Page 1 of Gray

Prologue

Gray

Many Years Ago

“And you’re dead.” Father pressed the dulled blade to my throat.

“Allow me to try again!” I pleaded. The morning sun shone bright above him, setting the ends of his golden hair aflame. We were in a grassy field practicing while the men he commanded cooked meat over open fires.

“Second chances are rarely given in times of war. One mistake and your life is over.”

“But this isn’t life or death.” I yawned as a sudden sleepy spell came over me. “This is only you and me.”

Father’s hard features softened. “It will not always be as such. One day, you’ll face a true enemy, and they will not be as merciful. I must prepare you for the world, my boy, for it is unkind. The weak don’t survive.”

“Am I weak?”

He studied me for a moment. “You tell me. Are you?”

I thought on the question. “I don’t have muscles like yours.”

“Is physical strength all that’s needed to be strong?” he asked. “What of intellect?”

“A warrior must have both.” I leapt into the air, flapping my wings as I hovered in front of him.

“What you lack in muscle, you make up for in swiftness.” Father smirked and handed me the dulled blade. “Yet, though not nearly quick enough. I expect more from you.”

“Yes, sir.” I dropped back to the grass and yawned again. “I’ll work harder.”

“See to it that you do.” He ruffled my hair. “That’s enough training for now.”

“Father?” I walked beside him as we left the field and approached camp. He was so tall I barely reached his waist. “When can we go home?”

We had been traveling for so long I couldn’t remember what our home even looked like. My life was nothing but marching with the army, training, and battle. Not that my father ever allowed me to join the battles.

“Not until we win.”

“Win what?” I grabbed his hand.

“The world.” He gently squeezed my fingers. “Lucifer will remake it into a thing of beauty.”

I looked at the blue sky above us before glancing at the thick groves of trees. Mountains rose in the distance. A stream rushed nearby. The breeze was soft, and I smiled as it tickled my nose. “Is the world not already beautiful?”

“It will be even more so once the reign of man ends.”

“Why must it end? Can we all not live together in peace?”

“And how does one have peace? We must fight for it.”

“Fight the angels, you mean,” I said, remembering the vast army of white-winged warriors. With their emotionless faces and heavenly swords, they were terrifying. “Why are they angry with you?”

“Because I don’t share their beliefs. They wished to keep me chained instead of letting me spread my wings. It’s why I followed Lucifer from the heavens and came to Earth. He gave me freedom. And then you came into my life. I fight for your future as well.” Father swung me up by our joined hands. I giggled and held on tight. He then placed me on his back. “Rest, little one.”

I put my arms around his thick neck and closed my eyes. The rocking as he walked lulled me to sleep.

The heavy flapping of wings snapped me awake.

A man with bright red hair and green eyes landed in the grass, tucking in his black wings. I’d seen him a handful of times before from a distance but had never spoken to him. All I knew was he commanded his own army.