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Chapter 14
RAVEN
No Deal
I would think by now that my tears would run out. I almost wish I was numb again. I’m exhausted from my negative feelings toward everything. I didn’t think it could be this bad without my soul, but I no longer have balance. Things hit me more intensely with the power I’ve stolen from the bastard angels, and I feel as if I will drown in my sorrow and despair. I can’t believe Heaven. I can’t believe fucking Mikail decided to offer a deal that makes the devils hesitate. That makes Elias question his entire existence. He will do anything for me. All of the devils would, and they expect it. If Elias accepts the deal, we will have insurance that Heaven won’t keep me imprisoned. But at the cost of losing my soulmate and one of the dads of my babies? It’s too high. I refuse to let anyone pay that price.
“I’m willing to give up the rise of Hell to get Raven’s soul back. The twins need their mom more than anyone. I cannot fathom living the rest of eternity without her if we fail.” Dante scratches his fingers through his soft hair, keeping his gaze trained on the floor. It hurts me to hear him say the words, but I understand where he’s coming from. He just wants a foolproof plan for my soul. He wants to ensure our forever, even if it breaks my forever with Elias. But it’s more than that.
“We have spent forever trying to build all the levels of Hell. Humanity needs Purgatory. You say everything as if you don’t think we’re going to succeed, Dante. Knock that shit off or I’ll fuck you up.” Kase fists his hand, punching Dante in the shoulder.
I hate that they disagree over this. I know Kase doesn’t want to lose me, but he knows how important Purgatory and humanity are. He knows that I don’t want to be the reason they fail. He carries all of the confidence in the universe that we won’t.
“I don’t want to risk it. It’s been a shitshow. What if something happens and Raven goes into labor in a fucking hour or something? We can’t bring down Heaven in such a short amount of time.” Dante hisses and flashes his fangs, looking as if he’s about to spit venom at Kase.
I should get between them. I should plant a palm to each of their chests and tell them to knock it off. But I can’t find it in me to do anything but sit in the recliner with my hands resting on my belly, feeling the twins tumbling around like they’re also fighting each other.
“I believe this should be Elias’s decision. It’s his soul and eternity after all. It’s a sacrifice he has to make. He is also a father to the twins.” Andre flexes his muscles, preparing to protect himself if anyone decides to attack.
“No. Elias tends to act irrationally and bases his decisions on what he feels is right in the moment. He might feel this is right for Raven right now, but in the long run? She will be a soul in Hell. He would be stealing her chance at taking Purgatory’s throne.” Micah crosses his arms over his chest, glowering at Elias. Elias refuses to look at Micah, and I know it’s because they also have different opinions over the matter.
“We can still make changes to Hell. We can structure things differently. We don’t need all of us. We just need Raven. She brings humanity to us and helps us see things we wouldn’t normally as devils. Elias should go. We don’t even know if he can jump from grace. He’s tried over and over again. Losing Raven on the chance that he might be able to join us isn’t worth it to me.” Zade keeps his voice low, and I turn my attention to him. He frowns and glances away, unable to hold my stare for long.
It probably doesn’t help that I burn him a look and push to my feet, summoning Heaven and Hell power in my palms. I just can’t stand the arguing anymore.
“Raven, please take a breath. We will figure this out.” Andre steps closer to me. “We all just need to discuss things and work out the best option for everyone.”
I snap, my vision turning red. I don’t like being in this position in the first place. Thrusting my hands out, I release my power at the floor, sending the earth beneath the house rumbling. Everyone takes a step back from me, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen them look as fearful as they do in this moment. A part of me breaks inside. Another part of me is relieved that they don’t try to trap me in their muscular bodies. I need time to think. I need a moment where they’re not arguing and discussing matters that I want a complete say in. I’m not allowing Elias to go to Heaven. And I’m not allowing Heaven to keep my fucking soul either.
“You guys have an hour to speak your minds to each other, but just know, it’s not going to change things. We’re going to proceed with this war.” I heave a breath and stride past them, listening to their absolute silence as I march away—or more like waddle my ass toward the elevator.
They all stare at me as the door closes, and I smack the button, taking me to the second story. I’m not sure whose room I’m going to, because I don’t have one for just myself, but it’s going to get locked. I need the hour of peace. At least, just to think without hearing them fight with each other. We’re supposed to be a team.
“You know, nothing’s going to change in an hour. There’s nothing to be worked out. It’s your soul. Elias is your soulmate.” Cassius leans on the doorframe to his room. I don’t think I have even seen it.
“Well, they need to fucking get it out of their system, and I can’t stand listening for another minute about whose soul is worth more.” I close my eyes, forcing my wild emotions to remain at bay. I’m tired of my body reacting to them.
“Why do you think I’m here? I know it’s not my place. I’ve done a lot of reflecting over the last few weeks, and I’ve decided to just give my fate to the universe and the Higher Power. It has been so very long since I’ve truly received answers, except for now. I got an answer the moment I jumped from Heaven. I knew that you were the one to lead me now.” Cassius offers his hand out to me. “Whatever you feel is right will sway me. I don’t need the devils to bash what they want into my head.”
I should just walk past him. I’m tired of hearing all the possible outcomes and how we lose no matter what if we can’t break into Heaven and get my soul back. And I’m not about losing.
“I just want to destroy the veil, drag you guys all into Heaven, and show the guardians who they’re truly dealing with. I just want my soul. I don’t want to make any fucking deals. I don’t want us to act on desperation or sacrifice.” I keep my gaze locked to Cassius’s, staring into his beautiful amethyst eyes, the purple color flashing with streaks of indigo as his blue fire buzzes through him.
He offers his hand to me once more, wiggling his fingers until I finally take it. “Why don’t you hang out with me for a bit? We don’t have to talk about any of that bullshit. I can keep them away for at least two hours if you need. You can soak in the tub or take a nap. If you want to practice manifesting shit, we can do that too. Or I can take you to Hell and we can do whatever you want.”
I tilt my head up, my brows furrowing. “How the fuck is it possible that taking your kingdom in Hell turned you into an angel? This is what I imagine you should’ve been like with your white wings.” With my free hand, I stretch over his shoulder and caress my fingers to his turquoise and emerald feathers. “Though these ones are so much prettier.”
“Just what I always wanted to be called. Pretty.” He smirks with his words, his usually sharp features softening.
“Would you prefer me to call you...a showoff? Because really, what kind of devil are you?” I stretch up, standing as tall as I can, silently begging for him to bend a bit closer.
He chuckles, closing the distance until only millimeters of space remains between our lips. “An awesome one. I have two dicks now, don’t I? I think that gives me an advantage.”
I laugh in exasperation, his comment pushing the negativity right out of me. I never believed I’d be standing in front of Cassius, appreciating his ability to make me smile and laugh as he makes fun of himself...or I guess, acts like the true cocky bastard he’s always been. I know it drives Lucian crazy that Cassius now has two very impressive large cocks in his devil form. Cassius doesn’t say anything, but I know he loves the hell out of it. His pride still lingers. He thinks he’s the shit, and I bet he’ll strive to be even more notorious than Lucian given the chance.
“Yet you haven’t even let me play with either of them. You’re sitting here, mentioning me taking a nap or a bath...but I don’t need that. You should be offering to give me orgasms and other fun entertainment. A better distraction. I want to see them again.” I reach between us and stroke my fingers over his pants, wondering if he still has two cocks in his human form or if they only come out to play when he’s a devil.
Fuck it. I’m going to find out for myself.
