Page 92 of Cookbooks and Demons

“You had two choices. If I couldn’t create the food from demon magic, then we needed hands to make it. And even then I’ve had to take so many shortcuts, it’s a wonder I have any fingers left.” She glanced down at his intact fingers and decided he meant that metaphorically.

“But…” she said in a very small voice, glancing back at the demon prepping ingredients. He waved at her with his knife. “Even the one who … deceived you and dragged you to… there?”

“He knows how to cook,” Rafferty said simply.

She took it all in. A kitchen full of demons, coming at his summons to help fulfill her wish. This all seemed so surreal.

“How much is this going to cost?” she asked softly.

It would have been better if his eyes had remained cold, but a wicked, bitter smirk crossed his face. He looked down on her with an aspect of triumph. “As Vassago said, it’s a little late to ask that now,” he said, nodding toward the chopping demon.

The needles in her throat stabbed deeper. If he had crushed her throat in his hand, it would have hurt less.

She took a step back from him, unable to keep the horror building. “I asked youfor help…”

“And I gave it,” he said, pleasantly, taking a step after her. “I am giving you everything you asked for. Aren’t youpleased, mistress?”

She took another step back. “Rafferty—”

His hand snapped out to grab her wrist, arresting her retreat. “I told you,” he said, in a low voice. “The temptation is always too great.”

She wrested herself from his grip and he let her go.

“So I ask you again, mistress, does this meet with yourapproval?”

“Helena?” a voice cut in and they both turned to find Yosef standing beside Vassago, watching them. “Is everythingalright?”

“I’ll be right there,” she said, looking back to Rafferty. “The meal is fine. I approve.” Then she escaped, moving to pull Yosef away from Vassago who had started talking to him. The last thing she needed now was for Yosef to get wise to the hell she hath wrought.

“Is everything alright?” Yosef asked again as she pulled him out of the kitchen.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s handled,” she said. “What’s the update onScarlet?”

Yosef glanced back at the kitchen. “Okay, if you say so. Um…” He pressed his fingers to his temples like a mentalist trying to perform a trick. “She’s…” He shook his head. “She’s not fine, but … she’s got that doctor wrapped around her finger, and she’s convinced him to let her come for the speeches and dinner.”

He had already told her that, but Helena didn’t point it out. Yosef seemed to be barely holding it together. Instead, she reluctantly nodded. “Well if it’s what she wants—”

“It doesn’t matter what shewants!What sheneedsis to be in the hospital right now and instead she’s killing herself … for this,” he hissed.

A few eyes turned toward his frantic gestures, and Helena grabbed his waving hand, aware of how it looked.

“Hey, hey, don’t do that,” she said, rubbing down the back of his hand in soothing strokes. “The last thing you need to do right now is panic because if we start panicking, they all will start panicking and thinking something is really wrong with Scarlet and thatwillbe all anyone will talk about tonight. And then it will be all over the papers. That is the last thing we want, right?” She had to make him meet her eyes. “That would be the last thingshewants.”

Helena felt him wanting to resist, but then he let out a breath and reset himself, flashing a reassuring smile at a pair of waiters setting out butters nearby. “You’re right. You’re right. There’s nothing we can do now. And it’s not like she’s going to start listening to me now, anyway.” He cleared his throat one more time. “Where are we with the valet situation?”

“Got it handled,” one of the office people reported, popping up beside them. “Helena, we have one little snag…”

“That’s fine. I’m coming,” Helena said, swallowing back herfeelings.

“This is going to really come together,” the office worker said, excitedly looking around as the lights shifted down to bring out the splendor of the hanging lights above.

“Yes,” Helena agreed. “But it’s not over yet. What needs to be done next?”

Chapter 48

It Was an

Unmitigated

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