Page 54 of How to Accidentally Become the Devil

“It’s a long story, and to be honest, I’m not sure exactly how it happened, or ratherwhyit happenednow,” I tell him.

“I know,” Luc says, putting his fork down. “Hell sensed I was no longer fit to rule. When I got back to my room that night after I slayed Bartlby for his crimes against the kingdom, I found a note on my coffee table. I had completely missed it in all the chaos over Snowball missing. Those…imbecileshad the balls to leave me anoteadmitting to their crimes,” he seethes. “When I read their words and thought about them killing my sweet Sera, I lost it. I flew into a rage, destroying everything in sight. It wasn’t until I reached the back of my closet where all of Sera’s belongings still were, that my anger turned to grief. After learning the details of her death, I just couldn’t take any more. I wanted to give up. To join my mate in whatever afterlife waits for us.”

“Avus!” I gasp. At the same time mom says, “You wanted to kill yourself?”

He looks at us sadly. “I just want to be with my mate. Surely you two can understand that.”

Okay. I guess he’s got us there. But still.

“That’s no reason to give up on life,” Mom glares at him. “Even being separated from my mate for years, knowing,thinking,” she corrects, “I’d never see him again, I never once consideredsuicide.”

“I never said I wanted to kill myself. I just want to be with my mate, same as you. Thanks to Maddy, I know I’m not alone anymore. I have three mates out there. And now that my connection to Hell has been cut, I can leave and find them.”

“When are you leaving?” I suck in a breath. I knew he would be. I guess I was just expecting it to be a little longer.

“Soon. Tonight, tomorrow… whenever you let me.” He shrugs.

“Whenever Iletyou? Like I’m going to stop you from finding your mates?” I gape at him.

“I didn’t think you would. But I know Hell is still new to you and being the devil is a big job. We haven’t gotten through half of the lessons I had for you. I’ll stay for as long as you need me,Neptis.”

“I’ll alwaysneedyou,Avus. But your mates need you more. Go find them andbe happy. Ifyouever needus, you know where to find us.”

“Thank you,Neptis. You’ll take care of Snow for me? She’s been acting…odd.I’m not sure if it’s the new mate or if it has something to do with what happened to me but please take care of her for me.”

“Of course.” I agree with a smile. “I think Killer would make good on his nickname if we didn’t and I will have Zar check on her as soon as possible.”

“Thank youNeptis. I trust that I am leaving her in the very best of hands.” Luc gets this far off look like he’s remembering a traumatic experience.

“Since we’re talking about leaving…” Mom hedges. “I can never thank you enough for bringing your father back to me, Madelyne. But Hell isn’t where we belong. I know Robert can stay thanks to your necklace, but…” She looks to my dad for encouragement and he smiles softly and nods his head. “We’d like to go back to Earth.”

“You want toleave me?”My body deflates as the air is stolen from my lungs.

I just got them both back and now they want to leave me again?

“Maddy,no,” Dad says. “We love you more than anything. We never want to leave you. I’ve been sick with worry since you’ve been gone. To finally have you back, to know that you’re okay? That means everything to me. But your mother’s right. This is your home now. Not mine. We may live in alternate realms, but it’s not like we’ll never see each other again.”

“I can’t leave, Dad,” I sigh.

He looks around the table as if to confirm I’m not making this shit up. “Well, I can come to you then. I’ll always have this necklace, and your mom can bring us for visits. I just don’t think we’d be happy here long-term, sweetie.”

“I understand. It just sucks,” I mutter.

“We can always write, dear. I know Hell phones and Earth phones aren’t compatible. But even from Earth, I’ll have the power to send letters,” Mom assures me.

I wrestle with the feelings of abandonment welling up inside me.

We aren’t leaving Sweetheart.Zar sends me the first thought but he is immediately followed by resounding love and support from all of my mates.

Never, Angel,Zeph adds

They’d have to pry me off you with a crowbar, Princess.Oz chimes in.

“Let them go,Amica Mea.” Belz says out loud as he reaches for my hand, giving it a squeeze. “They can come back and we can write. It will be okay.”

“Yeah, Mads, and bonus you have me! And Geo of course. We’ll be here.” Reed chimes in, finally breaking me out of my sadness.

It will be okay. I have my mates, I have my bestie, I can do this.

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