Epilogue

One Month Later

Austin

W e stood outside the shop, which looked exactly like the first time I’d seen it, with the glossy red door and sparkling windows.

“I don’t understand this place. Every time I walked past before, the door was boarded up, the windows grimy.”

I looked over at Dante, who regarded me with a twinkle in his orange eyes.

“It appears to you when you need it and not before. The first time you came here, you needed the protection of the chip from me more than anything. You no longer need that, and now the chip needs to come home.”

“He said I’d pay once the time was right. I still don’t know when that is.”

“Then let’s go inside. See what he has to say.”

I pushed open the door. Nothing had changed, not the interior nor the man standing behind the counter, a huge smile on his face.

“Ah, you’re back, and I see you have a friend with you. An old friend of mine, actually. Dante, how are you?”

“I’m good. Really good.”

I looked between them. “Did everyone know he existed except me?”

The Magic Shop owner threw his head back and laughed.

“You didn’t need me before. Now, what can I do for you, gentlemen?”

I took the broken pieces of the chip out of my pocket and laid them on the counter.

“I’m sorry. It broke.”

“It did its job, and that’s what you had it for. It gave you the confidence to walk into the casino, then protection from this man, and finally, it saved your life. The moment you left the shop, I knew who you were and the role you had to play. I’m pleased it all turned out well.”

“You mean it might not have done?” I slapped my hand over my mouth. It could have all gone wrong.

“Eh, it was never a guarantee, but you navigated your way through it with the help of Dante.”

“Don’t tease him.” Dante placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “It was written, and therefore, it happened how it was supposed to.”

Well, that was a relief.

“Last time I came in, you said something about how I’d pay when the time was right. Is it the right time now?”

“You already paid.” He picked up the chip, and miraculously, it reformed. Whole once more.

“I don’t understand.”

“You paid with your life. You gave it to help and save others. That was the cost. Oh, and your mortality, but I guess you know about that now.”

Dante had eventually explained my momma’s appearance to him and her words about my life, how I was now immortal and couldn’t die.

A blessing, seeing how I was bonded to the devil, and who knew how long he’d live?

The bond had settled, and we could now go about our everyday lives. The urge to have sex all the time, however, had not faded, and every chance we got, we went at it like our lives depended on it.

I’d never experienced a lover like him. He knew when I wanted him to be gentle or when I needed it hot and heavy. Nothing was off the table, and I’d enjoyed experimenting with him. My favourite by far was when he choked me. I’d come so hard I’d often black out. Knowing now that I couldn’t die, we took it a little too far sometimes. Not that I was complaining.

Dante had aeons of experience, and I had a lifetime to learn.

“I don’t understand why you couldn’t tell me all this. Would have saved a lot of heartache, and I might have been able to save my friends.”

“You could never have saved them. Your story was written by the angels. Everything that happened was for a reason. Your momma dying, your dad leaving, the death of your friends. Nothing could have been changed. No matter what you did, your path would always lead you here. Or to him, whichever way you want to look at it.”

I turned to Dante. “Did you know all this?”

“I knew nothing of the prophecy until I met you. Why, though, I have no clue. I thought I knew all there was to know. Seems this small detail had been well hidden.”

The Magic Shop owner nodded. “Some things had to be hidden in order for them to pass. What would you have done if you knew about its existence?”

“I would likely have tried to stop it. What would I need with an unbreakable bond?” Dante shrugged.

“Hey.” I lightly punched him, even though we’d gone through this many times. We both agreed it was the best thing that could have happened, especially after another round of passionate sex.

Images of earlier in the day sprung to mind. I, once again on my knees, worshipping his cock, giving it the adulation it so needed.

I’d spend an eternity there if he asked me to. But then, there was nothing I wouldn’t do for him.

“Everything that was meant to pass did, and now here you are on the other side of things.”

“One more thing, though.” Something had bothered me since both he and Dante had mentioned it.

“Why are you so lucky?” The Magic Shop owner placed the chip back into the box and closed it again.

“How did you…? Never mind. I shouldn’t be surprised these days.”

