Page 25 of Alastair
He softly exhaled and combed his fingers through the back of his brown hair before walking to the kitchen. A twinge of guilt stirred in my chest. I ignored that too. However, my feet carried me forward, and I followed him. He filled the coffee machine with water, added grounds, and started it. He then grabbed a bag of blueberry bagels and popped one in the toaster.
“Why are you staring at me?” he asked.
“Your time in the human realm has changed you,” I said, noting the differences between him and the Penemuel I’d once known. “Your aura is lighter. Kinder. And you seem to be partial to human food now as well.”
“Says the one who could never refuse an apple.”
My cheeks heated.
“Don’t worry.” Penemuel offered me a somewhat sad smile. “Your secret is safe. No one will hear it from me that the great Lazarus has a weakness for red apples.”
A crash sounded from the back patio. Raiden burst through the door, his wide-eyed gaze darting around the kitchen. His husband stepped in after him.
“I still don’t sense him,” Raiden shakily said.
“Sense who?” I asked.
“Alastair.” Raiden looked at me, confused by my presence. But his worry replaced the curiosity. “When I woke up, I didn’t see his thread. I mean, it’s still there, but it’s not as bright.”
The thread that connected them. Raiden saying that thread wasn’t as bright meant Alastair was too far away. Their ability to sense each other had a limit, as did their telepathic abilities. They couldn’t communicate through their minds if they were on opposite sides of the world or in different realms.
“Guys!” Gray ran into the kitchen. “Bell said Phoenix is gone. He’s freaking out.”
Everything clicked in that moment. Alastair’s absence. The demon missing too. That defiant look in Alastair’s eyes when I’d told him not to fall for such an obvious trap. But before I could say a word, I heard him.
“Lazarus,”Alastair projected into my head.“I need you.”
Unlike with his brothers, distance had little effect on Alastair’s and my telepathic connection. No matter how far apart we were, I would always hear him if he called out to me. It was just as much a blessing as it was a curse.
“Tell me where you are.”
I knew the answer before he told me.
“Echo Bay,”Alastair responded.“Where the mansion used to be. Lucifer’s here. A horde of shades is approaching. I… I screwed up, Lazarus. Gods, I—”
“Calm yourself. Keep a level head.”I barged through the terrace doors. Raiden and Gray called after me, but their words didn’t reach me. I only heard Alastair—his regretful tone that shook with his frayed nerves.“I’m on my way.”
“Wait!” Penemuel grabbed my wrist and spun me to face him. “Tell us what’s going on.”
I yanked from his hold. “Touch me again and I’ll remove your hand.”
Hurt flashed in his eyes.
The rest of the Nephilim brothers landed on the terrace as Raiden, Titan, Gray, and Mason joined us outside. Kallias was the last to arrive, his black wings fanning behind him. He carried with him a wave of sadness. Worry too. All of them shared that sentiment.
“Alastair went to meet Lucifer in Echo Bay,” I told them. “I’m going to bring him back.”
“That goddamn idiot,” Galen growled. “Does he have a death wish?”
“It’s Pride,” Castor said. “Ever since Lucifer was freed from his cage, Al hasn’t been the same. It’s like his control over his sin is slipping. We’ve all felt it.”
“We can contemplate the reason for his reckless behavior later.” I unzipped my bag and grabbed one of the stones tucked inside. I needed it much sooner than anticipated. Further proof that Michael was right.
“We’re going with you,” Bellamy said.
“You’ll do no such thing.”
“Excuse me?” A murderous gleam shone in his eyes. “Phoenix is with him! I won’t stand by and—”
