Page 72 of Alastair

Mine included.Gods. That was such a strange thought. One I never expected to have, certainly not toward the white-haired angel with his semi-permanent snarl.

“The curse in our blood reacts to Lucifer’s presence,” I said, inwardly kicking myself for not seeing it until now. “When we faced him in the underworld, it was our sins that synced, taking over our bodies and fighting as one. That’s the trigger. Lucifer. It’s why we haven’t been able to recreate it.”

“Which means we can’t practice the technique,” Daman said. One of the fake feathers stuck to his blade, and he blew it off.

The truth sank into my gut like lead. “When we face him, we’ll only have one shot to make it work.”

Michael had his arms crossed, one bent at the elbow as he pressed his closed fist to his mouth. He hadn’t said a word during the entire drill. Breathing in, he lowered his hand and focused on me. “Then perhaps we should strategize a plan B in case your plan should fail.”

My jaw clicked.

“Don’t take it personally,”Lazarus told me. His expression didn’t change at all. No one around us would even suspect we were speaking. Rememberingwhywe shared the link caused more flutters in my stomach.“If you were in his position, you’d make the same call.”

“We can do it. I know we can,”I responded.“His doubt only fuels my need to prove him wrong. And no, before you can scold me, it’s not my Pride talking.”

The faintest hint of a smile showed on Lazarus’ lips. Not fully formed, but so close to surfacing.

“Morning,” a smooth voice greeted as a dark-haired male with yellow eyes and a devilish smile appeared, sword lightly resting on his shoulder as he held it upright.

“Daichi.” Kyo nodded to him. He was married to Ryoko, Kyo’s sister, and was part of the earth dragon clan. “What’s up?”

“I came to ask if you and your boys wanted to train with us,” Daichi said. “We’re down by the water and—” His eyes landed on the tattered dummy. “—who the fuck killed King Tatsuya?”

Bellamy belted out a laugh.

Castor sighed. “It’s Lucifer. Not my pompous brother-in-law.”

Raiden patted his shoulder.

My brothers and their mates then left with Daichi. I stayed behind.

Nephilim warriors from Baxter’s army trained in the field toward the right, swords clashing in midair. Water dragons swam in the sea beyond that, some practicing their water magic and others simply enjoying a swim. Many of the ice dragons had returned to their kingdom, with the exception of Lev and the twins.

“Shall we go somewhere to discuss our strategy?” Michael asked. “The day will only grow shorter.”

We returned to the villa and met with Sirena, Baxter, and Tatsuya.

“If they say they can kick his ass, I believe them,” Baxter said when the subject arose of whether my brothers and I could defeat Lucifer with the technique. “The combined power of their sins is the one force that can take that fucker down.”

“Perhaps.” Michael rubbed at his smooth jaw. “Yet, it’s unwise to place total faith in a technique I’ve not witnessed for myself.”

“You’re doubting us?” I asked. “I told you the reason why it didn’t work today.”

“No. You gave me your theory.” The archangel’s brown eyes hardened around the edges. “Theories don’t win wars.”

My Pride took a hit. An argument was on the tip of my tongue, but I bit it back. It would only make me sound like the temperamental child he’d previously accused me of being. As the meeting drew on, each of the army leaders tossing out ideas on how to win this war, my confidence wavered more and more.

I felt so defeated.

Just like when I’d run off to Echo Bay, my plan was crumbling around me. But failing this time would not only result in my death… but the death of everyone I held dear.

Dargan, one of Michael’s warriors, returned from a scouting mission and reported that Lucifer had been spotted on the surface before his energy trail disappeared. Oliver and another angel named Evangelos were with him.

“What was he doing?” I asked.

“Walking the streets of Shibuya,” Dargan answered, his posture straight and voice matter-of-fact. His close-cropped brown hair had caramel highlights, matching the lighter shade of his eyes.

“Why was he in Tokyo?”