Page 87 of Gray

“The collection of human souls has begun.”

“Reapers,” Daman hissed over the phone. “Motherfucker. Asa really does have reapers on his side, then.”

The angel nodded. “Not all have sided with him. But enough have.”

“Konnar mentioned them too,” Alastair said, then narrowed his eyes. “I tried reaching you to discuss it, but you never responded.”

“I command the warrior class of angels,” Lazarus told him in a hard tone. “My days are spent preparing for battle and training the most powerful army in the heavens. Not to mention all the time I spend keeping tabs on the seven of you, making sure you don’t get yourselves killed. I can’t always come running when you need me, Pride. I do have a life, you know.”

“Who you fooling, Lazzy boy?” Bellamy winked. “The seven of usareyour life. Just admit it.”

“I don’t understand,” Gray said, sitting up a bit more. “How will harnessing souls help him get into the celestial realm?”

“Souls are pure energy. They’re sacred,” Lazarus explained. “This morning, my scouts witnessed Belphegor meeting with a reaper and taking a handful of souls that were meant for Paradise. The humans also died before their time. He’s going against the natural order, knocking everything off-balance, ordering demons and monsters to slaughter innocents. That’s the real reason for the increase of attacks.”

“So my dad’s having all these people killed.” Gray’s chin quivered. “What is he doing with the souls?”

“Storing them,” the angel responded, voice grave. “Since they were destined for Paradise, they have the power to enter the celestial gates. My belief is Belphegor intends to harness enough souls and burst through the celestial barrier.”

“What?” Alastair hissed. “That’s possible?”

“It’s never been done before.” Lazarus dropped his gaze to the crackling fire. “Yet, the theory is highly probable. He would need an immense number of souls to break through, but if he manages to collect enough, I fear the next time he comes for our realm, he’ll succeed. You need to do more to ensure that doesn’t happen.”

“We’ve been fighting off these monsters since the day you gave the order for us to do so,” Alastair said, irritated. “Baxter and Sirena have been commanding their armies to do the same. Mason and his hunters have also allied with us, and I’ve equipped them with more powerful weapons and helped organize their force. Castor is with the water dragons. Daman is in the ice dragon kingdom. Together, we’ve stopped hundreds of these attacks and been working our asses off. What more should we be doing?”

Lazarus stepped toward him, his gait slow and his stare deadly. “You dare give me such attitude? Do I need to remind you of your place, Pride?”

Alastair lowered his gaze to the floor. It was a sight I thought I’d never see—him submitting to someone.

“I’m aware it’s impossible for you to save every human, but for the lives you can’t save, do everything in your power to ensure Belphegor doesn’t collect their souls. Tracking down the rogue reapers will help with that. I have my angels tracking them as well.”

“I understand,” Alastair said, still not meeting his eyes. “There are several reapers who are regulars at Krave. We’ll meet with them and see if we can learn more.”

“See to it that you do.” Lazarus gave him another hard glare before turning and walking toward the glass door of the study that led outside.

“Wait!” Gray exclaimed, standing up. “You said the last time we spoke that a lot of this is my fault.”

“It is,” Lazarus responded, his expression indifferent. “Your failure to kill your father has had dire consequences.”

Gray was supposed to kill Belphegor? Had it been during his time as an assassin?

“How do I make this right?” Gray asked.

“If you truly wish to make yourself useful? Do what you failed to do long ago.” His gaze hardened. “Find your father and kill him.”

***

The run-in with the ghouls fucked me up more than I’d thought. Nightmares jolted me awake in the middle of the night, and I stared at the ceiling, trying to calm my racing heart.

The covers rustled beside me. “Mason?”

“Sorry I woke you,” I said, my voice unsteady. “See? This is why you should sleep in your own bed.”

Every night for the past week, Gray had slept beside me. This was the first time I’d had a nightmare.

“But then I couldn’t do this when you had a bad dream.” He scooted closer. “Wanna talk about it?”

“Not really.” I bent my head to nuzzle his hair, inhaling warm vanilla. “This helps though.”