Page 129 of Daman

“You suit me better.” I tugged him closer and kissed the base of his throat. Where Asa had bitten him now had my mark instead. But still. Envy growled at the reminder.

He snatched hold of my chin and pressed our lips together. I pushed him onto the bed and straddled his hips, rutting against him. The deep grumbles rumbling in his chest thrilled me. Much too soon, we were interrupted.

“Family meeting downstairs,”Alastair projected into my head.“Lazarus is here.”

The angel seemed less frosty than usual as I entered the living room, Warrin at my side. Gray was cuddled up on his favorite cushion, head resting against Simon, his favorite person. Raiden sat with Bellamy on the other couch, my gluttonous brother eating from a large bag of chips—probably to hold him over until the pizza was ready.

“You look well,” Lazarus told me. “And your life force is strong. Good.”

“I’m in your debt.” Warrin bowed his head. “If not for your help, I—”

“Don’t mention it.” Lazarus gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “The world can’t afford to lose either of you right now. I did what I needed to.” He focused on me. “Uriel sends his gratitude. The key is finally where it belongs.”

“Tell us something,” Alastair said. “What does Belphegor want from the celestial realm?”

“What does he want? To destroy us. Why ask such ridiculous questions?”

“That might be why Asa wanted the key, so he could attack you just like Lucifer wanted to all those years ago.” Alastair stepped forward. “But Belphegor is after something else. I know it. He attacked the celestial realm while Phoenix attacked us in the Caribbean. When he failed, he must’ve remembered Gusion’s key and told Asa, which is why they began the search for it. It was plan B.”

“Your Pride blinds you,” Lazarus said, eyes narrowing. “You’re so desperate to be right that you fail to see the truth in front of you.”

“Or you’re hiding something.”

The angel’s stare turned deadly. “Accuse me again and it will be the last words you ever speak, Pride.”

“He’s definitely not telling us the truth,”Galen said through our mind link.“His anger derives from guilt. I can sense it.”

“Since we’re asking questions here, I have one that’s been eating at me.” I regarded Lazarus. “Gusion said fallen angels are destined for the pit once they die. Their souls are damned.”

“And rightly so,” Lazarus snapped. “They will never know Paradise.”

My heart ached at his words.Poor Gusion.I hated the thought of him never seeing his dragon again. “What about us?”

That took the angel off guard. “What do you mean?”

“Our souls,” I clarified, nerves twisting in my gut. “What happens to us when we die? Are we damned too?”

Silence. All eyes were on Lazarus.

“Answer him,” Alastair hissed in a venomous tone.

“I can’t,” he finally said.

Alastair neared him. “You can’t because you don’t know? Or you can’t because you’re forbidden from telling us?”

Lazarus’s gaze hardened. He said nothing.

“Please, Lazarus.” Gray sat up, brown eyes big. “Kallias isn’t suffering right now, right? He’s happy?”

“I’ll return when I have news.” Lazarus started to leave.

“Wait!” Alastair grabbed his arm. “After everything we’ve done for you, we deserve a goddamn answer.”

“Take your hand off me before I remove it.” Lazarus glared at him. “I won’t tell you a second time.”

Alastair let him go.

Molten lead dropped into my gut. Warrin kissed my temple, but it didn’t make that bad feeling go away. Lazarus’ visit only stirred up more questions. Belphegor wanted something from the celestial realm—not just to attack the angels. And the fate of our souls was up in the air.