Page 4 of Gray
The angel focused on Caim. “Interesting how you’ll help protect Belphegor’s son when you weren’t there to protect your own.”
“Castor?” Caim whispered, eyes wide. He charged toward the angel and yelled, “What did you do to him?”
The angel snapped the lightning whip toward Caim, catching him around the waist and throwing him to the side. It left burn marks on his skin.
A bright light suddenly blinded me, and I raised my arm to shield my eyes. That’s when another angel appeared. Brown hair brushed his shoulders, and as he stood at his full height, he towered over everyone. His very presence made me cower.
“Uriel,” Father said through gritted teeth.
The angel—Uriel—ignored him and turned to me. His expression softened, if only a little. “No need to fear me, little one.” He offered his hand. “Come with me.”
“N-No.” I shook my head and took several steps back.
Uriel looked at the other angel. “Grab him, Lazarus.”
It happened so quick. Lazarus grabbed me and lifted into the air.
“Stop this!” my father exclaimed, barging forward. “He’s only a child!”
Uriel leveled a glare at him. “A child Lucifer wishes to turn into a weapon someday. It would be safer for all of us if he didn’t exist at all. Stand down, or I’ll kill him here and now.”
My father stopped his advance and clenched both fists at his sides.
“Father, help me!” I cried, reaching down to him.
But he didn’t. He only stared up at me, brows pulled together and pain shining in his eyes.
***
Lazarus took me to a strange place surrounded by trees. Every day, I was forced to train in a field, and my room was only big enough for a mat on the floor. Other boys were there too. The red hair of one reminded me of Caim. Another boy radiated anger. His gray eyes raged like a thunderous storm, and he never spoke.
Ten years passed, and within that time, my memory of home faded until there was nothing left but broken fragments. I trained my body and my mind. The boy who used to chase butterflies and smile at the wind on his face disappeared. Lazarus broke me down and shaped me into something I didn’t even recognize. A lethal weapon who followed orders—who killed.
Each of us was cursed with a fatal flaw. A deadly sin. Mine was Sloth. The wickedness in our blood connected us. The eight of us were brothers. Family. They were the only sliver of light in my dark world.
And then the day came for me to prove myself.
“Your fathers are Lucifer’s generals.” Lazarus walked in front of our line as we stood silently in the field awaiting our orders. We were men of eighteen now. “Daman has found their location. Your mission is to kill them.”
“Yes, sir,” we said in unison.
Lazarus looked at Kallias. “Since your father is already dead, you’ll go with Galen.”
Cursed with Melancholy, Kallias rarely smiled. And when he did, that sad look remained in his eyes and echoed in his voice. Sometimes when he spoke, the air shifted. Weighed heavier. As if he could call forth feelings of despondency in those around him with a single word.
Kallias tipped his head. “Yes, sir.”
Little did I know then how I’d fail my mission… and how much that failure would cost us.
Chapter One
Gray
Present Day
“Dino-Pete is missing.”
Alastair looked up from his book of poetry. “Where did you last see it?”
