Page 8 of Bellamy

“You wish for me to kill my own son?” the fallen angel growled.

“Sloth drove a sword into my ribs, so it’s only fair that I return the favor. If that’s a problem for you, perhaps you should rethink your position here.”

Malice showed in Belphegor’s eyes. But he held his tongue. We couldn’t play both sides in this war. If it came down to it, he would have to kill his son.

“Sloth killed Xaphan.” Purah’s lips stretched thin as he smiled. He reminded me of a sadistic piranha. “He must die too. Good idea. Very good one indeed.”

Belphegor shot the walking-creep-show a glare.

Asa stood from his chair, slowly. Probably so he wouldn’t risk showing his discomfort in front of them. They were the ones he had to prove himself to the most. They’d known Lucifer. Knelt before him. Loved him. As Lucifer’s son, he had big shoes to fill.

“Back to what you were saying, Phoenix.” Asa poured himself a glass of wine and took a slow drink. “Tell me more.”

“If we attack enough humans, perhaps we could persuade the brothers to give you the sword,” I suggested. “We could send the world back into chaos. Zombies. Storms. Monsters. Throw everything we have at them. Let them see what true hell on earth looks like. And then make them an offer.”

Asa nodded. “If I know one thing about the Nephilim brothers, it’s that they’re the self-sacrificing type. They’d give their lives to save that of a mere mortal. Such a waste of their talents.” He scoffed and set the goblet back on the table. “Yet, now that Light Bringer is involved, they’re more cautious. They wouldn’t hand over that sword because doing so means I would wield it and do whatever I wanted. I’d make zombies and monster attacks look like child’s play. They’d allow humans to die rather than let me have it. For the greater good. Or whatever hero types say.”

“What do you propose we do, then?” Belphegor asked.

“I want all our efforts focused on taking those brothers down,” Asa said. “I want to crush them. Make them beg for mercy. They have my sword, and until it’s back in my possession, I want every demon hunting them down like the animals they are.”

Damn it all, I thought of Bellamy. I hated him. Yet, I couldn’t stop the way my heart thrashed around at the thought of him dead. Perhaps it was because of the times he’d spared my life.

Yeah, that’s all it was.

I crossed my arms. “I know Light Bringer is powerful, but we’ve sent the world into chaos once before. The angels are still reeling from the battle. They’re weakened. The Nephilim are strong, but they can’t defeat our entire army. They’re definitely no match against you. You’re strong enough without the sword.”

Asa cocked his head. “You think we’re wasting our time searching for it?”

“Yes. We should be putting effort into—”

“Into what?” Belphegor interjected with a snap. “Into more goddamn zombie attacks?”

Purah slumped even more, like a puppy who’d just been told “bad boy.”

“No, you ass,” I countered. “Lazarus and his angels are vulnerable right now. They’re rebuilding their realm after the devastation of the battle. We need to strike them while they’re already down. With them out of the way, the Nephilim and their dragon allies will be no match for our army. We don’t need Light Bringer to win this war.”

“Spoken like the coward you are,” Belphegor’s voice boomed. “You choose to go after the vulnerable instead of—”

“Stop fighting.” Asa rubbed at his temple. “I want my sword, and I don’t care who I need to kill or maim to get it.” His eyes flashed a brighter red. “Can you do that, Phoenix? Or will you continue to argue?”

“Apologies, my king.” I tipped my head to him, the tops of my ears tingling. “Your will is my command.”

“It is, isn’t it?” Asa released a slow breath. “It’s settled, then. Focus your attacks on the cursed sons. If any of them leaves their little safety zone, I want to know about it. I want everything we have thrown at them. No one rests until my sword is retrieved. Belphegor, you’re in charge. I suggest you don’t disappoint me.”

Belphegor bowed his head. “My king.”

“This meeting is a bore now. You’re all excused. Except for you, Phoenix. You stay.”

Belphegor exited the council chamber, Vepar not far behind him. Purah bent forward in a small bow, that unsettling grin still on his face. Humming to himself, he left, closing the door with a softclick.

And then it was just me and Asa, the wood popping in the fireplace the only sound in the too-quiet room.

“Come here.”

My feet moved of their own accord, taking me over to him. Obedience was ingrained in me. He was my king. And I was his tool.

“On your knees.”