Page 74 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

“I expected all evil intentions and soul eating.”

He rolls his eyes. “You watch too much TV.”

“Hey, Buffy fell for not one, but two vampires. TV has nothing to do with this.”

“Buffy was a blonde brat who was in over her head and had an unhealthy obsession for wooden stakes. It was so unrealistic. I mean, what demon goes poof.” He slaps his hands together. I crack up, he follows me laughing.

“In another life, we might have been friends,” I say on my last chuckle.

He tilts his head. “Why not this one?”

I point to myself. “I’m the embodiment of hope here to save mankind from its own destruction.” I point to him. “You are the right-hand man of Lucifer, here to help me save mankind so your kind can continue to feed on the souls of mine. Our goals align, but not our philosophies.”

“Lucifer isn’t evil. He made a mistake out of the need to create a family. He loved his son, but they created a monster the gods needed. He’s been paying for that mistake by being responsible for Hell since.”

“You’re telling me Lucifer is good?” I scoff.

“You’re being judgmental. People like Jack need to be punished. There has to be consequences, or mankind would fall foul of evil far more often.”

I tilt my head. “You’re saying you are the jailhouse of the worst of humanity?”

He grins. “Correct, and without me your job would be a lot harder.” He shoves his pinky out at me. “I solemnly swear that I will only take and punish those souls who deserve it. In reality, I’m doing the same job as you. Friends?” he asks.

I can’t resist, he’s this weird mix of innocence, sin and power. I shove my pinky finger out and shake it. “Friends. If you betray me I will remove your pretty head from your shoulders and use your skull as my new herb planter.”

His face splits into a wide grin as he turns my hand and gives a quick kiss to the pulse on my wrist. “I won’t let you down.” He releases me, settling back into his chair to finish his own meal. He glances at my empty plate, plucks a smaller platter from the trolley and slides it toward me, I uncover it and groan at the trio of chocolate based desserts.

“Friendship points to you,” I mutter, sliding the top of the cheesecake off and devouring it.

“Now back to the less palatable situation. Have you got any further on your plan to put Ty in the alternate Jar?”

I shake my head. “We are waiting for Duncan’s contact in order to get the spell.”

“I worry what will happen if it doesn’t work.”

“If it doesn’t work, then we’re doomed.”

“Have you considered what you must do.”

The chocolate sours in my mouth, I drop the fork onto the plate and wipe my lips on the napkin. “Yes.”

“And do you have a way of making it happen?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“Then you aren’t taking the threat seriously enough. Archan would give his life to save you.”

My head snaps to him. “He might give his life to save the world, not me.”

He throws his head back and laughs, his eyes dance with amusement. “Archan doesn’t take lovers. He doesn’t hunt unless he finds something worthy of his possession, and he doesn’t offer protection unless he would give his life for them. He may fight to ensure mankind survives, but it’s his job, his obligation. His soul chose you, as yours has chosen him.”

“I don’t believe in soul mates.”

He snorts. “Because it’s so rare, it’s almost unheard of. But when two souls connect to make a perfect precise whole, when they complement each other so they sing in harmony, that’s what soul mates are.”

“And how do you know that’s what we are?”

“His psyche has marked yours, and if I could get a look at him, I would see it replicated.”

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