Page 15 of Alastair

Alastair nodded. “But I imagine once Purah loses patience with us, he’ll increase the threat. Target other cities. The world will once again be thrown into chaos as the headlines blaze about a zombie apocalypse and the end of days.”

That’s exactly what happened during the spring when Belphegor was gathering human souls to break through the celestial realm’s barrier. Purah had awoken the dead, resulting in a mass panic. Vepar had sent storms that killed countless people. Monsters had been set loose, slaughtering even more.

The world didn’t remember those attacks though. Following the battle in the celestial realm, the Joy Bringer angels had descended on the human realm and erased all memories about undead corpses, monsters, and anything supernatural that had been witnessed.

A memory wipeout of that magnitude had taken a lot of celestial energy, but it had been essential to the survival of the human race. A majority of humankind couldn’t cope with the existence of the supernatural world. Their minds couldn’t process it.

“Not to be a negative Nancy,” Castor said, “but Lucifer’s not gonna stay in the shadows for much longer. I mean, look at what’s already happening with the recent monster attacks. He’s gearing up for a worldwide slaughter. It’s only a matter of time before the mortals catch on to the things that go bump in the night, and when they do, it’ll be absolute anarchy like before.”

“And who shall be their savior from the dark?” Alastair’s jaw clenched. “A fallen angel with a sword of light. Those who refuse to bow down to Lucifer will be slain. Kneel or die.”

A memory from the distant past surfaced in my mind, leaving the place I’d kept it hidden for so long…

“The humans are lesser beings than us, Lazarus,” Lucifer said, reclining in the grass, arms behind his head as he stared up at the sky of the celestial realm. Our home. “Why should they live freely while we’re forced to stay in this realm? Why should they be the ones to rule the earth? All they do is bring destruction upon it, ruining the beauty by sullying everything they touch with their corruption.”

“It is not our place to judge them,” I responded. “Free will grants them the choice to do good or bad.”

“Yet so many choose to be wicked.” Lucifer turned in the grass to face me, a smile on his lips. “They need to be purified.”

“Do not say such things aloud. Uriel and Michael will not agree. Neither will the others.”

“Uriel is blind to the truth. He never questions what should be questioned. Yet, you agree with me, do you not? The humans mercilessly slaughter each other. They’re depraved and power hungry. They’re selfish and cruel.” Lucifer placed his hand on my arm.“Imagine it, Lazarus. A life where we are free. All we need to do is rid ourselves of these chains and take our rightful place on earth, to rule over the beasts who do not deserve what they’ve been given. Only then will we ever know what it is like to truly live.”

I blinked the memory away and tuned back in to the conversation around me. However, now that the memory had resurfaced, I couldn’t shove it back down where it belonged.

Long before Lucifer defected, he’d shared his views with me. And I had said nothing to anyone, keeping his secrets safe. Because I had loved him. We’d all loved him—me, Michael, Azazel, Mephistopheles, and even Uriel.

“Asa craved power and wanted humanity to kneel to him,” Warrin said. His arms circled Daman’s lean waist. “Does Lucifer share those same views? What is his end game? Does he wish to destroy the human realm or rule it?”

“Both,” I answered, recalling Lucifer’s words from so long ago. “In his eyes, humankind is a stain upon the earth that needs to be purified. Castor is right. He won’t stay in the shadows forever. And when he finally surfaces, he will bring the fire of the underworld with him to burn away the impurifications of humanity and remake the world the way he wants it, killing as many people as it takes.”

Bellamy shook his head. “Viewing himself as a savior, just like Al said.”

“Precisely.”

“And nothing is more lethal than a villain who believes himself to be a hero,” Phoenix added. His tail flicked against Bellamy’s thigh.

“You would know,” Castor told him.

“On the contrary.” Phoenix’s eyes narrowed. “I never saw myself as a hero. I still don’t. I’ve never tried to be anything but the wicked, selfish bastard I am.”

The dark aura around the demon had lessened over the months despite his insistence that he was wicked. He was far from pure, but he’d proven himself to be a loyal ally to the cursed sons. And a worthy mate for Bellamy.

Mates.

My gaze moved to Alastair. He spoke with Baxter, unaware of my attention on him. Porcelain skin that refused to tan no matter how much time he spent under the Grecian sun, hair the palest shade of blond, and blue eyes that held such wonder one moment and disdain the next.

If he knew the truth, he would never forgive me.

“Who’s hungry?” Raiden asked, readjusting his hat. “I’m thinking of makin’ tahini sauce burgers again with a feta cheese salad. And for dessert, a sweet borek.” He slid his teeth over his bottom lip as he considered it. “Or maybe somethin’ with chocolate, like a black forest cake or a Sacher torte. What ’chu think, baby?”

Titan dropped a kiss to Raiden’s shoulder. “Anything you make will be delicious.”

“Borek!” A younger male with brown hair and hazel eyes poked his head from the window where he had, no doubt, been spying. Titan had taken Nico under his wing earlier that year after Nico first came to the island and joined the army. Now, the almost twenty-year-old was like Titan and Raiden’s son.

“Borek it is, then,” Raiden said with a smile. “I’m kinda thinking an apple and cinnamon filling would be awesome. Oh man. It’s gonna be to die for.”

“Is now the appropriate time to be planning your dinner?” I asked, trying to hide my interest in the apple dessert he mentioned. It, indeed, sounded like it would be to die for. “We should be planning our next move.” I glanced at Alastair. “One that doesnotinvolve you running off to Echo Bay and getting yourself captured or killed.”