Page 84 of Alastair

“It’s just like it was during the first war,” Oliver said with a horror-stricken expression. “All those innocent people. Dead.”

“The death toll is only climbing.” I braced my hands on the desk. “We have to stop this.”

Gray sat on the rug, legs pulled up and his arms around them. Mason caressed his shoulder, gaze distant. Galen stood against the wall with Simon in front of him. He held his husband protectively. Raiden adjusted his backward hat and blinked through barely suppressed tears while Titan gripped his bicep. Castor stared at the floor while Kyo stared at him, tracing the line of his jaw.

Daman leaned against Warrin’s side, expression cold but softening as the ice dragon nestled his face into Daman’s dark hair. Bellamy had both arms around Phoenix’s waist while the demon’s tail curved around Bellamy’s leg.

Kallias stared at the fireplace as a log popped.

We all knew what was coming. Knew what we had to do.

I glanced at Michael, then at Lazarus, my heart rising into my throat as our gazes locked. Earlier that day, he had happily hummed as he ate apple slices from my hand. It had been our first morning together, a brief moment in time where I’d let my guard down and believed that, perhaps, I could be happy.

In a single instant, those dreams had been crushed. The peaceful days on the island had been obliterated. We couldn’t stay in place any longer, strategizing and training. We had to take action.

Steeling myself against the sudden ache piercing my chest, I held my head high, gaze still on Lazarus. “What are your orders?”

However, unlike in the past when he’d jumped at the opportunity to boss me around, he only stared at me, the same pain I felt reflecting in his eyes. Had he allowed himself to dream too? To hope?

It was Michael who answered. “Dargan tells me Lucifer is currently staying in Transylvania. No longer hiding behind a shield.”

“Transylvania?” Daman asked. “I have a friend who lives in Hoia Baciu. He’s the alpha of a pack of wolves. They’re allies.”

“Reach out to him,” Michael said. “Lucifer was seen meeting with cloaked figures. More than likely witches. The land around Cluj-Napoca is a hot spot for magical energy and often attracts those who wish to use that energy for strong spells. No idea how long he will stay in the area, so we’re leaving tonight.”

“We’re going to face Lucifer?” Raiden asked. “Tonight?”

I felt his sudden apprehension. It came from the rest of my brothers too—apart from Kallias, who seemed more determined to fight.

“Yes. Time for preparation has come to an end. The fate of the world relies on us. More so on the eight of you.” Michael shifted his gaze to me. “Let’s hope you’re right about you and your brothers having the power to kill him.”

***

Snow fell in large flakes from the dark sky as we neared the forest. I inhaled the cold air into my lungs, held it, then slowly exhaled, hoping to expel the tangle of nerves winding through my stomach.

We had traveled to the outskirts of Cluj-Napoca via teleportation stone, armed and ready for battle. Accompanying my brothers and our mates were Clara, Sirena and her best warriors, Michael and his chosen angels, as well as Baxter, Naida, warriors from their army, several water dragons led by Daichi, and ice dragons under Warrin’s command, like his best friend Lev and the twins.

“Hello, nightmare, my old friend,” Lev muttered as we reached the tree line. The ice dragon was brave in the face of battle but faltered when it came to Transylvania’s creepiest forest. “We meet again.”

Daman smirked. “I’m sure the spirits have missed you.”

“Hey, Warrin? Muzzle your husband.”

Warrin pressed his lips into a thin line, saying nothing. But his large body shook with a soundless laugh.

Energy hummed in the air. I sensed the magic flowing beneath our feet, the ley lines that led to the nexus in the clearing. More than likely the reason why Lucifer was spotted not far from here. He intended to siphon the power. Or so I assumed.

Shapes darted between the bent tree trunks, and glowing eyes peered from the darkest depths of the shadows. Lev swallowed hard. The spirits of Hoia Baciu were merely curious about our presence. During the battle against Asa, many of them had helped fight. If we faced Lucifer that night in the shroud of the forest, I had faith they’d help again.

The air stirred in front of Daman before the spirit of a woman with long black hair appeared.

“Maya,” Daman greeted her with a smile.

She reached out and lovingly touched his cheek.

“I’ve been well,” he said, understanding her unspoken concern. The happiest I’d ever seen Daman was when he was with Warrin. However, a rare joy lit his face in the warped foliage of the forest as well, among the spirits he’d once called friends.

“Welcome home, young one,” Maya said, her whispery voice eliciting a shudder from Lev. It drew her focus to him. Lev had been injured during the last battle, and I’d heard she had watched over him until it ended. She seemed to know his discomfort with spirits, so she didn’t approach him. Instead, she drifted over to Warrin and touched his shoulder. “A snake lies in wait, coiled and ready to strike. He comes for the forest.” She looked at Daman before returning her gaze to him. “Protect my boy.”