Page 54 of Hunted By Fear

“What’s wrong?” I ask, ignoring his hurt ego in favor of what really matters.

“Won’t they, like, eat me or something?” Aeri asks, her voice quiet as if nervous for Lucifer to overhear.

“Absolutely.”

“Of course not!”

Both Ruin and Luce answer at the same time before turning to scowl at each other.

“Don’t lie to her; yourhoundsare dangerous, and if she’s going to be staying here, she needs to know to stay away from them!” Ruin seethes, and I see the concern in his eyes.

“Myhoundswould never hurt her!” Lucifer defends, the shadows in the room feeling just a little darker as his temper flares.

But even as they argue, I keep an eye on Aeri to ensure she’s handling this okay. Their fighting might be entertaining to me, but if it’s going to upset her, then I have no issue putting a stop to it.

That isn’t necessary, though, because her eyes volley between them, a small smile on her face that lets me know she finds this just as entertaining.

That is, until she hears what Ruin says next.

“How many imps and succubi have they torn apart over the centuries?” Any amusement melts away, replaced by horror.

“What?” Her voice is little more than a shocked squeak, but it pulls both of their attention, making them turn to look at her and her very pale face.

“Aerilyn, my hounds would never harm you. I swear it on the River Styx.”

Well, that happened.

“You can’t know that!” Ruin demands, moving into Lucifer’s space, looking ready for a fight, and Aeri sees it too.

“Stop. Please, it’s fine. I just won’t go near—”

The fire in the fireplace rages out of control, and Lucifer’s eyes change, the whites of his eyes bleeding black as his irises go red.

“Nothing in the realm would dare lay paw or claw on my mate!” His voice booms loud enough that I’m sure most, if not all, of the castle heard him.

A moment too late, he appears to realize what he said and gets himself under control.

“Mate?” Ruin asks, turning away from Luce to look at Aeri, and I can see the pain in his eyes.

“Ruin, please just sit. A lot has changed, and it’s going to keep changing.” I tell him, solemnly nodding toward the spot on the bed that Aeri offered only a few moments ago.

Aeri sits, quiet, eyes fixed on her hands in her lap as if unable to look at anything else or meet anyone's gaze.

I hate it, but I know I can’t fix it. Not yet, at least.

Catching Ruin up takes the better part of the day. I knew a lot happened; I was here for it every step of the way, but saying it…

Fuck, it sucked. Aeri hadn’t been herself for all of it and had yet to ask what happened. I could see the fear and panic on her face as I explained what she missed while she was with Rome and every time she fell back under his mind control.

Lucifer didn’t make it but a few minutes before he stormed out.

He’d joked when we brought her here, called her ‘Rome’s mortal,’ and I get the feeling he very much regrets that now. He couldn’t tear his gaze away as I recalled the months she was gone, months with Rome, and while she doesn’t offer any details, I know he’s imagining the worst.

I do.

It’s a lot, and by the end, I can see the toll it’s taken on Aeri to hear it all, to relive the things she already knew and learn that there was more. The fact that this isn’t over hangs over her like a physical weight I wish I could take away.

Judging by the deep frown on Ruin’s face, he feels it too, if not a little sick about it all. I don’t blame him. He’d just seen Rome not long ago.