staring off into the
blackness. Luke was nearby; I could feel his presence on my skin.
My chest tightened as I considered what Limos was requesting. All
angels were protected. When we’re in the presence of danger and the
emotion of fear is released, an automatic shield from him surrounds us, causing our lights to shine big and bright. No angel
had ever tried to shut that off. But perhaps no angel had ever had
a reason to even try. In my haste to get Cole back, I never
considered Limos would require this of me. Now I didn’t have time
to think about it, nor did I have other options. There wasn’t
enough time for another plan. Either I find a way to remove my
sense of danger, or this deal would not be made.
I gave a long sigh as I turned to face the
demon. “When can I have Cole back?”
“By the death of three days from now.”
“Where?”
Limos chuckled but it wasn’t pleasant. “We
must meet here, my child. Typhon’s Earth is not within my
perimeters at the moment.”
I put my hand on my hip. “I thought you’d
grown more powerful?” I said it like a question but it sounded more
like an insult.
Limos growled, his eyes glowing a deeper
shade of red. “That is not your concern, nor is it part of this
deal!”
I’d hit a nerve—goody for me. But I’d also
confirmed that Limos was afraid to enter Typhon’s territory, which
meant Limos was even weaker than I’d thought. So whatever minions
he’d have at our little meeting at midnight three days from now
would be more inept than him. Luke’s army shouldn’t have any
problem defeating all of them…including Limos.
I cleared my throat. “You understand,” my
tone crisp, “that if I meet you here to get Cole back, then you
must allow me some time to return him to Earth before I give myself
to you.”
“That is correct.” He rubbed his hands
together, claws scraping against each other. “I will even allow you
extra time for your little amnesia problem.”
I pondered what he said, then replied,
“Okay. After I take Cole to Earth, I will need at least twenty-four
hours before I can attempt to return here.”
His eyes slanted into a glare. “That is far
too long!”
Feeling confident, I inched closer. “Take
it, or leave it! That is my offer.” I closed my eyes and forced
away any fear that might have been lingering inside me. “If you
agree to the terms, you may touch me.”
I squeezed my eyes, concentrating as hard as
I could on Cole. All of this was for him. Even though the words I
said to Limos were truthful, the unsaid reality gave me strength.
Limos would never really have me. I wouldn’t leave Charon without
seeing for myself that Limos was destroyed. Then, and only then,
would I orb Cole and everyone helping me back to Earth.
Suddenly, I felt claws tracing my cheek—not
hard enough to break the skin, but still digging in. I opened my
eyes and watched Limos as he touched me. I could sense his
uneasiness, but it wasn’t strong enough to make him remove his
hand.
I’d done it. Somehow, I’d really done it.
I’d suppressed my fears and allowed a demon to touch me. My insides
felt so tangled I thought I would suffocate. I could feel my aura
growing darker, leaving behind a filthy residue…one I might never
be able to wash away. I’d been so confident mere moments ago, while
now I felt nervous, insecure, and violated. I tried to swallow, but
I couldn’t feel anything past the throbbing of my heart penetrating
my body like an earthquake.
A smile stretched across Limos’ black,
demonic face, revealing a glimpse of yellow, pointy teeth. No more
words were needed. The agreement was made. Laughter erupted from
his mouth as he vanished inside the same orange cloud that had
brought him here.
“Selene…”
I jumped back about a foot, then swung
around to see Luke. “Don’t do that!” I breathed.
“Sorry. I just saw that demon was gone, and
I wanted to see if you were okay.” He gently rubbed my arm. “Are
you?”
I brushed
blackness. Luke was nearby; I could feel his presence on my skin.
My chest tightened as I considered what Limos was requesting. All
angels were protected. When we’re in the presence of danger and the
emotion of fear is released, an automatic shield from him surrounds us, causing our lights to shine big and bright. No angel
had ever tried to shut that off. But perhaps no angel had ever had
a reason to even try. In my haste to get Cole back, I never
considered Limos would require this of me. Now I didn’t have time
to think about it, nor did I have other options. There wasn’t
enough time for another plan. Either I find a way to remove my
sense of danger, or this deal would not be made.
I gave a long sigh as I turned to face the
demon. “When can I have Cole back?”
“By the death of three days from now.”
“Where?”
Limos chuckled but it wasn’t pleasant. “We
must meet here, my child. Typhon’s Earth is not within my
perimeters at the moment.”
I put my hand on my hip. “I thought you’d
grown more powerful?” I said it like a question but it sounded more
like an insult.
Limos growled, his eyes glowing a deeper
shade of red. “That is not your concern, nor is it part of this
deal!”
I’d hit a nerve—goody for me. But I’d also
confirmed that Limos was afraid to enter Typhon’s territory, which
meant Limos was even weaker than I’d thought. So whatever minions
he’d have at our little meeting at midnight three days from now
would be more inept than him. Luke’s army shouldn’t have any
problem defeating all of them…including Limos.
I cleared my throat. “You understand,” my
tone crisp, “that if I meet you here to get Cole back, then you
must allow me some time to return him to Earth before I give myself
to you.”
“That is correct.” He rubbed his hands
together, claws scraping against each other. “I will even allow you
extra time for your little amnesia problem.”
I pondered what he said, then replied,
“Okay. After I take Cole to Earth, I will need at least twenty-four
hours before I can attempt to return here.”
His eyes slanted into a glare. “That is far
too long!”
Feeling confident, I inched closer. “Take
it, or leave it! That is my offer.” I closed my eyes and forced
away any fear that might have been lingering inside me. “If you
agree to the terms, you may touch me.”
I squeezed my eyes, concentrating as hard as
I could on Cole. All of this was for him. Even though the words I
said to Limos were truthful, the unsaid reality gave me strength.
Limos would never really have me. I wouldn’t leave Charon without
seeing for myself that Limos was destroyed. Then, and only then,
would I orb Cole and everyone helping me back to Earth.
Suddenly, I felt claws tracing my cheek—not
hard enough to break the skin, but still digging in. I opened my
eyes and watched Limos as he touched me. I could sense his
uneasiness, but it wasn’t strong enough to make him remove his
hand.
I’d done it. Somehow, I’d really done it.
I’d suppressed my fears and allowed a demon to touch me. My insides
felt so tangled I thought I would suffocate. I could feel my aura
growing darker, leaving behind a filthy residue…one I might never
be able to wash away. I’d been so confident mere moments ago, while
now I felt nervous, insecure, and violated. I tried to swallow, but
I couldn’t feel anything past the throbbing of my heart penetrating
my body like an earthquake.
A smile stretched across Limos’ black,
demonic face, revealing a glimpse of yellow, pointy teeth. No more
words were needed. The agreement was made. Laughter erupted from
his mouth as he vanished inside the same orange cloud that had
brought him here.
“Selene…”
I jumped back about a foot, then swung
around to see Luke. “Don’t do that!” I breathed.
“Sorry. I just saw that demon was gone, and
I wanted to see if you were okay.” He gently rubbed my arm. “Are
you?”
I brushed
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