The dark and simple room reminded Calix of a pre-Calla version of Logan’s, with sparse furniture and very little light streaming through the heavy drapes. The scent of tobacco and leather hung on the air, overpowering the burn of Ferno’s skin.

With Ava peacefully sleeping, Calix had felt compelled to check on his brother and know that all the important pieces of his world had remained intact. The slow rise and fall of Ferno’s chest brought Calix some modicum of relief, though hours later, his brother still hadn’t awakened.

Long slices across Ferno’s throat captured Calix’s attention, and he stared through the dim light at the path of the most unforgiveable marking that’d nearly claimed Ferno’s life.

If it had, Ava would’ve been dead.

Only a handful of demons were born with the gift of hellsfire, and it was by a miraculous string of events that his brother would possess it, and that a complete stranger who’d fallen into their lives would happen to know how to wield it.

Calix’s gaze dipped to another scar across Ferno’s collarbone, and covered by tattoos was another oddly-shaped scar, like some kind of branding. Tattoos covered most of Ferno’s shoulders, but Calix could just make out the tiny white slivers that marked a life of pain and suffering, and it occurred to him how very little he knew of his brother’s life before he’d come to live at the mansion.

Cefirina had warned Gavin that Ferno was perhaps the most damaged of all, that of any of the brothers, he’d be the most likely to betray them, but only as a means of the brainwashing he’d suffered. She hadn’t gone into details of his former life, and Ferno rarely spoke to anyone, so it remained a mystery to most. Except, perhaps, Maddox, with whom he seemed to have the closest relationship of anyone.

Her concerns turned out to be unfounded, because even when Ferno had ultimately killed Shey, he’d done it to protect his family, whom he’d believed to be at risk.

“Your female …” Ferno’s neck bobbed with a swallow, and Calix focused on the male’s atomic orange eyes that stared back at him beneath a frown.

The corner of Calix’s lips lifted with a smile. “She’s alive. Thanks to you.”

Calix caught the slightest parting of Ferno’s lips as relief blanketed his scowl. “She’ll be okay, then?”

“Yes.” Rubbing his hands together, Calix gave a nod. “Will you?”

“Yeah.” Ferno sniffed, casting his gaze away, and cleared his throat, letting Calix know he’d dipped into awkward territory with his brother. “We done here?”

Calix set his palms against his thighs to stand. “Yeah. I know you’re not one for fuss, so I’ll make it quick. Thanks for what you did back there.”

“Let Anna know, if she comes in my room one more time to check on me, I’m going to set this whole fucking place aflame,” Ferno said, ignoring what he’d said.

A beat of laughter ruptured in Calix’s chest as he stood from the chair and made his way back toward the door. “Thought you were asleep this whole time.”

“Hard to sleep, when she’s wiping me down and ruffling the goddamn sheets.”

“I’ll make sure she knows.”

“And Calix.” His words brought Calix to halt with his hand resting on the doorknob. “Glad your female’s okay.”

With a sharp nod, Calix opened the door to the hallway, not wanting to exacerbate his brother’s discomfort. One thing was clear—Ferno did not like playing the hero.

Anna hobbled up to him as he exited, carrying a tray of food and a top-sheet, neatly folded over her arm. “Was just going in to check on him. How is he?”

“I wouldn’t go in there, if I were you.”

The smile on her face fizzled to a puzzling expression.

“He’s fine, Anna.”

She lifted the tray and slumped her shoulders. “Just wanted to offer him a snack. Poor dear is so weak.”

Calix held out his hands in offering. “I know Ava will eat it.”

“Is she up and around, love? I wanted to pop in on her but didn’t know if the two of you had emerged from the bathtub.”

“Yes, she’s sleeping at the moment, but I suspect she’ll be hungry when she wakes.” If the trick’d worked, her craving for blood would have abated with the elimination of the Sang virus, and her human half would go back to craving a more regular sort of sustenance.

Handing the tray off to him, Anna offered an appreciative smile. “Well, then, perhaps she’ll enjoy some pancakes and bacon. Quite a bit there for you to share.”

“Thank you. I know she will.”

She cupped his cheek and kept on down the hall, toward Zeke’s room. Perhaps needing to check in on someone.

* * *

Having dropped off the tray on the nightstand beside where Ava continued to sleep, Calix made his way down to the catacombs. The cold chill of the stone walls, coupled with the souls of the ghouls who guarded the place, couldn’t steal the warmth brimming inside of him. When he reached Xander’s bedroom door, he waited a brief moment, unsure of what he’d hear on the other side, and at the greeting quiet, he knocked.

