Something flickered across his face. Not quite a smile. But close.
"You really think Rose is going to pull a magic spell out of her hat that repels demons?"
His sarcasm was whittling away at my patience. If I had to toss him on his ass and sit on him, I would.
I crossed my arms and leaned against the door. "Yeah. I do."
"I've been to hell, Selena." His voice dropped. Quiet. Deadly serious. "I've seen what's down there. Rose's little spell isn't going to stop the fires of hell."
"The shard is from heaven, Rocco." I let that land. Watched his face. "It's powerful enough that neither Vex nor Balthazar could touch it. Two demons — one of them ancient — and they couldn't even look at it without screaming. You saw what it did. You were there."
He put his hands on either side of my head. “Get out of my way, Selena.”
His lack of faith was unbelievable. But I wasn't giving up.
"You say you want to stay away from us because you think a demon's always going to ride your ass. I've got news for you, Rocco. Vex knows we're mates. He'll punish me to get to you."
The color drained from his face. He searched my eyes, and I watched the realization hit — slow, sickening. He lowered his head. "Fuck."
"At least find out what Rose has to say. She's a powerful witch. So is Alice. Together they might find a solution."
He raised his head. "And if they can't?"
"You can leave. But know that I'll find you. You can't hide from me."
"I won't let you get hurt."
"I'm the one who used the shard to send Vex to hell." I stepped toward him. "Don't you think I've already got a big fat target on my back?"
I didn’t even want to imagine what plans Vex had for me. But I wasn’t going to flee. That was never my style. There had to be someway to be beat him.
Rocco pushed himself off the door. “Damn it. I should have been the one to sent him back.”
“You were a little busy.”
He ran his hand through his hair. “Yeah, I know being fucking possessed.”
I pushed him hard. “Whether you like it or not Rocco, we’re in this together. I’m ready to fight. Are you?”
We stared at each other for several long heartbeats. He sat on the edge of the bed and hung his head. "You're not going to make this easy, are you?"
"Have I ever?"
He tilted his head back and laughed. A real laugh — rough and tired, but real. "True. You've been a royal pain in my ass." His eyes found mine. Softened. "A pain I'd burn the world down to protect."
"Just like I'll do anything to protect you, Rocco."
He rubbed his forehead. "I'll stay. But I'm not making any promises."
That was all I was going to get from him. Stubborn, brooding, still hell-bent on punishing himself for something that wasn't his fault.
But I was about to destroy that path.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Rocco
Selena. She really was a royal pain in my ass. Always had been.
