Page 24 of Alastair

I bowed my head. “Yes, sir.”

“Do you recall that night so many years ago when Greed refused to kill his father?”

I blinked in surprise. “Yes. I stepped in and killed Caim in his place.”

“You were so angry with the red-haired Nephilim afterward. You then doubted his loyalties and nearly killed him.” Uriel peered at me. “I convinced you otherwise. Time has certainly shifted perspectives. Because here you are now defending their loyalties, and I, the one questioning.”

“Much has changed since then.” My eyes were more open now. My sole focus in those days had been to follow orders. I hadn’t seen the cursed sons as individuals, but rather a task I had been given.

“Yes. Muchhaschanged. You most of all. I’m unsure as of now whether that is a pro or a con.”

Unsure how to respond, I said nothing.

“Leave my sight.” Uriel turned away. “Your precious Alastair is waiting for you.”

My jaw clenched as I left the courtyard. My boots thudded against the white stone path, the heavy steps echoing the beats in my chest.

Your precious Alastair.Ever since learning the truth, Uriel had never let me forget it. He poked the wound, refusing to let it close. Reminding me over and over again of what I could never have.

As if I could ever forget.

It was a truth I’d faced each and every time Alastair had fallen for someone else over the centuries—when he’d kissed or lain with a lover. Every time he’d given his heart to another, mine had cracked more and more. The ache, just like the rose’s thorns, cut me deeply.

Put it from your mind.

Burying my emotions was second nature now.

I breathed deep and spread my wings, letting them lift me from the stone path. I’d packed light, needing nothing more than clothes and my sword—a secondary weapon to my lightning whip—as well as several teleportation stones in case of an emergency. Knowing the brothers as I did and their penchant for trouble, there was bound to be some life-or-death situation where we’d need one.

I sighed.

Perhaps I should’ve allowed another angel to stay with them. They were sure to send me to my grave with their tomfoolery.

The sun had just crested the horizon and shone on parts of the island as I landed in the grass. Five Nephilim warriors—who’d been assigned to guard the barrier—nodded to me. Night patrol. They would be relieved of their duty soon and replaced by another group.

Baxter’s villa exuded an air of extravagance with its two stories, terraces with picturesque vines snaking up, the orchard of trees beside it, and the path that led to the courtyard in the back with stone benches, a fountain, and a thriving assortment of plants and flowers. The interior held an even greater luxury, with high-end furniture, expensive artwork hanging on the walls, and riches scattered throughout.

It lacked the warmth of the mansion in Echo Bay—a rare comfort I’d felt whenever I’d visited the boys. Not that I’d ever said as much. And now that mansion was gone. I saw how much that loss hurt Alastair, but he hid that hurt behind a composed mask, so he could be strong for his family. It was admirable.

Reaching the front door, I knocked once. I wouldn’t knock twice. If no one answered the door, I’d let myself in. I wasn’t known for my patience.

The knob jingled before the door creaked open.

“Uh-oh,” Gray said as he spotted me. “Never a good sign when an angel comes a-knockin’.” He rubbed at his sleepy eyes and opened the door wider. “I guess you can come in, but only if you promise to be nice. Everyone’s still asleep, but I’ll wake ’em.”

Alastair never slept that late. He woke before the sun most mornings and put on a kettle for tea. He’d be lost in the pages of a book by now, swept away by the words of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle or Agatha Christie. He had read the books countless times but often returned to them. They were his favorites.

Another sigh escaped me. I was too observant of him.

I should’vedefinitelyrefused Michael’s request and told him to give the job to a different angel. Then again, I didn’t trust many other angels to do the job correctly. Especially not one of the archangels. They’d mark the boys as dangerous the first instance they witnessed Galen raise his voice or Daman give one of his infamous glares. And it would certainly be game over the second they met Phoenix. They’d never accept a demon as an ally.

“Tell your brothers and their mates to meet me here at once,” I told Gray. Not all of the boys lived under the same roof on the island, but Gray would be able to contact them telepathically.

“Coulda said please.” Gray ambled away to wake the household and—hopefully—do what I said in a timely manner.

Penemuel came downstairs moments later. “Morning,” he said.

I ignored him.