Page 63 of Demon Sworn
Lucy huffs and waves a hand in his direction, her dark, seductive magic permeating the air. He gives a little moan and clutches his injured side.
Katrina squeaks in worry, but Lucillania waves her off. “I just healed him.”
No one else says anything, the Queen of Hell’s question still poised over our heads like a guillotine. I’m pretty sure it’s a trick question. Were we supposed to know that? To be completely honest, not one of us bothered to learn anything about a Center. We assumed we would never find ours, and if we did, we would kill her before she could destroy us. Though looking back, I’m ashamed of myself and my murder for thinking those fucked-up thoughts.
“What’s a Center?” Adam asks, unbound by the wiles of women like the rest of us.
“A soulmate, sweetie,” Katrina replies, tracing a palm over his soft cheek.
Raz is first to attempt an answer. Better him than me. “So, you’re saying Katrina is stronger than all of us?” He looks as nonplussed as I feel.
“Why do you think God started the damn misinformation campaign to get them all killed?” Lucillania throws her head back in frustration and stares at the ceiling for a moment. “Didn’t your mentors tell you—”
“Oh, that demony school stuff. I ditched,” Akor says.
Van turns a bright shade of pink. “I was probably…occupied by otherthoughtsat the time.”
“Well, I don’t remember being told a bloody thing,” I say. “I would have remembered something like that.”
“The greatest treasure is a woman’s heart?” Lucillania asks. “Ring a bell?”
Aw, bollocks. “I thought that was a joke. Materialism demon! Hearts were not… I didn’t think that was…” I try to defend myself but end up trailing off. Fuck me. How could I have been so stupid?
Lucillania laughs in response as she tosses an arm around my love’s shoulders. “Men.” She shakes her head with another chuckle. “Katrina’s always been stronger than all of you idiots mentally. But yes. Now she’s magically stronger too. And she will be even more if you ever decide to swear yourselves to one another.”
“Swear?” Adam says. “I know all about swearing. There’s fuck and shit and cunt—”
“Okay, buddy, hey, let’s go outside. Maybe they’re giving away free candy out there.” Van grabs Adam’s hand and leads him out the door that I just walked through. As he walks out, he gives me a look, because it’s something he and I have discussed in secret. Something we didn’t think Katrina would be ready for yet, not for a few years.
But after everything we’ve all been through, maybe we need a little bit of reassurance. I know that I for one, want to drag Katrina into my arms and never let her go.
I take a step towards Katrina, and the Queen of Hell clears her throat. She gives Katrina’s shoulder one last squeeze before saying, “I think that’s my cue to dive into that hole and grab those bastards.”
I don’t watch as she walks off because the blood is thudding in my ears, and somehow, this next moment matters just as much as ensuring Katrina’s safe from those who would do her harm. I want the honor of keeping her safe. Of providing for her. I’m certain we all do.
I know she’s probably tired and battle worn. But knowing I might have lost her, that she might not have walked away today… It might not be the best timing.
But I can’t think of a better time than now.Rightnow. Before the universe can throw another curveball our way.
So, I sink to a knee in front of her and take her left hand in both of mine.
She gasps, and her eyes widen. But she doesn’t pull away, so I begin to speak around the lump that’s formed in my throat. “Katrina Colt, from the day I met you, I knew you were special. You’ve always done a funny thing to my heart that’s only ever happened when I touched pure cashmere before. Your smile has always sparkled like a diamond. Pretending to be your boyfriend was the easiest thing in the world to do. But also the hardest. Because I didn’t want to pretend. You’ve had my heart from the moment I saw you. And I’d be honored if you’d consider giving me yours.”
A hand wallops me across the head. Raz has moved forward and glares down at me, eyes flaring red.
I quickly revise my statement. “I meanall of us. If you’d give your heart to all of us.”
Katrina’s eyes fill up, and she presses her beautiful lips together. All of a sudden, that shithead named anxiety is back.
“Not today, of course. We want a proper ceremony. I mean. One day. Maybe. If you ever think you’ll feel comfortable with that sort of thing.” Word vomit spews from my lips, and I can see Raz is disgusted by it. I’m disgusted by it.
But I don’t want to pressure Katrina. I don’t want to coerce her. I want her to choose us.
She sinks to her knees in front of me and lifts our linked hands, pressing a kiss to them before dragging my knuckles gently down her tear-stained cheek. Her lips part, and my breath catches as she answers, “Yes.”
25
Katrina
