Page 54 of His Atonement

Gods, this was stupid.

So fucking stupid.

I let myself get wrapped up in all these ridiculous feelings, let my absurd thoughts run wild, and now I'm dealing with even more uncharted territory. I'm split down the fucking middle between avoiding Frankie for the rest of our shared time because of the deep hurt and pain she has caused me, or running back to that cabin, throwing open the doors and begging her to accept me right in front of Allie and Andrej. I’d even drop to my knees in front of all of them before proclaiming Frankie as my ma—

I stop dead in my tracks and blink. Do it about forty more times before I shake my head.

Absolutely absurd.

Clearly the she-devil has worked some black magic on me, made me feel and think these things that I refuse to think and feel.

Yes, that is it.

That has to be why I almost said what I will never say, almost claimed Frankie to be mymate.

I am demon, a demon older than most, hardened to the world of humans and their emotions.

I am demon and therefore will never find my mate, most likely do not have one, and am happy to be without.

There is no fucking way Frankie is my mate. We practically hate each other, and can barely tolerate being in the same room for more than five minutes at a time. It is an impossibility; therefore, is completely untrue.

I have no mate, for I am demon.

A pet demon completely controlled by my sister and totally reliant on poison plants for normalcy, but a demon no less.

I probably just need to smoke a blunt or two, have a good wank, and then pass out in bed.

Yes, that's it. I'm just overdue for my treatments and my addictions have simply caused my mind to play tricks on me.

Then why does it still feel like Frankie ripped my heart out of my chest, stomped on it, then put it in a box where it will remain with her always?

My pace slows to a crawl as the main house finally peaks over the horizon and I sigh.

This night has sucked major donkey balls, as my gem would say, and when I catch sight of a larger than life shadow looming by the pool house, one that causes my hair to stand on end and stomach to churn in disgust, I know it has only gotten worse.

"What are you doing here?" I hiss as I duck behind the building. "You know the fae queen will sense your presence, actually fucking see you if she is still in the main house."

He who shall not be namedgrins that twisted grin. "I come bearing good news. Wanted to share it immediately."

Which means that it isn't actually good news and is most likely something that will make me hate him more than I already do.

But I just fold my arms against my chest and wait.

"The Caster of Shadows, The Destroyer, The Unmerciful One has agreed to give you your soul earlier than I intended."

I roll my eyes. "You never intended to give it back."

He tilts his head side to side, his fangs gleaming in the moonlight. "No, I suppose I did not, but I have struck a deal with The Destroyer himself on your behalf."

Well, this isn't going to be good. Not one fucking bit.

"The Caster of Shadows has promised to take your soul from me, keep it safe outside of the shadows with him, and he will return it to you sooner than I ever would have."

"And what did you have to promise him in return for such an uncharacteristically kind act?"

His smile grows, becomes malicious and terrifying even to me. "I promised him a soul in exchange, one of the purest and most sought after."

I frown, the pit of my gut churning in a painful way. "And how do you intend to track down such a thing?"