In my experience, it likes to punch you in the junk repeatedly.
“We can fight this.” I feign an assured tone, but am entirely unsure how we’ll even go about doing this.
He shakes his head vehemently. “No. It’s too late for me.” He curls in tighter to himself, grumbling loudly. “Kill me, and the curse will be broken. You two can be free together.”
I open my mouth to tell him not to give up hope, but instead I meet Adriel’s hard stare. His brows and lips are pinched in concentration. My attention shifts between the two of them as they have a stare off.
Adriel dips his chin. The movement is subtle, but it’s enough to watch my whole world crumble.
He closes his eyes, and his hands swirl in a beautiful dance. Golden dust builds up around him until he’s formed a sphere. When he opens his eyes, the gold specks sparkle brightly against the torches. Shooting the ball of magic out, I watch in slow motion as it lands in the center of Abraham’s chest, sending him sprawling backward.
Abraham cries out in pain, despite the smile on his face. A sob wrenches from my throat, and I rush to his side. One hand lands on his cheek as the other grips his hand tightly.
“I’m so sorry, Rami,” he says, his voice straining.
I shake my head, tears streaking down my cheeks. He squeezes my hand tightly, stopping me from saying anything.
“You deserve the world, and Adriel is the one who can give it to you.” He takes a deep, shuddering breath. “I have several stashes of cash and some very valuable antiques in my apartment. Keep anything you want. It’s yours.”
“I-I-I can’t,” I stammer.
“You will.” He lifts his hand and places it flat on my chest over my heart. “You are stronger than you think.”
His hand twitches one last time before he exhales his last breath.
Chapter 40
Adriel's POV
Istare from a distance, too afraid to move. The dull ache all over fades, telling me the curse really is gone. But I remain rooted to my spot.
What will Rami think of me now that I’ve killed someone? And someone he was friends with.
The look of devastation on Rami’s face twists my insides into knots.
He doesn’t move until the magic keeping Abraham alive this long fades, leaving a blackened spot on the ground.
The aether rumbles as Torgaz is released from their vessel. Rami jumps to his feet and runs behind me.
Smart man.
I can’t help but smile at him.
Circling my hands, I form a quick sigil and mumble an incantation to ask Mother Earth to send the demon back wherehe belongs. Thankfully, She agrees with me and sends his ass back to the underworld quickly.
I remain vigilant until I sense the aether return to normal. I turn to find Rami hugging his middle and shaking. Threading my fingers with him, hoping to calm his panic, a thrill runs through my body as I touch his flesh without pain.
Something snaps in me, finally feeling his flesh against mine, and I release him to cup his face and pull his lips to mine. It’s like the stars have burst behind my eyes. His lips are even softer than I remember. I sweep my tongue into his mouth, relishing in his taste.
When I pull back, his chest rises and falls dramatically. And those big blue eyes stare deep into mine.
“C-Can we go home?” I glance back at my little hut in the woods, and he chuckles. “My home. Well, my grandmother’s home.”
I nod. “I’d like that. And perhaps try out this contraption you call a shower,” I tease.
He chuckles beautifully. “Of course.”
With our hands threaded together, we walk to the boundary of my territory. I hesitate. Staring at the invisible barrier that’s kept me in place for the past almost four hundred years. Rami squeezes my hand in encouragement and steps over it. I slide my foot forward. When no pain engulfs my body, I take another tentative step. Each one is nearly enough to send me back to my house in fear. But Rami’s steady presence gives me the strength I need to keep going.
