Page 116 of Alastair

“Bellamy,” Alastair said with authority ringing clear in his tone. “Back off.”

A direct order.

Instantly, Bellamy’s mouth snapped shut, and he took a step back. Daman grabbed his arm but glared at Asa. Other than the obvious reasons, both of them despised the son of Lucifer. He had gone after both of their mates.

Alastair looked at Asa. “Another comment like that from you, and we’ll leave you here to rot.”

“Then tell me why you’ve come to visit me in this hellhole.” Asa made an attempt to fix his hair. Did seeing Alastair cause the piece of Pride he also carried to stir in his chest? Make him self-conscious about his unkempt appearance?

“We have a proposal for you.” Alastair kept a cool tone. Giving nothing away.

“I’m listening.”

“Lucifer has waged war on the human realm. As we speak, his army is burning cities to the ground, slaughtering humans, and paving the way for his ascension.”

Asa breathed out a laugh. “Am I supposed to care about this?”

“Yes,” Alastair answered without missing a beat. “We want your help to stop him.”

“Surely you’re joking.” Asa pushed to his feet, using the wall for support. His imprisonment had weakened him further. That weakness didn’t affect his cocky grin, though, as he stepped closer to the bars. “Why would Ieverhelp you, Pride? Why would I want to?”

“Because for once, our goals align.”

“Our goals?” Asa’s cocky demeanor waned. “And what might that be?”

“Lucifer’s defeat. The opportunity to best him.” Alastair stepped up to the bars, and I fought the urge to yank him away. The prisoner could do no harm while locked up, but I hated them being so close. “He raised you as a lamb for slaughter, never showing you love or affection. He didn’t bat an eye when you were sacrificed to release him from the cage. If for no other reason, surely you want to get revenge for his callousness and neglect toward you as a father.”

Asa rested his hands on the bars and tapped a finger against one. “Why come to me for help? In case you forgot, I have no power.” He scowled as the words left his lips. A hit to his Pride, I was sure.

“Recently, I learned something interesting,” Alastair told him, still keeping a cool and calm composure. He truly was spectacular. In every way. “You, me, and my brothers? We weren’t meant to be at odds. Fate wanted us to unite.”

“Pfft. Like that would ever happen,” Asa said with a scoff. “You hero types grate on my damn nerves. So much power and potential, yet you hide in the shadows and protect the pathetic humans who care more about murdering each other than living in the perfect world you wish for it to be. Better to let them all die.”

“You sound like Lucifer.”

Asa’s grip tightened on the bars. “I’m better than my father.”

“Then prove it,” Alastair baited him. “Agree to work with us and show him that you’re better. You’ll also get the opportunity to take vengeance against Belphegor for his betrayal.”

“Oh so tempting. This thing you learned about us…” Asa’s indecisive stare flickered from Alastair to the other cursed sons. “Is it why I share your sins?”

“Yes.”

“And somehow, we’re supposed to join forces and defeat my father?”

“Yes.”

A hint of a smile formed on Asa’s lips. “So you need me.”

“Need?” Alastair returned that cunning smile. “Don’t flatter yourself too much. We came to you because your help would make our jobs easier, but we don’t need you. There are other ways to defeat Lucifer. More of a bother, sure, but we’ll manage. If you refuse, we’ll simply leave and enjoy a nice Christmas feast while you pace the confines of this dirty cell alone.”

Asa’s smile faded. “Let’s say I do agree… would it get me out of this prison?”

Alastair looked at me.

“If it were my decision, I’d keep you locked away for the rest of your days,” I said. “But fortunately for you, Michael is the one who oversees the prisoners and decides their fate.”

Michael was silent for a moment. “Cooperate, and we’ll discuss a possible release at the conclusion of the war.”