Redemption (Fire & Brimstone #5)

by Nik Knight

The world is full of monsters with friendly faces and angels riddled with scars. --Heather Brewer

Closing his eyes, Beau imagined his lover’s smile, the feel of soft fingers dancing along his tattooed shoulder. Like thistle and thorns, they prickled and burned, but it was the perfect type of agony. It had always been that way, a push and pull, a beautiful battle. But they relished the fight and the inferno. For a moment, Beau smelled the salty ocean breeze, warm sand, and cotton sheets. And there, in that memory, in the gentle arms of the monster he loved, he was home.

With their fingers twined and their bond sealed, they gazed at each other, one being split in two—partners, brothers, Others. And the angel knew in that moment that he could live for eternity, till the sun burnt out and the universe died, and he would never find any creation more beautiful than his Other. “I’m going to take care of you,” the angel said as he squeezed those pale, delicate fingers. “No matter what, I’ll always take care of you.” And his Other blushed, the heart wrenching pink traveling down his neck to paint his chest. He smiled, eyes swirling with purple starbursts, and said, “I know.”

“All I know is that my heart beats for him. We can’t lose him.” “Then we won’t give up. We search for him until we find him. But you have to be patient, however difficult that is.” Their foreheads met, Michael’s stare drilling into his, and Gideon nodded. “I know. I’m trying.” “I know, brother.” Michael patted Gideon’s neck with a tight-lipped smile. “And for what it’s worth, I’m happy you found someone who breathed life back into you. It’s been good to see you smile again.”

I wanted Gideon, my anchor, my safety. I wanted Jai, my strength, my freedom. I wanted Noel, my passion, my love.

“And if the Maker calls me home before you, know that I will wait for you on the shore, watching for your boat on the horizon until we’re together again.”

“Sometimes, you have to be a monster to defeat the demons. But once you accept it, once you face it, you will learn to control it. And you won’t be alone.” He tapped his tattooed neck. “When you think you’re lost forever, they’ll pull you back. Because love is stronger than hate. Light is stronger than darkness. But you have to fight for it.”

“But courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s what you do in the face of it. So face it and fight.”

“You can pretend I never said anything.” I hated the way my voice broke, the way I trembled like a leaf. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I know we’re not… I know I’m not what you want, and that’s okay. But can I still love you? Is that—can I just love you? Please don’t be mad that I love you.”

“Everyone wants me to be okay, and I’m trying… but I’m not okay.” His exhale was a heavy, splintered thing. “One day, you will be.” He pecked my forehead. “We’ll get there together, you’ll see.” “Promise?” He tightened his arms around me. “I promise.”

Lucifer wanted a weapon, but he had created a monster instead. And this monster would destroy him. I would make sure of it.