Page 128 of Bellamy
Belphegor pulled a dagger from his hip and sliced Asa’s throat. As blood spurted from Asa’s neck and pooled on the ground, Belphegor spoke in an unfamiliar language, but by the inflection of his voice, it sounded like an incantation.
“No!” Lazarus shouted.
Purah pounced on his back and dug his nails into his jaw. “Lookie, Lazzy. The true king is coming soon.”
Lazarus released his wings, sending Purah flying away from him. Vepar sent a gust of wind to knock Lazarus backward before attacking him directly. The two of them blurred around the field as they fought. Alastair and Galen charged toward Belphegor, with Raiden and Titan close behind. Castor was with Kyo and Daichi, fighting on the other side of the clearing.
Fallen angels formed a barrier in front of the stones, colliding with Alastair and the others as they tried to break through.
“Wait,” I said, grabbing Bellamy’s arm as he started to follow his brothers. The energy thickened and buzzed in the air. My blood heated in my veins, sensing the power around me. A portal was opening.
The ground rumbled.
A large door covered in chains materialized in the center of the stone circle, the dark wood stained with dried blood—maybe from when the Nephilim had sealed him thousands of years ago? The sight held a certain eeriness, a door with nothing behind or around it.
Belphegor took the bloody dagger and drew a symbol on the middle of the door, speaking another incantation.
Warriors from both armies had stopped fighting as they stared at the stone circle, some with satisfied smirks and others in horror. A lot of the fallen angel force had been eradicated, but some from our side had died too. One of Sirena’s warriors lay dead in the grass, her head only attached by a thin sliver of skin. Two of the water dragons had fallen as well.
A glowing red aura surrounded Asa as he slumped forward on the ground, eyelids fluttering as blood continued to pool from his throat. Asa’s life force then began to flow from his body and absorb into the wood of the door.
The chains shook… then fell away.
Lazarus appeared in front of me and Bellamy, blood streaked through the white feathers of his wings. Several slashes marked his torso, and a deeper cut was near his hip. “Take the transportation stone and get everyone out of here.”
“We’re giving up?” Bellamy asked.
The other Nephilim brothers had returned to our side, probably after they’d spoken telepathically. Daman and Warrin approached too, the ice dragon back in his hybrid form.
“This fight is lost,” Lazarus answered. “The seal on Lucifer’s cage has been broken. He’ll be here any moment. I can feel it.”
“You’re staying here,” Castor said. It wasn’t a question.
The angel nodded. “I am.”
“Don’t be an idiot,” Galen said. “You know the only thing that can kill Lucifer is us.”
“I’m not foolish enough to believe I can kill him. But all of you need time to leave. My warriors and I will keep Belphegor and his force at bay while you get as far from here as you can.”
“I’m not leaving you here,” Alastair said. “None of us are. We do this together.”
Lazarus faced him. “You’ll do as I command of you, Pride. You and your brothers must survive tonight so you can fight again tomorrow. You’re too important.”
“But—”
“Toss away emotion and use logic. Use the skills I taught you. You need to regroup and form a plan to defeat Lucifer once and for all. Penemuel will help you. He betrayed the heavens, but you can trust his heart. It’s always been in the right place, despite everything that’s happened.”
“Why does it sound like you’re saying goodbye?” Alastair asked.
“It’s an order, not a goodbye.” Lazarus shoved the stone into Alastair’s hand. “Leave with your army. Now.”
“Lazarus…” Alastair shook his head, pale blue eyes troubled.
“Do as I say!” Lazarus grabbed him by his nape and pulled him in closer. Their mouths were only inches apart. “We lost this one, Alastair. Not every battle can be won. Losses are expected. It’s the way of war. Andthiswar isn’t over. Not by a long shot. You know Lucifer. You can defeat him.”
“I…” Alastair swallowed hard. “We need you.”
“Don’t let yourself be blinded by emotion. I taught you better than that. A true commander does what’s needed to win the war, setting all personal feelings aside.” In a softer voice, Lazarus then said, “If I do die tonight… don’t let it be in vain.”
