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Ollie’s cheeks heated. “No, not really. But how the hell am I supposed to know?” It occurred to him how strange it was that Ash and Dante were both older than dirt and had only recently mated.

Wouldn’t they have wanted a partner long before now?

If mates were forever, and you only had one, why had they waited? How did Ash know Harper was the right choice? How could Dante not regret mating with Ollie to save him?

“You aren’t supposed to know,” Onyx said more kindly. “Don’t worry, Dante will take care of you.”

“I don’t need to be taken care of,” Ollie muttered, even though warmth spread from his core to his fingertips. “Why are you really here?”

Onyx laid back in his seat, resting his head on the sink. He waved his hand as if requesting Ollie get on with washing his hair. “I wanted to check you out after Dante told me what happened.”

Ollie bit his cheek and turned on the water, testing the temperature. Don’t ask about the beach. Don’t ask about the beach .

“I’m sorry my brother is such a fucking asshole,” Onyx went on. “Not believing Ash and Harper were a bonded pair was no excuse for doing what he did.”

“What do you mean, your brother? Like actual brother?” Dante had said Lucifer was like family for thousands of years, but not actual family.

“Yes, Luc is my actual brother.” Onyx made a humming sound. “What do you think is worse, being the Devil’s sibling or the spawn of Satan?”

“Um…” How was Ollie supposed to answer that?

“That’s Harper, by the way. Supposedly . My brother’s spawn, many generations removed.”

Ollie cringed. Did Harper know? “That’s fucking weird.”

Onyx choked on a laugh, tilting his head back to get another look at Ollie. “You’re not bad,” he said like he was reluctant to admit it and surprised at the same time.

“Thanks?” Ollie ran the water over Onyx’s hair, tilting his head gently to guide him back into the right position. “How’s this temperature?”

“Meh.” Onyx waved his hand again. “Make it as hot as you can stand. Everything feels lukewarm when you have internal fire.”

Ollie turned up the hot water and washed Onyx’s hair.

The demon remained quiet. What kind of small talk were you supposed to engage in with an immortal? Ollie could ask about Onyx’s work like he did with everyone else, but it felt strange to talk about art and the gallery after talking about the Devil.

Back at Ollie’s station, Onyx eyed Ollie through the mirror. “You seem to be taking all this well.”

Ollie scoffed. “You should have seen me this morning.”

Onyx’s brow furrowed. “What happened this morning?”

“Nothing. It seems having my throat ripped out is going to leave some lasting damage.” It just wasn’t physical.

“Of course it will.” Onyx shook his head like he was exasperated. “It’s a good thing you’ve got eternity to get over it.”

Ollie grabbed a hair brush. Eternity. His stomach dropped and he almost tripped over his feet. He knew he was going to live forever—Dante had mentioned it—but he hadn’t actually thought about it.

He’d never have a normal human life. He probably wouldn’t age. How long until people noticed? He’d have to go into hiding like a vampire out of a teen movie.

How could he hide and have a life?

What if one day, far in the future—assuming he got over his relationship issues—he wanted a partner or kids? Did he not get any of that now? He might have worried he’d never be ready for a relationship, but the potential had always been there.

Ollie said he wanted to remain friends with Dante, but forever was a long time to ignore his feelings. Would Ollie’s attraction to Dante fade? What if it didn’t? Would Dante ever want him back?

Would Dante want romance and a family with someone else?

Onyx spun his chair around. “You’re freaking out.”

“No, I’m not,” Ollie snapped.

Onyx pointed a finger. “Yes, you are. You’re panicking. I can see it in your eyes.”

“How am I supposed to be fine with living forever all of a sudden?” Ollie hissed so no one else could hear. “I had the loosest hold on what I wanted my mortal life to be, and now what? That’s all irrelevant? And it goes on forever?”

Ollie didn’t want his life to change unless he chose it. He hadn’t asked for this.

Onyx shook his head. “Your plans aren’t irrelevant. Just think bigger. If anything, you’ll get more than you ever wanted. Besides, you get to be my friend now. Things are looking up for you already.”

Ollie rolled his eyes. He appreciated Onyx making light. “ We’re friends? I hadn’t realized. Wait. Is that why you’re here? To buddy up with me?”

Onyx scowled. “I’m here because I was rude to you at the gallery, but I didn’t know you were anyone special, so it’s not like I did it on purpose. I want a do-over. I kind of fucked up meeting Harper and don’t need a total repeat.”

Onyx was so sulky. Ollie wanted to laugh. “You did come off pretty pretentious at the gallery.”

Onyx glared.

“But Dex loved meeting you, so I suppose I’ll forgive you. We can be friends if it means that much to you.”

Onyx settled back in his seat, looking put out. “Good, but don’t invite me to anything boring. I only do fun. And I don’t like hanging out with Ash, so unless you and Harper leave your mates behind, don’t bother calling.”

“What about Dante?” A flare of irritation filled Ollie. Did Onyx not like spending time with him either?

“Dante’s…fine,” Onyx said as if he were admitting something he usually kept to himself, and Ollie relaxed. “I’m hoping he’ll be a lot less hopeless now that he’s got you.”