Page 37 of Alastair

Let it consume me.

“He’s gonna make a full recovery,” Raiden answered. “Our girl used one of her special salves on the wound that should help keep the scarring minimal, but there’ll probably still be a faint one. Light Bringer is a beast.”

“I’m well aware.” I touched my left shoulder where the same blade had once dug into me. A small white scar rested on my neck from it, too, from when Asa had held it against my throat.

“Scars show character,” a deep voice said from behind us.

I inwardly groaned.

Michael stepped toward the edge of the pool, gaze aimed upward. The sky was clear that night, no clouds to block the sea of glistening stars above us. “The stars shine differently here. Beautiful, but those in the heavens are brighter.”

“Perhaps you should return to your own realm, then,” I muttered before taking another drink of tea. The urge to push him into the water was childish… but oh, so tempting. “If there’s a battle, we’ll let you know.”

“I believe we got off on the wrong foot,” Michael said. “I allowed my annoyance at your actions to cloud my mind, and our greeting was more hostile because of it. Lazarus is my closest friend, you see.” His gaze lowered to me. “And you almost caused his death.”

More pieces clicked into place. “You’re the one who helped him escape Lucifer.”

“Lucifer more so escaped from us. But yes, my warriors and I showed up before Vepar could do the unthinkable.”

“The unthinkable?”

A hard look surfaced in his eyes. “A thing that would’ve destroyed him much more than a blade to the throat ever could.”

Like what?

I didn’t get the chance to ask.

A flutter of wings came from behind us, followed by a soft thud in the grass. “It’s not polite to speak of those who are not present.” Lazarus walked toward us, his shoulder wrapped and his arm in a sling. Beneath the moonlight, his white hair held a faint glow.

I dragged in a breath, confused by the sudden pressure in my chest.

“Good to see you back on your feet,” Michael said. “I was beginning to wonder if I should come sit by your bedside and sing so that you may go into the arms of the angel of death in peace.”

“Your singing would scare away even Death himself,” Lazarus said without missing a beat. He then looked between me and Michael. “I see you two have made amends.”

I suppressed a huff. Michael annoyed me, something that went beyond my irritation of him taking control of the army. I just couldn’t figure out what.“Lazarus is my closest friend.”

Was that all they were? Friends?

Why did the answer matter to me so damn much?

“We were never truly at odds,” Michael told him. “It was merely a matter of two alpha personalities clashing. I believe all is well now, or it will be soon. How’s the shoulder?”

“I’ll live. Oliver will have to wait a bit longer before fully taking over my unit.”

“He wouldn’t have it any other way,” Michael said with a short laugh. “Some days I think placing him in the warrior class was a mistake. He seems content playing his flute and bringing joy to those around him.”

“Yet, he also wields that flute better than many wield their swords,” Lazarus said. “Defending from attacks and initiating his own.”

Raiden smiled. “Man, havin’ a flute as a weapon is badass. Like… he just blows into it, and bam, the earth bends to his will, knockin’ people over and shit and tangling them in vines. So cool.”

“Soul weapons are unique in that way,” Michael said. “Oliver with his flute. I have my sword of fire. Lazarus has his whip. As I’m sure you’ve witnessed, he’s quite the sight to behold in battle. Like a storm of ice and lightning.”

“You honor me,” Lazarus said, gaze lowering.

“I only speak the truth.” Michael smiled at him.

Why did my heart thump a bit harder against my rib cage?