Page 77 of Soul Redeemed

Xander’s cheeks puffed up, and he blew out an exasperated breath before turning back around and prodding her forward with a tug. “Right,” he said over his shoulder. “And the real Ava hasn’t left the mansion since she arrived, so what are the odds?”

“Gods, you’re impossible!”

“I’ll give you some credit. You dicked me over pretty good the first time, but that shit doesn’t happen twice.”

Ava yanked on the steel, urging him to stop. “I can’t … go … back there! Please! I don’t belong there!”

“I don’t give a shit.”

“Xander!”

“Thais!” He gave another jerk of the steel and continued on. “I hope you’re down with crosses, sweetheart, because I’ve got a cold steel gem that I can’t wait to strap you to.”

“Calix is going to kick. Your. Ass.” She crossed her arms, leveling her gaze on the bastard angel.

“You’re really into this role. I’m impressed. As for Calix?” He tipped his head, grinning the kind of grin she wanted to scratch right off his face. “No. He. Won’t. That poor bastard is looking forward to a long and happy life with his girl. Who isn’t you, by the way.”

Still pissed off, Ava couldn’t help but chew on her tongue at that. “Oh, yeah? Did he … say that?”

“You see the way he looks at her? Of course you have. You’ve studied that shit, right? Psycho chicks pay attention to that stuff.”

“Xander! For fucks sake, I’m Ava!”

35

Thais hated herself.

Tiptoeing through the dark corridor of the demon’s catacombs, she made her way up the staircase. Wearing the face of the Nephilim female felt like she was mocking the poor female’s demise.

Gods, what the hell would that bastard, Oliver, do, once he had her?

Her hands rattled to the beat of her anxiety, and as she rounded the corner, toward the foyer, every hair on her body stood on end, as she waited to run into one of the demons.

A pudgy female descended the stairs, as Thais climbed them, her head held low to dodge her gaze. A maid, if she had to guess, judging by the apron she wore as she hobbled along in her periphery.

“Oh, Miss Ava! You’re looking much brighter, dear. You were right, sunlight was exactly what you needed.”

“Yes,” Thais muttered and cleared her throat. “I’m feeling better.”

“Looking it, too.” The demon’s voice held a enthusiasm, but she continued on her path. “Master Calix asked for you. He’s in the Wreck Room, getting in some gym time.”

“Thank you.” A sense of urgency burned in her gut, as Thais eyed the many doors at the top of the staircase. She didn’t have a whole lot of time, and with that beastly gorilla-faced demon waiting outside the compound for her, it was only a matter of minutes before disaster could set the plan to shit. It’d already tried a number of times to stake it’s claim to her, stopped only by the skinny human that seemed to have some control over it.

She paused at each door, listening for sound, until she heard a soft voice. Assuming it to be Ava, she padded further down the hall, and on reaching a cracked door, she pushed it open.

A blonde stood in the middle of the room, clutching a baby, and when she spun around, Thais’s heart leapt into her throat. “Ava! I was looking for you.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, I wanted to apologize. For out on the patio.” The blonde shook her head and clamped her eyes shut. “I’m such an idiot. You were talking about not being able to … and I handed the baby to you …. I didn’t mean to be so insensitive. Please forgive me.”

A forced chuckle made Thais want to cringe at how fake it sounded. “You’re forgiven.”

“Good.” She smiled and kissed the baby on the cheek. “Well, I’m going to tell Calix I found you. He was looking for you earlier.”

“No!” A twinge of panic lit her veins, and every thought inside her head blanked to a white void. “I … have to shower.”

“Oh. Well. No problem. I’ll give you privacy, then.” Frowning, she slipped past Thais toward the door.