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I knew he was right.
The Order of Exorcists wouldn’t care that I had gladly abandoned my throne in Hell for my gift. They would see her as a sympathizer and kill her on sight.
“Fine.” I was defeated but cornered. I hadn’t walked through damnation only to find my reason for existing, just for her to be taken from me by radicalized priests. “I will get you the book, but in exchange, you must do something for me.”
I gave them the list of names that were competing for a spot in the fellowship that Celeste deserved to have. All but one. James Hannigan was mine. He’d made a show of humiliating Celeste in the classes they shared, and I wanted to watch him beg for her forgiveness.
Seere’s ruthless eyes filled with hunger for an opportunity to sink his teeth into someone.
“Consider it done,” Gaap said as his farewell before he stepped through the void. I’d sensed his initial hesitation, but I knew he would deliver.
“Thank you, Seere,” I said.
“There is no need to say such meaningful words. She’s not only important to you, but she’s going to be put in more danger than she realizes. You’ve been her shadow up until now, but soon, you’ll have to be her guard dog.”
His realization was nothing I wasn’t already prepared for. I didn’t need more reasons to latch my existence to Celeste’s. She was mine. My most precious gift. My soul would have to be sent into oblivion for it to leave hers. And even then, I would claw my way across space and time to return to her.
“Are you headed home for the night?” Seere asked.
A tingle in my chest twisted my lips into a smile and told me my next destination. “Don’t wait up.”
Chapter13
Celeste
The tile of the bathroom floor bit into my still-bare bottom as I clutched the small coin Vassago gave me.
Duncan, I was sure, had fallen asleep hours ago, but I couldn’t make my arms or legs move from the spot I had sunk to.
I was driving myself insane by asking the same questions over and over, but the same answers came each time.
How could he have done that to me?
Because he was a monster. A rapist.
Why me?
Because I was in his path.
How could I let him do that to me?
I didn’t. He gave me no choice.
Another gush of burning tears ran down my cheeks. I’d been trying to work up the nerve either to leave or call Vassago.
Both options felt too hard.
My throat was raw from screaming then vomiting. The skin between my thighs was red and irritated from scrubbing the evidence off me.
I looked down at the coin again. It was so simple, battered and crudely carved with his sigil. It felt as if the most valuable part of it was connected to him.
I heard a rumble from the bedroom. Not footsteps or even a call for me, but I held my breath nonetheless. After a few minutes of silence, I shut my eyes and pressed the warm token to my lips.
At first, I only allowed myself to silently move my lips. Then, I stretched out the first letter, then the second and third until I breathed the last. The air thickened and then fullness surrounded me.
His hand cupped my face. “Open your eyes.”
I shook my head.
