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My eyes widened slightly. How did he–

“You aren’t the only one with an oracle under your control. They saw you on your knees for that pathetic little human. But don’t worry. He’ll be joining you soon. And you,” he turned slowly to look at Dante. He looked pissed, and I struggled against the hands holding me, needing to protect Dante. “You shameful little shit. I should’ve killed you, along with your mother. You were supposed to report on Aziel, to give us the ammo we needed to end him.”

Stunned, I fought harder, getting far enough away to look over my shoulder at Dante. He didn’t cower like I thought. He lifted his chin, glaring at his father.

“Aziel didn’t do anything wrong! You’re just mad because he’s better than you!”

The second my uncle reached for him, my magic exploded, sending those trying to pin me sailing away. Fire covered my body, and I launched myself at Dante, my wings spread, giving us the lift we needed to get across the room. Putting myself between him and the family, I shifted lower, my stance defensive.

“You can punish me if you want, but he’s a kid. He’s your kid. I won’t let you hurt him.”

Camus scoffed. “He is no son of mine. Pathetic, just like his mother. Just like you.” He chuckled, waving his hand lazily. “But sure. You can go first. Make sure Dante doesn’t miss anything. He should see what will happen to him if he doesn’t start following orders. Seize them.”

They came at us in waves, all of them trying to either pin me or get toDante. I never fought back before. I didn’t have any illusions that I’d survive it. But I was going to fight to give Dante a chance to get away.

“Dante! Go! Fly out of here!”

I heard him sob behind me. I knew he was scared, but they were more interested in me than him. If he flew out the window, I could keep them from chasing him. I just needed him to go.

“Dante!”

“I-I can’t!”

Gathering as much energy as I could, I sent it out in an explosion of power. It knocked them away long enough for me to look over my shoulder. Dante had tears streaming down his face, his face pale. Gripping his shoulder, I pleaded with him.

“Please, Dante. I need you to go.”

“I can’t… I can’t fly…”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

AZIEL

Someone tackledme before I could figure out what Dante was talking about. I fought, tossing them away, but Iluz already had Dante by the hair. He grabbed Dante’s wing, forcing it open, and horror slammed into my gut.

Camus cackled from his spot at the head of the room. “Did he never tell you? He killed his mother. As pathetic as she was, she was useful to me. He had to be punished for that. Didn’t you ever wonder why he never opened his wings?”

His wings were torn apart. It could be hidden if he never opened them, but when he did, they were riddled with holes. A punishment for his mother dying in childbirth? He never had a chance to fly. They took the sky from him before he was old enough to understand. Fury burned through me and when another soldier tried to reach for me, I thrust my claws through his chin and threw him across the room.

I could accept my fate. The son of a traitor, the human lover. I never expected to live long. But Dante… He was a good kid. He was honest and protective and kind. He didn’t deserve to be hurt for something he couldn’t control. And they would pay for hurting him like that.

Turning to face my uncle, I let my magic build. He didn’t look the least bit worried, an evil grin on his face as he stared me down.

“I can tell you want to kill me. But if you come for me, who will protect Dante?” His words made me hesitate, and he laughed maniacally. “Sentiment. It makes you weak. What will it be, Aziel? The broken cast out with no future, or the revenge you seek so dearly? Make a choice.”

I took a step toward my uncle, the need to hurt him for what he did so overwhelming, I couldn’t breathe. But I heard Dante’s cry of pain. I couldn’t leave him to suffer. He tried to protect me. I promised him I’d watch over him. So even though it would take away every advantage I had, I twisted, throwing my magic at the demons surrounding him. With a flap of my wings, I scooped up the humans and wrapped myself around Dante’s small frame, using every ounce of power I had left to cross realms. It was exhausting doing it alone. Moving three people with me almost killed me. It left me weak, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to protect him after this. But it was the only chance I could give him.

We landed in front of Athena’s house. She was waiting for us, her arms outstretched. Shoving Dante away from me, I barked at him as I set the humans down at my feet.

“Go!”

He shook his head, but Athena pulled him into her arms, dragging him away from me. Stumbling back, I forced myself to smile at him. Blackness overtook the edges of my vision, the exhaustion too much to bear, but I pushed through so I could say goodbye. I didn't want him blaming himself for this.

“This was always going to happen. It’s not your fault. I’m proud of you, Dante. Always remember that.”

His eyes widened, filling with tears, but Kaiser and Iluz teleported beside me and I didn’t have the energy to fight them off. They grabbed me by the arms, teleporting again without pause. I saw Dante reach for me before we were gone. We reappeared in Camus’s home in the human realm, where a familiar face was waiting for me.

“Hello, brother.”