That was what life was all about. Finding those who could be depended on when it mattered most. Those who didn’t flinch when things were hard or when someone wasn’t perfect.
The ones who would stand by your side to the end of the world.
And beyond.
Bubba drew up short. “What’s that sound?”
“My heartbeat?”
He narrowed his gaze at Nick. “Do you not hear it?”
Nick struggled, but all he heard were the voices in his head, calling him names and telling him that he was a disappointment to everyone and everything.
The color faded from Xev’s face as he moved to cover Kody. “It’s seeds of doubt.”
Nick scowled at something he’d never heard of before. “What?”
Xev put a finger in his hear to clear it. “It’s one of the protections here. Demons who look inside your heart and whisper to you about your greatest fears.”
Nick groaned. “Oh, great. I have enough of this inside my head. Really don’t need anything adding to the screaming doubts I already have.”
“Keep saying that. If they take root inside you, they’ll paralyze you and eat away your soul.”
“Oh, even better! They’re piranha demons. So, how do we kill them?”
“Can’t. They’re immortal and insidious.”
“Nothing’s really immortal. Everything can be killed,” Nick reminded Xev.
“Not these. They really are immortal. All you can do is fight them off.”
“With what?”
“Confidence. You can’t believe them. Just keep repeating, ‘I’m the best me possible. I’m enough and I will rise.’”
Nick held his hand out to Kody. “I can’t do that alone and believe it.”
“Me either.” She took his hand. “And for the record, you are enough. I think you’re perfect and wonderful.”
Those words tightened his throat. More grateful for her than he could ever express, he kissed her hand that was entwined with his. “You are the best woman in all the world. No one is a greater warrior or girlfriend. You’re so perfect, you make perfect weep.”
“I’m going to be sick.” Xev made retching sounds.
Nick scoffed at his teasing. “So, what are you saying to yourself?”
“I’m not dead yet.”
Bubba laughed at Xev’s surly words. “I think I’ll make that my mantra.”
“I thought yours wascome get some, bitches.”
“It was, but I think I prefer Xev’s.”
Kody tightened the grip on Nick’s hand.
“You all right,cher?”
“They’re telling me that I failed you and my parents and brothers. That I failed everyone.”
