Page 44 of Crimson Devotion

“You do know that Australia also has a lot of clothing stores, right? I could always buy you something new.’’

A scoff slips me before I can stop it. “And waste money? No, thank you.’’

Ophelia looks ready to protest, but a mere glance from me is enough to shut her up. She sighs, then walks over to her closet. At the back of it is another smaller suitcase, which she brings to me, putting it next to the bed.

“Is this enough?”

I beam. “Perfect. Thank you.’’

“Alright, now that’s been settled, we should—’’

Her words get cut off when a loud clashing noise fills the surroundings. She freezes, and before I blink, she’s gone. Immediately, I shove the suitcase off me, following her scent. It lingers in the air, and it leads me back down to the basement.

The door of Lucifer’s room is wide open, and when I step inside, a gasp leaves me.

Ophelia’s next to his casket, frozen, unmoving.

Lucifer is gone.

All that’s left behind in the casket are his gloves, tossed aside. Ophelia sucks in a sharp intake of breath, her eyes closing for a moment. It’s relief, mixed with something that could only be described as worry.

“Well…you were right about him waking up.’’

“May Lord protect Yvonne, because once Lucifer gets his hands on her, she’s done for.’’

“You think he went for her?”

She tosses something at me, and I catch it with ease. It doesn’t take me long to realize it’s the note Yvonne put in his pocket. The piece is crumbled already, anger radiating off it.

“Oh, God,’’ I sigh.

“Oh, God, indeed.’’ Ophelia turns to look at me. “Is it terrible that I’m happy I got my brother back?”

I shake my head, a small smile gracing my lips. “Of course not. I know how much you missed him.’’

“I wouldn’t say I missed him—’’

“Really?” I cut her off, my voicelaced with sarcasm.

“Fine, I might’ve missed him a little.’’

Ophelia laughs, taking a few steps toward me. She takes a quick glance at the room, then reaches for the small note in my hand. She pockets it, then intertwines our fingers together.

“At least we won’t have to worry about anyone babysitting him,’’ I joke, and she chuckles.

“And we could finally go to all the places you wanted to visit without any rush.’’

We walk out of the room, hand in hand, the creaky door closing behind us. I’m not sure why, but I’m relieved that Lucifer’s woken up, too. It’s as if the weight has been lifted off Ophelia’s shoulders, and she seems more at ease now.

I know she’s right to believe Yvonne will have a difficult time dealing with a very angry vampire, but somehow I’m not worried. She’s a capable witch, and more than that, she must’ve seen this happening from a mile away.

Instead, I choose to focus on the life we’re slowly starting to build. Ophelia’s hand tightens around mine, and that’s all the encouragement I need. We’re about to live the happiest times of our lives, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Just the two of us.