“Your father did this to you?”
He nodded weakly. “He’s... sadistic. Always has been. I can usually defend myself, but... not today. Something was... off.”
I frowned. The siren’s kiss. Was it weakening him already? I shook the thought away. “Why? Why would he do this to you?”
Raffaele let out a bitter laugh. “Because he can. Because I’m his heir. His weapon. And because I’ve spent my life trying to keep him from destroying everything.”
He shifted slightly, wincing as the movement pulled at his wounds. “He’s bound his soul to an object on this estate. I’ve searched for it, tried to destroy it, but he’s hidden it well.”
I blinked, startled by the revelation. “You’re saying he’s immortal?”
“In a sense. His body can be killed, but as long as the object exists, he’ll return.”
I took advantage of his weakened state to push him for more information that might help me escape. “Why did he bind his soul to the object? What was his goal?”
Raffaele scoffed. “His goal? His goal was to fucking live.”
“But why did he think he was going to die? He must’ve had some indication.”
“Years ago, my mother’s health began to deteriorate. My father brought in healers from all over The Below, but she reached a point of no return, and everyone knew she wouldn’t live much longer. If he hadn’t bound his soul to an object, he would’ve died with her. At the same time.”
What thefuck? “Wait. You’re leaving something out. Why would he die when she did? And don’t tell me it was from a broken heart. Based on what I’ve gathered about your father, no one could affect him in that way.”
“You’re correct. He’s a selfish son of a bitch.” Raffaele took a shaky breath and shifted on the bed. “It’s the bonding ritual.”
The words of the priest who performed the binding ceremony came rushing back to me.One body. One soul. Even death cannot part you.
Did that mean…? No fucking way. “Are you saying that if one of us dies, the other one will also die?”
Raffaele nodded weakly.
I stood and clutched at my chest. What had I done? The siren’s kiss was obviously doing its job. If his magic failed him, his father would kill him. Or perhaps a rival mafia lord would take him out. Either way, he wouldn’t live long. Which meant I wouldn’t live long.
“Don’t be so fucking dramatic, Vivian. I don’t plan on dying anytime soon.”
I nodded, not knowing what to say. Then it hit me. If his magic waned, so would the bond. That was the whole fucking point of me agreeing to Izo’s sadistic plan. The bond would fail, and I would be free. I would no longer be bound to Raffaele’s soul and therefore wouldn’t die if one of his enemies murdered him. So, why didn’t that plan feel like freedom now?
Taking a deep breath, I sat on the edge of the bed and forced a smile onto my face. The last thing I needed was for Raffaele to become suspicious. “So, back to the object. Why haven’t you been able to find it? Your estate’s only so big. Surely after all these years you would’ve come across it.”
“I’ve used the Mirror of Truths to search, but it’s useless. It shows me... nothing.”
I hesitated, curiosity sparking despite the gravity of the conversation. “Speaking of the mirror... Since it’s useless to you, can I use it? For research purposes on my project?”
He raised an eyebrow. “You’ve got guts, asking me for favors while I’m half-dead.”
I crossed my arms. “I could have left you bleeding out in the hallway.”
“Fair point. Fine. It’s served its purpose for me. I’ll have one of my men bring it to you.”
“Thank you,” I said, surprised he was willing to part with such a valuable artifact.
He nodded as his eyes slid shut. His breathing steadied, the tension in his body easing as sleep claimed him.
I watched him for a moment, my chest tight with conflicting emotions. He was a monster, yes, but right now, he looked painfully human.
Sighing, I tucked a blanket around him. He shifted slightly, his hand brushing against mine. I hesitated, then settled in the chair beside the bed, resting my head against the cool leather.
I’d felt how much he needed me, how desperately he wanted me to stay. It confused me, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave. Not tonight.
