Chapter 50
L.
The rain stops by the time I reach the house. Everyone’s still perched around the kitchen table, mugs of tea steaming before them as I enter the kitchen, water droplets spattering the wood floor behind me.
Nate jumps out of his chair and enfolds me in a hug. “Devica, we were getting worried. You’ve been gone for hours.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” I hug him back before handing Mom her dripping coat and umbrella. “It took me a long time and an unconventional stop to figure out what to do.”
Nate pulls back and studies my face. “You decided?”
I nod, my throat pinched. “I have to go home. They need me there, for more than tonight. I think there’s a reason Mom got pregnant when angels shouldn’t be able to, and why Father was given an heir he never believed possible.”
Nate leads me to his seat at the table so I can unlace my boots. “Why?”
I toss them in the corner, then rest my elbows on the table and take a grateful sip of the hot tea Mom sets in front of me. It both soothes and burns me at the same time, like the words I need to somehow say.
“Father’s been down there so long, he’s forgotten how to be impartial,” I say. “He missed things, like he did with you, Nate. But it’s not like he could be banished further. So he was given me—someone with the ability to see both the good and the bad in people.”
Mom takes my hand and cradles it in her lap. “That’s a lot on you.”
“It is.” I raise my chin and smile at her. “But I’m strong. I’ve survived a lot, and I’m still here. I can do this.”
Nate kisses the top of my head. “I’m proud of you, Dev. I’m going to miss you more than I can comprehend, but I’m so damn proud of you.”
I tilt my head back so I can meet his eyes. Their blue hues swim with tears that he blinks away.
“I’m going to miss you, too, but if I think about that part too much, I won’t do this.”
Attero gives me a small smile. “I know it’s not the same, but I promise you’ll have at least one friend down there. You won’t be alone anymore.”
I smile back. “I appreciate that, Atty.”
“What do you need from us?” Nate asks.
I’d concocted a plan on my flight home. Well, “plan” is a definitely more solid than what I’ve come up with.
“Weapons,” I say. “I have my sword, but that won’t be enough to beat Ferus. He’s strong. And determined. That’s a bad combo.”
“I think I can help,” Mom says. “Why don’t you change out of those wet clothes and meet us back here? Nate, Attero, come with me?”
Atty gives me a nod before following the others down the hall. Closing the door of my room, I lean my forehead against the wood, my breath shallow. A tear races down my cheek, and I swipe it away with the back of my hand.
Saying the words is one thing. Actually doing this is going to be harder than breaking Nate out of Hell. I’m leaving everything I’ve ever wanted for the one thing I’ve never wanted.
I walk to my closet and select the dress I’d taken from the castle. Mom’s patched it and slit it where the rips were, so it hangs like ribbons around my legs.
She’s also cut an inch off the bottom and added gold beading that matches my wings to the bodice so that it sparkles when the light hits it. The final touches are the loops sewn into the fabric on either side for my weapons.
I tie my hair into a high ponytail with one of the extra pieces of fabric she trimmed from the dress and head back into the kitchen.
Nate’s jaw widens when he sees me. He combs the hair from his forehead. “Damn, Dev. You look… I mean, wow. But it’s missing one thing.” He holds out my sword, and the blade glints as it catches the light.
“Thanks.” I take it without looking at him, sure my face is the color of my dress at his stare.
It slides into the loops easily. Of course it does.
I wouldn’t expect less from an angel. I swallow the lump threatening to choke me into staying and gesture to the wooden chest on the table. “What’s that?”
Nate laughs. “Your mom definitely has weapons.”
“How?” I ask. “You’re an angel.”
“Demons may be more notorious for violence,” Mom says. “But never count out angels. We aren’t exactly known for peaceful transactions. Some of these were even used in the famous war against your father, I believe.”
She lifts the lid of the chest, and I gasp as the kitchen light catches the contents. Weapons fill the box to the brim—broadswords that seemingly glow by themselves. Bows made of pure silver with matching arrows. Small daggers with diamond-encrusted handles.
“Holy crap,” I breathe.
