Page 59 of Eternal Mate

Before I could come up with something to make her feel better, the sound of wings caught my attention.

I turned to see Michael and Barimuz appear on the rooftop with us. Michael's expression was disgusted and weary, as if the state of the world had taken its toll on him. Barimuz, on the other hand, exuded a controlled confidence, his eyes flickering with a hint of mischief.

"About time you two showed up," Barimuz remarked, a smirk playing on his lips. "This one says he won’t agree to anything before hearing how you intend to seal his bondmate away."

His bondmate? My eyes darted to the angel to see his expression twist up, an emotion I couldn't place on his face. It made me anxious, realizing that the man was more connected to Lucifer than we’d realized.

Would he really help us?

Michael's eyes narrowed like he could hear my doubts as he turned to me. "Let's get this over with,” he said, his voice laced with impatience. “I want to get back to Cosette and be done with this mess."

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before speaking. "We found a ritual that can seal him in Hell. It isn't permanent," I added hurriedly when his jaw flexed, "and needs five representatives to complete. We were hoping you and Neo would be willing to help us."

He crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "It isn't permanent? Will it hurt him?"

His attention shifted to Barimuz this time, and I was glad for it. The Archdemon and Archangel stared at one another for a long moment before Michael blew out a breath.

"He doesn’t deserve more torture," Michael said slowly. I couldn't help but strongly and vehemently disagree, but Aria squeezed my hand to remind me not to say so aloud.

The man was literally the Devil. He tortured people, messed with things that didn’t belong to him, had condemned innocent souls to Hell, possessed people, created demons, was responsible this whole time for Azazel, and so much fucking more. He'd personally tortured me—and Michael had seen at least some of it.

His gaze met mine again, once more making me feel like he could hear my thoughts as he just… watched me.

I had no idea what he was looking for on my face, but I saw when he found it. His body went from rigid to relaxed in seconds as he turned away from me, shaking his head.

"I guess I can’t turn a blind eye to his descent into madness any longer," Michael finally said, his tone tinged with resignation. "I will help, but don’t expect me to do more than is necessary."

He wouldn't hurt Lucifer, I realized. Michael wouldn't fight with us to subdue him or interfere if we failed to do so.

Even so, he would do his part as a representative of Heaven and throw his power into the ceremony. That wasn't very reassuring, but it was better than nothing.

Some relief washed over me. I nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Michael."

The angel's head dipped in acknowledgment, and he glanced at Barimuz again. "I will collect Napoleon. We will meet you in Lucifer's throne room when the time comes."

Before I could ask how he would possibly know when to arrive without us saying so, he was gone in a flicker of light.

"That's still a win," Aria breathed out, and I reluctantly nodded.

Michael's plight weighed on me, though. Putting myself in his shoes, I wasn't sure if I could seal Aria away no matter how crazy she might be.

Maybe this was what Blossom had felt all this time, even as Tarragon had wronged her time and time again.

My mate's smile was sad as she pursed her lips. "They've been together for longer than we can comprehend," she said, swinging our arms a bit. "I'm sure that by now, he knows Lucifer well enough to know if there was any other option. The fact that he's agreed to our plan means he knows there isn't."

It was a depressing thought.

I sighed, realizing the truth in her words. Michael had seen the darkness within Lucifer firsthand, and he understood the magnitude of the threat. If he believed that sealing Lucifer away was the only option, then it must truly be our best chance at protecting both worlds.

With a heavy heart, I nodded in agreement. "You're right, Aria. Michael should know the stakes better than anyone. We have to trust his judgment."

Barimuz scoffed, shaking his head. "You're growing soft. The man tortured you."

"With your help!" I reminded him with a growl.

The Archdemon shrugged. "I was just distracting your pretty mate that time. I didn't have a hand in your torment."

His taunting had my angel surging to the forefront, but he vanished in a swirl of black and laughter when I released Aria to stalk forward.

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