The Darkest Passion (Lords of the Underworld #5)(79)
Author: Gena Showalter

No. No!

Aeron flicked Olivia a quick, unsure glance, not comprehending Legion’s confession. “Physically, he can’t leave hell. He can’t—”

“He can. If he possesses her, he can do anything,” Olivia croaked, hand closing over her throat. Her horror didn’t last long. Blood chilled in her veins, numbing the emotion. She’d been so close to paradise, only to be thrust into hell. “He can breed her with anyone of his choosing, assume control of the Hunters, influence humans and turn them against you. He can even see into the angelic realm and slaughter my kind.”

Aeron’s spine became as rigid as a steel pipe. “Why would he want to do any of that?”

“Why else? Power. Freedom. Spite. He despises angels. They were supposed to follow him, yet they chose to remain with the One True Deity instead. But most of all, he despises the True Deity. His destruction is what Lucifer craves most. With his demon High Lords freely roaming the land, he’ll have a better chance of that.”

Enough of this foolishness. Shut her up, Temptation commanded.

Olivia ignored him, only to blink in bewilderment a moment later. Him. She’d already known the voice belonged to a male, but she now realized this male wanted her to win Aeron—and more specifically, for Legion to fail. This male wanted to prevent Legion from convincing Aeron to bed her.

Not a demon, after all.

Lucifer, she realized. Lucifer was her Temptation. He didn’t have to leave hell to cast his voice elsewhere, or to whisper to one particular person. He merely had to link with a soul open to corruption.

Bye-bye blessed numbness. Her horror returned, as did her dread, both mixed with shame. How could she not have known? How had she missed the truth? Stupid angel.

“Why would you make such a bargain?” Aeron demanded.

The tears continued to flow down Legion’s cheeks. “I wanted to be pretty. To be what you needed. I thought I would win you, make you forget the angel. I thought I would make you happy.”

Aeron scrubbed a hand down his face, his nails scraping, leaving angry red welts. “I can’t believe this. Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Do you have any idea of the things you’ve put into motion?”

Legion nodded, chin trembling. “I’m sorry. So sorry.”

A pause, then a sorrowful, “So am I.”

With those words, Olivia knew. She knew. He’d already made up his mind. Aeron would sleep with Legion. He would enter her body the same way he’d entered Olivia’s. To save the little demon from possession. To save his friends from Lucifer. To keep the Hunters from victory.

Tears filled her own eyes, but she blinked them back. With this act, Aeron would prove that what he’d done with Olivia meant nothing. With this act, she would leave. He had to know she would leave.

Had that knowledge made the decision easier for him? she wondered with a bitter laugh. No way she could stay here, knowing he’d bedded another woman. No matter the reason.

Olivia had her own choice to make, then, it seemed. She would leave, there was no question of that. Not now. But would she return to the heavens, possibly saving Aeron’s life, or simply travel to a new location here on earth?

Here, most likely, for how could she possibly return home now? She was changed, human in all the ways that mattered. She would be miserable up there, bringing joy to no one, least of all herself. She would be useless. And if ever she changed her mind about having returned, she wouldn’t be allowed to fall again. No, she would be put to death or permanently cast into hell. There could be no other choice for an angel who lost her way twice.

But how could she stay here and live with herself, knowing she could have saved Aeron and hadn’t? Even though saving him meant that he would be with another woman?

Was she truly that selfless?

No, she wasn’t. She should have killed him when she’d had the chance and saved each of them this pain. Another bitter laugh filled her head, but this one escaped.

Aeron rose, the action stiff, uncoordinated. “We have a little time. We don’t have to take care of this right this moment.”

So he didn’t plan to sleep with Legion right away. That was a small comfort, at least.

“Thank you,” Legion said, grateful, pleased and shamed all at once. “I promise I won’t—”

He turned, cutting her off, and Olivia’s gaze ate him up. His masculine beauty, his power. No, she wasn’t that selfless, but she was that in love, she realized.

Love. The word echoed in her mind. She loved him. Fully, utterly, wholly, completely. He was the reason her heart beat, the source of her joy. She would die for him. He was strong and brave, fierce and caring. Giving, selfless himself. What wasn’t to love?

She would stay here with him until he bedded Legion. She would soak up every moment she had with him. And then…then she would return to the heavens. She would ensure Lysander kept his end of the bargain and petitioned the Council for Aeron’s life.

Still. That didn’t guarantee their cooperation.

Well, she would just have to find another way.

What a difference a few days made, she thought sadly. She’d come here resigned to Aeron’s approaching death, happy with the time they would have and determined to experience joy as humans did. Yet she’d spent time with her warrior, and everything had changed. She could no longer accept the thought of him dying. Of his courage and strength being extinguished.

“Don’t worry, Aeron,” she said, squaring her shoulders. “Soon I’ll leave, and you and Legion will be safe.” A promise welded to her soul.

Legion gaped at her.

Lucifer screeched an unholy sound inside her head.

Aeron’s lips pulled tight in a scowl, his teeth bared, his eyes red, glowing. Demon eyes. “I said we have time. We don’t have to take care of this now. Therefore, you will stay. Now, enough about that. I have a meeting to attend. I’m going to leave the two of you in here and you will play nice. Understand? You won’t like what happens if you harm each other, I promise you that.” He didn’t wait for their replies but stormed from the room.

Unlike William, he didn’t gently shut the door behind him. He slammed it, rattling the pictures on the walls.

After everything she’d just agonized over, realized and decided, a little compassion—and a goodbye kiss—wouldn’t have been amiss.

Olivia stared over at Legion. Legion stared back.

“Well,” Olivia said, at a loss. She still ached from Aeron’s possession. Still felt the wetness he’d left behind. Yet very soon this female would be with Aeron the way she had just been with him.