“That’s right, our big brother has an interdimensional commute,” Taeg said, clearly enjoying every moment of this.
Ronin snorted and, shaking his head, moved to take a seat on the couch. “I can’t believe it.”
“What about us?” Dagan asked. “Can we stay here on Earth?”
Because he couldn’t imagine his life anywhere else. Everyone he loved was here.
Lina was here.
“Not just that. You, me, and Ronin are the newest Council liaisons.” Taeg gave a delighted chuckle. “Welcome to middle management, baby brother.”
Dagan’s mouth dropped open. He leaned all his weight against the wall at his back. Right now, he needed the extra support. “Middle management…holy shit.”
“It’s been a crazy night,” Keegan murmured. “Almost too impossible to believe.”
“That about sums it up.” Dagan took a heavy breath. “Since we’re on the topic of stuff that’s hard to believe…something happened earlier tonight…when I was fighting Mammon.”
His brothers’ eyes locked on him.
“With everything that happened, I hadn’t even given myself time to reflect on that one,” Keegan confided.
“Yeah, I can’t believe the bastard is finally dead.” Taeg gave Dagan a sober glance. “The fact that you were able to defeat him…it’s just fucking awesome.”
“That’s the thing. I…I think he let me.”
Ronin’s jaw dropped. “You think he let you kill him?”
“I know it sounds crazy but, it felt like he intentionally loosened his grip.”
Taeg slid his feet off the coffee table and scooted forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Why would he do such a thing? Why would he sacrifice himself like that?”
“I’ve been over it again and again in my head,” Dagan confessed, “and that’s what I can’t figure out. Is it possible that he repented in the end? That he regretted the things he’d done?”
They spent several long moments in silent contemplation.
“I doubt it,” Ronin finally said. “I can’t imagine him ever feeling remorse.”
Keegan nodded. “More likely he couldn’t stomach the thought of living in a world where he was nothing more than Belpheg’s solider.”
“Yeah, you know how he fancied himself the ruler of all worlds,” Taeg quipped.
Ronin raised a hand to his chin, rubbing at the growth of stubble. “So what’s going to happen to Rage? And to the incubus who helped us out in the end?”
“Tenos and I convinced the Council to offer them redemption,” Keegan said. “They’re to be tasked with chasing down the escaped Council members and bringing them into justice, in exchange for leniency for their roles in Belpheg’s plot.”
Dagan shrugged. “Sounds like a good deal to me.” And he was glad to hear Rage would be cut a break. He didn’t know the guy from Adam, but he had helped them in the end. Without him, they would have surely lost.
“So…” Keegan took another big gulp from his glass. “It’s over.”
Not quite. In fact, it was more like a new beginning. And Dagan knew just how he wanted to start.
He pushed off the wall. “I’m, ah…I’m gonna run downstairs. I’ll be back in a few.”
Ronin lifted a brow. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah.”
But soon, if everything went the way he’d hoped, it’d be even better.
…
After ensuring Amara was okay and watching Aegin fall into an exhausted slumber in Brynn’s arms, Lina headed out to the living room of Keegan’s apartment in search of Dagan. With all the excitement going on, the two of them hadn’t gotten a single moment alone since they’d returned to New York City.
It was hard for a self-professed loner to admit, but she missed him. More than that…like an addict starved for a fix, she craved his presence.
She didn’t find what she was looking for, but she did spot Keegan and Ronin out on the balcony, leaning over the railing in what looked to be deep conversation. When she opened the door, they cut off and looked her way.
“I’m looking for Dagan,” she said.
“He stepped out,” Keegan supplied. “Should be back any moment.”
“Oh.” Would have been nice if he’d checked in before he left, but she supposed she should cut him some slack. He wasn’t used to sharing himself with anyone. Neither was she. That was something they’d have to work on getting used to. Together.
“Okay, thanks.”
When she moved to step back inside, Ronin called out, “Lina, wait.”