“If you hadn’t been so lucky, there’s a one hundred per cent chance that you wouldn’t have thought about cheating Dante and the other casinos out of money. It was part of the picture. It contributed to the greater good.”

“Am I still lucky?” I asked, more myself than him. I’d not tested it since, didn’t need to do so.

“You make your own luck.” That made no sense at all.

He opened his jacket and took out a familiar card deck.

“How about another reading?”

He shuffled them, cut them, and fanned them out in front of me.

“Choose wisely.”

My hand hovered, as it had before, waiting for a sign or for one card to call to me more than the other.

Closing my eyes, I selected a card and, instead of holding it close, threw it down for us all to see.

Well, wouldn’t you know it?

The Devil card, but this time, it was upside down.

“Ah, a reversed Devil card.”

“Is that bad?” Oh God, it was going to shit again.

“Not at all. Whereas the upright Devil card tells of addiction and entrapment, the reversed card shows an awareness of your surroundings and what’s happening to you. You’re free from the problems you harboured before, and I think you’ve realised what you need to do to make yourself happy. These things are all good. Stay on the right track, and all will be well.”

This was the most he’d said in the two times I’d met him.

I looked up into Dante’s face. What did he think?

“So does that mean…” Once again, the store was empty. The Magic Shop owner had disappeared.

The front door opened, letting in an icy blast. It was time to leave.

“I wish he wouldn’t do that.” I walked into the snow-covered street, my hand firmly in Dante’s. I didn’t want him to disappear as well.

“He has places to be, people to see. Others need his help. You no longer do.”

“I have you, and that’s all that matters. Together, we’re unstoppable. The devil and the half angel.”

Two months ago, I’d never envisaged my life being what it was now. I’d still be working at the bar, pulling off some minor job here and there to earn a bit of extra cash.

Grandpa certainly wouldn’t be living in one of the best care homes in the area. Another fall and a hospital stay had convinced him it was better and safer for him to be there.

I’d protested, saying I could look after him. After all, I didn’t need money. I didn’t need to work.

He’d been adamant, though.

“You have your life to live with Dante. I don’t want to hold you back, and an old man like me would be a burden you don’t need.”

“Don’t you say that, Grandpa. You’ve never been, nor will you ever be, a burden.” My eyes had filled at the suggestion. How could he think like that?

“I want to be with people of my own age. People I can talk to about the old times, to reminisce with. You need to go out and live your life to the fullest. Your momma would want that too.”

After much deliberating, I’d agreed, and I had to say he was the happiest I’d ever seen him. The old sparkle had come back, and I was ecstatic for him.

But it meant I no longer had to worry about him falling again, and a weight had been lifted. Don’t get me wrong. I’d have done whatever it took, but he’d found his place, and I’d found mine.

The house we’d lived in was on the market. I’d moved in with Dante, not just because of the bond but because it was the right thing to do.

We couldn’t bear to be apart, which was strange considering we’d only known each other for a matter of months.

Neither of us was in any doubt that this was right.

As we walked back to the casino, I shivered against the cold, but I was infinitely happier than I’d ever been.

“What’s it like in hell?” I asked as we neared the sliding doors.

“You’ll never find out. It’s not the place for you.” Dante slung his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close.

I nestled into him, fitting snugly under his arm as if I were meant to be there. According to the prophecy, I was.

“Is it as hot as they say? It’s bloody freezing today. I can’t wait to get back to the apartment. There’s a big mug of hot chocolate with my name on it.”

“You know there are better ways of staying warm, and I can definitely recommend them.” Dante placed a kiss on my temple. It was all the encouragement I needed. I sped up, dragging him by the hand to the lift.

The doors had barely closed before I pounced on him. Wrapping my arms and legs around him. I ground my aching cock against him, the urgency of my kiss letting him know exactly what I wanted.

He gripped my arse and plundered my open mouth with his tongue, tangling with mine.

I ran my hands through his hair, messing up the perfect style. I loved seeing him dishevelled, watching him fall apart as we made love.

His horns were growing. I’d noticed they did that when Dante was annoyed or full of lust. His thick cock swelling against me told me what his mood was now.

