Page 91 of The Devil's Dilemma

“You know I can’t. The sooner this is done, the sooner we can move on. I’m sorry because he was your friend, but he killed you.”

I climbed into bed and snuggled under the covers. “Don’t be long.”

“Fuck. I forgot about the bond. I can’t go without causing us both pain.”

“It’s complete.”

“How do you know?”

“I can feel it inside me, here.” I pointed to the angel mark, now perfectly entwined with the horns of the devil. “I feel it beneath here, and I know it’s done. We are one now. I thought it would take days, weeks, or months, but I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Maybe it was such a strong bond it didn’t need as long because it was written and came to pass.”

“So it’s you and me against the world. I do feel calmer, although when you walked away from me, the urge to raze every one of those motherfuckers to the ground was strong.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“It was meant to happen the way it happened. I firmly believe you were meant to die, and now it’s over.”

“So, your days of death and destruction are done?”

“Let’s not be too hasty. I’m still the devil after all. Killing is in my nature, and if anyone threatens you again, I will burn the world to save you. Never doubt that, Austin.”

With a lingering kiss on my lips, he stood. I grabbed his hand.

“Our love will grow, I’m sure of it. I can’t believe we’ve known each other less than a week, but I know this is right.”

“As do I. Now, get some sleep. I need you fighting fit. The bond may be complete, but I still have a few urges I need fulfilling.”

Finally, feeling content for the longest time, I watched him walk away from me. No pain hit me, just an exhilarating feeling of belonging in my chest, and I fell asleep with the biggest smile on my face.

Chapter twenty-one

Dante

Ihadn’t told Austinhow enraged I was the moment he walked away from me, but just as I was about to set the world on fire, Calista had appeared to me.

“Let him go, Dante. It’s part of the prophecy. I never told him that part for fear he wouldn’t go through with it. His self-sacrifice is what makes the bond complete.”

“He’s going to die.”

“He is, yes,” she said softly, “But don’t worry. All will be well.”

“I’ll lose him.”

“Trust in him and yourself, but go to him now. He’s going to need you.”

And he had needed me, and I him, but as I walked down to the basement, I knew that killing Freddie would be the right decision.

I pushed open the door. Freddie sat tied once again to a chair, only this time, he was the sole occupant of the room.

“You should have killed me before,” he said defiantly. Gone was meek and mild Freddie, replaced with this cocky son of a bitch.

“You’re probably right. I should have done, but I didn’t, and now here we are.”

“Nothing you can do to me will be worse than the pain I felt when you killed Joel.”

“Again, you’re probably right. I should make your torture last for as long as I can. Drag it out for weeks, months, or years, but I promised Austin I’d make it quick, although I didn’t say anything about it being not necessarily painless.”

“You’ve brainwashed him.”

---