Page 86 of Gray

A second voice came through the speaker. “Fuck you, Red.”

“I love when you say such sweet things to me,” Castor responded, his voice a bit muffled before coming back clear. “If you’re calling me, our favorite asshole angel must be there.”

Lazarus cut his eyes to Alastair. “Call Envy.”

With no hesitation, Alastair obeyed and put the call on speakerphone.

“What the hell do you want?” a raspy voice answered after a few rings. “I haven’t even finished my first cup of coffee yet.”

“Be nice,kotya,” another voice said. By the strong Russian accent, I concluded he must’ve been Warrin. The other one was Daman, then.

“Lazarus is here,” Alastair told him.

A pause. “I’m listening.”

“More fallen angels have joined Asa,” Lazarus said. “During the first war, they defected shortly after the first two hundred angels fell. After Lucifer was defeated, they went into hiding. None of the archangels have been able to locate them until now.”

“Okay.” Raiden frowned. “How many are we talking?”

“Four.”

“Only four? So what’s the issue? We can take them out easy.”

“These Fallen are powerful,” Lazarus said. “Each has special abilities.”

“What type of abilities?” Alastair asked.

“Vepar can call forth storms. Hurricanes, tornadoes. All devastating. Purah can conjure the dead, make them rise up.”

“Like zombies?” Raiden asked.

“How juvenile. But yes.” The angel dragged in a deep breath. “If Purah wills it, the dead will rise, which will cause panic among the living. There is also Xaphan, who has a fascination with fire. A pyromaniac, if you will. The fourth is Penemuel. He can corrupt mankind through the written word. My belief is they will become Asa’s generals, just like your fathers were Lucifer’s. They aren’t the only reason I’ve come, I’m afraid.”

“More awesome news?” Bellamy said. “Oh, goodie.”

“During the battle in the Caribbean last year, my angels and I couldn’t aid you because we were dealing with our own conflict,” Lazarus said, ignoring Bellamy’s sarcasm. “Belphegor wanted into the celestial realm, but the barrier held strong. He then went after Gusion’s stone, a key that would’ve given him access to the heavens, and you stopped him.”

“Yeah,” Daman said. “I nearly died for it.”

Bellamy leaned against the bookshelf. “Are you finally going to tell us what’s up there that he wants so damn bad? Because I’m not buying the bullshit story you keep trying to feed us.”

“Careful, Lust. I understand your frustration, but you need to watch your tone when speaking with me.”

“Sorry, Daddy.”

Raiden pressed his lips together, but a smile touched them anyway.

“Belphegor wants exactly what Lucifer wanted,” the angel said. “To set fire to the celestial realm.”

“Liar,” Galen said.

The angel glared at him. “Believe whatever you will, Wrath, but he wants revenge on us. To see us all burn.”

“But why?” Gray asked.

“Your fathers and every angel who defected didn’t do it because they hated the Creator… they fell because they loved Lucifer.” Lazarus looked at Alastair. “Belphegor is planning to breach our realm for a third time. And the plan is already set in motion.”

“How so?” Alastair asked, turning from the window to look at him.