Page 61 of Eternal Mate

It was then that Johnny appeared at my side. He gave me a look of concern as he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Sariel, what's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I turned to him, my voice trembling with anger and fear. "Aria... she left me behind. She and Barimuz went to Hell so she can be the bridge. This wasn’t part of the plan. How could she do this?"

Johnny's eyes softened with empathy, and he embraced me tightly. "I know it hurts. But you have to trust that she made the decision she believed was best. She loves you, and she wouldn't leave you if she didn't think it was necessary."

That was right. She did love me. She’d said as much.

I clung to Johnny, seeking comfort in his words. He had always been a steady presence in my life, a voice of reason when my emotions threatened to consume me.

"But what if something happens to her?” I had to ask. “What if I lose her?"

Johnny held me at arm's length, his gaze unwavering. "You can't control what happens. All you can do is trust in the strength of your bond and have faith in Aria's abilities. She wouldn't want you drowning in worry while she's trying to save the world."

"But Barimuz..." I trailed off, my anger resurfacing. "I don't trust him, Johnny. He's always been unpredictable."

Johnny nodded, acknowledging my concerns. "I know, but sometimes we have to make difficult choices. Barimuz is already going to help with the ritual, and Aria has her reasons for going. It's not easy for her, either."

I let out a frustrated sigh, my anger dissipating only slightly.

Johnny's words brought a sense of perspective to my tumultuous emotions. Aria knew me better than I knew myself, and I couldn't let my anger blind me to the trust and love we shared.

My stomach suddenly clenched.

From the start of this whole thing at AMH to today, not even a year had passed. I liked to think that I’d grown a lot in these past months, but to tell the truth, I was sometimes the same short-tempered man I’d been before getting a soulmate.

The torture had set me back an amount I still couldn’t fathom. I was recovering from the ordeal and probably would be for years.

I shouldn’t have reverted and gotten mad at the woman I loved, but the combination of Hell, and Barimuz, and her leaving me had set me off.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.

Johnny was right—I couldn't let fear and anger paralyze me. Aria needed me to stay strong so that I could support her from a distance while she faced the darkness within Hell.

I would have to apologize to her later.

23

CONFRONTING LUCIFER

ARIA

I stood before Lucifer, the embodiment of darkness, with tenacity and trepidation coursing through my veins. The world's hopes and fears rested heavily upon my shoulders.

Lucifer sat upon his throne of darkness and ichor above us. His beautiful visage was bored, his cheek resting on a hand as he looked down on us through his lashes, yet it warped with every other second into something formless and horrifying that I couldn’t describe.

Barimuz and Michael stood by my sides, their faces set in grim determination. On their free sides stood Michaelson, who had been located by Barimuz, and Neo, who had been permitted to be here by Michael, respectively.

And in the shadows lay Kiran, ready to help with the battle that would shape the destiny of the entire world.

The oppressive nature of the large, pitch-black throne room threatened to

"Lucifer," I called out, my voice resonating with defiance and resolve, "your games end here."

I hadn’t really thought this through. The goal was simple: I break him down enough to entrap him, the others start the sealing spell.

My angel was frothing, eager to get her hands on the man who had caused so much pain for the rest of us. Every bad thing that had happened so far had started and ended with this monster, and this was our one chance to make him pay for it.

Lucifer's incredulous laughter echoed through the room, dripping with derision. "Oh, my dear Aria," he said with a sneer, his eyes gleaming with malice. "You think you can challenge me? How delightful."

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