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As expected, her lovely mouth forms a wide O. “You’ve been in town two years and you haven’t set one red foot in Just Baked?” She tugs on my hand while turning toward the door.
I would follow her anywhere, at any time, but the voices I have been ignoring choose this moment to push through, rendering me motionless and immovable. Bound to my purpose, a servant to my singular duty. I have no choice but to process the onslaught of revenge-seeking wishes, right here on the sidewalk, in Dela’s presence.
“Are you okay?” Standing in front of me, her soft voice penetrates the din.
I see her. Hear her. Feel her hands squeezing mine. But I cannot answer. Not until I select the soul I will acquire for my liege’s dominion.
“Raz?” The warm mouth I wish to feel against mine is down-turned. Above her seeking gaze, her brow is furrowed. “Is something wrong?”
With so many voices crowding my mind, choosing one should be immediate. But it is no longer simple. No action I take will directly involve or affect Dela, but I do not wish to return to her side with blood on my hands.
There. An older male with petty demands against a deceptive partner. He will get his wish.
Locked on to my immediate destination, the other voices subside. For now. With so many seeking revenge, the respite will not last long.
“There is nothing to worry about,” I say, focusing on Dela. “But I will have to delay the rest of our date and attend to my duties.”
“You mean revenge? You have to go grant someone’s revenge wish? Now?”
“It is my purpose. Ignoring it brings consequences, as you just witnessed. Fulfilling my purpose also brings consequences, because it requires I disappoint you. If what I am and the reality of what I must do changes your decision to spend time with me?—”
“It doesn’t,” she cuts me off, reaching up to graze my face with her soft fingers. “Just…be careful at work, okay? I know firsthand how evil some humans can be.” She is worried for the safety of a hell-born demon who has committed acts that would terrify and disgust her.
I do not deserve her sunshine. “No harm will come to me.” I capture her hand where it rests against my cheek and turn it, pressing my lips to her palm. “I will see you soon.”
Walking away from another creature, in hell or in this realm, has never registered as anything other than an automatic action. Solitude is my existence.Wasmy existence, until today. Leaving Dela standing on the sidewalk is not merely a physical movement. Doing so creates an unwelcome tightness inside me.
On the opposite side of the town square, I cannot resist looking back. When I do, she is not there, nor anywhere within the scope of my vision. The tightness increases, pulling all the emotions of this day into a knot only she has the power to undo.
Dela
By the timeI walked home from downtown on Saturday, I had a handful of messages from my friends waiting on my phone, which I’d intentionally left in my apartment after dropping off my car.
Rosetta
You and Raz! OMG! Call me!
Rosetta
Guess I’ll add a chair for the wedding next weekend? Or will you just sit on his lap? Looks like he’d be more than okay with that seating arrangement. ??
Shay
I’m across the street and I see you out there with your horny demon!
Shay
You got him down on one knee already? Woot! Told you! Gonna need allll the details, girl! And don’t think about waiting until Monday to spill!
Natalie
Welcome to the “we have giant monster boyfriends” club! Maybe we can go triple-dating with Ro and Dak after their honeymoon. (Not that those two need a honeymoon! LOL)
Shay
What’s going on out there? You okay? You look kinda upset, and yes, I am peeping on you. #NoShame Want me to run out there and kick his grumpy red ass?
Shay
