules.” Sera felt sorry for them, but the consequences of a performing an illicit love spell could end up costing Bridget Joe or a family member. The price was just too high.

“If they won’t mind, sure. I just wish there was a way for them to meet organically. I’ll run the idea by him when I return home to my mother’s place.”

“You’re going back home? When? Why?”

“To settle my father’s estate.” Carver turned away, but not before she caught the remnants of sadness on his face.

Sera reached over and gave his hand a squeeze. “I’m so sorry. I’m here for you if you need me.” Her heart lurched for him. She still missed her own father, even though she barely knew him.

Carver tightened his hold on her hand and brought it up to his lips for a quick kiss. “Thank you, honey. OK, no more of this. Let’s focus on the here and now. I’ll only be gone for a month at the most. I want to make sure that my mother is OK and my family isn’t wallowing.”

The waiter brought them their orders and they all dug into their meals.

“Oh, this is heavenly.” Sera closed her eyes and savored the rich, smoky flavor of the bacon-wrapped steak. The meat was tender and easy to cut. It almost melted on her tongue. She loved the texture—crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, with just the right amount of salt. The string beans were spiced well, not too hot. They contrasted with the steak and had a good snap to them.

“Try this.” Thorn held out a forkful of fried chicken with one hand and a biscuit dipped in gravy with the other.

She took both. “Oh my gods,” she said around a mouthful of food.

“Here try my mac and cheese.” Carver held out his choice.

She gasped at the hit of cayenne on her tongue.

“Should’ve warned you.” Carver took back his fork.

“Both of yours are delicious. Want a bit of mine?” She chewed her bottom lip and hoped they’d say no. She took a sip of her wine and waited.

“No.” Both men said in unison.

“Not that it doesn’t look good, honey, but the expression on your face clearly says stay away.” Carver grinned at her.

She laughed. “Well, yeah, sorry. Mine is just too good. So what about you, Thorn? What about your family?”

“What can I say? Both parents are alive and supportive of me. One elder brother married to a demoness. Both are part of the family firm in entertainment law and they have one rug rat already and another on the way. Younger brother studying international law. Boring stuff.”

“I see, so I’m the only one with a screwed-up family?” She grinned. “I’m joking. It’s good that you two had such a good upbringing. I’m glad.”

“Keep this up and no dessert. We’re here now. You have a half sister who loves you and friends who would do anything for you. You are adored. Don’t forget that, or we’ll have to figure out new sexy ways to make you remember.” Thorn leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. Then Carver did the same.

Sera’s face flushed and she couldn’t hold back a smile. “Thanks.”

They finished eating and Carver signaled for the waiter. They placed an order for a dessert to share and talked about work. She felt close to them. As much as she would love to have sex with them again, she liked going slow and talking about regular mundane things, like what it was like to run the café. It was just nice.

A peek around the restaurant showed that no one was staring in their direction. Nobody even seemed to notice them. That was a relief. She didn’t see any of her mother’s cohorts. They probably wouldn’t be caught dead in a place that served comfort food. They only ever dined on high cuisine.

“Do you care that much if word gets to your mother?” Carver reached out and cupped her face, his thumb playing over her cheek.

“I just want this to go well. I want it to be smooth sailing. I may have fought for the life I have, but I really don’t want my mother to dampen our happiness. It took a lot of courage for me to get up the gumption to stand up to her and go my own way. It took a lot of energy, and I was depressed for a while. If it weren’t for Bridget and Ariel and Donna I would’ve stayed home and never come out. I hated feeling like I was being disloyal to her just because I wanted my own life.”

“Understandable. But regardless of what happens or what you decide, we’ll stand by you.” Thorn moved over and gave her a peck on the lips.

“Thanks.” She covered Carver’s hand with hers and held it there for a moment. Warmth spread throughout her body and a sense of acceptance filled her.

Dessert arrived—three mini chocolate lava cakes with vanilla-bean ice cream. By the time it was all gone Sera couldn’t move, much less stay awake long enough to have sex.

“Sorry guys, the only bed in my future will be my own. Rain check on the sex?”