Page 109 of Daman
“But Lazarus said fallen angels can’t step foot in the celestial realm,” Castor pointed out. “So even if you have a key, you can’t use it.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, my boy. The wearer of this stone can pass through despite any barrier put in place. And once inside, they can welcome in an entire army if they wish it. It’s the key to the heavens.”
Gray wrapped his arms around his knees. “Months ago, my dad tried to breach the barrier in the celestial realm. Lazarus said he almost succeeded, but they managed to hold him back.”
“And now he comes for the key to ensure his victory for the next time he tries to breach it,” Gusion said.
“Why did Lucifer want the key?” I asked. “Why did he want to get back inside the celestial realm when he worked so hard to leave it?”
“When Uriel and Lazarus took up arms against him, Lucifer sought the key to attack the heavens and take his entire demonic army with him. With the angels out of the way, he’d be free to continue his attack on Earth. My betrayal cost him that plan. He came with the Romans when they conquered Dacia because he knew I was hiding in these lands. For ten years, he sent demons after me.” Gusion emitted a sad sigh. “The last time I saw Lucifer, he was driving a sword into Balaur’s heart. My dragon told me to keep the key safe. So I ran. I only stopped running once you and your brothers locked him away.”
“You didn’t foresee Balaur’s death?” I asked.
His sadness deepened. “No. I did see it. That’s my curse to bear. I see everything. Preventing it is something else entirely. Many branches of the future intertwine. You can alter your direction, but the outcome is the same. There are very few exceptions.” His gaze settled on me. “Like I told you so long ago, I see both victory and loss in your future. It’s up to you to decide which path you walk.”
“How do I know which is the right one?”
“No one knows. Not even me. I tried to prevent Balaur’s death, only to still lose him. His death was different than I originally saw, but death claimed him anyway.”
I leaned against Warrin, and he rested his head on mine. Even in a world of summer, he smelled like winter berries and snow. My ice dragon soothed me when the world threatened to crash down around us.
Would I lose him? Acid churned in my gut, spreading to my chest. I felt sick.
“This conversation’s making me sad,” Gray said with a small pout.
Gusion offered him a gentle smile. “Sorrow is part of life, little one.”
“Well, I don’t like it.”
Bellamy rested a hand near his mouth and stared at the fireplace. “So Asa wants the key to attack the celestial realm? Why don’t you just give it to someone else, like Lazarus or Uriel? They could protect it a lot better than you can here on Earth.”
“If only it were that simple.” Gusion touched the glowing stone. “It’s bound to me. To my life force. Serving one master at a time. As long as I breathe, no one else can take possession of it. I can’t take it off either. It’s part of me.”
“Can you not return to the celestial realm?” Lev asked. The dragon warrior knew very little of angels—and their fury.
“I’m Fallen. I’m not welcome to return. Lazarus would sooner kill me than allow me back. The feathers of my wings have been blackened, proof of my betrayal.”
“Then let him kill you,” Castor said. “Once you’re dead, Lazarus could take the key back to the celestial realm and make sure Asa doesn’t get his fucking hands on it. Take one for the team, Gus.”
“Stop being an ass,” Kyo told him.
“What? I’m being serious.”
Castor, though uncouth and rude, had a point. To me, anyway. We had been trained to serve humanity, to sacrifice ourselves for the greater good if need be. Lazarus had instilled that into each of us. To prevent war, we would lay down our lives without a second thought.
“You’re correct,” Gusion responded, his voice soft. “Self-sacrifice would’ve stopped this long ago. But the truth is? I’m a coward.”
“You fear death?” Warrin asked.
“No.” Gusion shook his head. “I fear what comes after. As a fallen angel, my soul is destined for eternal torment. I won’t ever live with Balaur in the Elysian Fields. When I die, I’ll know nothing but darkness and pain.” His hand shook as he set his cup of tea on the side table. “And it terrifies me.”
“Is it like that for us too?”Gray asked, using our mind link.“What happens to our souls when we die?”
Castor met my eye before Bellamy did the same. None of us had an answer for him. It was something I’d never considered. Our fathers had betrayed their brethren, betrayed the Creator, so it made sense that their souls would be destined for the pit. As the sons of those fallen angels, we already bore curses for their sins. Were our souls damned too?
“Have you seen your death?” I asked Gusion.
“No. It’s the one death my sight doesn’t allow me to see. A small blessing.”
