Page 39 of Stalked By Pestilence

I stared at him, a bit dry in the mouth. “Is that why he’s sending others in his place?”

“Yes.”

“And that client…”

“Was him. Demons have influence in the mortal world, even without crossing over.”

I hummed. “That makes sense. So, you think the meeting he wanted was a trap?”

It was weird to see Zelus vacant of his usual flirtatious demeanor, but he hadn’t smiled once since he appeared in Steven’s office. “His demons can’t get to you with me by your side. He’s getting desperate, love. The tactics he’ll use will get bolder.” His eyes glinted. “And slyer.”

I nodded. “And who are you in all of this?”

For the first time, he hesitated. Running a hand through his hair and putting his cup aside, he let loose a breath. “Someone who has a vested interest in your safety, pet.”

Another non-answer, but one that was at least true. I could tell he really believed it.

I hummed and took a sip of my coffee. It was made to absolute perfection, and I was close to moaning my appreciation since Asha always somehow burned it. A special skill I taunted her about any chance I got. But I reigned in my momentary pleasure.

“They keep mentioning a Horseman. I need you to tell me if I’m caught up in something that’s captured the interest of a Horseman, and more importantly, if it’s like they say—is this about the end of the world?”

His eyes widened a fraction, and it confirmed I was on the right track. Not exactly comforting, but at least I hadn’t lost my touch. After the initial shock, his expression hardened.

“Thought so. The end of the world feels like a punch to the gut, if I’m being honest. But I guess it makes sense the minute I decide to become a whole new person, the apocalypse happens. So, what are you in all of this? What are you here for?”

He didn’t hesitate. “I’m here for you.”

“Because I’m someone you need to protect?” I ventured.

Another hesitation. “Yes.”

It wasn’t a lie, but it still felt as if he was holding something back. Like he was telling just enough truth to answer the question but keeping the rest cleverly tucked away.

“Is the end of the world a foregone conclusion?”

His eyes sparked with something, but I couldn’t name it. “No, it’s not, love. Suppose you could say it comes with certain obstacles that could mean it goes either way.”

“And I have something to do with that?” I surmised.

“You do.”

He was impressed I’d figured any of this out. It was in the way he stared at me. Guess he never thought I’d draw these conclusions, and to be fair, it was pretty far-reaching to think I had anything to do with the end of the world over a comment made about a Horseman.

I expected to be panicked about everything, and maybe it was my initial shock or denial talking, but I was rather calm considering. It was nice to be getting answers after days of trying to figure out what the fuck I’d done. They weren’t the answers I wanted, but they were answers I needed.

I tilted my head and regarded him with a calculating stare. “I’m only going to ask you this once, Songbird.” His breathing ceased and his body became impossibly still. “Because I deserve ananswer, and I want to believe you.” His eyes flared with emotion, but I went on after taking a soul-fortifying breath. “Can I trust you?”

He moved too fast for my eyes to track. The kiss was hard and demanding. One of his hands had grabbed around the back of my neck and brought me as close as he could without sending hot coffee splashing into his lap.

After breathing new passion into my body with his kiss, he withdrew enough to look at me. “You can. I promise to protect you, Ems.” The usual humor-tainted twist in his words was absent. In its place, complete sincerity. “Because you’re mine and I’m yours, yeah?”

I thought hearing words like that would make me want to vomit or run for the hills or a terrible mix of both, but they didn’t. Heat swept through me from head to toe before collecting in my cheeks. For the first time in what felt like forever, I was blushing.

Maybe some part of me knew when I caught sight of him in that hallway that I’d fall for him if I wasn’t careful. Maybe the signs over the last week pointed to a potent lure I’d never felt with anyone else. Because when he said he was mine, I’d never been so glad to lay claim to someone. And most surprising, I wanted to be his. Worse, I wanted to believe the things he said.

If I was facing down the apocalypse, I wanted to at least embrace the things I’d been afraid to explore. I didn’t want to regret anything if all of this came to an end.

“Then I guess we have a world to save,” I whispered against his lips, smirking.