Page 137 of Alastair

“I taste better.” He nipped at my lips.

“I need another taste just to be sure,” I responded before joining our lips again.

One last night.

I refused to waste it.

Chapter Twenty-One

Alastair

“The scouts confirmed it,” Oliver said after coming through the front door of Baxter’s villa that morning. “The demonic presence has increased in Echo Bay. They’re swarming to the area.”

Dargan nodded from behind him. “As are Nephilim and fallen angels.”

As the sun rose here on the island in Greece, it was setting in Echo Bay. And with the fall of darkness, the events I’d seen in the vision would begin to take shape.

“Lucifer knows we’re coming for him,” I said. Pieces of the vision flashed through my mind—dead bodies strewn along the snow. So much blood. I had tried not to look at their faces. “He’ll be ready for a fight.”

“So will we,” Michael said.

Penemuel entered the kitchen, appearance a bit disheveled. His pullover cardigan and undershirt were wrinkled, as if he’d slept in them, and his brown hair was tousled. For once, he wasn’t wearing his glasses—not that he needed them. “I’ve decided to go with you.”

“Go with us?” I asked.

He nodded. “To battle.”

Was that why he looked so rough? He’d been tossing and turning over that decision.

“I’m afraid I can’t allow that,” Michael told him.

“And why not?”

“Because you’re no good with a sword.” Michael patted his shoulder. “I can see how much you’ve changed. For the better. But you aren’t a warrior, Pen. If I allow you to join us in battle, your blood will be on my hands.”

Naida, who was sitting at the table with her husband, Zale, scoffed. “If the writer wishes to fight, let him.”

“I’m tired of running,” Penemuel said. “Tired of hiding in my cave while the world goes on around me. A world that may not be here tomorrow, depending on the outcome of tonight’s battle. I’ve made so many mistakes in the past. Give me the opportunity to make it right.”

“I admire your courage,” Michael responded. “Very well. If that’s your final decision, so be it.”

“We should have a family meeting,”I told my brothers. Lazarus and I had come to the villa to meet with the allied commanders, but they were still on different parts of the island.“And bring your mates.”

“Fuck,”Bellamy responded.“It’s time to tell them, isn’t it?”

“Can we just… not?”Castor asked.

“You can’t keep the truth from them forever,”I said.“The battle is nearly upon us. Unless you wish for them not to know until it’s too late.”

“They deserve to have a proper goodbye,”Kallias said.“Don’t take that from them.”

Through our connection, I felt his profound sadness. He’d been denied his happily ever after with Elasus, and his heart was slowly withering away as each day passed without him. Saying goodbye might not have brought him closure, but it might’ve lessened the sting, if only a little. Better than being taken off guard without even a final “I love you.”

We decided to meet at Raiden’s house.

Nico was rushing out the door with a piece of toast jutting from his mouth as we arrived. He waved at us before spreading his wings and flying toward the military barracks. The Nephilim army was making preparations that morning. As much as Titan wished to protect Nico, he wouldn’t be able to stop him from joining the fight. The young Nephilim was too determined.

Pride sensed Nico’s desire to prove himself. He wouldn’t be persuaded otherwise, regardless of Titan’s orders.