Page 107 of Not Today, Satan
“Atty?” I touch his shoulder. “What happened?”
He holds up his blistered skin, still smoking black. “Demon blood meets angel blood. The two don’t get along. Except in you, apparently.”
Mom hands him a tea towel to wrap around his hand. “I should’ve mentioned that. Your angel half protects you, Devica, but Attero won’t be able to use them.”
“That’s fine.” I grab my own sword from my hip and hold it out. “Take mine, Atty.”
He weighs the weapon in his hand, drawing his finger along the curved blade. “Are you sure? You’ve had this forever.”
I pick up the dagger from the table and shrug. “I’ll get it back from you when we’re home and this is over. After all, you’re going to be my right-hand demon.”
He lifts his head to meet my gaze. “You really want that?”
I let out a stream of air.
Although Attero almost turned me into my father, he also changed his mind. He was the only one on the bridge who wasn’t firing at us as we flew toward the portal.
And he’s put himself in danger by even coming here.
If I can’t take down Ferus, Atty will be killed for his betrayal. He had his moments of weakness, but in the end he got it right.
I smile. “I’ll need someone I can trust in battle. And I’ll need a friend beside the throne. You’ve proven yourself to be both by coming here and warning me. Do you accept the job?”
He leaps from his chair and pulls me into a hug. “I’d be honored. I’m so glad to have you back, Dev.”
I return the embrace, a warmth settling in my belly as we reconnect. “Me too, Atty.”
Nate clears his throat, and I release Attero, who holds out his uninjured hand. “You have nothing to worry about, Nathan Reynolds. I’ll keep her safe down there and hold down the fort when she comes to visit you here.”
“Call me Nate.” He takes Attero’s palm and squeezes. “And thanks for keeping an eye on her. Even though we both know she can take care of herself.”
They watch as I slip the small dagger into my ponytail and wink at them.
“That she does.” Attero bends toward Nate and whispers, “She kinda scares me, if I’m being honest.”
“Me too,” Nate whispers back. “It’s super hot.”
“I can hear you, you know.” I slam the wooden chest shut, my cheeks reddening. “If you’re finished bromancing, it’s time to go.”
Nate gives me an approving look as Attero rams my sword into his belt. Mom nods at me and heads to the door, the others trailing behind her.
I’m the last to leave the house, and I turn back for a moment and allow my gaze to roam over the walls reminiscent of the sky. My chest aches. This is the only place that ever felt like home.
I reconnected to the most important people in my life here—Atty, Nate, my mom. This is where I learned about love and how to wield it. Even though the temperatures in Dominus would break Earthly thermometers, they don’t compare to the warmth within these walls.
I wipe a tear off my face as I close the door behind me.
None of us speak the entire drive, the knowledge of what’s about to happen silencing even Nate’s chatter. He squeezes my hand and tries to give me a reassuring smile, but it’s lost in the sadness of his eyes.
My ring presses into my flesh as we draw closer to the portal, and I swallow the bile in my throat. I’m not strong enough for this. I don’t know how to say goodbye.
Mom parks, and I pry my fingers from Nate’s grasp before opening the door and staring down the portal. “Attero. Can you go ahead and scout the area? I need a minute.”
“On it.” Attero bows, then leaps into the circle of air and disappears.
I turn to the two people left and take a deep breath. My shoulders shake. I can’t do this.
Mom pulls me into a hug and presses her forehead into mine. Her golden eyes fill with tears. “I’ll miss you more than I can say, but I’m proud of you. You’ve become an amazing young woman.”
