“The Nature of Free Will,” Adonis whispers, his voice a mere rustle in the room’s stillness.
“Yes! Exactly,” she continues, her eyes shimmering with a fervent intensity. “Though you’ve always had free will, rather than thriving on manipulation and deceit, demons can wrestle with the profound concept of choice, examining it through a more enlightened lens.”
“The choice to stay or return is up to each of us,” I say though I am questioning more.
“Ding ding ding! It’s time for all of you to shatter the chains of your predestined paths and liberate yourselves from the narrow and conventional beliefs that paint demons solely as malevolent and manipulative beings. You were all condemned to learn, to grow. This curse was meant to happen so you all could grow, and once you do, you can re-enter the afterlife. Embrace the opportunity to forge new identities and a new purpose. Each of you embodies unique facets of love, shimmering like different vibrant colors.” Amelia smiles at each of us. “Demons are not inherently evil or doomed to the fiery depths of hell; rather, a chance for redemption and transformation. Of course, Dani must make the pivotal choice to break the curse that binds you all here and give up her soul willingly… I’m not sure how she feels about becoming a demon, but if she takes that brave step, the power lies within each of you to determine what unfolds next. The future is yours to shape and mold as you see fit. If you all choose to go to the afterlife, Dani can choose to go there as well. Or, you all stay here.”
“But the town... I thought it was between breaking the curse of the town or us. That’s what Octavia told me and that’s what is in the grimoire. She told me we could never be free because of what she took from me. She used me, and damned us all.” Adonis’ brows furrow.
“Octavia was nothing but a venomous manipulator, Adonis!” Amelia’s voice held an intensity I had never heard before, her words cutting through the air with fierce clarity. “Every single thing she told you was drenched in deceit. If Dani manages to break your curse—and I believe she will—the grip of the town’s curse will shatter along with it. Though she would be agreeing to becoming a demon, she could essentially choose to stay in this realm with you all or choose to go to the afterlife. This is all about free will. Octavia has taken something essential from you, Adonis, and we mustreclaim it. You have to dig deep and fight for it. For all of us. Fight for Dani.”
“How can I fight if I don’t even know who I am? How can I love her when I am missing that part of me?!” Adonis’ anguished words pierce through the stillness of the room, sending a sharp pang through my heart.
“Adonis…” Amelia begins gently, as we watch the turmoil flicker in his deep-set blue eyes. “You don’t need to dwell on that void within you. Instead, perhaps you should immerse yourself in your profound feelings for Dani. Embrace the warmth of those emotions, let them guide you.”
“Why haven’t you spoken up earlier, Amelia?” Adonis inquires, a mix of confusion and frustration etched across his features.
Amelia takes a moment, her ethereal presence shimmers in the dim light as she gazes into the distance, her voice a soft, melodic whisper. “I don’t know… perhaps it’s because you never thought to ask? I’m a celestial being, Adonis, cast down from celestial heights to guide you, to guide all of you. My purpose isn’t to unveil every mystery or provide the answers to every question swirling in your mind. Part of your banishment is growth, and you can’t grow if I give you all of the answers now can you? Dani, though, she’s an incredibly wise woman, and her love for you all radiates like a warm glow. I know this deep within my being.”
Love.
“What do you mean, ‘love’?” Adonis asks as I process all this information.
“Oh, gods! You all need some serious help. For being demons, you aren’t the brightest bunch. Guess its true, man really does need a woman to give them the answers,” she snickers and then continues. “Adonis, you should know this. But I guess if you can’t pull your head out of your ass and stop with your self-pity, it would make sense that you haven’t realized it yet.”
“Oooh, burn!” Killian jokes as he and Amelia touch their fingertips together like they always do and make a hissing sound mimicking fire being put out.
The three of us erupt into laughter, the sound bubbling like a spring as we savor Amelia’s witty words, but Adonis stays stone-cold.
“What?” she replies, her voice laced with playful innocence. “It’s true! And deep down, you all know it.” A radiant smile spreads across her face as she glides over to Adonis, her fingers gently resting over his heart as if to emphasize her words. “Dani loves you. She loves all of you,” she declares, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Now, who wants to lend a hand in sprucing up the house?!”
A chorus of groans echo through the kitchen, the vibe now thick with reluctance.
Adonis, visibly flustered, mutters something under his breath before quickly retreating from the room, leaving behind the remnants of a lively gathering.
I need to talk to Dani. The urgency swells within me, a magnetic pull on my heartstrings that urges me to seek her out.
“Um… I gotta go. Thanks for everything, Amelia.” I approach her and gently kiss the top of her head, a simple gesture filled with warmth.
Love.That single word echoes relentlessly in my mind, weaving through my thoughts like a haunting melody. I feel like a dick that I didn’t tell Dani I loved her the last time we were together. Though, Adonis kind of fucking ruined that for me.
I know that Dani craves solitude right now, but the desire to be with her overshadows everything else. I can’t ignore the beckoning call of my heart.
I’m going to her and I’m going to tell her how much I fucking love her.
Chapter 20
Dani
Adonis left me so I could process everything he just said. I didn’t really want him to go, but I need some space.
Getting out of bed, I realize how incredibly sore I am. In the best ways, of course… I have never been ravished like that before by anyone, let alone three guys in a row.
Adonis can’t heal me; that is just a Dax and Killian thing. Just like he can read my thoughts, but they can’t. Every demon has different abilities.
I now understand the relationship between Dax, Killian, and Adonis. It all makes sense. When Adonis was condemned to this realm, transformed into a demon from a fallen god due to his mishaps, his path crossed with Killian and Dax—two souls condemned from the afterlife. Their meeting was no coincidence; fate had knitted their destinies together long before they met. This created a strong bond that most people would never understand, a deeper purpose that resonates between them like an unbreakable chain.
When Adonis told me he had fallen in love with Octavia, my blood boiled with jealousy. She manipulated him into believing they were mates so she could use him and his powers. She siphoned off a fragment of his soul to bolster her own strength. To prevent Adonis from following her, she trapped him in this town, along with all the other demons, angels, and spirits. My jealousy shifted to unadulterated rage.
