Page 48 of Wicked Savior
I nod.
“Are you coming back?” His voice is hoarse as he stares down at me.
I think about all the things that still need to be resolved, including whatever this is between us. This thing drawing the two of us together.
Soon we’re standing in my bedroom at the warehouse. The second my feet touch the ground; the sky starts rumbling in protest.
Hard lips press against mine. “We’re not finished. Do you hear me? Go home but come back. Finish what you started here.”
The building starts to shake, and he holds up his hand to keep the ceiling from falling on us. “Go now.”
Emotions swirl in his blue eyes making them glow, but I turn away. I can’t tell if it’s his need for revenge driving him or if he actually cares. I grab my backpack and stumble through the portal.
ChapterTwenty-Six
LUCIFER
The strike from above completely obliterates the building, leaving nothing but a crater in the ground. His wrath knows no bounds. The instant I saw the sky darkening in the field, I knew what was about to happen. He tolerates no other gods or goddesses in his domain. Even knowing this, I can’t help but hope she returns. Not for the revenge. I meant what I said. When she’s near, I find myself watching her, wondering what she’s thinking or feeling, and sharing things I’ve never told anyone else.
Turning away from the destruction, I take myself to The Abbey. It’s the last place I want to be, but I need to tell Arden about Vargas.
When I arrive, Vargas is already pacing beside her. Unseen, but there to help, and to shoot silent daggers at me. He doesn’t want Arden or Solandis to know his current condition. He keeps stating he needs to find a body, yet none of them are good enough.
I think he’s concerned their mate bond won’t be there. He worries she won’t feel attracted to him when he appears as someone else. His idea is to arrange a “chance” meeting to see if she falls for him again. If she doesn’t, I have a feeling he’ll throw himself in every battle until his new body is destroyed, and he stands on the shores of the River Acheron again.
Theron hands me a bourbon, the glass frosty with his anger, and I wince when I take it. My eyes dart from one furious cadre member to the next, their faces set in stone and eyes burning with anger, then fall on Arden. Hope burns bright in her green eyes. She leans forward eagerly, hands clasped together, waiting for me to give her the news.
I hold up a hand. “Let me get through everything, then you can ask questions.” When she agrees, I begin. “After last year’s attempted coup, I promoted Vargas to second-in-command and asked him to take a guardian blood bond with me. It was the assurance I needed to avoid another insurrection.”
My eyes find the translucent demon standing beside Arden. “Always loyal, he didn’t hesitate. In the battle against the Light Fae Queen, he truly died. In normal circumstances, that would have been the end. But the bond between us had unforeseen circumstances. It gave him a choice—continue on to the places of the dead or turn back and embrace life again. He chose to return.”
Arden’s brows lower and her mouth turns down. “So, where is he?”
I clear my throat. “He’s trying to find a suitable body. One, I think, he believes Solandis will find pleasing. Apparently, there’s been a shortage recently.” A thought occurs to me. “Although we had several demons pass during our last battle, so maybe there’s a candidate amongst them.”
Angry, she jumps to her feet. “I can’t believe you.” She waves a hand at me. “Not you.” Planting her hands on her hips, she speaks to the air beside her. “Vargas, Solandis and I have been mourning you. Hurting every day. So has Callyx. Our hearts completely broken without you.”
She furiously scrubs at the tears rolling down her face. “Your reasoning is flimsy at best and not fitting for a demon of your caliber. Get your shit together, Vargas, and return to us. I’m giving you a week. Then I’m telling her. And if you think I’m angry, wait until she hears about your cowardice.” With those final words, she stalks off with Valerian and Astor following her.
Vargas flips me off and disappears.
I sigh. They needed to be told. Arden’s right. He should have damn well found a body and returned to them by now. Not to mention, I need him by my side and running things, too.
Daire grips my hand. “Does this happen to everyone who takes the guardian bond?” Hope glitters in his eyes.
That’s right. I forgot. Daire took the same bond with Arden, and now, they’re all wondering if she will get the same choice. I shake my head, killing the hope in their eyes.
Confused, he tilts his head. “Why Vargas?”
“I don’t know. I had never bonded with an immortal until Vargas. His DNA reacted differently than humans in the past. It changed him,” I tell him.
His jaw firms, and he sits back in defeat.
Theron looks from him to me. “I’m not sure I understand. Arden and Daire are immortal.”
Daire looks at me and raises an eyebrow.
I nod.
