Page 68 of Bellamy

A knot formed in my stomach. I recalled the hatred in Asa’s crimson eyes and the sting of his hits… his warning for me to stay away from Bellamy. I had defied his orders. Asa would rip me apart the next time we met, of that I was certain. But just like Bellamy, I had made my choice too. And I’d chosen him.

“You can’t play both sides, demon,” Galen said. “That’s not how this works.”

“I have no interest in your war,” I responded. “I don’t care if all of mankind goes up in flames. I also don’t care if you save them from such a fatal end.”

“We’re supposed to believe that?” Castor glared at me. “You’re evil to your core.”

“Is anyone ever truly good or evil?” I asked. “Growing up, I quickly learned how cruel the world can be. Everyone is only looking out for themselves. So I became the same way.”

“Then you met Belphegor,” Alastair said. “Together, the two of you reformed the underworld. You caused us trouble over the years but never anything too drastic. Not like it is now.”

Strange how within those years, Bellamy and I’d never noticed our fated mate connection. Then again, we’d never actually been in close quarters with each other. With that one fateful day in the Caribbean, everything had changed. Our bond sprang to life the moment he pressed that dagger to my throat.

“Ruling over a small force of demons and causing a bit of mischief was all I needed to keep myself entertained,” I said. “Belphegor felt differently. He wanted more. When the ring with Asa’s soul surfaced last year, Belphegor was obsessed with finding it.”

“And you followed blindly?” Alastair asked.

“Not blindly, no. I understood the benefit of being on Asa’s good side when he awoke. So when Belphegor ordered me to bring him the ring, I obeyed his wishes. You know the rest of the story.”

Daman took a drink of coffee and leaned against the bookshelf. “So you went from one master to another. Now when Asa says jump, you ask how high.”

“I followed orders, same as you. Lazarus tells you what to do, and you obey. Same with me and Asa. He wanted all humans under his heel, so I helped make his vision a reality, not caring who I crushed in the process.”

“Why?” Bellamy asked. “Were you just obeying him out of fear?”

“There you go trying to make me a damsel again,” I said, my voice softening. “I followed Asa because I felt he had a better chance at winning the war. Simple as that. I picked the side I thought would win.”

“Now you feel differently?” Alastair asked. “You believe our side will serve you better?”

“No,” I answered, the truth of my words settling over my heart. “But my reasons for fighting have changed. A reason that goes beyond mere survival or following whoever is the most powerful. I have nothing against humans. I don’t particularly like them either. Kill them, save them, I don’t care. The human realm is not my home. My only concern is keeping Light Bringer away from Asa.”

Asa couldn’t get his hands on that sword. If he did…

I grabbed Bellamy’s hand. Touching him so freely was still a bit weird. But it felt so damn right. My soul soothed as soon as our skin made contact.

Alastair regarded me in silence. After several moments passed, he nodded. “That’s good enough for me. Your reasons may be self-serving, but our goals align. By helping us, you’ll be helping Bellamy. The same also applies if you betray us.”

Castor fidgeted with his lip piercing and studied me. “If you really want to help us, pop down into the underworld and slit Asa’s throat with a celestial blade. That would pretty much win us the war on the spot.”

“I mean, that’s actually a good idea,” Raiden said.

“Actuallya good idea?” Castor kicked Raiden’s shin, making the bigger male rub the area with a pout. “I have the best ideas.”

“Whatever.” Daman rolled his eyes. “Your ideas suck just like your hair.”

“What’s wrong with my hair?”

“Nothing.” Kyo grinned and wrapped his arms around Castor. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just jealous.”

“No one asked you, dragon.” But Daman’s tone lacked any kind of heat.

“Stop bickering.” Alastair pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. He then lowered his hand and focused on me. “While Castor brings up a good point, who’s to say you wouldn’t turn on us the moment you’re back in the underworld?” He shook his head, dismissing the idea. “For now, I want you to tell us everything you know about Asa and the fallen angels by his side. Belphegor, Vepar, Purah. All of them.”

“Wow. You trust me to tell the truth?” I asked in a somewhat mocking tone. “Shocking.”

“That’s one reason why Galen’s here,” Alastair said. “When someone lies, their soul reacts, and Wrath can sense that change. You want to gain our trust? Start with giving us valuable intel.”

“Asa likes raspberry-filled donuts,” I said. “Valuable intel like that?”