Page 4 of Burn for the Devil

One day, it all ended. There were no warning signs, no monumental moments where anything different was happening—everything simplystopped. I went to sleep, had normal dreams, and woke up refreshed.

I relayed as much to Timothy, and he dumped me.

4

Ramone

Present Day

It used to irritate me when people didn’t believe I was real, but now, it was my greatest trick. Banishment was hard on me; however, I’d found my way around the inconveniences associated with such a consequence. I was flourishing under the veil of secrecy being trapped here afforded me. I could do whatever I wanted.

Fulgere Industries was more profitable than ever, even with the burgeoning competition. People still didn’t know what I was, of course, but they were slowly learningwhoI was, as we’d gained minor international recognition. It brought more business.

So far, I’d refused all requested interviews. That had the interesting effect of making the public more intrigued along with the zero-photography policy I’d instituted. No one outside my inner circle knew what I looked like. Anyone without prior approval attempting to infiltrate my fortress swiftly met “natural causes.” My life and business were an iron fortress buttressed by heavy security, steel will, and more than a touch of magic.

While I sat in my office staring at the luscious vase of silky gardenias, I wondered if I should switch to crimson roses. I’d let Samantha go a while ago, despite keeping tabs on her. I still thought about her, but as I’d felt the separation between myself and Kiara widen, I couldn’t get the woman off my mind and went as far as to visit Savannah, Georgia multiple times. I’d wanted to learn more about her, unable to figure out the draw I’d felt. I discovered she had a tragic past, the loss of someone she loved, much as I had. Was that something that contributed to the connection I felt with her? I wasn’t certain. The result was I’d managed to add even more trauma to Samantha’s world and bring debilitating trauma to Kiara’s.

In the end, I behaved uncharacteristically when I’d sacrificed myself for Kiara. If I’d persisted on my path, I’d have killed her whether I’d intended to or not. She loved me, but she loved Ilya more. That alone was destroying her. Her destruction was beautiful and oh so very sweet, but over time, I couldn’t ignore what I was doing to her. Neither could Ilya.

Kiara was gone and neither of us could get to her if we wanted to. From a human perspective, she was dead. We knew where she was, but we couldn’t reach her.

I’d also failed my wife. Other than not providing Samara with the safety she’d deserved; Kiara was the second biggest failure of my life. I did not want to add Samantha to my list.

The punishment of being banished from all other realms and being trapped where I was, while harsh—was justified. Even I could see the necessity. I couldn’t go to the Fourth Realm where my estates stood or home to the Second Realm, where I owned a penthouse.

The Second Realm also housed some aspects of my business, but I had others taking care of those things in my absence. Victor, Lucian and my father, Julian, had decided, underconsequence of execution, I was permanently banished, and some others supported that decision.

Crushing an ivory blossom in my hand, I pushed my chair back from my desk. My phone rang and I grabbed it in annoyance just when my office door swung open.

Ilya nodded at me as he strolled across the thick carpeting, heading straight for the whiskey. I flung the wilted gardenia flower in the trash can.

“What?” I barked at him, before pinching my nose. He was interrupting my brooding.

Ilya didn’t acknowledge my greeting.

“Can I help you?” I bit out. I tossed my phone back onto my desk without checking to see who’d called.

“No,” he answered, laughing. “It's too late for that.”

Ignoring his sarcasm, I tried again. “Why are you in my office?”

Ilya poured a drink and made himself comfortable in one of the cushioned chairs facing my desk. “Have you spoken to Alastair?” I shook my head at his question, on guard now because I could sense something was wrong. He and Alastair weren’t all that fond of each other.

He straightened his cufflinks, and I could see he was deep in thought, the mannerisms and micro expressions I knew all too well after hundreds of years as clear as day, rippling across his features. He was lit up like a gaudy neon sign.

I moved closer to my desk and rested my elbows. “I haven’t spoken to him in a while, I’ve been busy.”

“His woman found and translated the diary. She’s a bit more than any of us expected. She’s clearly not a source, but she is gifted.”

I regarded him for a moment. “You’re not going to take her, are you?” Ilya was talking about a diary that Kiara’s mother had kept, full of secrets, spells, and a version of a treaty between thedifferent realms. It had been lost, but Alastair’s wife, Devane, had a gift for locating lost books.

Ilya choked on his drink, an incredulous look crossing his face. “Fuck no. Why are you asking?”

Shrugging, I said, “It hasn’t stopped you in the past.” We’d fought for a long time over Kiara, both of us vying for her. I wouldn’t put much past the man who’d entered my office.

He bit his lip and glanced at his lap before meeting my eyes. “This. This is why I’m here. Have you noticed anything unusual lately?”

“What do you mean?”

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