Crypt levels me with a murderous look. At least, he tries. It misses some of its heat because the fucker is missing an eye, and he's in no condition to try picking a fight with me.
"Breathe one more word, Decimus, and?—"
"Yeah, yeah, I know. You'll give me bad dreams, snack on my madness, tie my organs into a bow, blah, blah, blah. Threaten me all you fucking want, but they need to know because obviously, your curse is getting shittier just like the rest of ours."
I recap what I learned about Crypt's curse. Silas continues to heal him with blood magic, pricking his fingers periodically as he works. When I'm done, the incubus glowers at nothing in particular, and the others are quiet.
Everett shuffles, rubbing the back of his neck. "If it's getting worse as the Divide weakens…I mean, if there's a way we could help?—"
"Offering to let me feed you three to the shades, are you?" Crypt's voice is dark and angry. "I was fantasizing about doing just that anyway."
"At least now we all know one another's curses," Silas mutters, wiping his bloody hands off on Crypt's shredded sweatshirt. "Or rather, your three remaining curses. It's good to know yours doesn't put Maven at risk like Everett's."
Everett glances down the hall. I can faintly overhear Maven in the other room, patiently waiting for her friend to finish a long rant about awkward family dinners.
I consider what Silas said for a long moment before sighing. "You know what? All curses suck ass, but Snowflake's actually could end up taking my mate away from me. Then I'd have to roast him alive, only it would be a million times less enjoyable. So…maybe we should try to get him bonded to her next."
Everett blinks at me in surprise, his pale blue eyes guarded. "Why would you suggest that? What's in it for you?"
"Maven's safety," Crypt mutters, closing his eyes. Which is good because his missing one is finally trying to regenerate at a snail's pace, and it was fucking nauseating to look at. "In other words, the only thing that really matters."
We all nod in agreement.
I sigh. "All right. Theory-sharing time."
No one says shit.
"Stalker Boy, you go first," I suggest.
Crypt peeks his nasty semi-healed eyeball at me. "Personally, I think it's because of something calledgohf."
"Gohf?"
"Yes. As in,gohfuck yourself, you loose-lipped lizard."
I rub my face. "Motherfucker, I swear?—"
"Here's my theory," Everett interrupts, rubbing frost off his fingertips. "I think Maven might be a saint."
I burst into laughter. "Yeah, you've obviously never been with our Angel of Death in bed because, let me tell you, there is nothing saintly about the way she takes control.Gods, she is so fucking hot when she gets all dominant."
I adjust my semi as I try to push the mouthwatering image of Maven taking my cock for the first time out of my head.
Everett's cheekbones darken a few shades, but he shakes his head. "Will you shut up and focus? What Imeantis I think she's a literal saint. Someone selected by one of the gods as a baby to work miracles on their behalf. Think about it—only the gods can bind legacy hearts together, so they must have had a handin this. They blessed Maven and Silas's bond. Not to mention, Maven is…kind of in my personal prophecy. I think she was selected as a saint by Arati."
That's the queen of Paradise and the goddess of a bunch of shit like passion, fire, love, warfare…combat.
And it's true that my mate really fucking loves a good fight.
"It's a valid theory," Silas admits, finally stepping away from Crypt.
Crypt hums. "Or she bonded with Silas because he used a large amount of his power on her. Perhaps there is something in our abilities which links us to her."
I frown. “You chow down on her dreams all the time. Wouldn't you have bonded with her already with that logic?"
"I haven't permanently marked her psyche as that of my muse. Yet," he tacks on softly, flexing his now-healed arm. "The ceremony takes great power, which may trigger the bond. I plan on asking her permission soon."
In a way, his theory also seems reasonable. But it’s way too complicated.
