Page 38 of Crimson Devotion
I’m grateful for his subtle tactic to take my mind off my insecurities, but that’s only another issue I need to tackle, sooner or later.
“Yvonne was in the castle.’’
For a brief moment, Valerio freezes. Then, somethingunexpected happens. He stands up from the chair, eyes wide, lips thinned into a line. A look of pure fury crosses his face, his hands fisted by his sides, jaw clenched.
“She what?!”
I nod.
“And Lucifer’s locket is missing. I’m presuming she took it.’’
“When was this?”
“A while ago, while you were chasing Aurelia.’’
A string of curses slips from his lips in muttered, hushed words. He grabs one of the hair ties I keep on my desk and quickly pulls his long hair into a messy high ponytail. A few strands fall over his forehead, but he pays them no mind, eyes focused on me.
“How did she get in?”
I lean back, gripping the armrest of the chair. “I suspect it was the necklace she gave Faith. When I broke it, I felt magic, but I was too angry to focus on it. It gave her a way in.’’
“Did she do anything else to him?”
I shake my head. “No, he’s fine. Well, as much as he can be. But his locket is missing. That makes me believe she did something. I think she’s trying to wake him up, too.’’
“She was the one who put him to sleep in the first place. Why would she suddenly want him awake?”
“That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?”
Valerio starts pacing through the study, his footsteps silent on the dark, oak wood floors. They creak under his weight, and neither of us speaks. I let him process the information, and soon enough, he stops pacing around, coming to stand right in front of me, only the desk separating us.
“You’re certain he’ll wake up?”
“Yes.’’
He releases a deep sigh, eyes locked on mine. He mulls over the information, his cogs turning. His eyes close for a moment, andI know we’re thinking the same thing; he’s just the one to voice it out.
“That just means that a lot of things will change. And I’m not sure the world is ready to face the wrath of Lucifer D’Achille.’’
SIXTEEN
Ophelia
Valerio and Aurelia left the castle four days ago. It was early in the morning when Aurelia knocked on the door, letting me know of their departure. Since then, it’s been radio silent from the two. They said they won’t contact me until they have something solid; otherwise, it’d be a waste of my time.
And their assumptions are correct.
“Ophelia.’’ Faith’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I break away from gazing out the window, turning to look at her. She’s naked under the sheets, holding them up to her chest. Her hair’s messy, her eyes sleepy, and she has the most adorable smile on her face.
“Hi, little hunter. Slept well?”
She nods, then opens her arms. With a chuckle, I walk over to the bed, lying down next to her and pulling her toward me. Her head rests on my chest, arms wrapped around me as she snugglescloser.
The bond between us is strengthening every day. With each passing moment, I love this woman more. I’m not sure if it’s love anymore. It’s an obsession. Her voice, her laugh, her smell — all of it’s luring me in. And when she hugs me tightly, all my worries melt away, and the only thing that matters is this little peaceful bubble we’re in.
However, there’s something that’s been bugging me as of late, and I don’t know how to bring it up with her. I stroke her hair softly, and Faith hums, snuggling against me. Her legs intertwine with mine, her heartbeat a steady rhythm, one of the most harmonious tunes I’ve ever heard.
“Little hunter?”
