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“Like what?”
“Like that they’re the only species that specifically came from Hell, or there’s some kind of divine interference going on.” He shrugged. “Those are only guesses. Sorry, Aria.”
I wilted a little. Maybe it didn’t really matter in the long run, but I was curious as to the reason behind demons not having bonds other than thrall, apparently. If theycouldhave them, that might cause some real trouble for Hell.
I felt some reassurance go down the bond, but also some questioning, like Sariel wasn’t sure why I’d even asked about this.
With that, the older hybrid left us to our own devices, tucking the dusty old book under one arm and waving his goodbye.
“Well, that was… interesting,” Sariel said slowly, leaning back on his palms. “But it really didn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know or suspect, anyway.”
“I think the familial bonds are interesting. I’ve never heard of something like that between friends. Even packs don’t telepathically communicate, usually—they just run off body language and barks.”
He hummed in agreement, head cocking to one side thoughtfully. “You’d think that people would talk more about the different types of bonds, but everyone is obsessed with the mate one instead of digging into the real issues. Like the fact that bonds exist in the first place. Where did they come from? Are they magical or biological?”
“It has to be magical, right? I don’t think we can just evolve to have a hive mind when we meet certain people,” I argued, and Sariel laughed, pushing himself up and then offering me a hand.
Letting him haul me up from our floor, I took in the little empty apartment and silently promised that I would take Atlan’s advice and try to build a life.
Sariel and I deserved one.
Even if we weren’t in love.
That thought stuck with me long after my mate left with a kiss on my forehead, chasing me around the compound as I made my regular stops.
Everyone assumed that mate bonds caused instant love, but mine hadn’t—and I was absolutely positive that was deliberate. Sure, I was attracted to Sariel, but did I love him? No, I didn’t think so. I cared about him, certainly, but to claim I was in love with him meant that I couldn’t live without him.
Okay, well, Icouldn’tlive without him, but less because of love and more because if the man got too far away, my body started raging against me until I was nothing more than a sobbing mess of sensation.
I shuddered at the phantom pains, rubbing my sternum with a frown. Why hadn’t I done that when Barimuz stole Sariel? The man had been in anotherdimension,for crying out loud!
I decided that answer wasn’t worth hunting for. The only ones who could explain it were hanging out in Hell like they didn’t have a care in the world, and I would rather not visit again so soon, even if Barimuz had pulled through last time. Despite my best efforts, I hoped the Archdemon wasn’t in too much trouble for helping us.
He’s probably fine if he’s still speaking for Lucifer,Sariel commented, and I rolled my eyes affectionately at his eavesdropping.
You’re right. I just feel shitty about it all.
Because I’d used the last lingering effects of his shapeshift to convince him that he wanted to help us escape Lucifer’s clutches. I wasn’t sure why the ancient fallen angel was concerned with Sariel and me at all, but it was clear that he wanted me to sign my soul over. After talking to the Archdemon, I wasn’t keen on it.
Sariel was relieved by my change of heart, but it honestly just made me feel selfish. According to everyone we’d ever met, he would end up in Hell when he died, so why shouldn’t I go with him? We were supposed to be together in everything, after all.
That’s a stupid thing to feel guilty about.
A jolt of pain radiated from the bond into my cheek, and I could practically hear his grunt of irritation.
Are you seriously sparring and trying to talk to me right now? Focus, Sariel!I reprimanded, rubbing the phantom ache away with a huff of laughter.
Neo is more than happy for me to be a little distracted, pup.
I was absolutely positive the Heaven-appointed angel would disagree. He’d been more or less a big bundle of angst and aggression for ages now, and he couldn’t properly let out all the steam if his sparring partner was busy coddling his… girlfriend? Was Sariel my boyfriend?
The thought nearly stumped me because, all of a sudden, it had weight to it.
I brushed it off.
ButI’mnot! That hurt!I protested.Go avenge me or something.
Sariel’s amusement nearly overshadowed the silent apology I felt trickling over before he slipped away again. I just shook my head.
