Page 48 of Bellamy

“I had everything under control,” Alastair said, less cheeky this time. “Bellamy being here is proof of that.”

Lazarus looked at me, and that storm dissipated a bit. Did he still see me as that small boy I’d been back then? Maybe he saw all of us that way. Men he’d raised from boyhood. Could be why he was so hard on us, because he knew our potential. “Your spirit remained strong despite Belphegor trying to break you. You’ve made me proud.”

I nodded to him, unsure what to say. I bore no physical scars from the torment—Phoenix had healed the wounds Purah inflicted. The wounds in my head would take a while to heal, though I was holding up fairly well given the circumstances.

“The demon is your mate,” Lazarus continued. “Quite the hand fate has dealt you. Regardless, I expect you to do what needs to be done should the need arise.”

“Kill him, you mean?” My voice didn’t rise above a whisper. It would crack if it did.

“Yes.” Lazarus watched me closely. “However, he may be of use to us. For now. Love is a strong emotion. Foolish and a waste of energy, but strong. The connection between a fated pair is even stronger.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“The demon has fought on the opposite side of this war. He knows the enemy. Perhaps the connection you share will be strong enough to switch his allegiance. To make him a powerful ally. And if not… you’ll kill him.”

Kill him. My stomach twisted.

“I hate this for you, B,”Daman said telepathically. He stood across from me.“It’s not fair.”

“Nothing ever is,”I answered.

I recalled the night months ago when I had called Daman. He had realized Warrin was his mate, and he’d been terrified because up until that point, he’d never allowed anyone to get emotionally close to him. He’d felt he was unworthy of love because of the lies Envy had fed him.

I had told him that at least his mate was someone he could actually have. At the time, I’d been in a dark place, struggling with my feelings for my own mate. OneIcould never have. Sleeping with the enemy was nice as a fantasy. But in reality?

Nothing but pain would come from it.

“How long has the demon been here?” Lazarus asked.

“One day,” I responded. “He hasn’t talked much.”

“I’m counting on you to change that.” Lazarus reverted to his normal stoicism. “There’s another reason I’ve come. Do you recall me telling you about the four fallen angels who joined forces with Asa? You’ve met three of them.”

“Yeah, and our Smalls killed one of those three,” Raiden said, throwing a beefy arm around Gray’s neck. “Such a little badass.”

Gray cracked a sleepy smile. He’d need his afternoon nap soon.

“Yes, Xaphan is dead.” Lazarus nodded. “Fortunate too. He had the power to set the world on fire. Literally. Vepar and Purah remain with Asa, however, Penemuel is no longer amongst them.”

“Pene-who?” Raiden blinked.

“Penemuel,” Lazarus repeated. “Some refer to him as the curer of stupidity in humans, for through his writing, he can pass on wisdom. Lift them up from ignorance.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad,” Castor said. “I know several people who could benefit from that.” He grinned at Raiden.

Raiden, catching Castor looking at him, only said, “Huh?”

“See?” Castor motioned to him.

“Quit being mean.” Kyo shoulder-bumped his mate.

“Knowledge can be a dangerous weapon,” Lazarus said. “It’s why we forbade Penemuel from continuing this work. It angered him, and thus, he joined the rebellion with Lucifer. His abilities have a sinister side as well. He can corrupt human souls through his literary works. Mind control, but it’s also a complete perversion of who that human used to be. Poisons both their mind and soul.”

“He’s not with Asa anymore,” Alastair said with a pensive expression. “Why?”

“I believe he’s abandoned the cause.” Lazarus glanced up as the sun passed behind a lone cloud, giving us a momentary bout of shade. “Unlike the others, Penemuel didn’t defect with Lucifer out of blind loyalty. He did so because he was angry with us. He joined the rebellion out of spite. Lucifer is the one who taught him about his darker potential.”

“Okay,” Daman said, standing with one hip cocked and a hand resting on Warrin’s bicep. “What do you want us to do about it? Want me and Cas to track him?”