The Demon's Song - By Kendra Leigh Castle Page 0,87

but in a good way, if that makes any sense. There was a shock that went all the way through me. My wings, and my heart. And…my soul.”

“Your soul,” Sofia repeated softly. He nodded, and in that moment she saw the same boyish wonder and joy he’d shown her when playing his music. He was beautiful, she thought. And now he seemed so full of light, so full of…more.

Phenex was nodding. “I have a soul. Maybe it’s a gift because I finally found myself. Maybe it was always there inside, waiting. I don’t know…and to be honest, I don’t really care. I finally feel whole. You gave me that. I’ll spend an eternity trying to repay you.”

It was one of the few times in her life that Sofia could truly say she’d had her breath taken away. All she could do was touch his chest, his face, his hair. When Phenex pressed his lips to hers in a sweet, lingering kiss, she sank into it. He tasted of sea and sunlight.

“You don’t have to repay me for anything,” Sofia said when he lifted his head.

Phenex grinned. “I want to. Don’t spoil my fun. I have a lot of ideas, Sofia.”

All the pain and anger seemed to have vanished from him. To be the catalyst for something like that was so powerful and humbling, she didn’t know what to say. Instead, Sofia slid her arms around him and held Phenex as tightly as she could.

“Aren’t you going to call me an idiot and tell me you love me again?” His voice rumbled pleasantly against her ear. Sofia peeked up at him.

“I do love you. And today, you are definitely not an idiot. I’ll call you that some other day, I promise. But not today. You saved my life, Phenex.” It occurred to her all at once that hers hadn’t been the only life at stake. “Oh, God. The others, the city, Dru and Ember, and Justin and Gadreel…”

“All fine,” Phenex interrupted her. “Amphora is a smoking ruin, but my brothers are used to that kind of thing. We did lose some good vamps. It wasn’t in vain, though. Terra Noctem is safe. And close by.” His eyes glittered with amusement. “Really, really close by. Go figure. It’ll be good for them to have to change things up after catering to the jet set in DC. And the fake tanning companies are going to be rolling in cash.”

Sofia laughed, relieved that Phenex’s strange circle of friends had stayed intact, yet wondering about the details. That conversation could wait, though.

“I still don’t understand how I’m here. Alive.”

His gaze softened. “I was a little desperate. So…I asked for help.”

“And not from the vampires, I guess,” Sofia said. Phenex shook his head.

“No. Angelic help. Strange that I even remembered how to ask, but there was Uriel. I think he’d just been waiting.” He blew out a breath, looking strangely embarrassed. “None of the others knows all of what happened after I released Celestine from Hell. I was offered redemption, my place back. I’d known for a long time that I didn’t belong in the underworld. Not really. Risking my life out of compassion just confirmed it to the white wings who’d been watching me. Which I told Uriel was creepy, but there it is.”

“You didn’t take it, though.”

“No. At that point, I figured I’d stick with the black wings. I decided I didn’t really belong anywhere, and I like swearing, video games…sex.” His grin was wicked as he slid a hand down to give her butt a squeeze. “So I stayed demon. And I stayed here.”

“You’re not going to hear me complaining. I knew you were different,” Sofia said, snuggling closer and resting her cheek against Phenex’s chest, loving the steady beat of his heart. “I know you’ve had ages of hurt. But you’re not as damaged as the others.”

“Maybe. Or maybe they would have done just the same if they’d found a broken angel in a cage. We all have our own paths. Mine led to you.”

Sofia relaxed into his embrace, closing her eyes and enjoying the love she felt in every brush of his hand over her hair, her skin. But then her eyes flew open as she realized that he still hadn’t really answered her question.

She pulled back, propped herself up on one shoulder, and frowned down at Phenex. She didn’t know what to make of his obvious apprehension. She was no vampire, that much was certain. But there was something off.