My saying that only made him grin.
“But really,” I started again. “You don’t feel remorse for all the bad things you’ve unleashed?”
“I don’t have regrets. Sure, there’s a lot of things I wouldn’t have released, but it’s not like I got to choose. Love is also one of those things that happened after. Humans would never have repopulated through sex. Would have never known romance or maternal instincts. They would have kept appearing like angels did when He wanted more of them, like everything else. The desire for family, love, intimacy—all that came from what I put into the world. Don’t you understand? It’s almost like I was supposed to do what I did, and even knowing that, I’m okay with it.”
He pinned me with another stare that felt like fire beneath my skin. “Even you, Kara, wouldn’t exist. If there hadn’t been a need for a balance between the worlds, God wouldn’t have created your father. And if I looked at it like that, then everything I’ve done has brought you to life. You’re welcome, Kitten. You’re the bane of my existence because I made it so.”
Static, like a flurry of warmth spread like wildfire starting right at my chest. No, maybe it was more like a shot to the heart. It was almost like the organ thought I was given something so precious, like a clue, but I was afraid to acknowledge it. To breathe life into it, so I merely blinked at the Devil as he stood.
As he walked away, he stopped, then said over his shoulder, “Melinda, as you know her, told me what I saw in the well before she died.”
My eyes widened. “She did? What was it?”
“I knew you’d be curious.” He resumed walking. “Go visit your family. I want you back in a few hours.”
“Don’t do that,” I grumbled. “You can’t tell me that, then leave me hanging.”
“I went an eternity not remembering. It won’t kill you.”
I threw my head back and sighed. It was my fault for being so captivated by the Devil’s past.
???
After my chat with Luke, I went to the castle. It was another hangout in the infirmary.
Nova and Isabella were becoming good friends. Shared Harvest trauma might have something to do with that or thembeing witches. Regardless, it was nice to see. Curiosity was slowly eating at me as I watched August and Sebastian pat Nova’s shoulder while Isabella sat in front of her on the bed.
So, using my Reaper senses, I picked up on their conversation despite the chatter in the infirmary.
“We don’t have to tell her now,” August said.
Tell who what?
“You’re going to fall out of the chair if you lean any further,” Barron piped in.
“Shh,” I muttered.
He grunted while Nova sighed. “How do I tell Sofia? Hey, the boys are alive, but they’re angels and don’t remember us?”
My eyes widened.
“What is it?” Barron asked.
I arched a brow at my brother and said, “You mean to tell me you’re strapped to the bed most of the time and don’t listen to everyone’s conversation in the room?”
“You mean eavesdrop? No.”
I scoffed. “Lame.” But that was a good thing. I didn’t want to add worry about Gwendolyn.
Barron shook his head. “I know what you’re thinking, but it’s fine. If Gwendolyn doesn’t remember, I’ll just have to make her fall for me again.”
“So you have been eavesdropping!” I exclaimed.
“Me too!” Maureen called out. “One of the gremlins keep eyeing Payne’s boots funny and Shepherd’s warned him ten times not to do something. I’m curious what heinous thing the ugly thing’s not supposed to be doing.”
Payne shot out of bed from a dead sleep. “What about my shoes?”
“Is it necessary we stay holed up in the infirmary together? My gremlins are getting fidgety,” Prudence said.
