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Elias slides out of me and pulls me into his arms, breathing deeply until both of our racing hearts slow. He strokes my arm with his fingers, not saying a word as we cuddle beside Andre, using the cushions as a bed. The summoning circle dims as we relax and my unending wave of lust tames.
Everything snaps into place as I suppress my desire and remember what happened. Andre’s power and pheromones really got to my head, though I don’t regret it. He only gave the little push I needed to do what I desperately wanted to with Elias.
“Fuck,” I mumble, propping myself on my elbow. “This was so wild and so good, but now that you banged some sense into me...tell me everything. How are you here?”
Elias stretches his arms over his head with a groan, drawing my attention to his nipple piercing. I can’t stop from gliding my finger over it, wanting to memorize him in this moment while saying a silent thanks to the universe that he’s here and alive and real.
“Short version...I played fucking Lucian and Cassius. Darlin’, when you feel like you’re on your death bed and feel like a failure, you get desperate.” Elias tightens his jaw and meets my gaze. “I almost don’t want to tell you everything that went through my mind, thinking that I failed you. The last fucking place in the universe I ever want you to be is a goddamn slave to Lucian.”
I frown, unsure of what he’s getting at and why he feels the need to explain himself. “Just spit it out. You made a deal, didn’t you? But Cassius? He’s working with Lucian? What the actual fuck?”
“Take a breath, little hellion. It’s not the kind of deal you think. They are not working together, and neither of them knows that Elias is here, and we must keep it that way. It’s why I waited so long to bring you here. We couldn’t allow Lucian to figure out that Elias isn’t as selfish as he thought.” Andre sits up and expands his wings. “Lucian and Cassius both yearn for a future where you don’t succeed, no matter what happens to your soul.”
I search his eyes and turn to Elias. “I still don’t think I’m following. Lucian wants my soul. He’s made it clear.”
“At first he wanted it regardless. Now, he wants you to give it to him and only him without you taking a throne. He’s more concerned about rising above everyone and is willing to give you to Heaven to ensure it. Cassius encouraged it. That fucker tried to use me to manipulate Lucian and send our souls to Heaven. You’re the most important woman and soul in the universe, Raven. You will change everything, and now, you can without the chains of Lucian binding you.” Elias pulls me closer until I sit on his lap. “And unfortunately, my life and death helps determine whether you take your throne.”
I blink a few times, studying my hands and staring at the ring Micah gave me. “So those bastards had tried to arrange things to send my soul to Heaven just to prevent me from completing our mission? And you went along with it to get away? How did you escape?”
“Cassius is so full of himself that he didn’t think that I’d do anything for you—he has it in his head that Heaven is the only thing you could want and not the devils. I stabbed his wing, punched him in the nuts, and stole a car.” His face lights up with his words. “And Lucian now thinks I’m being protected by the bastard to die in peace. When I die, your contract with him ends.”
My eyes widen. “That fucker. We have an impending deal as well. If I fuck him, he’ll help me find you or void my contract if he fails.”
But why? Why would Lucian go through all this trouble with making deals to guarantee my contract ends? I don’t understand.
“I don’t know, darlin’,” Elias says, sighing.
“We will figure it all out, but until then, Elias must be kept safe. Lucian will end his life for that reason.” Andre rubs his chin. “And it seems Heaven wants to do the same thing, considering it looks as if Elias’s soul might fall into grace. His binds to Hell are weak.”
“Shit,” I mutter. “He has to be Hell-bound and unclaimed by a devil for me to take. If he’s not—”
A crash outside the house startles me, cutting my words off. Bright light shines through the window, and Elias rushes to grab my clothes.
Andre growls, the threatening noise reverberating through my bones.
The front door flings open, and I squint at the shining light.
“Zade?” I ask, seeing the familiar angel. “What the fuck?”
He stands silently, his flaming sword drawn. “You have to go. They’re coming.”
Andre roars.
