He chuckled. “Eat you?”
“Let’s be honest.” I folded my arms. “You’re a demon who has existed for centuries in a supernatural world of magic and mystery. That sword you tote around. I know it’s weird. Is this dagger weird, too? Does it do stuff?”
“Abaddon is special. He’s not...your typical sword.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“Well, for one, he’s not actually a sword. He’s a demon.”
I gave him a blank stare, wondering if I’d somehow hallucinated the words that had just come out of his mouth. Surely, he hadn’t just said what I thought he said. “Wait a minute. You’re telling me Abaddon, your sword, is a demon.”
“Actually, that’s not really true,” he said with a cheeky grin. “There’s a demoninsidethe sword.”
“Okayyyyy,” I said slowly, a whistling breath escaping through my lips. “In that case, I have to ask.Is there a demon stuck inside that dagger?”
My god. What had my life become that I was asking questions like that? Sometimes, I wished I could go back in time just so I could see the smug look on my face when I’d prattled on about not believing in supernaturals. I’d been so closed off. Little did I know that I’d become one myself. One who talked about demons living in daggers.
“No demon in this one.” His grin widened. “That I know of.”
“Stop it.” I swatted him on the shoulder.
He responded with an elbow in my side. “Only one way to find out. Take it and see if a demon comes to life when your skin touches the blade.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Okay. You’re just messing with me now.”
“Why would I stop when you make it so easy?” He winked and yanked me close to him, and then pressed the dagger into my hand. My fingers curled around the gleaming hilt. Caim palmed my back, his breath whispering against my ear. “How does it feel?”
Swallowing hard, I felt my toes curl in my boots. “Why do I feel like this conversation has suddenly shifted away from the dagger and onto something else?”
“Because I struggle to look at you without thinking of something else, especially when you have a dangerous weapon in your hands,” he said in what was practically a purr.
“So, you’re saying thatweaponsturn you on.”
“Whenyouhave one, yes.” His eyes darkened. “It makes you look fucking powerful.”
A chill swept through me.He edged closer, but then shook his head and stepped back. “Unfortunately, now is not the time. Take this dagger, Eva. You need a way to protect yourself, just in case something goes wrong. I won’t let anything happen to you as long as I’m still breathing, but...”
He left the rest unsaid, the dark look in his eye dousing the fiery passion growing between us. I didn’t like where this conversation was going, and the implication left me reeling. Caim was one of the most powerful people I’d ever met. Nothing could harm him, especially not a bunch of cowardly newborn demons who wanted to see the world burn.
“Don’t say things like that,” I whispered. “I can’t stand the thought of losing you.”
“Trust me,” he said with a slight smile. “I’ll do my damnedest to make sure that doesn’t happen. I’m not overly fond of the idea of being a bunch of scattered pieces for the rest of eternity.”
My heart thumped.
He continued before I could dwell too long on those dark thoughts. “To be honest, I don’t like the idea of you coming with us. But I can’t leave you here alone either. I would have Phenex guard you, but I don’t trust that he’d be able to get through to you if your darkness rears its head. It’s waiting for the right moment to strike. A moment when I’m not by your side.”
I pressed my lips together. A part of me wanted to argue even though I was glad I was going with the Legion on their mission. Staying here meant being the damsel in distress, and I was done being that. I wanted to help. But I also didn’t like the idea that I couldn’t tackle the darkness without his help. It was just another version of the damsel. I wanted to be able to protect my own damn self for once.
“Surely I’m not as bad as that,” I finally said.
“Tell me I’m wrong,” he said. “Tell me Phenex is able to get through to you the way I do.”
Unfortunately, he did have a point. There was something about Caim that meant he could reach me in a way no on else in the world ever could. It was more than just my feelings for him. Something in him spoke to my soul.
“You’re right. I don’t think he could. Either way, I really do want to help.” Even though it really wasn’t my fault these cult members were raging across Manhattan, I still felt partially responsible for their actions. It wasmyblood that had given them the power to do this. I needed to be there when they were finally stopped.
Caim wrapped his fingers around where mine still gripped the dagger. “There’s no demon inside of it, but it does have power, and it will protect you. Stay in the back. Only use this if one of them gets past us and you have no other choice. Don’t try to be a hero. And for the love of the flames, don’t make me regret giving you this.”
