Redemption (36 page)

We’ll figure that out later,
she thought.

Bryan lifted her chin and pressed his lips to hers. As Cassidy lost herself in his kiss, any lingering thoughts of the two demons receded into the back of her mind. She wrapped one arm around his neck and ran her other hand through his hair.

For now, it was over, and she was with Bryan. Their angels would prepare them for whatever was to come.

For now, she had all she needed, knew all she needed to know. The time would come for more answers to her questions.

For now, she intended to focus all of her energies on the man standing before her. Cassidy pulled Bryan into another kiss. She had a lot of energy.

 

T
he wedding ceremony had been lovely. Carrie and Nick stood before family, friends, and God to say their vows and pledge their love to one another. She looked every inch the princess in the fairy tale, and his eyes shone with happiness and joy.

Presently, the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Flaherty were dancing together, and Bryan was busy capturing each moment of the day on film. He looked through the lens of his camera and found what he’d been searching for.

Cassidy was the most beautiful sight his eyes had ever seen. He’d been right; she was more than human. She was his angel. And she was safe. And she had chosen him. He still didn’t understand all of that faith stuff she believed, but there was time for him to figure it out. Redemption didn’t happen all at once - it was a process. Mel had told him that God had good plans for his life. He had Cassidy, and for the first time in a long time, he had hope. That felt like a good plan to him.

“What are you thinking?” Cassidy asked, her eyes shining. The Aventurine pendant hung on a slim, silver chain - a gift from Bryan.

“I’m thinking,” he answered, bending to kiss her cheek and speak low into her ear, “that I love you.”

“Good answer,” she whispered, turning to kiss his lips. “Because I’m pretty sure I love you, too.”

“No more running, Cass. I’m not going back to California,” Bryan said, pulling her into an embrace. “My life isn’t there anymore. It’s here, with you, always.”

Cassidy smiled. “No more talking, just kiss me.”

“You know, I’ve always said talking is overrated.” Bryan’s lips met hers, and he knew he was home.

 

“Nauseating.”

The second demon admired her reflection in the window. “What did you say?” she asked, turning from side to side.

“Cantare, do you think you might be able to pull yourself away from yourself for just one second?” he asked, scowling. He ran his fingers through his dark hair. These stupid mortals and their ceremonies.

“I can’t help it,” she protested. “Look at me.” Her long auburn hair fell to her waist, and her teal eyes shone.

His hand went to the scar that ran from one side of his chest to the other. The angels had tried to carve out his heart in that last battle. They would’ve succeeded, too, if he had one.

“You don’t need me or anyone else to tell you of your beauty. But I do need you to focus and listen to me,” he grumbled. “Find the sister; I have summoned Kaelan.”

A slow smile spread across Cantare’s face. “Seeking to cause some confusion, are you?”

He ignored her question. “She looks like the older one, like the Dreamer. She will not be with the Circle, but she will be near them. Long brown hair, green eyes. She will be my reward.”

“More talk of your reward?” This was tedious and boring. “Fine. I’ll bring her to you.” Cantare sighed and turned to walk toward the crowd of guests.

“No. Bring her to Kaelan. He knows what to do,” the demon smiled and folded his arms across his chest. “When she’s ready, he will bring her to me.”

Cantare nodded and set off to find Lainey Reid. Why this particular girl, this particular Circle for that matter, warranted so much attention from Lucifer was beyond her. She’d spend some time on this task, perhaps find a mortal or two with whom she could occupy her free time, and then return to being adored and worshipped by those who followed her. Beauty and enchantment always had followers.

The mortal was talking to her sister. They did look incredibly alike, but the younger possessed a hardness that the Dreamer did not. There was an energy that shimmered around her. Cantare wondered if that was the reason she was to be the reward. Perhaps she would outlast others, give him more pleasure. She shrugged. The reason wasn’t important. She just needed to get the girl to Kaelan and see this assignment through.

Aphrodisios could be so cranky when he didn’t get his way.