Chapter 39
Rami's POV
Between my heart pounding in my chest and the blood rushing through my ears, I’m not one hundred percent sure what’s happening around me. Honestly, I’m not sure why neither of them have commented on how loud either of those things are.
Even with all of that, I’m fairly sure I heard Adriel say that Abraham is the one who cursed him.
What.
The.
Fuck.
Abraham’s breath, who isn’t actually Abraham and is a demon possessing him, continues to blow across my neck, making my stomach threaten to show my lunch again.
My eyes remain trained on Adriel, begging him to come up with a plan.
Preferably one that involves both of us leaving here together.
However, that’s looking less and less like an option.
I can both see and hear Adriel’s resolve breaking.
And when the Abraham-demon asks what Adriel will give for my life; I can see where his mind goes.
Oddly, I don’t find fear or worry there, I see peace. Which seems odd. Until I allow myself a second to realize why Abraham did all of this. He, too, was abandoned by those who are supposed to love you no matter what.
How would I have felt if Adriel hadn’t accepted me?
Perhaps I would have lost my shit too. Likely not summon a demon level of losing my shit. But it still would have been upsetting.
I sigh heavily and relax my muscles; sinking further into Abraham’s grasp.
“Do what you need to do.” My voice sounds stronger than I feel, thankfully.
Abraham’s hold becomes punishing; it's so tight.
“Rami, no!” Adriel shouts, taking another step and hissing in pain.
I want to turn to him. Hell, I want to run to him. But I remain firm in my conviction. My focus is solely on Abraham and that eerie glow from within. He blinks rapidly, forcing the light back and revealing his warm brown gaze.
My eyes widen hopefully.
And when his grip loosens, those eyes drop to mine. “Rami?”
I hate how weak he sounds, but know it’s because he’s fighting back the demon.
The reprieve is only momentary before he falls to his knees, both arms wrapped tightly around his middle and his face scrunched up tight. It appears as if he’s fighting an invisible assailant.
“Kill me,” he croaks out. He’s not looking at me, he’s staring at Adriel. His eyes pleading.
I kneel next to him to get down to the same level. “Abraham, no.” Tears fill my eyes. I don’t want to lose my friend either.
When has life ever been fair, though?
In my experience, it likes to punch you in the junk repeatedly.
“We can fight this.” I feign an assured tone, but am entirely unsure how we’ll even go about doing this.
He shakes his head vehemently. “No. It’s too late for me.” He curls in tighter to himself, grumbling loudly. “Kill me, and the curse will be broken. You two can be free together.”
I open my mouth to tell him not to give up hope, but instead I meet Adriel’s hard stare. His brows and lips are pinched in concentration. My attention shifts between the two of them as they have a stare off.
Adriel dips his chin. The movement is subtle, but it’s enough to watch my whole world crumble.
He closes his eyes, and his hands swirl in a beautiful dance.
Golden dust builds up around him until he’s formed a sphere.
When he opens his eyes, the gold specks sparkle brightly against the torches.
Shooting the ball of magic out, I watch in slow motion as it lands in the center of Abraham’s chest, sending him sprawling backward.
Abraham cries out in pain, despite the smile on his face. A sob wrenches from my throat, and I rush to his side. One hand lands on his cheek as the other grips his hand tightly.
“I’m so sorry, Rami,” he says, his voice straining.
I shake my head, tears streaking down my cheeks. He squeezes my hand tightly, stopping me from saying anything.
“You deserve the world, and Adriel is the one who can give it to you.” He takes a deep, shuddering breath. “I have several stashes of cash and some very valuable antiques in my apartment. Keep anything you want. It’s yours.”
“I-I-I can’t,” I stammer.
“You will.” He lifts his hand and places it flat on my chest over my heart. “You are stronger than you think.”
His hand twitches one last time before he exhales his last breath.