Page 32 of Found In Destruction

“So, you’re not mad at me?” I hedged.

“I’m not furious like I was when I left, but I’m still mad. The difference is that you have a fighting chance at getting me back now, whereas three and a half months ago you didn’t.”

The joy of knowing I had a chance to get her back died quickly when I realized I didn’t know how.

“I want you back so badly but have no clue how to do it. If I’m myself, I’m an asshole. If I change, I’m not the incubus you fell for. So where does that leave me?” I hated not knowing where I stood or how to get what I wanted.

“Well, you won’t get me back by sitting here feeling sorry for yourself, pissing the guys off, and skipping training sessions. Think, Bash. What made me fall for you in the first place?”

My mind sparked with ideas, and I got out of bed. Leaning over her, I caged her with my arms on either side of where she sat. “You’re going to get it now, Birdie. I’m not going to stop until I have you right where I want you.” I kissed her nose, and she glared at me. It was cute, how she thought she had a choice.

“I know,” she said, in a matter-of-fact tone before fading away.

Stripping out of my sweats, I felt renewed. Fuck feeling sorry for myself. I would get Diana back. I’d fix things with Az. And Ares would forgive me.

Diana’s trainingearlier today blew my mind. If her magic was still unstable, I couldn’t tell because she has no issue beating the crap out of Oisín. I doubted he went easy on her just because she was his sister. The ease in which she commanded her magic compared to when she first started was such an accomplishment, and I figured the first step to getting my woman back was celebrating–old school style. TheIncubus Stalker Special, as I liked to call it. I planned to break into her mind like I had done back in the day and set up a delicious dinner date dream. It made sense. Birdie and I spent hours in dreamscapes I weaved getting to know each other. She didn’t know what I was at the time…or why I was stalking her…but I had won her over.

I remembered something Lucifer had said to me a few days ago when I was combing through our traitor’s psyche looking for evidence. I had told him how it can be more difficult to break into a mind that was tapped into a shared consciousness.

“You’re not my favorite of my daughter’s boyfriends, or ex-boyfriends I guess,” he smirked. “But you’re probably the smartest. I trust you’ll take care of this for me, regardless of how hard it is. Incubi are persistent.”

He made some good points. I was the smartest of the five of us. People always thought it was Desmond, but he was just fearless enough to lead us. I was also persistent, having stalked Diana until she had no choice but to accept me. And, I was definitely his least favorite. So, I had to stick around to annoy thefuck out of him for the rest of eternity. He didn’t deserve a less stressful life, the arrogant prick.

Tonight, I was determined to get my Birdie back and set one of the many fuck ups I made these past few months right.

Her room was warded, so I couldn’t fade in. Fortunately, I anticipated that and planned around it.

Mal, open up. Operation Birdie is underway,I linked him.

He opened the door several seconds later buck naked, his hair a blond, tangled mess. He had bite marks on his neck, scratch marks down his side, and a smile that spoke to a man who had a wild night.

“I made sure she’s soundly asleep.You’re welcome,” he quipped.

Jealousy was in my DNA–Incubi hated sharing and got very possessive over their claims–but if I acted on it now, I’d lose my shot. Mal’s payback would have to wait.

“Enjoy it now, because once we’re all back in her good graces again, you won’t be her favorite little pet anymore.” I kissed his cheek and brushed past him on my way in, knocking him into the door frame for good measure.Little shit.

Diana peacefully slept on her stomach with her leg hiked up, a blissfully tired expression on her face. I laid next to her, taking in her deep, slumbering breaths and smelling traces of her arousal. It perfumed the air even after time had passed. Mal really did wear her out.

I gently got into bed beside her. Her rose pink lips were slightly parted and her hands were cradled under her pillow. Despite the distance of the past weeks, I felt our claimbond thrumming between us, pulling at my heart. I didn’t have to put my hand on her head, but I still carefully scooped her body against me so her head rested on my chest. She tangled her legs in mine, and I sighed.

Subconsciously she wanted me. She felt our bond, too. All hope wasn’t lost.

Breaking into her mind was different than the last time. I expected to meet resistance, but she was so sated and happy from her sexcapades with Mal her defenses were pliable. They bent to my magic and after enough manipulation, they broke. We would have a serious conversation about her lax security in the morning, but for now I would benefit from her carelessness.

Diana’s psyche was beautiful before she came into her magic, but now that she harnessed her power, it was breathtaking. I found myself on a beautiful rolling green hill with emerald green as far as I could see in one direction and the cliffs and sea in another. I heard the crash of waves and smelled the saltiness of the water.

Her power was present in the details. Vibrant blue sky replaced the black void, and the vibe felt welcoming. This is more like the psyche I had won my Birdie over in, visit by visit, after nights of courting her. We got to know each other and with every new bit of information, we fell harder for her.

And we’d fall for each other all over again.

I closed my eyes and concentrated on Diana, weaving a dream so she’d appear in this slice of heaven she created. She appeared dressed in tight blue jeans, a thermal shirt with a vest, and hiking boots. I put myself in a similar outfit, opting for a cream cable knit sweater instead. She peered around, a smile spreading across her face.

“This looks just like the Cliffs of Moher. How did you know I loved it so much?”

“I didn’t. Your psyche made all of this. The view, the details, even the smell. It’s beautiful.” Her eyes went wide. “When did you go to Ireland?”

“A couple of months ago. Oisín’s from here. We opted to only go back a couple decades though, not Druid times.”

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