Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Azroth paused and gazed at Matteo for a long time. That was surprising. He’d not expected such a tone or look from the young man. Maybe he was more interesting than he’d initially given him credit for.
“We did not kill them, at Luke’s request,” Azroth replied, watching the human closely. “However, we have fixed it so that they will never bother you, Luke, or anyone else again.”
Matteo grunted, his eyes lowered to stare at the floor. “I’m not sure I agree with Luke.”
Azroth sat up and scooted to the edge of his chair. Matteo was very interesting. “You think we should have devoured their souls and sent them to Hell.”
“I think even Hell is too good for them,” Matteo snapped. His eyes blazed with anger as he looked at Azroth. “I had to hear Luke’s panicked voice and his pain. I heard him pleading for them to leave me alone. Luke is the sweetest, gentlest person in the world. How could anyone mistreat him like that? He didn’t do anything to them, but they still attacked him. They probably meant to kill him.”
“They did.”
“See! Why should they be allowed to live?”
Azroth smiled. “Because Luke is a kind and gentle soul. He wants to give everyone a chance, whether they deserve it or not.”
Matteo sighed, and the heat of anger seemed to leave him. “Then maybe Luke is better off without me. I’m not good enough for him. I think you should have tortured them until their hearts exploded.”
Oh, sweet, bloodthirsty human.
Now Azroth wanted to keep this one as well.
“I believe you are perfect for Luke because you are not like him.” Matteo shook his head, clearly not understanding. “Think of all the trouble Luke will get into on his own because of his gentle, forgiving nature. He needs someone who will help protect his fragile heart and body. On the other hand, you need someone to temper that tiny little black spot inside you. The perfect match.”
Matteo’s expression softened, and it looked as if he wanted to grasp the lifeline that Azroth was extending. The only problem was that it was a demon who was tempting him.
The interesting human took a couple of steps closer and gripped the back of the chair he’d been sitting in just minutes ago. “But, you’re demons. You’re supposed to be evil. I’ve been taught my entire life to avoid all evil things.”
Azroth groaned and threw up his hands. “It’s a job.”
“Huh?”
“Being a demon. Serving the dark prince of Hell. It’s a job. We answered summons and collected souls, but right now, think of it as—we’re on an extended vacation. We’re not collecting souls because we don’t have to.”
Matteo stared openmouthed at Azroth and then jerked his head as if to shake loose a thought. “Seriously? You’re not out sowing discord and trying to bring about the apocalypse?”
“Satan, no,” Azroth gasped. He leaned across the table toward Matteo. “First, that’s just too much work, and second, do you think there’s any good tea in Hell? Squid Game? Taylor Swift? Stray Kids? Let alone all the trashy reality TV? Humans are horrible and interesting without our intervention. Bringing about the apocalypse just gets rid of all the fun things we get to enjoy while we’re vacationing here. The worst we do now is torment our neighbors and stir up trouble at the local shopping mall.”
“Oh, so you’re only evil for your job.”
Azroth shrugged one shoulder. “And sometimes for fun, but not too much because it would upset Luke.”
Matteo pulled out his chair and dropped into it again. “You all really like Luke.”
“Luke is ours. He’s not scared of us, and we have fun with him. After eons of boredom, that is important. We will do anything to keep him safe and happy.”
A small smile spread across Matteo’s lips. “I’m glad. I have a lot of fun with him too, and I don’t want to lose him.”
“Then don’t. Come back to the house with me.”
“And all the other demons are as scary as you?”
Azroth shook his head. “Oh, no. I’m the scariest by far.” One corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk. “But just know that even if you’re scared, Luke will always keep you safe.”
Chapter 28
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
LUKE
Luke trudged home from campus, hating everything. Why did he have to have these stupid high ideals? Why couldn’t he have told Azroth to wipe the entire attack from Matteo’s mind? That way, he’d still have his hot, sweet boyfriend to cuddle and sex him up.
Sure, he’d “done the right thing,” but now he had no cuddles and no sex.
Life sucked.
He missed Matteo as though he were missing part of himself. For a brief moment in time, he’d been able to taste heaven. Life had been so good, and he’d started to imagine a bright future filled with Matteo’s laughter and joy where they celebrated the holidays together and maybe went on their first vacation adventure.