Her eyes widened. “So you’re saying…”
“I’m saying, your penance is complete, and you will be reinstated to your former rank among the Principalities. Congratulations. As for the book, I still hope to acquire it, but I am relieving you of the responsibility.”
“Sir…” Sunshine’s whole body began to tremble, and her hand shot out to grab Raum’s arm.
Raum wanted to be happy for her. If he was any less of a bastard, he would have been. But instead he felt this crushing sensation. She’d gotten back her rank—what she’d always wanted.
But he wasn’t delusional. Even if he was allowed to stay on Earth now—which was going to take some time for him to actually believe—angels were still not permitted to have relationships.
Sunshine looked up at Raum with wide eyes, and he knew she was thinking what he was. He couldn’t force himself to smile or give any fake positive reaction. He couldn’t tell her he was happy for her, even though he wished he was.
Say something supportive. Even if it’s the biggest lie to ever come out of your mouth.
“You…deserve it,” he managed.
There. Not even a lie. She did deserve it. In his mind, she deserved to be crowned queen of the universe.
Her eyes filled with tears.Shit.Big fail.
And then she spun around to Adriel and said, “Thank you for the offer, sir, but I cannot accept. I have chosen to fall and become a Grigori.”
“Fuck no,” Raum snapped, suddenly finding the emphasis he’d been searching for a moment ago. Probably because this time there wasn’t a single fake thing about his reaction.
“It’s not your decision,” Sunshine said firmly.
“I’m not going to let you do something you’ll regret—”
“The only thing I’ll regret is giving up my freedom and the man I love for some role that hasn’t truly mattered to me in hundreds of years.”
She nearly had him with the ‘man I love’ part, but he hardened himself. “I’m not letting you do this.”
“You will find that I can do whatever I wish and you can’t stop me,” she said haughtily
“Sunshine,” Adriel interjected. “Before rejecting my offer, perhaps you might wish to hear the rest of what I was going to say?”
She immediately plastered on an apologetic smile. “Yes, of course. Please excuse my interruption.”
Raum glared at her and then at the perfect angel boy across the room. She sure as fuck wasn’t that well behaved with him. Unless they were in bed, of course, but that was different.
Then again, he liked sassy Sunshine, even if it was pissing him off right now.
Adriel spoke. “I plan to continue my research into demon souls, but I need angels to help implement the new rules. I was able to override the Principalities by going straight to the Dominations with the changes I wanted to make, but Earth is not my jurisdiction, and beyond that I have no say in what goes on here. I would like to offer you a position uniquely suited to your situation. I need a Principality willing to live on Earth with demons who want to transition from living on the Hell plane to this one.”
Sunshine’s eyes were wide. “S-sir?”
“Your duties will be screening applicants to determine their suitability and working with the Tribunal to enforce the new rules. Once a demon passes assessment and is granted approval to live on Earth, there will be a mentorship program in place. Each demon will be assigned a guide to oversee their transition, measure their progress, and ensure they continue abiding by the rules.”
“You want me to do this?” Sunshine asked. “And…I could live on Earth?”
“Yes. The closer you’re willing to be to your first group of transitioning demons, the better.”
“If you expect me to take counseling from an angel,” Bel said, “you’re mistaken.”
Adriel looked at him. “These are the conditions set forth for your continued freedom.”
“Well, you can take those conditions and shove—”
“Shut up, Bel,” Ash hissed. “We’ll do it.”