“Literally,” Nate says, holding up a dagger with a cross carved into the hilt. “It’s a chest of ‘holy’ crap.” He stabs at the air, his brows furrowed and his voice low. “Take that! I told you you’re no match for my blade. Not today, Satan. Not today.”
Shaking my head, I lay my hand over his. “This isn’t one of your action movies, Nate. Ferus isn’t going to fall at one of your jokes.”
Nate shrugs and drops the blade on the table. “It’s not my fault he doesn’t have a sense of humor.”
I lift a large sword from the chest. It appears to be pure silver, but it glows white within the blade when I touch it.
The handle is etched with feathers, making it easy to grip, as my fingers sink into their divots.
A sword this large should be heavy, but it’s as light as the feathers that decorate the hilt.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathe. “What’s making it glow like that?”
“All of these are forged with angel blood, meant for banishing evil,” Mom says. “They’ll make quick work of anything in Hell.”
I slip it into the second loop of my dress as Mom grabs a round bag filled with silver arrows and a matching bow. She hauls the quiver over her shoulder and slips her arms through the straps.
I frown. “Mom, you know you and Nate aren’t coming with me, right? It’s not safe. You’re both mortal now. You could get hurt in Hell. Or worse.”
“We can help, Dev.” Nate shoves the dagger into his belt. “Something tells me your mom knows what to do with this stuff, and I can handle myself. I know kung fu, remember?”
“Saying something over and over doesn’t make it true.” I tug the blade from his belt and point it at his chest. “I’m sorry, but I’m not willing to chance your life, Nate. I worked too hard to make sure you have one. And I’m doing this to make sure you get a proper afterlife, too.”
Nate grimaces. “Morbid, much?”
I place one hand on my hip and raise my eyebrows. “I’m about to fight a rebellious demon in literal Hell so I can become its ruler. I think it’s safe to say I have morbid covered.”
Rounding the table, I hand the dagger to Attero. He shrieks as his skin hisses and drops it onto the floor, clutching his hand to his chest.
“Atty?” I touch his shoulder. “What happened?”
He holds up his blistered skin, still smoking black. “Demon blood meets angel blood. The two don’t get along. Except in you, apparently.”
Mom hands him a tea towel to wrap around his hand. “I should’ve mentioned that. Your angel half protects you, Devica, but Attero won’t be able to use them.”
“That’s fine.” I grab my own sword from my hip and hold it out. “Take mine, Atty.”
He weighs the weapon in his hand, drawing his finger along the curved blade. “Are you sure? You’ve had this forever.”
I pick up the dagger from the table and shrug. “I’ll get it back from you when we’re home and this is over. After all, you’re going to be my right-hand demon.”
He lifts his head to meet my gaze. “You really want that?”
I let out a stream of air.
Although Attero almost turned me into my father, he also changed his mind. He was the only one on the bridge who wasn’t firing at us as we flew toward the portal.
And he’s put himself in danger by even coming here.
If I can’t take down Ferus, Atty will be killed for his betrayal. He had his moments of weakness, but in the end he got it right.
I smile. “I’ll need someone I can trust in battle. And I’ll need a friend beside the throne. You’ve proven yourself to be both by coming here and warning me. Do you accept the job?”
He leaps from his chair and pulls me into a hug. “I’d be honored. I’m so glad to have you back, Dev.”
I return the embrace, a warmth settling in my belly as we reconnect. “Me too, Atty.”
Nate clears his throat, and I release Attero, who holds out his uninjured hand. “You have nothing to worry about, Nathan Reynolds. I’ll keep her safe down there and hold down the fort when she comes to visit you here.”
“Call me Nate.” He takes Attero’s palm and squeezes. “And thanks for keeping an eye on her. Even though we both know she can take care of herself.”
They watch as I slip the small dagger into my ponytail and wink at them.
“That she does.” Attero bends toward Nate and whispers, “She kinda scares me, if I’m being honest.”
“Me too,” Nate whispers back. “It’s super hot.”
“I can hear you, you know.” I slam the wooden chest shut, my cheeks reddening. “If you’re finished bromancing, it’s time to go.”
Nate gives me an approving look as Attero rams my sword into his belt. Mom nods at me and heads to the door, the others trailing behind her.
