Page 40 of Little Shake of Salt

The door to the cafe suddenly tore open and a woman stepped inside. She was short and petite, with pink hair that brushed her shoulders. Behind her was a tall demon with horns, wings, and a fearful expression.

Wait.Wasn’t the Barista mated to a human? AndLucifer?

“I tried, B,” he said with a wince. “But our mate is very perceptive.”

The Barista immediately froze. “Trixie.”

The woman put her hands on her hips. “I thought we agreed to no secrets in this family.”

“It’s not that I was keeping a secret,” the Barista started. “It’s just that?—”

“Save it. Send Demi home, and theneveryoneget their asses back to our place. Got it?”

“Mom—”

She held up her hand, interrupting Layla. “Don’t even start with me right now, Layla.”

“Aunt Trixie, I’d like to go?—”

She hissed at Steel, and he immediately shut up. “Family meeting.Now.”

He groaned. “Fuck.”

“Everyone apologize to Demi,” she said.

Obediently, everyone turned to face me. Even the demon I’d never met before.Is that really Lucifer?

“Sorry for this, Demi,” the Barista said. “I’ll send you home to Marina.”

“I can drive,” I squeaked.

“We can send your car back to your lighthouse too,” he said. “We’ve taken enough of your time.”

“And you can have free coffee here any time you want,” Trixie said sternly, still glaring at the Barista, Layla, and Steel.

Honestly, I wasn’t even going to try arguing with her. I just nodded obediently and the Barista stepped forward, opening a portal for me that ended in the underwater cave.

I stepped through, letting out a squeak as it shut behind me.

Marina was suddenly lifting out of the pool, her eyes wide as she bared her sharp teeth. “Demi. Are you okay? What happened?”

“Yes, I’m okay.” Marina exhaled in relief. I leaned over, kissing her on the lips as I tried to process everything.

“What thehellhappened? I could feel your stress through our bond.” She said, letting out a sniffle.

I shook my head, still in shock as I sat down on the edge. “I’m sorry. I’m okay. I really am. I don’t know where to start. I think I just met Lucifer.”

“Lucifer?”

I nodded as she pushed my thighs apart and moved closer. I offered her the pastry bag. “I brought you cookies.”

She let out a bubbly laugh. “All is well then, hmm, my little sailor?”

I opened the package and pulled out a chocolate chip cookie. “I hope so. I’m worried about all of them. Layla, the Barista, that whole family. This Awakening business.”

Marina’s brows drew together, and she nodded. “It worries all of us.”

“Whathasawakened, Marina?” I asked. “You didn’t seem to know at first, but . . . You know something now, don’t you?”

My mate’s throat bobbed, and she gave a nod. “I remember. I started remembering earlier this morning, although I’m not sure why. But the creature that came up from the depths—it saved us.”

“Who isit?” I asked.

Her whisper echoed through our cave. “Death. The entityDeathhas awakened.”