Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Jesus. This was going to be a long night.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Damien knew that telling Amelia the truth was a burden he should bear, given how Sky’s death was his fault. However, telling her the entire story seemed like a lot for one mortal to take in all at once.
Why was he looking for the fairy in Ohio? Gods. Blackmail. Save demon.
Why had he killed Sky in such a careless way? Curse.
Why was he so insistent on kicking everyone out of his house? Bad thing inside him.
Just tell the truth, tailor. Better for all of us.
Damien handed Amelia a box of tissues and sat on the coffee table in front of her. Miguel sat next to her, bawling his eyes out. Damien could tell they’d both been close to Sky. However, he could not let that get to him. He could not start feeling sorry for them. Caring was caring. His curse did not discriminate.
“If you recall,” he said to Amelia, “your sister, Sky, was attacked by a creature. Well, that creature is real.”
He pointed to Pet, who fluttered over, offering Amelia a biscuit.
“It’s an I’m-sorry biscuit.” Pet blinked her big innocent eyes at Amelia.
Looking very unsure about the creature in front of her, Amelia reached out with a hesitant hand.
“Don’t eat that.” Damien slapped the biscuit to the floor.
“Hey!” Pet protested.
Bonbon trotted over and gobbled it up. “Mmmm… This your nipple hair, babe?”
Gorgonzolina smiled coyly, showing her bright white pointy teeth.
“The clown show never ends,” Damien muttered, running his hands through his hair. “Amelia, the truth is that I was sent to look for this annoying sex fairy by the gods because they threatened to send this demon,” Damien pointed to the white furball, “back to his world if I did not. Unfortunately, his particular breed has adapted to this world and requires constant affection to survive—something not easily found in the demon realm. So, of course, I could not allow him to be returned. Especially because not too long ago, I hired a man to help me at my shop. Turned out, he was the demon king, who planned to take over my body so he could remain here unbeknownst to the gods. Bonbon was his companion at the time. So, as you see, Bonbon betrayed his master to fill me in on the plot, creating one more reason to ensure Bonbon was not banished back to his realm.”
“You did all that for me?” Bonbon pressed a paw to his chest. “I’m touched.”
“Don’t be. You saved my life, and that required payment. Which is why when Cimil offered to break my curse, I asked her to find a mate for you instead. I wanted you to live out the remainder of your years with a companion who can attend to your needs.” Damien lifted his chin. “My debt is now paid.”
Little known fact: Demons, while immortal, could not live in this realm forever. Eventually their physical forms began to deteriorate due to the toxic demon energy they housed. Damien knew Bonbon didn’t have much time.
The most tragic part was that the demon portals had been closed by the gods. So even if Bonbon wanted to return to his world after his body died on this plane of existence, he could not go back. Bonbon’s soul would be trapped in limbo forever between worlds. And no, demons were not generally allowed in the Underworld. Too nasty.
Damien scrubbed his face with his hands. “This is why I had to go to Ohio and hunt for the fairy.” He looked at Amelia reluctantly, not wanting to risk making any sort of emotional connection.
Thankfully, Amelia’s eyes were an emotionless void as she stared through him. Was she even listening?
“Sky says you need to give her scotch.” Pet zoomed away and returned with the entire bottle, dropping it in Amelia’s lap. “I only humped it a little.”
Amelia frowned, holding it in her hands, but she didn’t drink. “I don’t understand,” she muttered. “What does any of this have to do with my sister’s death? And why the hell are you all sitting around acting like you’re talking for her?”
“Your sister’s spirit is here with us now,” Damien said. “And she is dead because I am cursed. The how and why of the curse do not matter. The important part is that anyone I feel for—whether it’s a friendship, family, or otherwise—all perish.” It was how he’d lost his father. The first victim.
Strange. How long had it been since Damien had attempted to confront that fact? Centuries. All this time, he’d never been able to think about his beloved father’s death, let alone take responsibility for it.
Wrong, tailor. What that bitch did to you was unjust. So you turned your back on her? So you broke her heart? Who gives a fuck? Life is full of disappointments.