Page 64 of Judge of Saints and Sinners

I froze, blood running cold at the joy in his words.

Niko moved away, a hand at his jaw. “Yes, it makes so much sense. You were useless to him, yet he came back for you. We weren't sure she was telling us the truth, but now it’s so clear.”

He turned, pacing the floor. “I need to speak with her.”

Her?

“You.” He gestured at two guards. “Put them back inside the cell. The master will be here soon, and he will want to see Lucifer’s heir and his little mate for himself.”

The guards hesitated, and I could tell why. Nephesh was on his knees now, his eyes a soft red glow.

But Niko swatted the air again. “She’s spelled this entire place. He can’t take another hit like that.”

The guards marched forward now, and I didn’t stop myself from leaning over Nephesh and putting my hands through his arm and hauling his immense weight off the floor. Holding my head high, I walked us back into my cell.

When the doors slammed shut, it was all I could to not sink to my knees. Imprisoned again. Nephesh reached for me, his claws skating across my skin.

“I need you to tell me everything.”

“I know.”

“Let’s start with the most basic one.”

Nephesh’s breath caught. He knew what I would ask.

“Am I your soul mate?”

21

Nephesh

For a moment, the pain that radiated through my system went quiet, and my gaze found hers in the dark cell.

“I had not expected you to find out this way.”

Her delicate voice whispered, “So I am? Your soul mate?”

“Yes, I believe so.” I couldn’t hide the bitterness from my voice.

“And you didn’t tell me…why?”

“What life could I offer you?” I snarled back, my wings lifting weakly as my temper rose. “What life would you have with a creature like me? This…” I gestured down at myself. “This is merely a glimpse of what I can do, who I am.”

That silenced her, but only for a moment. “Why wouldn't you give me the opportunity to decide for myself?”

“You are telling me that you would be okay, being with something like me? Forever. Tied to a dying land and the devil himself.”

“You didn’t let me decide for myself. I tried to tell you when you left that I…”

Her little fists balled up on my chest, as if she wanted to hit me but had lost direction.

My heart thundered. “That you what?”

“That I didn't want you to go.”

“I had to.”

“I know. That's why I let you go, you idiot. I just don’t know… I just wish.”