Page 87 of Villainous Greed

“He’s evaded us for so long,” Payne added. “It seems weird.”

“It’s him. Regardless of Harvest’s plans—if indeed he has any—we must be prepared.” August wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer. “Howcould he escape that?”

“We can take turns watching,” Sebastian suggested. “Just to be safe.”

“There’s still Nadine,” Joy said, crossing her arms. “She might try freeing him. Honestly, I hope she attempts to. I’d still liked to take a bite out of—”

I jumped as a painful cry pierced the cave. Maureen fell to her knees, covering her face as she cried. Maybe it was the frustration she held in when Harvest messed with us that erupted from her so suddenly.

“Harvest is right, though,” she said. “We might have trapped him, but nothing has changed. We still must stop the Devil and Dad. He’s, he’s…”

Jackal dropped to his knees behind her and curled his arms around her. “We can still fix things,” he said.

My heart hurt at the gut-wrenching sounds she made. Her tears had Joy crying too, seeking Payne for comfort.

I didn’t understand the implications of Grim’s fading, but was there still hope for everything to be saved? “Yes,” August answered my thought. “I truly believe we can save everyone.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

August

“This is good news,” Dad announced as he stood between Barron and Sebastian.

We stayed near Dad, prepared for any decline in his strength, as we led him to the cellar with various prison cells. The cell with the magical boulder containing Harvest loomed in front of us.

Dad clasped his hand over my shoulder. “So, why do I have three depressed sons?”

He barely finished saying the words when his hand disappeared. The weight left my shoulder, and then the right side of his face faded.

“Thatis why,” I explained, pointing toward the missing half of his face. “This is more than being transparent. You’re disappearing.”

A sigh escaped Dad’s lips. “If we don’t win this fight, this is what will happen to me.” He glanced at me and then at Sebastian. “The same will happen to every single one of us.”

“We know,” Sebastian muttered.

Dad cocked his head. “Then why act surprised when it’s happening? I know your life’s not been easy as my children. Yourmother and I wanted you—all of you. Because of that, we gave you the gift of immortality and the burden of what comes with it at birth. What I am is what you all are. This might seem like goodbye…” He gestured toward his face. “But it doesn’t feel like it. I believe we’re going to be okay. I believe we can save what’s left of the human world.”

“We don’t have a choice,” Barron stated as his red essence moved erratically around him. “Heavens already trying to take Gwen from me every time we’re mortal. We must show the angels this isn’t the end yet.”

“Go to your mate.” Dad patted Barron’s shoulder. “One of your brothers can take the first shift watching Harvest.”

Barron didn’t put up a fight. His essence slowed down as he nodded and faded from the cellar.

The fine lines on Dad’s face sharpened after Barron’s departure. “Watch over your brother because he will lose her.”

The stern expression nauseated me.

“Dad—”

“You’re going to be mortal more than ever before,” said Dad. “IfI’m gone, no matter what happens, I need you to stay strong. The angels can be cruel, but they always fix things later.”

“You’re not making any sense,” I said.

“I’m making perfect sense! Just keep him alive until we can get Gwendolyn back. And protect each other. Fading away is one thing,deathis another.” Dad took a deep breath, as if to calm himself. “Now, about Kitty.”

“Is this about the Devil?” Sebastian asked.

Dad nodded. “I’ve always tried keeping Kitty in the woods because of the Devil. I didn’t understand back then, but after what Nova said, it makes sense.”

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