Page 22 of Alastair

“By my side.”

“Is that why you wanted me here?” I gritted my teeth. “To convince me to join your side?”

“If you’re as clever as I hope you are, you’ll need very little convincing,” Lucifer said. “What does Pride tell you? Surely, you know you can’t defeat me. You couldn’t kill me in the past, and you can’t do so now. And caging me nearly killed you and the ones you call brothers. Try as you may, but you will not be victorious in this war. I am absolute. Stand against me and you’ll fall.”

He knew precisely what to say to antagonize my sin. Pride hated the thought of failure. So did I.

“The only one who will fall is you.” I withdrew my sword. My hand shook.

“Tell that to your trembling hand.” Lucifer’s blue eyes glowed against the backdrop of snow. He missed nothing. “I could kill you with one slash from Light Bringer. Perhaps I will. Or…” He angled his head to the side, his long black hair shadowing one half of his face. “You can reclaim your position at my side, just as I always intended. I’ll even allow the other cursed sons to join you, forgiving them for their past transgressions, such as killing my generals.”

Lazarus was right. That was why Lucifer lured me to Echo Bay. To make me abandon my mission. To turn me into one of his cruel puppets who killed without mercy. He wanted to turn my family into monsters too. I thought of Raiden with his kind heart. Gray with his wide-eyed innocence. Castor’s playful attitude. Then I thought of what would become of them if Lucifer dug his claws into them. He’d strip away everything that made them who they were.

I refused to let that happen.

“No,” I said with a growl. “The only thing I want from you is your severed head.”

“Then come and claim it.” His stare turned lethal, and a sinister grin curved his lips. “If you can.”

“Show him how strong we are!”Pride roared inside me, provoked by the challenge.

Red filled my vision as I stepped forward, and there was a loud ringing in my ears. Fire rushed through my veins, and something vile twisted in the pit of my stomach. I would make him eat his words. I would—

Wait. I wasn’t supposed to be fighting. The goal was to relay information. I had let my emotions get the better of me.

Taking a steadying breath, I stopped my advance. Lucifer hadn’t even drawn his sword. That’s how confident he was that I couldn’t harm him. I longed to see that confidence slip. I wanted to see fear swim in his eyes.

“Too afraid to face me on your own?” Lucifer asked. “Pity.”

“Fear has nothing to do with it.” I lowered my weapon but kept it firm in my grasp. It might not be able to leave a mark on Lucifer, but it could kill the two goons behind him. Easily. “Though,yourfear might have some bearing on your next move.”

“Is that so?” He smiled that cold smile again. “Tell me. What have I to fear?”

“Us,” I answered. “My brothers and I.”

“Ah, yes. Your brothers.” Lucifer touched his cheek before letting his hand fall away. “The seven of you fought so hard that day in the throne room, and all you gave me was a mere scratch. You expect me to fear you for such a small success?”

“Tell him,”Pride whispered to me.“Make him fear you. Make him see.”

“Valid point,” I said, taking on a casual tone. My emotions were back under control, keeping me levelheaded. Even when so far away, my brothers knocked some sense back into me. Protecting them gave me strength. “A simple scratch on your cheek is nothing to celebrate over. In that regard, you’re right. The seven of us weren’t strong enough to kill you. It’s why we had to resort to caging you during the first war.”

Although subtle, Lucifer’s smile faltered. “Make your point, Alastair. My patience is wearing thin.”

“My point? You’re known for being indestructible. You’re immune to celestial steel.” I took a step closer. “But the moment the seven of us worked as one unit, when our minds and movements synced, we were able to make you bleed. Imagine what all eight of us could do.”

“Eight?” Lucifer’s eyes narrowed. “The avatar of Melancholy is dead.”

“Hewasdead.” I smiled at the sudden wariness in his expression. “While you were in the underworld, weakened and trying to restructure your army, we brought our brother back.”

“Impossible,” Vepar hissed, drifting forward. He used the air current instead of his wings. An interesting ability—I’d give him that much. “You hope to trick us, but it won’t work.”

“It’s not impossible,” Lucifer countered, all emotion gone from his face and his voice. His eyes didn’t leave me. “The boy’s soul never reached the fiery pit upon his death. I never gave it a second thought. But Lazarus hid his soul away, didn’t he? You then used the thinning of the veil on All Hallows’ Eve to bring his soul into the realm of the living. And now the cursed sons are united once more.”

“So you see?” I met his gaze head-on, confidence surging inside my core. “If you stand against us,you’llbe the one to fall. Time has made us stronger, and now with Kallias, we’re strong enough to defeat you. I suggest you slink back to the underworld and think hard before challenging us again.”

Lucifer stared at me for a second or two longer… and then he laughed. “You truly believe you have the advantage.”

“Because I do.” Irritation prickled at my scalp. I hated being mocked. “Surely that’s a future the seer showed you as well. One where my brothers and I bring you to your knees.”