Read Online Damned If You Do by Marie Sexton - Free Book Online Page B

possibly trust you.”
    â€œYou can.” Abaddon felt the truth of the statement in some deep corner of his heart. “I couldn’t say that about anybody else in the world, but I can’t lie to you. You have some power over me I can’t explain. You’re brighter than the North Star, and the thought of extinguishing that…” He shook his head. “I want your soul, but I’m not sure I can do it. I’m not sure I could live with myself afterwards.” And yet he’d have to, for all of eternity. There was no reprieve from Hell.
    Seth considered that, his head cocked sideways. Abaddon waited, his heart in his throat. Finally, Seth said, “Huh.”
    After what had felt like a momentous admission, it was a surprisingly mundane response. “What does that mean?”
    â€œI wish I could see you, so I could tell if you’re laughing at me or not.”
    Power surged in Abaddon’s heart, pulsing through his veins, down his limbs. His fingertips tingled with it. “I’ve laughed at you before when you threw bible verses at me,” he confessed, his voice hoarse, “but not now. Not for this.” He took one slow step toward Seth. Then another.
    Seth must have heard him approach, because he backed up, holding up his hands as if to ward Abaddon off. “What are you doing?”
    â€œI won’t hurt you.” He couldn’t have, even if the rules allowed it. He was overwhelmed by the tenderness that filled him. There was something so wonderful about knowing that Seth knew him for what he really was, and yet seeing Seth still standing there, not asking for anything at all. Just waiting, as if having a little chat with a devil on a bright Sunday morning in the deep woods of Alabama was the most natural thing in the world.
    Abaddon caught Seth’s wrist to keep him still so he could move closer, reeling at the sensation that simple contact caused. Seth was trembling, and Abaddon stopped short, his fingertips an inch from Seth’s cheek. “Are you ready?”
    Seth’s Adam’s apple bobbed. When he spoke, his voice was tight. “For what?”
    â€œTo see.”
    â€œWh-what?” Tears brimmed in Seth’s eyes. “You can do that?”
    But Abaddon didn’t bother to answer. He couldn’t. He couldn’t think beyond the eagerness that filled him, being so near Seth and having a gift he could present, like some kind of offering. His throat was tight, and for a minute, he could only stare at Seth’s trusting face. It was all he could do to keep from kissing him, pulling him close, sliding his hand inside Seth’s shirt and feeling the soft skin of his lower back as they tasted each other.
    But he resisted the urge.
    He laid his palm against Seth’s cheeks instead, the tips of his first two fingers on Seth’s temple.
    And he let the power flow.
    It took only a second, and then Seth gasped. He didn’t move his head—he held perfectly still—but his eyes moved rapidly, scanning back and forth, seeking a point of focus. “Ohh…” More tears pooled in his eyes, and finally, his gaze settled on Abaddon’s face. “You weren’t lying. I really can see.”
    It was hard to make his throat work. “Yes.”
    â€œWill it last?”
    He could have done it in exchange for a soul, but as a favor? That simply wasn’t allowed. He was already bending the rules. “No. I’m sorry. That’s beyond my power.”
    â€œIt’s okay. This is enough. Just seeing the trees again is enough.”
    Seth looked around again, taking in the forest and the thin patch of sky and the sunlight dappling the ground before returning to Abaddon. Tears flowed freely down his cheeks, coming to rest on Abaddon’s hand, where it cradled Seth’s cheek. They felt like ice against his flesh, and yet he longed to feel more of them. He had a sudden and irrational urge to