When people find out that Rafael Deleon, the hero in Demons Prefer Blondes, my debut paranormal romance from Sourcebooks Casablanca, I sometimes get the occasional eyebrow quirk. Aren’t demons evil? How do you write a good demon? To be honest, I personally think there’s a little devil in us all that helps us live life to the fullest. But when I started writing Demons Prefer Blondes, I actually asked myself the same question. How do I believably write a demon hero?
I didn’t think I could realistically write a hero that was in essence evil. If you’re familiar with the TV show Charmed, you saw what happened to Cole/Balthazar. Such a pity. Julian McMahon was so damn sexy in that role. So I decided I needed two sects of demons. The Infernati would be the traditional evil entities that we are used to. The other sect would be Paladins. The unique difference between the two is that Paladins are special demons blessed by angels. Their weapons are also blessed by angels. The Infernati live in Hell and the Paladins reside in Limbo. But the main difference is that the Infernati, even though they may have an attractive outward appearance, smell like a sewer. The Paladins, on the other hand—they’re sexier than hell.
That’s why I love writing paranormal and fantasy romance. You have the ability to make your own rules and create your own world. Whether it’s exploding shampoo bowls or a stampede of men, your imagination can be limitless. Any sort of creature or being can be sexy if you put your mind to it.
Here’s an excerpt from Demons Prefer Blondes…
“What do you mean the chest is missing?” Rafael Deleon managed through gritted teeth.
Even though the clacking of boots on the polished black marble grated his nerves, he paced the expansive room anyway. Candlelight flickered and flitted, sending darkened silhouettes darting against the ivory walls.
What about his sister? Jacoba had all but begged to join the guard, even though he’d pleaded with her not to. Unfortunately, Jacoba didn’t need his approval. She won the Fore-Demon Council over, instead.
Dominic Duvane, shrouded in darkness, stood solitary in the corner of the High Council chamber. A forlorn expression etched across his face, adding to the already foreboding mood. The news was worse than Rafael had imagined. Utterly horrible.
Dominic drew in a ragged gulp of air. “The guards were ambushed.”
“Who?” He shook his head. He didn’t even need to ask the question. Belial, the bastard prince of northern regions of Hell.
Blasted Fore-Demons!
“Belial’s Infernati warriors. Have a seat, my friend.” Dominic motioned to the burgundy jacquard and gold gilt divan in the far recess of the room.
His heart sank. Dominic meant to talk to him as a comrade and not a colleague. This didn’t bode well. He clenched his fists. He couldn’t panic. To do so would show weakness. He needed to be strong—or at least appear so.
“What… happened?”
“The Infernati swooped in and torched the encampment.” His friend’s gaze grew somber. “I suggest sitting, Rafe.”
Rafael folded his arms and raised his chin. “I’ll stand.” He’d receive the news like a man, not a coward. “Say whatever you need to say, my liege.”
Dominic growled. “I might outrank you, but I’ll be damned if I let you call me your liege.”
Rafael shrugged. “Too bad we’re already damned, Nic.”
“The chest was to be our salvation.” Dominic blew out an exasperated breath. “Bloody hell, Rafe. Why must you be so stubborn?”
“It runs in the family.”
Dominic grabbed him by the arms, his eyes blazing. “Your sister was captured.”
“She isn’t dead. Our connection isn’t severed.”
Dominic nodded. “Yes, but who knows what tortures Belial has bestowed upon her.” His gaze hardened and he clenched his fists. Jaw ticking, he paced. “I begged her not to join. I stood by you.”
Rafael nodded. “Coby wouldn’t take no for an answer. Even if the council forbade her, she would’ve found a way.”
Fighting the thought of his beautiful sister with her magnificent flowing silver hair and enchanting silver eyes at Belial’s mercy, Rafael crossed his arms in front of his chest. “What happened to her?”
“Coby’s a hero.” Dominic’s jaw ticked, the demon blood tears rimming his eyes. “She managed to send the chest away before the guards could take it.”
A soft smile curved his lips. Leave it to Coby to save the chest instead of saving herself. Despite his despair, he was still proud of his twin sister. However, he wasn’t in the mood for Dominic to avert his questions. His gaze grew stern. “Where is she?”
“I guess I shouldn’t hide the truth…”
Rafe arched a brow and leaned against the wall. “Well?”
Dominic sucked in a ragged breath, sending candles flickering. “This hurts me as much as you, you know.”
“I do.”
His friend nodded. “My sources report she’s in Belial’s dungeon.”
Rafael clenched his fists as he held his anguish inside. Grinding his teeth, he paced. Bloody hell. Only a few of the strongest Paladin warriors had escaped that hellhole, but they were never quite the same after.
“Where did she send the chest?” he managed.
“Earth.” Dominic flashed a halfhearted smile, his eyes wide and alert. “Your favorite place.”
© Sidney Ayers, Sourcebooks Casablanca 2011
Thank you to Roxanne for having me on her blog today!
DEMONS PREFER BLONDES BY SIDNEY AYERS – IN STORES JUNE 2011
A Bad Day For A Demon
Rafe Deleon is a senior demon and he resents like hell his assignment to Earth to retrieve the Chest of the Damned before it falls into the wrong hands. But then he meets beautiful, intriguing succubus Lucy Gregory, and she’s just unleashed a whole load of trouble…
Really Sucks For A Succubus
Lucy’s chic suburban beauty salon has suddenly become the Underworld’s center of mass chaos and destruction. The only good thing in a day going rapidly down the tubes is the arrival of a gorgeous demon who’s adamant that he can help her…
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Sidney Ayers writes light paranormal and erotic romance. Her manuscripts have won or placed in the MORWA Gateway to the Best, the Valley of the Sun Hot Prospects, the Passionate Ink Stroke of Midnight, the Heart of Denver Molly, and the Finally a Bride contests. She lives in Michigan where she is working on the next book in the Demons Unleashed series, Demons Like it Hot—in stores December 2011. For more information, please visit http://www.sidneyayers.com/.
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