Page 131 of Bellamy

The backs of my eyes stung, and my hand balled into a fist.

Galen said something to her. The words sounded distorted. Far away. I couldn’t process them. Simon then rushed from the house and threw himself against Galen, burying his face in my brother’s chest. I tuned them out after that.

My heart was crumbling apart just like the stone. Phoenix and Alastair were with Lucifer, and they only had Lazarus and a few angels on their side.

Clara knelt beside me. “Hey, boo.” Her voice was gentle. It made my eyes water even more. “They’ll be okay.”

“He let go of me,” I whispered, squeezing my eyes shut. I saw Phoenix’s face, saw the sad smile he’d given me before I’d left him behind.

She rubbed my back. “I never thought I’d say this, but your demon isn’t such a bad guy after all. He stayed so he could bring your brother and Laz home, right? You boys have made an impression on him.”

“I never asked him to change or be a goddamn hero,” I said, voice rough. “I only wanted him to stay by my side.”

What if I lost Phoenix? Lust whined. That whine then climbed up into my throat.

Clara patted me once more before standing from the grass. I felt another presence after she left.

“Hey, B,” Daman said, kneeling beside me. “You got a nasty gash on your side. Let’s get you in the house so we can patch you up.”

I didn’t move. As for the gash he mentioned, I didn’t feel it. I was too numb.

“Okay.” Daman moved to a sitting position on the grass, bringing his knees up and resting his arms on them. “I’ll sit here with you, then.”

Minutes ticked by. Daman didn’t try to force conversation, but his presence provided a bit of comfort.

“I’m so selfish,” I said, staring at the sea in the distance. The sun was setting in Echo Bay. The eight-hour time difference took us out of darkness and back into the light. “Lucifer is released from his cage. The world might end tomorrow. But all I can think about… all I care about… is Phoenix.”

“I understand. During the battle in Hoia Baciu when Asa held a dagger to Warrin’s throat to taunt me, all I cared about was Warrin too. I would’ve given Asa the damn key to the celestial realm without hesitation if it meant saving him. I would’ve sacrificed the world just—”

“For one last kiss,” I whispered.

“Yeah.” He turned his head toward the house. Probably looking at Warrin. The two of them were never far apart. I was sure the ice dragon was within his eyesight even now. “Thank the gods I didn’t have to make that choice. Because I’ll always choose him. Every single time.”

“Love turns us into villains.”

“Nah,” Daman said. “I think love just makes us human.”

“Do you think they’ll be okay?” A lump formed in my throat.

“Al is too smart to throw his life away on a whim,” Daman responded. “I know they’ll make it back.”

More minutes passed, and as night fell over Echo Bay, the sun sinking below the horizon, I felt a similar sinking in my chest.

Where are you?

Another whine from Lust.

Then, the air stirred in front of us—rippled. White wings mixed with black ones with purple hues as Alastair and Lazarus stepped forward. Blood ran down Lazarus’ chest, and he visibly struggled to remain standing. Alastair didn’t look much better off. Other angels appeared next, the survivors from the celestial force.

And then I saw him—black horns jutting from battle-disheveled auburn hair, a tail, and whiskey eyes that instantly met mine.

A sound tore through my throat as I leapt to my feet and rushed toward Phoenix. My arms encircled him seconds later, and I hugged him as close as possible, my heart racing and my eyes watering as his smoky scent surrounded me.

“I’m so fucking mad at you,” I said, voice breaking. All the fear that had twisted in my chest dissipated. The relief was crippling. “Don’t ever do that to me again!”

His arms tightened around me. “I won’t.”

Tears finally slipped from the corners of my eyes. I grabbed his jaw and crushed our lips together in a bruising kiss. I’d ask for details about what happened with Lucifer later. For now, I only wanted to feel Phoenix, to taste him. To hold him close and know he was safe.