Page 129 of Protected in Darkness
“I need a drink,” he grumbled.
“Then let’s meet in the bar,” he told him, referring to the recreation space underground.
“I’ll let the others know,” Stygian said.
When they disappeared, Obsidian made his way into his bedroom. The instant his eyes landed on Penelope, a sense of calm came over him. And when she smiled, more warmth spread through his entire being.
“I heard you out there,” she said, dropping her legs over the side of the bed. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“You’re welcome anytime,” he assured her.
“Is everything all right?”
He went on to explain the statuses of his brothers and their ongoing searches.
“I’m sure they’ll find them,” she said softly.
“The question is, will they find them in time?” He exhaled heavily, then sat in the leather chair beside the bed.
Penelope came over, allowed him to pull her into his lap.
“In time for what?”
“Before…” He wasn’t sure he could say the words out loud.
“Before what?”
He cleared his throat. “Before God eliminates them.”
Penelope’s sharp inhale had him realizing how harsh that sounded.
“Eliminates them? You mean kills them?”
“Like you and me, my brothers’ souls are tethered to theiramsouelot. If Lucifer gets his hands on anamsouelot, he gains access to her mate’s soul. In essence, we become his warrior. Considering our powers, God won’t allow that to happen. He’s ordered Michael to eliminate theamsouelotif thelintamairhasn’t been completed.”
“The mating ritual?”
Obsidian nodded.
“You mentioned it’s a formal thing,” she said, her fingers trailing over his scalp, as though she was trying to soothe him.
“Yeah. And it requires a full moon, which, as you probably know, only comes around once a month.”
Penelope’s hand cupped his cheek, urging him to look at her. Obsidian met her beautiful golden eyes.
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
He shrugged.
“As for thislintamair,” she said softly. “What does it entail?”
He purposely shook off the thought. No way could he even think about it now. Not if he expected to hold on to his sanity.
“Before Asmia heads out with the others,” he told her, purposely changing the subject, “I was going to have her give Winnie a tour of the mansion. Figured you could facilitate.”
Penelope’s eyes shuddered, her disappointment in his deflection clear. “Okay. And while I do that, what will you be doing?”
“Talking to thefiestreigh. Getting their assignments nailed down. Perfidious and Seraphina are on the move. We need to be prepared for their arrival in Darkness. And we have to be on top of our game.”
