Page 37 of Crimson Devotion
“I have eyes and ears everywhere, little sister. You’d do well to remember that the next time you go after an entire fucking pack!”
“In my defense, they always attack me first!”
“How many packs have you killed so far?”
Aurelia pauses, looking at the ceiling, doing the mental math. “Thirty-eight, give or take.’’
My heart sinks to my feet. The number is higher than I’d anticipated. She goes after lone wolves, too, and I thought they were her main target. Sure, I was aware of her flair for taking out entire packs, but not once did I imagine she’d be able to kill thirty-eight and still be alive to tell the tale.
Vampires might be strong, but an angry werewolf isn’t someone I’d want to fight. I’d win, but it would be a fight that would take a toll on me. They’re callous, worse than us, and insanely intelligent. They’re servants of the moon, and they roam the forests freely, which is why there’s little to no chance of finding one in the city. The forests are their territory, and they know it better than we’d ever know it.
“And you want me to believe that all thirty-eight started fights with you?”
She shrugs, her nonchalance grating on my nerves. My jaw clenches, and the urge to throw her out the window almost takes over. With a deep breath, I close my eyes, trying to regain my composure.
“Listen to me, Aurelia.’’ I open my eyes, voice low, thethreat behind my words undeniable. She freezes for a moment, then swallows thickly. “Lucifer will wake up soon. The moment he finds out you’ve been killing werewolves for fun in his absence, he’ll punish you.’’
Aurelia’s face goes slack, and I can tell that she’s seriously considering my words. Her shoulders slump, and she avoids my gaze like the plague, eyes glued to her lap while she fiddles with her fingers. It’s one of her nervous habits I’ve grown to learn over the centuries spent together.
“Alright,’’ she mumbles. “I’ll tone it down.’’
“You won’t tone it down,’’ I hiss. “You will stop.’’
“Fine.’’ She sighs, reminding me of a petulant child. She’s definitely pouting, too.
“Now, you’re free to go, Aurelia. I need to speak with Valerio.’’
She stands up, stomping out of the study. She’s not going easy on the door, either. She slams it with all her might, and it breaks off the hinges. Valerio shoots me a pointed look before he walks over to the door, trying to fix it.
“Just let it be.’’ I shake my head at her antics. “Have you found out anything about the other thing I’ve asked of you?””
If anyone knows the library, it’s Valerio. He spent too many hours in there and could probably recite every book, front to back. That’s the only reason I told him to find me anything that would explain why my heart started beating again and why I have a mate.
He turns to look at me, still trying to fix the door. “All I was able to find is that the mate bond between you two is so strong that it got your heart beating again.’’
“Which is weird, given that I’m dead. Does that mean I’m reverting to a human?”
“God, no,’’ he responds, eyes widening as if I just slapped him across the face. The horror in his eyes makes me laugh. “Matesare often found in werewolves, sometimes even mermaids. Never vampires. And the cases with vampires were just old tales; nothing’s confirmed. I was unable to find any names, or anyone who would be able to help. All I did find was that you and Faith were meant to be together.’’
“Evidently,’’ I draw out, words dripping with sarcasm.
“There doesn’t have to be a logical explanation, Ophi.’’ He smiles softly. “It just happened. Who knows why? All that matters is that after all you’ve done for us, all the sacrifices you’ve made, and all the struggles you’ve survived, you finally found someone you can call your own. Someone who will never leave you, and someone who loves you for who you are. Enjoy it. Embrace it and stop letting your doubts get to you.’’
“Stop reading me like that,’’ I mumble, looking away.
Valerio’s right.
I’ve been terrified that Faith will wake up one morning, decide that she wants more of life, and leave me behind. That kind of pain is something I would never be able to survive. The thought of losing her, the other half of me, the reason I’m alive — and the reason I can feel the heartbeat in my chest again — hurts. It hurts, and if she does leave, I know I’ll have nothing else to live for.
She’s all I want, all I need.
My perfect, sacred Heaven.
“That’s easier said than done.’’
Valerio manages to fix the door, then comes to sit across from me again.
“You seem convinced that Lucifer will wake up soon. Why?”
