Page 125 of Gray

Mason shoved me behind him and raised his gun. “Stay the fuck back.”

“Bullets won’t harm me, mortal.”

“Yeah, but they’ll still hurt like a bitch.”

“Interesting choice of a mate.” He studied Mason. “But he’s brave. Strong too. A good fit for you.”

“Do you think I need your approval or something?” I asked, stepping around Mason to face my dad. “Because I don’t.”

“Yet you have it regardless.” He came closer. “I can see this mortal makes you happy.”

“Stay away from me,” I said, my voice cracking. “Look at all the bad you’ve done! You’re nothing but a monster.”

“Perhaps. Yet monsters can love too, can they not?”

“No. They can’t.” My muscles weakened even more, and I slid to my knees.

“My poor boy. You’ve suffered greatly for my sin. If I could take it upon myself, I would.”

“I don’t need your pity!” Spit flew from my lips as I screamed the words at him. “I don’t need anything from you!”

“Sleep,”Sloth whispered.

“No,” I answered him aloud, my vision blurring. “I’m not worthless!” I forced myself back to my feet but fell against Mason, a cry tearing through my throat. “I can do this.”

“I hope one day you’ll understand.”

“Never. I hate…” My eyes closed against my will. “You.”

“Fuck,” Mason hissed.

“Goddammit!” Castor yelled. “Stop them!”

Peering through my heavy lids, I saw my dad retreating with Asa. The three fallen angels trailed behind them. Once they left the tunnel, they could fly over the battlefield and return to the underworld. And then Light Bringer would destroy everything. My friends. All the humans I’d smiled at while walking through Echo Bay.

The world would fall to Asa’s rule.

Mason picked me up and ran after my brothers and Lazarus. I whimpered as I fought the heavy wave of sleepiness. My eyes shut again.

“Gray?” Mason murmured moments later.

Bright light made me squint as I opened my eyes. We were outside. “I’m s-sorry. I just keep failing, Mason.” My head felt like a boulder, the weight too much for me to hold upright. I had no strength left. All I could do was rest against his shoulder. Pathetic. Weak.

“Take some of my energy.”

“N-No.”

“Yes.” Mason lowered me to the ground and knelt in front of me, hands holding my face. “Open those pretty eyes, angel. There you go.” He rewarded me with a tender smile. “Let me help you. Because I know you can do this. I believe in you.”

“What if I kill you?”

“You won’t.” He pressed our foreheads together. “I trust you. With my heart. With my life. And once this is over, I’m going to marry you and fuck you until dawn just the way you like.”

A tear escaped my eye as I smiled. “Kiss me.”

Mason bumped our noses before his lips met mine. He trusted me. I needed to trust myself too. As we kissed, I absorbed some of his energy. The power I loathed so much was being used against the man I loved. However, that darkness could no longer touch me, for I had my light. My home. My body rejuvenated. Strength returned to my muscles, and my eyes snapped open. Power surged inside of me.

I broke the kiss and caught him as he fell forward.