21. Dante

Chapter twenty-one

Dante

I hadn’t told Austin how enraged I was the moment he walked away from me, but just as I was about to set the world on fire, Calista had appeared to me.

“Let him go, Dante. It’s part of the prophecy. I never told him that part for fear he wouldn’t go through with it. His self-sacrifice is what makes the bond complete.”

“He’s going to die.”

“He is, yes,” she said softly, “But don’t worry. All will be well.”

“I’ll lose him.”

“Trust in him and yourself, but go to him now. He’s going to need you.”

And he had needed me, and I him, but as I walked down to the basement, I knew that killing Freddie would be the right decision.

I pushed open the door. Freddie sat tied once again to a chair, only this time, he was the sole occupant of the room.

“You should have killed me before,” he said defiantly. Gone was meek and mild Freddie, replaced with this cocky son of a bitch.

“You’re probably right. I should have done, but I didn’t, and now here we are.”

“Nothing you can do to me will be worse than the pain I felt when you killed Joel.”

“Again, you’re probably right. I should make your torture last for as long as I can. Drag it out for weeks, months, or years, but I promised Austin I’d make it quick, although I didn’t say anything about it being not necessarily painless.”

“You’ve brainwashed him.”

“I don’t have to answer to you. Austin knows his own mind.”

The temptation to prolong the punishment and keep Freddie here was definitely alluring, but I’d promised.

I stalked towards him, letting my horns grow, and released my inner devil. Something I hadn’t done for some time.

The distinct smell of shit and piss hit me, but I ignored it.

One by one, I broke every bone in his body, starting at his toes and working my way up to his fingers. His cries bounced off the soundproofed walls, but I didn’t blink. He wasn’t worthy.

Finally, I snapped his neck and left him in the dark room. Conrad would know what to do.

I stepped into the side room and cleaned myself up, washing the dirt and grime from my hands.

I took a deep breath, feeling oddly satisfied and at ease.

It was time to put this behind me and return to the man in my bed.

Austin was still sleeping. I undressed, climbed in next to him, and pulled him close.

We had an eternity to spend together.

I lay and listened to his steady breathing.

I’d always thought I was unworthy of love, that I’d never find it. Who could love a devil? Who would love the devil ?

But it just went to show that the right person was out there for everyone, no matter how evil or bad you were.

Love definitely conquered everything.