Page 43 of Castor

“Not at all.” But even as he said the words, he pressed back against me and turned his head to nuzzle mine. “If you drop me, I’m going to roast you alive.”

Chuckling, I tightened my hold around him and lifted us into the air. Our cloaking powers helped conceal us from mortal eyes as we flew through the night sky, traveling over buildings before reaching the harbor. Dark water glistened below us, and nostalgia slammed into me.

I remembered flying over those same waters, remembered the smell in the air and how the warm breeze caressed my skin. I remembered sitting under the stars with my father as he told me stories of brave men, men he’d said I’d one day grow to become.

“Brave just like you,” I had told him.

And he’d smiled, though remembering it now, it had seemed sad. “No. You will be better than me.”

My father had been trying to tell me, even back then, that he didn’t want me to follow in his footsteps. I just hadn’t been able to see the truth.

“The past is no place to dwell,”Alastair said telepathically, glancing over at me.“Put it from your mind.”

He made it sound so easy. Not all of us could compartmentalize painful memories like he could.

I focused on how Kyo felt in my arms. He was so warm. Strong, yet soft too. He turned back and looped an arm around my neck, his eyes finding mine in the darkness. I hated that he had to wear contacts to cover his orange eyes. But I understood why he felt like he had to.

“Are you trying to distract me?” I asked, arching a brow.

“So you could drop me by accident? Fuck no.” Kyo pressed his face against my neck. “Are you nervous?”

I rested my cheek on his forehead. “A little. I’ve never met Baxter before, but other Nephilim I’ve come across in the past wanted nothing to do with us. Even if they haven’t picked a side yet, our presence won’t be welcome.”

“Why do they dislike you so much?”

“Because Lazarus favored us over them,” I answered in a bitter tone. “We’re the chosen ones.”

“That’s not your fault.”

“And yet, they hate us all the same.”

“The island is up ahead,”Alastair told us, linking his mind with ours.

“Where?”Raiden asked.“All I see is ocean.”

“No, I sense the magic of the veil,”Bellamy said.“It feels like ours.”

“But not nearly as strong,”Alastair added.“We’re about to pass through the barrier. I’m sure they already sense us coming, so stay on alert.”

One moment, all that stretched before us was dark water, and then there was a slight pressure change in the air as we entered through the veil and the island appeared. Mountains rose in front of us, with chiseled cliffs and valleys sloping down to meet sandy beaches.

Lights from the various buildings illuminated the night. They didn’t just have a home on the island, but a whole community. Shops, houses, and boats docked.

Dark shapes swept up from the ground below. Five Nephilim flew up to meet us, four holding swords and one with a bow and arrow. The latter rested a bow on the string and aimed it at Alastair’s throat.

When Alastair stopped his advance and hovered in place, we did the same.

“Who are you?” the male in front asked, stopping six or so feet away. He had midnight-black hair and pale eyes. Those eyes widened a little as he studied us. “Wait. You’re them. The cursed sons.”

“I’m Alastair,” he said. “We’ve come to speak with Baxter. He’s your leader, yes?”

“Aye. He is.” The man’s gaze flickered between us once again before settling on Kyo. “You brought a human.”

Human? Well, Galen hadn’t been able to pick up on Kyo’s dragon blood either in the beginning. It gave us the advantage if they thought he wasn’t anyone powerful.

“He’s my brother’s companion,” Alastair said in a steady tone, neither confirming nor denying the human assumption. “Now, I’d appreciate it if your man could lower his bow.”

The male in the front nodded to the one with the bow, and the Nephilim relaxed his defensive stance. His eyes moved back to Alastair. “We’ll take you to Baxter. But be warned. Make any move against us, and it will be your last.”