Page 126 of Gray

“Go,” he whispered before his eyes closed. “I’m… fine.”

“I’ll watch after him,” Raiden said, dropping down beside Mason. Blood oozed from puncture marks in his abdomen. Purrah’s doing, more than likely. He was in rough shape but strong enough to protect my mate.

There was no time to waste.

I nuzzled Mason’s temple before standing. Feeling stronger than I ever had, I jumped forward, letting my wings catch on the air and propel me higher. Lazarus and my dad fought above the battlefield, while Asa and Bellamy clashed not far from them.

Who should I go after?

“At all costs,”Alastair had said.

I shot forward, moving so quick it felt like my skin pulled back. A blur of red hair appeared in front me, blocking my way. Xaphan.

“Well, if it isn’t a flying sloth,” the fallen angel said with a smirk. “I’m going to enjoy ripping y—”

I swung my sword and lopped off his head. A crack of thunder pierced the air as he dropped from the sky, his headless body landing in the swarm of the fighting.

Vepar and Purrah yelled and dashed toward me. But up ahead, Asa was getting closer and closer to the exit. I ducked beneath their swords and jolted forward, dodging a blast of wind Vepar sent my way. When he sent another, I used it to my advantage and rode the gust like a surfer riding a monster wave, flying at what felt like lightning speed.

I crashed into Asa’s side.

And then, I shoved my sword between his ribs.

He gasped and lost his grip on Light Bringer. He hadn’t seen me coming.

“This is for everything you’ve done.” I twisted the sword inside him, thrusting it deeper.

Blood sputtered from Asa’s lips, and his eyes flashed bright red. “If I die, you’re coming with me.”

I couldn’t move. My wings froze in the air, my muscles too. He had used his freezing power on me. One that made his target temporarily immobile. I felt like I was encased in stone, unable to move, but fully aware that I was falling from the sky, about to crash and burn. I’d break bones on impact and be trampled on. Maybe even pulled apart like the poor angel had been earlier.

“I’ve got you,” Bellamy said, catching me. A blue sword rested in his other hand, the blade pulsing.

The spell lifted from me as Asa lost concentration. With my eyes fluttering open and closed, I saw my dad grab him. My earlier energy was depleted. I had only taken enough from Mason to give me the boost I needed to reach Asa. And I’d done that.

“Did I do good?” I asked, staring up at my brother. Smoke rose behind him, but the sun broke through the dark fuming cloud. Light in darkness.

“Yeah.” He smiled. “You did.”

The world then faded away.

Chapter Twenty

Mason

“Easy, sweet cheeks.” Raiden winced as Clara doctored his wound.

“Stop your whining and eat a cookie.”

I sat on the couch, petting Gray’s hair as he slept on my lap. He’d been asleep ever since we’d returned to the mansion. I reeked of blood and sweat and needed a shower, but I was beyond exhausted. We all were.

Galen and Daman had vanished with their mates not long after we’d returned. Lev and the twins had gone upstairs to clean up and probably pass the fuck out. The rest of us were downstairs in the living room.

“Did y’all see Smalls take down that fallen angel?” Raiden asked.

“And stab Asa,” Castor added. “Fuck, man. That was so badass. Do you think he’s dead? That looked like a fatal blow.”

“The son of Lucifer lives, but barely,” Lazarus said from his place by the window. Clara had rewrapped his abdomen, as well as applied her healing salve to a few more cuts he’d gotten during the battle. “Sloth fought well.”