by Zoey Woods
When I looked to Lucifer behind me to confirm, he nodded.
“So we find out what’s happening with them.” I waited for both of them to move back from each other before I continued. “Then we take our proof to father and get him to help us fix this bomb inside me.”
“Fine. I’ll search here.” Lucifer walked toward the strip club but I grasped his arm.
“This is serious.” I paused. “How long do I have, anyway, before I spontaneously combust?”
His brow pinched. “Thirty days.”
Chapter 25
“A month?” Part of me was shocked it was that long and not days. The other half of me wished I had more time.
Elion gritted his teeth but took my hand. “We heal you, whatever it takes. Together.”
“Gah,” Lucifer made a gagging noise. “I’m allergic to mushy stuff like this.”
“You’d better do right by your sister, devil, or I will rip you into pieces.” Elion straightened.
Lucifer gave me a bow. “You have my word. I will do everything I can to find out who is taking the souls and for your cure.”
I let out a breath that stuck to my throat. “Okay. Elion and I will search too.”
“Good hunting.” Lucifer nodded to Elion, then brushed imaginary lint off his black, button-up shirt and headed toward a bus stop.
Once he was out of sight, Elion pulled me into his embrace. “Do you believe him?”
He didn’t have to explain which part he was talking about. His worry was that Lucifer wouldn’t help us and that he was guilty of stealing the souls. I was putting my trust in the devil. A laugh bubbled up from my lips.
Elion glanced down at me in concern.
“It’s okay. Just the irony of all of this. I’ve always protected my brother, and he depended on me. Now I have to trust that he’ll do the right thing.”
“Hey,” Elion lifted my chin with his fingers. “You’ve got me too, remember?”
I brushed a kiss across his lips, my body singing with love and joy. Didn’t matter that I only had a short time left. I was going to enjoy every second of it.
“Since we’re here on earth, I’ve always wanted to try something.” I took his hand and led him up the alley.
“Oh? What about finding out about the righteous souls and your cure?” He frowned.
“Tomorrow. I want to have one day with you and fun.”
He walked beside me, bringing my fingers up to his mouth and kissed my knuckles. “What do you have in mind, beautiful?”
“Promise you won’t laugh,” I said. At his arched eyebrow, I continued. “A carnival. I want to eat hot dogs and popcorn and cotton candy. Go on all the rides until I puke. Then I want to spend all night making love to you.”
On the sidewalk, he drew me into an embrace. Humans walked around us. Some giving us curious looks. Elion kissed me hard and deep until my knees weakened. An appreciative whistle sounded.
We broke off and the human who had whistled gave Elion a high-five.
“How about we shift up your plan a bit.” Elion placed his forehead against mine gently. “Let’s make love before and after your carnival.”
“That’s a deal.” I beamed. And even though I didn’t have all the answers or a way to stop the bomb that would kill me, I had love. That was everything I could need or want.