Page 207 of Crimson Promises
Lucifer, still before me, remained unreadable. He didn't seem surprised by my admission, as if he had known all along the depth of my feelings. There was a glint in his eyes, a spark of something I couldn't decipher.
The deep voice was back, “Aurora James, you have passed your test. Understanding the connections within will give you clarity and maintain focus. Without acknowledging the deep relationships within you, you are in danger of losing yourself to the relic's power.”
Lucifer blew me a kiss before he vanished from the stadium.
My cheeks heated at the gesture. I stared at the ground, still shocked at all the truth serum had revealed. There was a sense of relief in finally acknowledging the pull I felt toward Lucifer. Although, I questioned my own actions and desires, wondering if I was being naive or foolish to be drawn to Lucifer, to be captivated by the enigmatic charm that surrounded him.Probably both. The doubt gnawed at the edges of my mind, tearing between the love I had known and the allure of the darkness that beckoned me. It stoked a craving unlike anything I had ever known.
Ben walked towards me, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. “I don’t think I ever heard that rendition of Kumbaya before.”
I pivoted towards him, my eyes wide. He was wearing a small, tentative smile.
“Had to be the worst part of that entire trial.” His words were a peace offering.
I dragged a hand down my face. Only too happy to avoid the entire situation. “Did I really sing Kumbaya?”
“You sure did,” Ben grinned. “Tried to go for two full verses. Not to mention the entire choreographed routine to it.”
“No,” I groaned.
“It was sort of cute,” Ben whispered as he traced diamonds lightly over my shoulder and down my back.
“More like embarrassing,” I muttered. “I’m sorry.” I couldn’t prevent the words from escaping my lips.
“It’s fine, Aurora. All of it. You did what you had to do.” His thumb and index finger moved forward and backward on my ribs and he leaned to whisper in my ear, “I told you I choose you, and nothing that happens will change that. I can’t take back the things I’ve done to hurt you, but you own every part of me, Aurora. Let the Devil or anyone else come. We’ve defied the odds before. Before you, I was grasping around in the darkness of my own making, you breathed life into me. I’ve already done enough things to jeopardize that. No more. Not unless it's something you want to conquer together.”
I gripped his shirt in my hand, unable to formulate a response.
“The truth serum made you share things you weren’t ready to share and probably even had the chance to process. Don’t worry, I knew whatever attraction you feel to Lucifer is just that. You could never feel for him what you feel for me.”
My gut rolled as if I had drunk sour milk.Why does Ben think he can tell me how or what I feel? Males can be so ridiculous at times.
Lucky for Ben, the all-seeing voice interrupted. “Bennett Caelum, approach the dais. It is your turn to face your demons.”
Ice ran through my veins for Ben. I leaned forward and hugged him, holding on to him as tight as I could, infusing every bit of strength that I know he would need.
Ben stepped back and ran his hands through his hair before rolling his shoulders around and walking confidently toward the second frosted jar and the hooded figure.
"Open the jar," the voice boomed.
Ben lifted the jar. The crowd gasped.
Through the gap between his side and arm, a dagger was resting on a pillow.
ChapterTwenty-Six
Bennett
Before I followed the voice's command, I peered over my shoulder and gave Aurora one last hopefully confident smile. She had walked halfway down the area that gave me and the task I had to complete a wide berth. Then I returned my gaze towards the second brass stand and zeroed in on the weapon before me.
I meant every word I said to her.That was all I could think about while I stared at my reflection in the gleaming silver of the dagger placed on a purple plush pillow. The spine of the blade was about two inches longer than mine. It was a chrome-polished metal. I brought the pad of my finger to the tip of the dagger; I let out a hiss as it extracted a droplet of lilac blood from me. Oddly, the knife seemed to absorb the blood rather than resist it. The belly edge of the blade looked as though it had been faintly burned.It looks eerily similar to mine.
The handle of the dagger was made of the same metal as the blade. The moon and stars were stamped on both the handle and blade, broken up by what looked like whisps of shadows.
“Pick up the dagger, Bennett,” the all-knowing voice directed.
It was lightweight and strong, much more robust than steel, but only a fraction of the weight. I gripped the bolster. The metal was warm to the touch. A zing of power went through me at the initial contact. It felt solid, sure, familiar.
Finally, it clicked.This is another illicium dagger. But what is it for?
