Page 89 of Demon's Heart

“Okay, but don’t kill him,” Ollie said like he feared Dante would change his mind once he faced Luc. “Not for me. In a world where life after death exists, permanent death seems like too big of a punishment.”

A lightness expanded in Dante’s chest. “You’re right. I promise I won’t make him pay the ultimate price or risk myself.”

“You can kick his ass though. I don’t regret our bond, and I’ll never want to undo it, but it shouldn’t have happened this way. I can still feel him lurking, his hands clawing at me. I hate him. He had no right. Me surviving doesn’t make it okay.”

“It doesn’t, and he’ll pay. Don’t worry.”

“Good.” Ollie shook, sniffling quietly, and Dante held him firmly to his chest. Eventually, he settled, wiping his eyes and sighing into Dante’s chest. “Thank you.”

“What for?” Was Ollie surprised Dante would avenge him? Comfort him? Surely not.

“For talking to me and asking for my input even though I’m new to the magic world. It makes me feel like your partner.”

“You are my partner, Ollie. Even if we’re at the beginning. Having someone to confide in is something I’ve waited eons for, and I’m not holding back. It isn’t the same with Ash or Onyx.”

Dante could lean on his mate in a way he hadn’t with the others. For the first time in his long life, Dante was seen, unconditionally accepted, and cared for by someone who would let Dante do all those things in return.

At its core, that’s what being mated meant.

Dante droppedOllie off at his apartment in time for him to get ready for brunch, then met Ash and Onyx at the sea cliffs. He landed on a rocky outcropping, waves lapping at his feet.

“Then why not come with us?” Ash growled at Onyx. “Not standing against your brother is starting to feel a lot like supporting him.”

“Not standing—not—” Onyx sputtered, his cheeks bright red. “Fuck you, Ash. I’m not supporting him. How far did you have to twist my actions to get to that? We said we’dneverreturn! I’m not willingly walking back into that Hell.”

Fuck, Dante should have gotten here sooner. “We know you’re not supporting Luc, Onyx.”

“Oh?” He rounded on Dante, blue wings catching the light off the ocean and sparkling in an echo of his fiery eyes. “Then what’s Ash, hmm? A big fucking liar?”

“Ash is a pain in the ass,” Dante said levelly.

“Hey!” Ash glared at Dante.

Dante had had enough. “You know Onyx isn’t siding with Luc. There’s no reason to say shit like that. You only do it to make him mad.”

Ash gritted his teeth, jaw muscle ticking, but he didn’t deny it.

“Hmph.” Onyx turned up his nose.

“We’ll be able to escape the Realm of the Damned easily if all three of us go,” Dante said. Onyx was worried, and Dante had to remind him he was safe. “We won’t be trapped. You know I wouldn’t risk that for any of us. And if this other demon can confirm Luc is working alone, then we’ll be set. He won’t be expecting us. We’ll have the upper hand.”

Onyx swept his bangs from his face. “How do I know you won’t lose it and kill him when you see his miserable face? I’m not participating in your eternal death.”

Dante held back a smile. Is that what Onyx was worried about? “I swear I won’t. We’re throwing Luc in that empty cell, that’s all. I promised Ollie I wouldn’t kill him. He doesn’t want an execution in his name.”

Onyx was silent for a long beat. “He doesn’t?”

“No. He’s hurt and scared of what Luc might do, but that doesn’t stop him from being compassionate. Even if it wouldn’t have meant my death, I don’t think he’d have asked for Luc to be killed. It makes me doubly glad I held back.”

Onyx nodded, chewing his lower lip. “There’s no way you’ll go against your mate’s wishes. So…fine. I’ll help you with this. But you fucking owe me.” He jabbed a finger at Ash. “You too.”

Ash rolled his eyes. “Sure, Onyx. Next time you want to go clubbing, I’ll follow along. Harper might have to come though.”

“If I wanted to go clubbing with anyone, it’d be Harper and Ollie, not your sorry ass.”

“My ass is amazing, you prick.”

“For the love of all that is damned, shut up, both of you.” Dante sucked in a breath. Calm. He had to relax. He’d survived far too long with these demons to strangle them now. “I’m going to call a small group of shearwaters to me. Are you both sticking around to see how long it takes our friend to come sniffing, or are we doing shifts?”