God, I couldn’t get enough of him.

Our breaths sounded loud in the confines of the metal lift, which shook as he slammed me against the fragile wall.

“I’m gonna fuck you right here.” He fumbled with my coat, trying to get to the zip on my trousers.

“Yes, I want that. Please, Dante.” I moaned against his neck as he delved into my underwear and gripped my erection in his hand.

I thrust upwards, the swollen head between us, rubbing against the fabric of his coat.

The doors opened with a swish, and a loud cough broke through our lust-induced daze. An embarrassed Conrad stood in the hallway.

He’d seen us in worse positions. Dante lowered me gently, turning me so my back was to his second in command. I tucked myself away, then stepped out of the lift.

“You have visitors.”

Finally decent, we walked into the apartment, where a tall, dark stranger stood by the window, a smaller man by his side.

“Mal, good to see you.” Dante rushed to him, hand outstretched.

Ah, so this was the infamous Mal I’d heard so much about, and I assumed the other man was his mate, Jason.

“We were in the area, thought we’d stop by and say hello.” He shook Dante’s hand firmly.

“You mean you wanted to see what all the fuss had been about? This is Austin.” Dante looked at me fondly, took my hand, and kissed it.

“I wouldn’t have believed it if you hadn’t told me. I didn’t think any half angels existed anymore.”

“Well, here I am in the flesh.”

“I’m surprised you’re both still clothed.” Mal laughed, a rich sound, and Jason squirmed at his side.

“They weren’t a few minutes ago,” Conrad said. I’d almost forgotten he was there.

“It’s new. You’ll be fucking like rabbits for a good while yet. I know with Jason and me—”

“They don’t need to know that, Mal.” Jason smiled at me. “Living with a demon takes a lot of getting used to. You have an advantage over me. I had no idea of their existence until I met Mal.”

“I didn’t know I was a half angel until a few months ago. I think we’re in the same boat, but I get what you mean. They’re so needy, don’t you think, though?”

“Hey.” Both demon and devil objected in unison.

It was nice to meet someone who’d been through the same as I had.

“How’s Zeke doing?” Dante asked. He and Mal stepped out of earshot, leaving me with Jason.

“You really didn’t know you were an angel?”

“Half angel, and no, but I’m getting used to it.” I led Jason to the kitchen, where I made the hot chocolate I’d been craving and handed him a mug.

“What about you and Mal? How did you find out?”

“Oh, you know. I approached his brother, Zeke, to bring back my dead husband. The usual.”

I spat out my drink. “What the fuck? They can do that?”

“Zeke’s no longer in the business, but others might. We just bury the bodies and reap the souls.”

“Catchy. You should use that on your website.” I knew Mal and Jason ran a funeral parlour down south.

“We try not to draw attention to ourselves anymore.”

I looked over at Mal. Big and brooding. “Good luck with that.”

Jason laughed. “He’s getting better with the humans.”

Dante and Mal shook hands again. What were they up to?

“Nice to meet you, Austin. Jason, it’s time for us to leave.”

“You’ll not stay for dinner?” Seemed they’d come an awful long way just for a quick five-minute meeting.

“I feel you’ll be busy very soon. A demon knows these things.” He winked at me, took Jason by the arm, and guided him to the door.

Dante glanced over at me, a feral look in his eye. A look I knew very well.

“Lovely to meet you.” I put my mug on the counter and was undressed before the door closed behind them.

I dashed to the bedroom, tackled from behind by an equally naked Dante, and pinned to the floor.

“About that fucking I promised you,” he growled in my ear, and my dick hardened.

He nestled between my legs and placed a scorching kiss on my lips. Setting me on fire.

I opened for him, and he entered me, pushing home, stealing my breath before breathing life back into me.

This was no gentle lovemaking. This was Dante—commanding and domineering, and I would never get enough of him.

We shuddered through our orgasms. We hadn’t even made it to the bed, but we lay there on the floor, sated and glowing.

Well, I glowed. After all that was my thing.

I was the boy with the light in his heart, and he was the prince of darkness, and together, we would burn the world.