The Blaze: Succubus Studies Serial (Succubus Harem Book 7) Read online

  My cousin, with consideration for the special event, traded out his red-vinyl short-shorts for a pair of tight burgundy slacks and a black dress shirt. His cheeks glow with fresh energy, which I hope means cousin Cassandra finally left town.

  I nudge my elbow against his side. "So you approve?"

  "I wouldn't go that far." His gaze lands on a pair of women in buttoned-up business suits, their hair pulled back in severe buns. "Hmmm, I think I see a challenge."

  "No hunting in my territory," I hiss.

  He waves a hand in dismissal. "I'll just play a little."

  Before I can protest, he dives into the crowd in a circular path toward his prey.

  Worried, I stare after him. "He's going to get me in trouble."

  "Probably." Kellen runs a hand through his vibrant red hair as he glances around. "All in all, though, I think you can call this a success."

  "Thank you." Happiness bubbles through me, not all from myself.

  The energy in the room is high, and it tickles along my skin in a heady cloud of joy and satisfaction. Humans really do love their guilty pleasures. I spot Emil over at the table with the blue roses and laugh.

  Demons, too.

  That Kellen, Emil, and Tobias came today makes my success all the headier.

  I check the clock on the wall at the same time Tally stops in front of me. Strands of pink hair escape her braid and stick to her flushed cheeks, but her eyes shine with excitement. "Adie, it's time."

  "Thank you." I straighten my jacket. "Can you tell Perry to come in?"

  "Yep!" She bounces toward the front door as I weave my way to the cash register.

  From behind the espresso machine comes the ting of a spoon against the metal milk carafe. The crowd falls silent as all heads turn to me.

  Shoulders back, I smile at the gathering. "Everyone, thank you so much for coming today to Boo's Boutique Bakery opening. We are happy to join such a lively group of small business owners, and we look forward to contributing to the local community."

  A smattering of applause comes from around the room as heads nod in agreement.

  "Please feel free to take any of the remaining cupcakes and don't forget to tell your friends and family about my shop, which will officially open this Saturday afternoon at two o’clock." I clasp my hands. "Thank you for coming."

  The front slowly empties as guests meander out the door until only the guys and my staff remains. When the last of them leave, Tally pulls the door shut, then stands next to it to make sure no one tries to come back in.

  The imps stand in a loose circle in the center of the room, their spines straight as they chatter with pride that we made it through the event without a hitch.

  I clap to get their attention. "As soon as we get the leftover cupcakes put away, you guys can leave for the night. Tally, go ahead and call your ride." I glance around. "Where's Julian?"

  Emil points to the swinging door and it’s Employees Only sign. "I saw him go into the kitchen during your speech."

  As if he heard his name, the door swings open, and Julian comes out, a disheveled woman on each of his arms. The women turn bright red when we all turn to stare at them. They abandon my cousin in their rush to the door, Tally stepping out of the way to allow them to flee.

  "Great party, Adie." Body languid as he moves, Julian glows with satisfaction. "Can't wait to see how you top it with the housewarming party."

  Emil snaps to attention. "What housewarming party?"

  "There's no party," I snap. "Julian, I told you no hunting on my territory."

  "Don't worry, dear, I didn't take any energy.” He yawns and stretches. “We just had a little fun."

  Tobias's eyes widen in alarm. "In the kitchen?"

  "Well, we couldn't exactly do it out here." His eyelashes flutter. "Not that I'm opposed to public displays. Exhibitionism has a certain thrill to it, don't you think?"

  “You can’t leave high emotions laying around in the kitchen!” I shout. “We have an ignis demon back there!”

  “Well.” Julian blinks, nonplussed. “You better go take care of that, then.”

  My skin crawls with disgust. “I’m not absorbing your sex energy.”

  Julian’s nostrils flare. “What’s wrong with my sex energy?”

  “I think you’re both missing the point right now,” Kellen cuts in.

  Emil nods as he leans a hip against the table next to him, a blue-frosted cupcake in one hand.

  Tobias points to the kitchen. “One of you get back there and take care of the situation.”

  Before either of us can react, Tally lifts her nose in the air. "Does anyone else smell smoke?"

  I spin around to see gray smoke creeping out of the pass-through. In the next instant, the swinging door bursts open, and a two-foot tall ignis demon runs into the front room, blazing footprints into the new floor. It runs a circle around the imps, who clump together in fright.

  I fling out a hand. "Torch, no!"

  The ignis turns to me and turns hot blue with happiness. Nearby, a gold tablecloth catches on fire, the flames spreading to engulf the table in an instant. The imps’ shrieks of terror startle the small demon, and Torch bolts for the door.

  "Stop him!" Tobias shouts.

  Tally's eyes widen as she takes a hesitant step forward, palms out, but Torch barges past, another table catching fire as he slams out the front door and into the night.

  I hope you enjoyed the read! See below for information on how to read the next installment in this serial.

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  L.L. Frost lives in the Pacific Northwest and graduated from college with a Bachelor’s in English. She is an avid reader of all things paranormal and can frequently be caught curled up in her favorite chair with a nice cup of coffee, a blanket, and her Kindle.

  When not reading or writing, she can be found trying to lure the affection of her grumpy cat, who is very good at being just out of reach for snuggle time.

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