Page 175 of Wicked Believer

I’m not certain how I feel about that.

Azrael reads my expression easily. “Your body. Not your heart. He asked, should something happen to you, for me to spare your life once more. Go against fate. He was desperate to protect you. I don’t think he ever truly expected for me to take him up on it.”

I shrug. “But still, he offered.”

I’m not sure why that hurts me.

Yet another thing I have to unpack.

“Sometimes that strategic mind of his is two steps ahead of his heart.”

“You think that he—?”

“Planned for this? No. At least not initially.”

I squint, my expression turning pensive. “And what didyouget out of it? The deal between you both?”

He smirks at me. “Who do you think asks the questions here?”

I flush, glancing down slightly. “So, we’re really going to do this then? You, Lucifer, and me?”

Azrael shakes his head softly. “I ... wouldn’t say that, but if you want a choice, little siren, I’ll be that choice for you.”

My breath hitches. “I can’t make any promises.”

“Neither can I.”

He moves closer, and I feign an interest in my hands. “And you should probably know that before Lucifer—”

“You’ve got a lot of darkness in your history. You and me both.” He tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear, leaning into me.

My eyes fall to his lips, and I nod.

But that’s all the permission Azrael seems to need.

His mouth is on mine in an instant, a subtle onslaught that’s as forceful and deliciously suffocating as he is. He comes forward, easing on top of me, nearly knocking us both off the ledge. I tug him closer, my hands fisted and tangled in the material of his shirt.

Death’s kiss is a transformation.

The beginning and the end all in one.

Like life anew after the annihilation of everything I once was, everything I am, and everything I will be.

And maybe . . .

The choice that binds Lucifer and me together.

I’m not certain there was ever any other path for the two of us—no, thethreeof us—but this. Whatever and wherever it leads, we’ll find a way forward. I’ll make Lucifer see.

It was always supposed to be like this.

When Azrael pulls away, his lips hovering only a fraction above mine, we’re both breathing heavy, the shock of what’s just passed between us feeling like a revelation.

Its own kind of apocalypse.

Azrael glances down to where he’s positioned overtop me. Like he knows as well as I do where this could go if we both allowed it.

“I should get back to him,” I say, placing my hand on his chest.