In all of ten seconds, Xander cracked open the door wearing only a pair of boxer briefs. “She’s in the first cell. Figured she’d want to know how things turned out before they come for her.”

“You’re still planning to hand her over, then.”

“Look, I get it. She did a lot of cool shit with the fire. But let’s not forget, she just did a whole lot of crazy shit with hellsfire, too. What’s to say she won’t turn around and opt to burn your ass extra crispy.”

Calix frowned back at him. “Why would she?”

“Sheer amusement.”

“You’ve always been the best at guarding this place, man. I’ve no argument about that. But this girl, she doesn’t deserve to be put to absolute death.”

Xander stroked his hand back and forth across his skull and exhaled a sigh. “You think this shit isn’t troubling me? Hell, I don’t like the idea of putting any female down like that. What a waste. But it isn’t my call.”

“You and Karinna have some history. Talk to her. Tell her what happened here last night.”

“This female is her big break. A promotion to keep her out of the shit trenches.” The angel shook his head and glanced away. “Fuck, man, every night she goes out looking for these Fallen bastards. If something happened to her? I’d burn this whole goddamn city to the ground, and the heavens, too. Karinna makes a big bust like this, and she’ll never set foot inside a sleazy ass club again.”

“Why don’t you go in together, then? Undercover partners? You handle the dirty work, and she stays out of trouble.”

He stroked his jaw and sneered. “You don’t know Karinna. Fucking stubborn as they come.”

“Will they, at least, consider a trial? A pardon? Probation? She saved a life. That’s gotta account for something.”

“From what I understand, she took some, too. I’ll talk to Karinna. See what I can do.”

With a nod, Calix backed away from the door and continued on toward the cells.

Inside, Thais sat on a cot, reading a book. A pile of plush blankets and pillows lay scattered around her, and bottles of water sat beside a stack of empty plates. At least Xander had tried to make her a bit more comfortable.

She lifted her gaze with a slight smile, as if sensing his presence, setting the book down beside her. The chain had been removed from her neck, leaving Calix puzzled as to why she remained where she was.

“I used the hellsfire on myself,” she said in answer. “After Ava. Can’t flash anymore.”

“So you say.” Calix’s lips tugged into a half grin.

“I’m not going to run. I’m tired of running. Always looking over my shoulder. About the only time I really felt safe was here, with you guys. And for a while there, you wanted to kill me.” Her chuckle bounced off the cold cement walls before dying away with the clearing of her throat. “How is she?”

“I think she’ll be just fine. Sleeping a lot.”

“It’s a bit like the flu at first. Achy joints, tired bones, headache, fever. She’ll come around. And your brother?”

“Ornery as ever. He’ll survive.”

Smiling, she pulled her knees up, wrapping her arms around them. “He’s an interesting character. Shame I’ll be shipping off to angel prison. Could’ve shown him a few tricks with the hellsfire.”

“I’m sure he’d have loved that.” Calix shoved his hands in his pockets. “I spoke with Xander. He’s going to talk to his contact and see what can be done. No promises. They’ll likely apprehend you, but perhaps we can strike a deal.

“We?”

“My brothers and I will do what we can. You did us a great service.”

Her gaze fell toward her knees, and she shook her head. “I almost handed her over to that sadistic bastard. You have every right to turn me over.”

“Believe me, I wanted to. But you’ve redeemed yourself. And you deserve a second chance.”

* * *

When Calix returned to the room, he found Ava sat up in bed, holding three pieces of bacon. The sight of her brought a smile to his face as he closed the door behind him.

“You know, I never really appreciated bacon. I can’t believe I faced the possibility of never eating it again.”

“That’s what you’d have regretted most in death?” Chuckling, Calix climbed into bed beside her and nabbed a piece from the enormous mound Anna had cooked.

“It’s a damn close second.” She licked her fingers, moaning in appreciation, before reaching for another piece.

Calix bit into the salty meat that he certainly didn’t need to survive on, but hell if he could stop himself from eating the addictive shit. Most human food didn’t hold any appeal for demons—except bacon. “And what was your first?”

“You.” Her gaze fell on his, and she leaned over, pressing her lips to his cheek. “You told me even in death. And, as someone who’s been there, I can assure you, it changed nothing for me. You’re my number one, Calix. You’ve always been.”

“Be mine, Ava.” He tossed the bacon onto the plate, and setting it on the nightstand, he straddled her body. “Forever.”

Her smile beamed with happiness, and for the first time, she looked happy. Truly happy. “I already am, demon.”