Page 2 of Gray

“Caim,” my father said, clasping the man’s forearm. “I thought you were in Athens with your family.”

“Azazel ordered me to return. He and Lucifer have their sights set on Dacia.” Caim looked around as more men arrived, some with black wings and others that were variations of webbed, batlike, and boney. Demons. “My orders were to join you here.”

“Dacia.” Father frowned before his eyes widened a bit. “The key?”

Caim nodded. “Gusion has evaded us thus far, but he can’t run forever.”

I lost interest in their conversation and instead watched a butterfly land on a flower beside me. I squatted down and smiled at it, finding the patterns and colors on its back fascinating. More fascinating than war talk anyway.

Caim regarded me. “Your son resembles you.”

Father placed his hand on my head as I stood back up, fingers sinking into my curly locks. “Just as Castor resembles you, I’m sure.”

“He has my looks, yes, but his mother’s kind heart.”

“You love her.”

“Yes.”

“That wasn’t part of the mission.”

“I’m well aware, Belphegor. Yet, I love her just the same. Is that not what we’re fighting for? The freedom to choose our own path in life? The freedom to love?”

“Perhaps.” Father dropped his hand back to his side. “Though, you must remember a mortal’s life is fleeting.”

“Which is why I plan to join her life force to mine when all of this is over.” Caim surveyed the campground, watching the soldiers train. “How you’ve raised your son this way, I’ll never understand.”

“Should I have coddled him instead?” my father responded. “Hidden him in the woods away from the horrors of the world like you’ve done with Castor? What good will that do him? You know what Lucifer plans to do.”

“Not until they’re grown.” Caim clenched his jaw before looking at me, a worried set to his eyes. “Let them be boys for now.”

“General!” A soldier approached, nodding to my father. Nerves were etched into his face. “Uriel’s army is fast approaching.”

“What?” Father hissed.

“They’ll be upon us within the hour,” the soldier added, voice shaking. “It’ll be a bloodbath if we—”

“Not in front of my son,” Father snapped. He then knelt in front of me, a gentleness in his eyes he never showed to anyone else. “Go wait for me in the mountain. The place I showed you. Do you remember?”

“Yes.” My heart hammered in my chest. “But I wish to go withyou. Let me help.”

“Such a strong fighting spirit.” He smiled, though the edges of his brown eyes were tight. “Alas, you’re not yet ready to join me on the battlefield. I have another mission for you. One of great importance.”

“Tell me.”

“Keep yourself hidden. Safe.”

“That’s not a mission. I wish to fight beside you—”

“Do you not see?” He grabbed my face with both hands. “You are my only treasure in this life, Gradyn. And I will protect you with my last breath. Now, do as I say.”

Tears stung my eyes. Men gathered their weapons around us, and the higher-ranking soldiers amongst them shouted orders.

Caim put a hand on his sword. “If Uriel is on his way, we have no time to waste, Belphegor.”

“Please.” I wrapped my arms around my father’s neck. “I can help.”

“Listen to your father, young one,” Caim said. “Go to the mountain. Battle is no place for a boy.”