Page 34 of Crazy as Hell

Lucifer leaned forward and grinned at her. “This is fascinating. Naomi, I would love to talk to you more in depth about the various ways you’ve died. Have you ever considered ranking the methods, like the most painful down to the least?”

Viktor groaned. “Cut it out, Luc.”

“What? I’m just asking. It would be helpful research for me. Did you really try to come speak to me during one of your past lives?” Lucifer’s smile disappeared, and his expression turned downright terrifying. “Tell me who turned you away, and I will make them pay.”

Naomi waved that off. “No worries. It really wasn’t that big of a deal. It was just bad timing.”

“Let’s try to focus, Dad,” Braxton growled.

“I am focused,” Lucifer argued. “We need to merge her soul in the jar back into her. So, get to work, God of Souls. Just shove it in there.”

“That’s not…” Braxton sighed. “See, Naomi? You aren’t the only one with an asshole for a dad.”

She had to press her lips together to stop the startled laugh from bursting out of her. It wouldn’t be good to insult them when she and Viktor were there at Guardian’s Gate, Braxton and Devon’s home, asking for their help.

Over the last several months, she and Viktor had searched for a way to merge her souls back together. Unfortunately, every new lead had ended in disappointment. At least, the fruit she’d eaten from the Tree of Life had helped her remain healthy during that time. It had also helped stabilize her magic a little more, so her glowing eyes had stopped doing that strange flickering.

Even if she felt better, that still hadn’t stopped random accidents from happening. Luckily, that’s when Viktor had stepped in. He’d saved her life too many times to count since they had mated. Some had simply been mishaps, while there had also been a few natural disasters thrown into the mix.

Devon raised her hand cutely. “You said there is a two-year window, right? Is there a chance Braxton could have been the one who sent you back initially during the original timeline?”

“I guess it’s possible, since we’ve never figured out why I was resurrected in the first place or why it’s two years,” she admitted. “Perhaps Zeno brought my soul to you after he experimented on me for two years, and you were able to send me back to my original death date.”

“I’m not sure this is something I can do,” Braxton said cautiously.

“If anyone can do it, I’m sure you can,” Devon encouraged, rubbing his arm.

“I’m willing to try if you are.” Naomi smiled. “And if it fails, I can always come back here next time, and we can try again.”

Viktor squeezed her hand hard enough to hurt, but she didn’t protest. She knew how difficult this was for him. Hell, it was probably harder on him than it was for her. She had experienced all of this before, but he had never had to watch her die in real time.

Braxton lifted the crystal jar, narrowing his eyes as he studied the soul trapped inside. Then, he looked at Naomi, studying her in the same, impassive way.

“Soul one and soul two are definitely identical. Meaning, the one inside of you is the same as this one,” he said, holding up the jar again. “I’m just unsure how both can exist in the same timeline.”

“Perhaps it’s possible since they are in different forms,” Devon said.

Braxton nodded. “That makes sense. Are you ready?”

“Give us a minute.”

Viktor pulled her out of her chair and crossed the room until they were in a private section of the great hall. Even though they had made sure to say their goodbyes last night, he needed a moment alone with his mate. He hated what they were doing, even though he fully understood why it was necessary. Staring down at her beautiful face, he felt his eyes sting with unshed tears, and his breath caught as her own eyes filled.

Using his thumb, he brushed away the single tear that slid down her cheek.

“I will find you again,” she promised through their bond.

Pressing her hand against his chest directly over the mating mark there, he said, “I’ll be waiting for you. Always.”

He felt his heart breaking as she rose up on her toes and pressed her lips against his.

“I love you, Naomi. In this life, and the next.”

“And I love you, Viktor. I will always find you, no matter how many lifetimes it takes.”

When they broke apart, she reached up to wipe away the tears he hadn’t realized had fallen down his cheeks. Letting her go was killing him, but not ending her curse would continue to kill her.

And that was something he couldn’t allow to keep happening.