Page 66 of The Devil's Dilemma

“Move with the times, my friend.”

He mumbled something and continued.

“I killed Austin, by the way.”

“You did what?” he shouted.

“Calm down. He’s fine. It was an experiment. He’s been carrying an amulet given to him by The Magic Shop owner.”

I didn’t need to explain to Mal who he was. Everyone knew of him and what he did.

“Start from the beginning.”

I’d already filled him in on the angel mark, and now I explained about the amulet and how I thought it was protection from me, that somehow our futures were entwined. I told himabout the story his mother had told him. Mal listened without interrupting.

“I did warn you. Calista was a seer, and if she says that’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. You broke the mark. It was your destiny to do that. Austin carries the amulet to protect him from you until you complete the bond.”

“Bond?”

“Yes. The bond. Once that’s done, he’ll no longer need the amulet.”

“And the men who are after him?”

“Up to you how you deal with them. They’ll do anything to stop the bonding. They want you to bring hell back to earth.”

It was funny how all these things were happening now.

I recalled my recent conversations with Conrad about how I was tired of sitting still, that it was about time I went back to the old ways. The ways of the old devil who rained death and destruction on earth. Then Austin appears with his angel mark and amulet. The story of him and me, how he would bring about the light. These men were intent on killing him to stop that. Now I needed to stop them.

Everything happened for a reason.

“Where is he now?” Mal asked, still tapping away.

“In my bed at the casino. I can’t have him going home.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“A bit of both.”

“You’re already feeling something for him.”

“From the moment I saw him.”

“That’s what happened with me. You know what I’m like with humans. At least you got a part angel as your mate.”

“He’s not my mate.”

“Ha. Good luck with that.”

Before I could reply, my phone pinged.

“I’ve sent you the names of a few mercenaries in your area. Might be worth starting with them. Let me know how things go.”

“Thanks, Mal.”

“No worries. Go wreak some havoc. Business is slow.”

He ended the call, and I checked the names on my phone. A couple I recognised, but I’d hazard a guess these were of no consequence. But I might get more information from them.

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