Page 141 of Alastair

He materialized in front of us, keeping a notable gap between himself and our army. “You sound so sure of yourself, my boy.”

Belphegor and Vepar landed in the snow behind him. Purah was probably hiding in the shadows like the psychotic bastard he was.

I smiled. “Did my words get under your skin?” It had been exactly as I’d intended. If I knew one thing about Lucifer, it was his inability to ignore a challenge—another thing we shared. I had thrown down the gauntlet, and he’d accepted. “Good.”

“I once saw a marvelous vision of you leading a mighty army of Nephilim in my name.” Lucifer’s sky-blue eyes tapered as he observed the warriors behind me. “How disappointing that you should be here now leading one against me.”

“You have only yourself to blame.” I ignored the prickling ache in my chest. “I loved you once. Admired you as both a father and a king. I would’ve done anything to make you proud. But not anymore.”

“Because your loyalties have shifted. You found a new family.”

“Yes. I have.” I gained strength from that. “A real family. Not the toxic cesspool I had with you filled with manipulation and lies.”

“Pity you feel that way.” Lucifer then looked at Michael. “Once again, we stand on opposite sides, brother. How I wish it were different.”

“Then surrender,” Michael said. “Stop acting like a jealous child throwing a temper tantrum, and call off your army.”

“And then what?” Lucifer took a step forward. “Be thrown into a cell I could easily break out of? Be banished to another realm I could escape in my sleep? Or would you allow me to rejoin you in the heavens, where I’d spend my days playing by the rules like a good little angel?” A menacing smile formed on his lips. “Those options bore me. I’d rather take my chances here.”

There would be no convincing Lucifer to give up the fight. Even if he somehow managed to overcome his ego and admit his wrongdoings, his nature would always rule him in the end. He was unable to be anything other than a rebel.

He enjoyed it too much.

Chanting came from the rubble. The witches had gathered in a circle, standing where my study had once been. The very place Asa’s soul had been freed from the ring and possessed Simon’s body, where he’d drawn his first breath after thousands of years.

The summoning had begun.

Baxter, Naida, and other warriors from their force bolted toward the witches. Demons met them along the way, creating a barrier between them and the summoning circle. Screeches came from behind me.

Shades. They were attacking the warriors at the rear. Bursts of orange blazed as the low-level demons were cut down with ease. More kept spawning though, keeping the warriors busy. Which, from a strategy standpoint, was the goal.

Black shapes darted across the sky as enemy Nephilim dropped down, their swords drawn, and attacked our army’s right flank. Water dragons charged toward the shore and dove into the cold sea. They manipulated the water to create a massive wave that crashed down on the land and dragged some of the enemy soldiers backward and down to the icy depths.

Wolves from Bane’s pack lunged at a group of mid-level demons—a saber-toothed-looking species—and ripped them to shreds, splattering the snow with their blood. A few wolves weren’t so lucky, however. One was sliced in two by a demon wielding a battle axe. Howls followed the death.

“What are your orders, Al?”Castor asked.

“Let the army take care of the enemy soldiers,”I told all of them.“Our only focus is Lucifer.”

“Understood.”Galen’s head twitched to the side as Wrath moved through him, preparing to take control.

Simon stood behind him, the human’s gaze darting around the battlefield in fear. It wasn’t his first battle. He had even fought in the underworld, wielding a sword Raiden had given him. This was more intense. Dragons, werewolves, angels, vampires, and demons all tearing into each other.

Normally, Galen would’ve never allowed his mate anywhere near the fighting. But that night was the exception. Because once our souls were transferred to Night Fall, we might not ever make our way back out.

“Yes, we will,”Pride told me, growling a little.“For him. For our angel.”

I turned to Lazarus. His eyes were on me too.

A battle waged around us, but I still noticed the scent of crisp late-autumn air and the gentle tartness of winter apples. That time between the changing seasons. That’s where we’d always exist.

“Stop looking at me like you’re saying goodbye,” Lazarus said. “You made me a promise, and I expect you to keep it.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Your brothers all have pet names for their mates.” He faintly smiled. “And I’m stillsir.”

“I could always call you Daddy.” I was teasing, of course. I only wanted to see him smile.