Page 82 of Unleashing Chaos

“You’re being serious,” he says, picking up the cup and looking for anything that gives the trick away.

“I am.”

“That is wild. I didn’t know a demon could do that.”

I cock an eyebrow and tilt my head to the side. “What, did you think they could only suck out your soul or cause bouts of sleep paralysis?”

“Something along those lines. Does Jace know what you are?”

“He does. He went home with me a couple of weeks ago when you were out of town.”

Cannon lifts a brow. “I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around that. Going to your . . . home? That must have put him on edge.”

“He actually loved it there. It was the calmest I’ve ever seen him, now that I think about it.”

“And the whole story about your dad wanting you to find a partner?”

“True. It’s the reason I took Jace with me. I had to buy more time. My dad has this rule that my siblings and I have to find an eternal partner before we can inherit our Circles. Infernis has too many energies for a single ruler. He doesn’t want us to feel the stress he has, so he’s implementing a new tradition with us.”

Cannon leans back in the swing, folding his hands over his stomach. I copy his position and we swing back and forth for a few minutes. It’s a lot to take in, and as much as I want to keep pushing the conversation forward, I know he needs time to process it all.

With a hum, like he’s reached a conclusion, Cannon says, “So if you don’t find someone here, your dad will really choose a partner for you?”

“Yep. It was part of our agreement before I came here. I was so certain I’d find what I’m looking for, and I just haven’t.” My voice cracks and I look up at the sky and then back at my clasped hands. “That’s a lie. I have found it. He just doesn’t want me. So my finding him is irrelevant.”

“Desi.” He says my name with such sadness while rubbing my shoulder. “It looks like Jace isn’t the only one with a thing for someone.”

We lock eyes, and I wish I were strong enough not to cry in this moment, but my chest burns with my next thought, one that I can’t help but voice. “Whatever he feels for me clearly isn’t enough, Cannon. He doesn’t want me badly enough to even try.” Tears slide down my cheeks and I swipe at them just for more to fall in their place.

“It’s not that he wouldn’t try for you, Desi. I believe he would, but I think Jace doesn’t think he’s worthy to try for himself.”

The emotion building inside me feels like a boulder on my chest. It crushes me to think Jace believes he’s undeserving of me. I wish I could change that, but this is his battle to win.

“Well, either way, as much as I wish it were different, it just isn’t going to happen with Jace. And the thought of going home and getting paired with someone my dad chooses.” I shudder. “I love my dad, but he’ll probably pick someone boring who doesn’t even like movies.”

Cannon feigns a gasp. “That would be torturous.”

“I know, right? So, you remember how I said a couple of my brothers have platonic partners? Well, I was wondering if . . . maybe you’d want to come back with me. To Infernis. And be my eternal partner.”

My cheeks are on fire, and I can’t believe I’m asking Cannon, a handsome, talented, witty, charming, successful young man, to leave his life and come with me to another realm to be the king of Sloth.

But I don’t know what else to do. I feel like he’s my one shot at happiness. I have to take it.

“I’m honored that you would even consider me.” The sweet smile on his face speaks volumes to his sincerity. “But I don’t want to be the reason you don’t find what will make you happy, so . . . I’ll be your backup plan. If all else fails, I’ll go with you.”

My heart swells, relief washing over me, and I can’t help myself. I leap onto his lap, throw my arms around his neck, and nearly knock us both out of the swing. “Thank you so much, Cannon, you have no idea how much better I feel knowing I won’t be facing eternity with a stranger.”

“Anything for you. You’re my best friend.”

Twenty-five

JACE

Almost nothing centers me the way running does. The cold morning wind whipping at my face, my muscles burning as I press them to move faster than normal. I feel invincible when I go a little farther or finish a little faster. All the mental stress leaves my body. I’m clearheaded and in a zone where anxiety can’t reach me. It’s the only time that I feel like I have complete control. I’m superhuman.

I run up the path to the house, only stopping when I reach the porch. I open the top of the water I left on the front step and gulp down half of it before I enter. Everything is quiet this early in the morning, and I normally like the time alone, but today it reminds me that Desideria will continue to find a way to avoid me. It guts me to think that she regrets what happened in the pool the other day.

After removing my running shoes, I grab my protein drink from the refrigerator and head down to the gym, flipping the switch on the wall. The room lights up and my workout playlist of angry punk and contagious ’80s rock music pumps through the speakers. After putting on my workout shoes, I begin my upper body routine.

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