Chapter 132. Always a Choice

I stood before my brother, feeling the weight of my guilt crushing me. Every fibre of my being screamed at me to come clean, to spill the truth that had been gnawing at my soul since the demonic freak had appeared today. But fear had been holding me back.

Fear of losing Kane, fear of Lottie's rejection, fear of what they might do if they learned the truth.

Memories flooded my mind, memories of that catastrophic encounter with the Demon. I remembered the way he toyed with my mind, the way he whispered promises of relief from the misery that consumed me. Misery, I now know he had put me through. I remember the deal he offered, the sinister bargain that hung in the air, like a dark cloud.

"You don't have to suffer, Knox," Astaroth had whispered, his voice like silk and smoke. "I can make it all go away. But you have to give me something in return." And in that moment, I would have given him anything he wanted to end my suffering and the inner torment