I’m the last to leave the house, and I turn back for a moment and allow my gaze to roam over the walls reminiscent of the sky. My chest aches. This is the only place that ever felt like home.
I reconnected to the most important people in my life here—Atty, Nate, my mom. This is where I learned about love and how to wield it. Even though the temperatures in Dominus would break Earthly thermometers, they don’t compare to the warmth within these walls.
I wipe a tear off my face as I close the door behind me.
None of us speak the entire drive, the knowledge of what’s about to happen silencing even Nate’s chatter. He squeezes my hand and tries to give me a reassuring smile, but it’s lost in the sadness of his eyes.
My ring presses into my flesh as we draw closer to the portal, and I swallow the bile in my throat. I’m not strong enough for this. I don’t know how to say goodbye.
Mom parks, and I pry my fingers from Nate’s grasp before opening the door and staring down the portal. “Attero. Can you go ahead and scout the area? I need a minute.”
“On it.” Attero bows, then leaps into the circle of air and disappears.
I turn to the two people left and take a deep breath. My shoulders shake. I can’t do this.
Mom pulls me into a hug and presses her forehead into mine. Her golden eyes fill with tears. “I’ll miss you more than I can say, but I’m proud of you. You’ve become an amazing young woman.”
“I get it from you.” I dab at one of the tears on her cheek and try to smile. “I love you, Mom.”
“Love you, too.” She squeezes me one last time and takes a step back. “Remember you’re welcome back here whenever you want. My door is always open. Make me proud, Devica.”
I swallow hard. “I’ll try.”
Nate opens his arms, and I rush into them, burying my face in his chest. He’s wearing the “My girlfriend saved me from Hell and all I got was this lousy shirt” T-shirt I’d custom-ordered online for his deathiversary—which was also the anniversary of the day we met.
He said it was the best gift he’d ever received.
I sniffle against the raised font. “I don’t know how to say goodbye to you.”
He brushes a loose strand of hair from my face. “This isn’t forever. I’ll see you again soon. After you kick Fungus’ ass. Which I have no doubt you’ll do.”
I give him a half smile. “You sure have a lot of faith in me. More than I feel in myself.”
“I just know in my heart this isn’t how our story ends.”
Nate lowers his head and kisses me, slow and sweet. His fingers curve around my neck, pulling me closer, before they settle in my hair. I murmur against his mouth, the salt-water taste of tears hitting my tongue. Whether they’re mine or his, I can’t tell.
Mom clears her throat, and I break the kiss reluctantly, my cheeks heating under her gaze.
Nate traces a line down the side of my face. “I’ll be forever grateful to you, Devica. You saved my life, twice. This heart beats again, not only because of you, but for you.”
I poke him in the chest. “You’re so lame sometimes.”
“You love it.”
“I do.” I peer up at him. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He kisses me one last time. “Now, go save your home. I’ll be here when you’re ready to visit. Don’t take too long, okay?”
I peer over his shoulder at my mom, blinking the tears out of my eyes. “You’ll take care of him?”
She plants her palm on his arm. “Like my own son. Which, of course, means keeping to the plan of getting a GED, then starting college.”
Nate groans and throws me a pleading look. “Is it too late to change my mind and come with you?”
“Sorry.” I shrug. “I worked too hard to get you out. You’re stuck here.”
He glances at my mom, and they exchange smiles. “Guess it’s not so bad to find a forever family.”
Mom wraps an arm around him. “It’s not.”
“Ick. Don’t drown in that fondue while I’m away.” I take a deep breath and step in front of the portal. “I’d better go. Attero is waiting.”
Mom holds Nate close to her side. “Bye, hon. Don’t worry about us. We’ll be okay here.”
“Goodbye, Dev,” Nate whispers.
“Not goodbye, Nathan Reynolds,” I remind him. “Just ‘See you soon.’ I love you both.”
I look up. The clouds have finally parted, giving me a clear glimpse of the stars that pattern the California sky. There aren’t many, and they’re so far away that I have to squint to see them, but I imprint them on the memories I’ve made with Mom and Nate like they burn by the thousands.
Then I close my eyes and leap into the portal.