Page 60 of Bellamy

Our blood bond allowed me to sense their true emotions, and while I sensed confusion, hesitance, and anger, I also felt their acceptance. They hated Phoenix. But they lovedme.

I recalled the first day I’d met them. We’d all been so young back then, boys taken from the only place we’d ever known. But we had formed strong bonds that could never be broken. We had become a family.

The backs of my eyes stung. I hadn’t lost them. They weren’t going to cast me aside.

Daman walked over to me, shooting Phoenix a cautious look. He then hugged my side. “We’re not abandoning you, B.” He must’ve read my thoughts. “When I struggled with my feelings for War, you were there for me. I’m gonna be here for you too.”

I pulled him into a full hug. “Thanks.”

“Aw, you guys.” Raiden jumped up from the couch and wrapped his arms around both me and Daman. “Family hug.”

“Get off me, you big ape.” Daman tried to wiggle free. He was like a cat that only liked to be touched on his terms.

Warrin stood a few feet away and pressed his lips together to hide his smile. “Be nice,kotya.”

“You be nice,” Daman mumbled. “Get over here and save me.”

That smile finally touched Warrin’s lips.

“Me next!” Gray pounced on my back and leaned his head on mine. “You helped encourage me to bang Mason. Remember? And you talked to me when I was confused about everything. I love you, Bell. Sorry we hurt your feelings.”

“Yeah.” Daman’s arms tightened around me. “This isn’t your fault, and we’re all assholes for not seeing that sooner.”

Galen met my eyes from across the room. “I’m not hugging you.”

Simon lightly elbowed him in the ribs and then huffed when Galen only looked at him with a “what?” expression.

Castor approached next with Kyo. He was sure to keep Kyo on the side farthest from Phoenix, keeping himself between the two of them. When he looked at me, Lust changed my eye color to orange. “I’m not gonna apologize for anything I said. I meant every word. I think this is a mistake.” He put a hand on my shoulder. “But I fucking love you, Bell. And whether this turns out okay or blows up in your face, I’ll be here for you.”

“Thanks.”

Raiden finally released his hold, and Daman scattered away from us, going over to Warrin. The ice dragon softly smiled as he caressed my brother’s cheek. Gray hopped down from my back and padded over to Mason.

Castor turned to Phoenix. “If you hurt my brother, I swear to all the gods I’ll kill you.”

“I won’t hurt him,” Phoenix responded. “It’s why you can be assured I have no intention of handing Light Bringer over to Asa.”

“The demon’s hiding something,” Galen said, gaze hard. “I can see his guilt.”

That was part of Galen’s power. He could see the good and bad in people and pick up on hints of deception. People skilled in manipulation—like Phoenix, I thought with an inward sigh—were harder to read. But sometimes if the emotion was strong enough, it bled through the cracks.

“I’ve been on the opposite side of this war since it started,” Phoenix said. “Of course there are things you don’t know.”

“Explain it, then,” Alastair said. “Unless you’re still loyal to Asa.”

Phoenix’s gaze shifted to me. “There’s only one person in this godforsaken universe I’m loyal to. And it’s not Asa. Not anymore.”

It was the confession I’d been waiting for—that he had decided to leave Asa’s side for good. My heart was going to explode from my chest. I hid it well though. Or I thought I did, until I caught Daman smirking at me. He knew me better than anyone. It was a miracle I’d been able to keep such a big secret from him for as long as I had.

“Shortly before I came to Echo Bay and was captured by a sinful Nephilim with a tight ass,” Phoenix said, glancing at me with a humored gleam in his eyes, “Asa called a meeting. As you’re aware, demons have been sent to Echo Bay to track Light Bringer. Asa won’t rest until he has it. But it’s not simply a matter of him wanting a powerful weapon. There’s a deeper reason.”

“Go on,” Alastair said in a steady tone. The muscle in his cheek twitched—a sign of his apprehension.

“While searching for Gusion’s key back in December, Asa visited a seer,” Phoenix said. “He was shown a vision.”

Warrin sharply exhaled. “He spoke of this vision to me. It was when he came to me in Russia.”

“The night he froze time,” Daman added. “He said something about knowing we’d be defeated, right? That’s how he tried to convince War to switch allegiances.”