Page 53 of Hunted By Fear

She moves to get out of bed, and I have to hold my hands in my lap to stop myself from reaching out to keep her with me. “That’s so sweet! And so are the treats, thank you so much.”

She all but launches herself into his arms. For a moment, I worry she might get hurt, caught on his built-in body armor, but I know it was for nothing when I see the way he holds her.

He would never allow anything to happen to her.

“What is happening?” Ruin asks, reminding me that he’s here too, and apparently Aeri realizes it as well and quickly steps out of Lucifer’s arms. I can see the embarrassment written all over Aeri’s face, and I know she isn’t going to tell him. Other than our mentioning it earlier at breakfast, I’m not sure she even fully understands it or grasps the importance of what happened.

Lucifer doesn’t offer an explanation either, instead turning to glare at Ruin.

Have you ever been glared at by the devil? It’s not an easy thing to withstand, but Ruin doesn’t back down, and after a few moments, I know I’m not the only one surprised by that.

“Looks like you finally grew a backbone.” It sounds like an insult, and to anyone else it might be, but with Ruin I know it’s not.

Before we fell, Ruin looked up to Luce more than anyone else, maybe even more than he did the big guy. Some of us fell with him by association, but others chose to follow Lucifer, like Asta and Kai.

I would have bet my life Ruin would have followed him, followed us… but he didn’t. The day we were cast from Heaven, he was nowhere to be found.

Luce said it was for the best, that he was too soft for Hell, and up until recently, I’d agreed.

It seems Aeri is having an effect on all of us.

“Aeri?” Ruin’s voice is so gentle, as if afraid he might scare her away. She’s stronger than that, but I can see why he might be nervous, and unfortunately, filling him in on all that he missed isn’t going to help ease his worries.

Aeri doesn’t answer, but she glances up at him through her lashes. “Sunshine?”

Her cheeks turn that beautiful shade of pink I love so much, and she rolls her eyes.

“What is up with all of you and these damn nicknames?” The smile on her face doesn’t match the annoyance I know she’s going for, and I’m not the only one who notices.

“Got a hug for your favorite mechanic?” Ruin asks, making Aeri snort a laugh, but it seems to do the trick and breaks the tension. She shakes her head but still moves into his outstretched arms. I swear I can see some of the tension leave him as he breathes her in.

“So who wants to fill me in on what I missed?” Ruin asks, looking between me and Luce.

Aeri steps back, and Ruin has no choice but to let her go, though it looks like he wants to do anything but.

“Come sit down, and we can share some treats, and maybe Bast can fill you in.” She looks at me, the question in her eyes, and I nod, unable to tell her no. It doesn't matter what she wanted from me; I would say yes, and that’s dangerous.

“I’d tell you myself, but a lot of it’s fuzzy.” Her lips press in a firm line, but I see the sadness in her eyes.

“Those treats are for you, Aerilyn, not the overgrown pigeon,” Luce says, glaring at Ruin. He does it quickly enough that Aeri doesn’t catch it as he turns to her with a smile, leaving Ruin to look at him like he’s never seen him before.

“I can share; I don’t mind.” Lucifer purses his lips, and I know he’s fighting the urge to argue with her.

He’d brought those sweets because it’s his way of showing affection for his mate, something he has no idea how to do, I’m sure. But Aeri doesn’t understand that yet, and from the looks of it, Luce doesn’t want to be the one to explain it.

It’s all very entertaining and kind of adorable.

A howl pierces the air, loud and monstrous, and I see the goosebumps that pepper Aeri’s exposed skin on her arms.

“What was that?” she asks, looking around the room before her gaze falls on me. I can’t stop the feeling of pride that wells in my chest, having her turn to me for answers, trusting me, despite her mate being here as well.

Lucifer answers before I can. “That would be a needy hound.” He rolls his eyes, but I know he loves those bloodthirsty, feral-ass demon dogs.

“Hounds? Like hellhounds?”

“Exactly like that, Moonlight.” Lucifer moves toward the bed as if entranced by her, as he lets his eyes roam over her.

“Um…” Again, she turns to me, and this time I’m not the only one who notices. Lucifer’s smile melts off his face as he looks at me, his eyes narrowing.