“My daughter is under the misconception that I used her to hurt you,” Bael informed me, startling me from my task of spreading mustard on a sub roll.
I glanced up at him with an arched brow, a look I often bestowed upon the Archdemon when we were together. “Oh?”
Bael gave me a look. “We both know why she’s predisposed to feelingused, hmm?”
I grunted, returning to my assembly line of cheese, meat, and bread. “You made that blood vow knowing full well it would weaken me, Bael. Denying it doesn’t change your intentions.”
The Archdemon fell silent for a moment, then sighed as he moved to take over a stool at the counter across from me. “Fine,” he muttered. “Maybe it started that way. But I do care about my daughter.”
“Is there a reason you feel I need to know this?” I asked, bored already. “Is this some sort of misguided attempt at having a father-suitor conversation with me? Because I think we’re beyond that point, Bael.”
“No, Kay can handle herself,” he replied. “But there’s a reason I hid that holy blade from her all these years, Ezra.”
My gaze lifted to his once more, curious. I didn’t speak, just told him with my eyes to continue.
“We might share a history, you and I, but that doesn’t mean I want you dead,” Bael said. “And my daughter is hell-bent on killing you.”
I couldn’t argue that point. I also couldn’t say I blamed her. So I remained silent.
“I kept her in Hell to protect her. I’d also hoped it would help her forgive you in time, to understand that sometimes our choices are for the better good. But I don’t think she ever fully grasped your sacrifice in all this.” Bael reached over to snag a bag of chips, opening it without asking and stealing a chip.
Rather than comment, I finished putting the sub together and grabbed a knife to cut it down the middle.
“I’m shocked you never came for her,” he continued, his voice amused. “I honestly expected you to bend first.”
“Why? Because you were cheating by using your dreamwalking abilities to see Johanna despite our agreement?”
He grinned. “I didn’t touch her. Not corporeally, anyway.”
“Mmm,” I hummed, very aware of how he’d circumvented our pact. Technically, he was right in that he’d never truly violated our blood vow. He’d just found other creative ways around it. “Did you think it would entice me to visit?”
“Yes,” he answered honestly. “But you proved as honorable as ever.”
I scoffed at that. “Not sure Kayla would agree.”
“Probably not,” Bael murmured. “Which means you’re going to have to work very hard to win her over.”
“What makes you think I intend to win her over?” I countered. “Maybe I’ll kill her instead, like Mietek recommended.”
Bael evaluated me for a minute, then slowly shook his head. “No. Your honor won’t allow it. And neither will your heart.” He pushed off the stool to stand, taking the bag of chips with him. “Tell my daughter to find me tomorrow. We need to talk.”
“Sure,” I drawled. “I’ll pass on the message.”
“You will,” he agreed, his leathery wings unfurling as he prepared to fly out the door. “Your honor won’t allow any other recourse.”
With that pronouncement, he flew off into the night, his flight reminding me of a bat more than an Archdemon. Silent, deadly, and swift.
Impressive, I thought, sensing the burst of energy in his wake.Very impressive.
He’d definitely grown over the last few decades, marking now as the right time for him to seek Johanna as an outlet. However, we both knew his desired connection went deeper than a mere need to expel power.
Bael had reached out before his time because he wanted Johanna as a mate. Which was precisely why he’d denied me access to mine as a form of punishment when I’d gone to Hell to take Johanna from him.
It’d all been a twisted, fucked-up version of fate.
One that had played out to an end none of us had enjoyed.
I found a replacement bag of chips—the same brand Bael had taken with him—to go with the subs and assembled it all on a tray.
