Page 102 of Galen
“Take deep breaths, okay?” Castor’s voice remained calm. “I think you’re having a panic attack.”
“Of course I’m panicked! They chopped off my goddamn finger. You’re covered in blood. We’re chained to a wall. Oh my god, we’re going to die.” Tears burned behind my eyes as the fight left me, and I brought my knees up, wrapping my arms around them. “The demons broke through the barrier. Galen and everyone else was fighting them. I don’t know if they’re okay.”
“I’d know if one of them died,” Castor said, touching the center of his chest.
“They said the same about you.”
“It’s our connection. We’re linked together by invisible threads. When one of us dies, that thread snaps.” He rested his head back against the wall, hands balling into fists. “I hate myself for not being stronger. I tried to fight it, but I couldn’t anymore. Belphegor got what he wanted. All this happened because I was stupid. I let my guard down. And all because a hot piece of ass begged me to stay the night with him.”
“The guy from the club?” I asked. “Raiden told us you met someone. He blames himself.”
“It wasn’t Raiden’s fault. I told him to leave.” Castor breathed out a sigh. “The guy was a vamp. Hot as fuck too. I should’ve just fucked him and left. But then he wanted to go back to his place for round two. Next thing I knew, I woke up to a cold blade pressed to my throat and five demons surrounding me. The vamp sold me out to them.”
“How did the demons break through the veil?”
“Belphegor can get inside people’s heads,” Castor answered. “I tried to block him, but he has a way of getting what he wants. Basically psychological torture. He puts images into your mind. Makes you see horrible things. Some things that have happened and some that are your deepest fears. He does this until you break.” He hung his head forward. “And I broke. Once he got the location, he needed my blood for some kind of spell that would temporarily weaken the veil long enough for them to get inside. I’m so sorry, Simon.”
“It’s not your fault. It was only a matter of time before they found a way to get the ring.” I moved my bandaged hand out of sight, otherwise I’d probably dry heave again. “Bits and pieces are coming back to me. Something forced me to put on the ring. I think I passed out after that. But I remember Galen holding me. Another man was in the room too. He said something about me sharing blood with the one meant to wear the ring, which is why it latched on to me.”
Castor frowned. “Like you’re related? But you’re human.”
“I know. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Aclinksounded at the large door across the room before it swung open, creaking as it did. The auburn-haired demon walked inside. His shirt was open in the front, showing his muscled chest. Unlike when I saw him other times, two small horns protruded from his head.
“Good to see you both awake,” he said, his gait casual as he strode to the center of the room. The door was left open behind him. Had he intentionally done it to taunt us?
“Fuck you.” Castor flipped him off.
“No need to be rude, Greed. Belphegor wanted to kill you, but I convinced him otherwise. You should be thanking me.”
Castor spat at him instead.
“You Nephilim have the worst manners.” Phoenix snarled down at Castor. “Wrath lunges at me like a mindless beast every time I visit him, and now you reward me with your bodily fluids. I’d much prefer a different kind, if you catch my meaning. Not with you though. You’re not my type.”
“Do you ever shut the fuck up?” Castor asked. “I swear. Your voice could be used for psychological warfare. Just an endless track of you blabbing like the goddammed cocky sonofabitch you are.”
“Interesting idea to keep in mind for the next time we need to torture you,” Phoenix responded. “All it took this time was showing you the things you fear most, and you broke.”
“Stop,” Castor said, pained.
“Hard to face the truth, huh?” Phoenix’s smile lacked all humor. It was cold. Calculating. “Your worst fear is seeing your brothers die. I think what broke you the most was seeing poor little Sloth torn apart, his small body bloody and broken. You failed him, you know. You failed them all the moment you gave up their location.”
Shadows swam in Castor’s eyes. Was he remembering the disturbing visions Belphegor made him see?
“Shut up,” I said to the demon. “And wipe that stupid smirk off your face while you’re at it.”
Phoenix stepped toward me. “Can you evenseemy smirk without your glasses?”
“Enough to know it’s stupid.”
Castor snorted.
“How’s the hand?” Phoenix asked. “Chopping off your finger wasn’t ideal, but I was too impatient.”
A dry laugh came from Castor. “You really shouldn’t have done that. Galen is going to rip you to shreds.”
For the first time, the demon’s confidence slipped. He actually looked a little scared. But then he recovered. “If you think this story ends happily, you’re sadly mistaken. Hordes of demons wait outside these walls. Do you think your comrades will be able to kill them all? I think not. You both will rot down here before they ever reach you.”
