Page 92 of Soul Redeemed

Admiring Calla’s work, Ava allowed her gaze to fall on her fidgeting hands, where the polish glistened against her bronzed skin. “I’ve never had a sister before. No one’s ever done my nails for me.”

Calla grabbed hold of her hand and her teeth shone through her bright smile. “Welcome to the family.”

*

Ava exited the bathroom, wearing a white satin and lace teddy, a gift from Sabelle. Her soon-to-be sister, Sabelle.

Lying sprawled on the bed, Calix slammed his face into the pillows below him and groaned. “Gods, what are you trying to do to me?”

Demon tradition dictated that sex was forbidden the night before a bonding. Silly, really—the idea was merely to reserve energy for the bonding that would take place the following night—but those traditions certainly hadn’t been based on an Incubus who drew energy from sex.

“The offer’s there, demon. All you gotta do is let go of your stupid traditions.”

Calix’s head popped up from the pillow, and he smiled. “Is it so wrong for me to want to uphold your virtue for just a bit longer?”

“You’re the only one who seems to be concerned with that.” She sauntered across the room and slid beneath the covers beside where he lay on his stomach, his hot gaze burning into the side of her face.

“Don’t tempt me, woman. We know what happens when an incubus gets too excited.”

“Exactly why I wore this.”

Her body slid across the bed, swallowed by Calix’s massive arms that he wrapped around her. “I’m stronger than you give me credit for.” His voice in her ear brought a smile to her face.

“Yes, but my powers of persuasion can’t be matched, demon.”

“No doubt.” He kissed her ear, and his arms tightened like a band around her middle. “But you underestimate my powers, too, female. Now sleep.”

“Calix!” Ava pushed at his arms to release her, but it was too late. The charm settled over her, and Ava had no choice but to fall prey to it.

A heavy sleep weighed down on her, urging her eyes closed. A second ago, she’d been wide awake, prepared to stay up most of the night with Calix. Probably the first time she’d felt the level of energy that hummed though her body since the night she’d nearly died. It quickly slipped away in the warmth that ran through her muscles, though, like a cozy blanket in winter, bringing with it the sudden yearning to sleep. “N’please. I’wan stay ‘wake.”

“Not tonight, baby.” His lips traced the shell of her ear and he left a kiss at her cheek. “We’ve got a long night tomorrow. You’ll need your energy.”

*

The angel’s wing curled around its body, shielding it from the creatures that circled like vultures. Specs of blood colored the pure white wings, and Ava’s heart sank at the sight of the angel writhing on the ground.

Save him.

Ava lurched forward and lay across the angel, sacrificing herself to save him. Beneath her, she peeled back the wing to reveal long black hair covering the angel’s face.

A female?

The angel turned to face Ava, and the reflection that stared back at her knocked her backwards. She kicked away from what appeared to be a doppelganger version of herself. A pure white angel.

A hiss from behind prompted her to lift her gaze, and horror struck the pit of her stomach, when Calix strode toward her, monstrous in his red demonic form, with his fangs bared.

Ava could only watch as a helpless bystander, as Calix fell to his knees beside the angelic version of her and sank his fangs into her neck.

Ava’s eyelids shot open, and as she sucked in a breath, her attention darted toward the empty bed beside her. She scanned the room in search for Calix, and found him in the corner, crouched against the wall with his head tucked into his body.

“Calix?”

“It was me.” A sadness clung to his tone and struck Ava’s heart.

Momentarily confused, she contemplated his words, trying to puzzle their meaning. “What?”

“I saw your dream. The angel … was you. You were scared.”