Page 91 of Soul Redeemed

“Ornery as ever. He’ll survive.”

Smiling, she pulled her knees up, wrapping her arms around them. “He’s an interesting character. Shame I’ll be shipping off to angel prison. Could’ve shown him a few tricks with the hellsfire.”

“I’m sure he’d have loved that.” Calix shoved his hands in his pockets. “I spoke with Xander. He’s going to talk to his contact and see what can be done. No promises. They’ll likely apprehend you, but perhaps we can strike a deal.

“We?”

“My brothers and I will do what we can. You did us a great service.”

Her gaze fell toward her knees, and she shook her head. “I almost handed her over to that sadistic bastard. You have every right to turn me over.”

“Believe me, I wanted to. But you’ve redeemed yourself. And you deserve a second chance.”

*

When Calix returned to the room, he found Ava sat up in bed, holding three pieces of bacon. The sight of her brought a smile to his face as he closed the door behind him.

“You know, I never really appreciated bacon. I can’t believe I faced the possibility of never eating it again.”

“That’s what you’d have regretted most in death?” Chuckling, Calix climbed into bed beside her and nabbed a piece from the enormous mound Anna had cooked.

“It’s a damn close second.” She licked her fingers, moaning in appreciation, before reaching for another piece.

Calix bit into the salty meat that he certainly didn’t need to survive on, but hell if he could stop himself from eating the addictive shit. Most human food didn’t hold any appeal for demons—except bacon. “And what was your first?”

“You.” Her gaze fell on his, and she leaned over, pressing her lips to his cheek. “You told me even in death. And, as someone who’s been there, I can assure you, it changed nothing for me. You’re my number one, Calix. You’ve always been.”

“Be mine, Ava.” He tossed the bacon onto the plate, and setting it on the nightstand, he straddled her body. “Forever.”

Her smile beamed with happiness, and for the first time, she looked happy. Truly happy. “I already am, demon.”

40

Ava felt sick. Like, truly sick.

Nearly a month had passed since her body had been cleared of the Sang virus, yet the anxiety gurgling in her stomach right then damn near felt like an encore performance, and she swallowed back the urge to spew all over the demons’ gorgeous patio furniture.

Below her, Calla painted a very girly pink polish onto her toes, while Avalon slept in the playpen beside her, in the shade.

“I mean … does it hurt?” Ava asked, tipping her head as she watched from the patio chair.

A chuckle paused Calla’s painting, and she shook her head with a smile. “It’s the most incredible feeling in the world. Unlike anything you’ll have ever experienced before.”

“I’ve been with Calix. Many times. I mean … there’s, like, no surprises.”

“All I can say is, expect to be surprised.” Blowing on the freshly painted toenails, Calla waved her hand over top of them. “Bonding was the most beautiful moment of my life. Next to having Avalon. But in all fairness, I did sort of die during that, so … it’d have to come in a close second.”

“You said … they change during the bonding. Like, do they get aggressive?”

Though she didn’t meet Ava’s gaze, Calla smiled. “It’s a sexy aggressive. Imagine someone so anxious to be with you, and protect you, and make love to you, that they go a little bat-shit.”

A burst of laughter beat through Ava’s chest at the thought. “Reminds me of Calix’s change.”

“Yes, but that was about him. Bonding is about you.”

Ava couldn’t hide the smile creeping over her, the excitement of what the evening and the following day might bring. Her bonding with Calix and the eternal commitment she’d make.

“Voila! Perfectly painted summer toes.” Calla dipped the brush back into the bottle and set it on the table beside her. “You’re going to be perfect.”