Page 31 of Alastair

“You’ll cut it anyway.” But I still let go of Purah, and my whip returned to me. My strength was waning too much.

Laughing low, Vepar nuzzled my temple. “Your scent is intoxicating. Virgins are my favorite. It really is a shame to kill you without first tasting that sweet nectar you’ve never given to another. Maybe Lucifer will letmeplay with you first before handing you over to Purah.” He placed his mouth at my ear. “I’ll even be nice and make sure you enjoy it.”

The air above us whistled, the sound much like a missile whirring toward its target, before the snow several feet away from me exploded upward.

“I have a better idea,” came a familiar voice from within the flurries of snow. When they cleared, Michael came into view, rising to his full height. White wings dipped in gold fanned out to the sides of him, and he held his sword of fire. Those flames burned in his eyes as his hard gaze settled on Vepar. “Step away from him andImay be nice and kill you quickly, instead of dismembering you, limb by limb, and leaving your head for last.”

Vepar released his grip on me and tsked as he stepped backward. “That’s not a very angelic thing to say.”

More angels landed in the snow behind Michael. Three of them were the warriors I’d sent to Echo Bay to help with the walking corpse uprising. Six were from Michael’s unit. The last was Oliver. He nodded to me before moving his gaze behind me.

Lucifer stood expressionless. Light Bringer was still in his grip but lowered to his side. “Michael. Lovely to see you again, brother.”

“It would be even lovelier if you were still in your cage,brother,” Michael responded, stepping closer to him. The archangel of war cowered before no one—not even the Morningstar himself.

“If only.” Finally, emotion flickered across Lucifer’s face in the form of a cunning smile. “I believe you missed me. However, I must admit I’m quite disappointed by this new world I’ve returned to. Humankind has progressed exponentially, though so have their greed and murderous impulses. Mass shootings, rapes, warring nations. It’s an endless cycle that must be stopped.”

“Mortals have free will,” Michael said. “What they do or don’t do is not for us to decide. I’ve told you this before. Yet, my words never truly reached you. You held firm to your rebellious, selfish ways. The world around us has changed since that time, but you are the same.”

“Oh, how I missed your long-winded lectures.” Lucifer’s gaze moved along the scars on Michael’s chest. “And those marks I placed on your skin. Do you think of me each time you see them? I bet you do.”

I forced myself to my feet, feeling a bit light-headed. My shoulder wound wasn’t fatal, but I’d lost a lot of blood. “That’s one quality you and your son share. You love the sound of your own voice.”

“Speaking of Asa, I heard he’s in your prison.” The humor left Lucifer’s eyes as they fell on me, then returned to Michael. “Strange that you haven’t yet killed him. Do you hope to use him against me?”

“Is that fear I sense?” Michael asked. “Is that why you have Belphegor searching for a way inside the celestial prison? Not because you care for your child, but because you fear what might become of you should we gain his allegiance.”

So that was why Belphegor wasn’t in Echo Bay? Made sense. Vepar and Purah were like Lucifer’s minions—disposable pawns—while Belphegor was the one he trusted.

Lucifer’s smile remained in place, but anger flared in his eyes. “I say we call tonight an impasse and go our separate ways. But when we meet again, prepare for a battle unlike any other.”

“Always one to run from a fight,” Michael said with the cocky smirk I’d seen countless times. It wasn’t nearly as playful when aimed at Lucifer. “Just like when we were young. Go ahead and flee to your pit of darkness, Star. I’ll see you again soon.”

“I look forward to it.” Lucifer glanced at me. “You showed me mercy in my cage. I’m sparing your life tonight. Consider us even now.”

Vepar and Purah each placed a hand on Lucifer’s shoulder. The three of them then disappeared. Unlike the rest of the angels—archangels included—Lucifer was able to teleport. The rest of us could travel quickly but not go from place to place in an instant. It proved that his powers were fully returned.

“You’re hurt,” Michael said as he neared me. “Light Bringer’s steel bites like no other.”

“Why are you here?” I asked. “The council—”

“Held an urgent meeting,” he interjected. “When one of your warriors, Evangelos, came to us with news of Lucifer’s presence here, another decision was made. Not unanimous, I might add. But the majority ruled in favor of the idea.”

“I’m almost afraid to ask. That smile is never a good sign.”

Said smile grew larger. “No need to ask. I’ll tell you the news free of charge like the incredible friend I am.” From behind him, Oliver pressed his lips together. “You’ve been given the task of watching over the cursed sons for the duration of this war. And now, I’ve been given a similar assignment.”

“You mean…”

“That’s right.” Michael clapped me on the back, fortunately avoiding my injured shoulder. “You and I will be seeing a lot more of each other as I oversee the military operations. It’s about time the celestial force and that of the Nephilim properly met. Now. Take me to the island. I want to meet with the army and get started. War waits for no man.”

Chapter Five

Alastair

“How is he?” I asked as Bellamy left the bedroom and softly closed the door behind him. Daman had teleported us to the villa where they were staying while on the island.

“He’s alive, no thanks to you.” Bellamy seethed as he advanced on me and grabbed the front of my shirt. His hand shook just like his voice as he asked, “What were you thinking, Al? How could you put Nix in danger like that?”