Page 154 of Alastair

I gently laid Alastair down before pushing to my feet and going over to Lucifer. I pulled Night Fall from his chest and stared at the colorful stones. My vision blurred as I brushed my thumb over the purple one. That’s where Alastair was. His body was just an empty vessel.

A boom sounded from behind me.

Uriel, Raphael, and Selaphiel had arrived. Clouds had rolled in, and flurries began to fall from the dark sky, landing in their white-and-gold feathers.

“They actually did it,” Uriel said, shocked. “They defeated the Morningstar.”

“Yes.” Night Fall was heavy, as all soul weapons were to those who weren’t permitted to wield them. But my soul sensed his inside—trapped. “And they gave everything for it.”

It was difficult to celebrate the end of the war when my heart had withered away. With Lucifer defeated, the world would again know peace. But at what cost? A selfish part of me felt the cost had been too high.

A dark shape flew above us before Belphegor landed beside Lucifer. He stared in disbelief before crumpling to the ground and pulling Lucifer against him. “You took my king. My light.” And then his brown-eyed gaze fell to Gray. That one hit him the hardest. “Gradyn? What have you done!”

A cry then tore from his throat. I never thought I’d see Belphegor so broken. As he clutched Lucifer and stared at his son’s lifeless body, he was lost to grief.

I related all too well. I was in love with Alastair, but he wasn’t the only one I’d lost that night. I had lost all my boys.

“Your son helped correct your wrongdoings,” Uriel told him. Snow caught in the strands of his brown hair. “For that, he and the others are heroes who will be honored in the heavens.”

“Including Bellamy?” Phoenix asked. “He mated with afilthy demon,after all.”

Uriel’s gaze dropped to him. “You fought bravely beside our army tonight, demon. Regardless of my feelings toward your kind, you have my gratitude for that.”

“Shove that gratitude up your ass,” Phoenix said with a snarl. “It does nothing for me. I’d rather you find a way to bring him back to me. You promised if they defeated Lucifer, all would be forgiven.”

“And so it is.” Uriel’s eyes flickered to gold, then back to their original green shade. “But speak to me like that again and I’ll send you screaming into the fiery pit.”

Warrin grabbed Phoenix’s arm, shaking his head when their eyes met. Daman and Bellamy had shared a close connection. Fitting that their mates would also share a bond.

“Please come back to me,”I tried to say to Alastair. But our mind link had faded. My thoughts couldn’t reach him. And gods, it hurt.

Belphegor lifted his head as Michael approached him. “Just kill me already. I’m done fighting. I’ve lost everything.”

“Death is too good for you,” Michael said, yanking Belphegor to his feet. “You will live with your pain a while longer.” He nodded to Uriel and the others before using his teleportation ring to take him and Belphegor away. Probably to the celestial prison, where the fallen angel would await further sentencing.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Dargan said, grabbing Asa’s wrist. “Trying to sneak away? Not gonna happen.”

Asa flashed a sheepish grin. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

“Uh-huh.” Dargan yanked Asa’s arms behind his back and slapped cuffs on him.

“Remember our deal,” Asa said to me. “I helped you defeat my father.”

“I forget nothing, son of Lucifer. The council will review your sentence, taking that into consideration.” I looked at Uriel. “Right?”

The archangel nodded. “It will be done.” He then turned to Dargan. “Take him back to the palace for now.”

“Yes, sir.” Dargan lifted into the air. Asa’s complaints about being manhandled faded the farther they flew.

Uriel’s gaze then shifted to Penemuel, who stood between Baxter and Clara. “You survived the battle.”

“I did.” Penemuel had been stabbed in the arm and slashed across his thigh, but he’d fought well. It was the first time he and Uriel had spoken since he’d defected. “So many years I’ve spent evading you. I suppose it’s time for me to face the council’s judgment at long last.”

Uriel’s gaze narrowed, and there was a tic in his jaw. “As tempting as it is to string you up and pass down a fitting punishment for your crimes against the realm, Michael tells me you’ve changed. He’s a blundering fool most days, but I respect his judgment. And considering your help in the war against the Morningstar, I’m inclined to agree with him. So for the time being, consider your wrongs pardoned. But know if you step one toe out of line, I will take your head.”

Penemuel responded to him, but I lost interest.

Sadness ate at my insides. My chest felt hollow. The ones responsible for our victory were no longer with us. It wasn’t fair.