Page 43 of Gray
“Your brother married a dragon?”
“Yep! Both DamanandCastor married dragons.” Gray drenched a waffle in maple syrup before taking a big bite, bouncing happily in his chair as he chewed. Once he swallowed the bite, he continued. “Warrin’s an ice dragon, and Kyo is from the water clan. There are five dragon clans total, all of them relating to the elements. I—”
“That’s enough, Gray,” Alastair cut in, his pale eyes flickering to me. He didn’t want me knowing more than I needed to. I was an outsider. “Have you thought more on my proposal?”
Raiden shoveled eggs into his mouth and spoke through them. “Come on, Al. Let ’im enjoy breakfast first. Talk shop after.”
“Maybe you should swallow your food first before talking,” Alastair countered.
Raiden grinned before scooping up the last of his eggs and immediately diving in for seconds. That didn’t include the two waffles he’d already devoured in the short time we’d been at the table. He must have had one hell of a metabolism to eat so much and stay so fit.
“Sounds to me like we’re all fighting the same fight anyway,” I said, sitting back a little in my chair.
Gray took that as an invitation to scoot closer and nestle against my side, nibbling a strawberry as he laid his head on my shoulder. I fought the urge to nuzzle his hair—which confused me further. Why did I feel like this around him?
“Is that a yes?” Alastair asked.
I nodded. “I’ll need to speak to the other hunters, but I’m in. I’ve seen what you guys can do.” I glanced at Galen, remembering the sword he’d driven into the manananggal’s chest. “And if what you say is true, if the son of Lucifer really is trying to destroy the world, I want to help you stop him.”
“Excellent. Eat your breakfast.” Alastair stood from the table, taking his tea with him. “Then, meet me in my study. We have much to discuss.”
***
Alastair had a quiet intensity about him as he stared out the window. His blond hair was so pale it looked white.
I stood in front of his desk, feeling like I was back in the service awaiting an order from my commanding officer. Gray had said they were thousands of years old. I had no doubt Alastair had fought in many wars.
“Gray has latched on to you,” he finally said, taking me by surprise. Of all the things I’d expected him to say, that wasn’t it. He turned from the window and pinned those blue eyes on me. They appeared just as cold as his tone. “As I’m sure you’ve realized, he’s extremely affectionate. And trusting. So let me begin by saying this: if you hurt him, I’ll break your legs. Understood?”
I almost argued and said there was nothing between me and Gray, so the threats weren’t necessary. But the memory of Gray’s lips stopped me from speaking the lie. Because something was definitely between us—I just didn’t know what that something was yet.
“Yes. I understand.”
“Good. Let’s get straight to business, then.” Alastair walked over to an armchair and sat down, nodding to the one opposite him. “Sit.”
I did as he said.
“The conflict with Asa began last year. Since then, he’s built an entire army consisting of demons, fallen angels, and other Nephilim. His goal? To see Lucifer’s former vision brought to fruition, meaning mankind at his feet. We’ve battled his army three times now for various reasons, but I feel an even bigger fight is on the horizon. That’s where you and your hunters come in.”
“What do you want us to do?”
“Basically what you’re already doing,” he said. “Fight monsters. Protect humans. Only it will be one united force instead of separate groups going to random places. More organized. By having your numbers join ours, we can stop the attacksandfocus on finding Asa. I will also pay for any extra weapons you and your people need to ensure you’re better equipped to fight.”
“I don’t see why that would be a problem.” I pulled out my phone. “I’ll contact the hunters I know and get their opinion on it.”
A creak sounded in the hall outside the door.
“Gray?” Alastair called out.
“Can I come in?” Gray asked, his voice muffled. He must’ve had his face pressed right up against the door.
“No.”
“But, Al. That’s not fair. I wanna hear too.”
I fought a smile. Why was he so precious? Knowing he was so close made my stomach flutter too.
“I got him,” another voice said. Bellamy, maybe?
