Gremory’s eyes flicked back to Rathiel, amusement draining from his expression, replaced with a cold, deadly intent.“Oh, brother,” he purred, his voice laced with venom.“You couldn’t protect her before.What makes you think you can now?”
Before I could respond, Rathiel lunged, his blade flashing in the moonlight as it sliced through the air, aimed for Gremory’s throat.But Gremory was fast—faster than I’d anticipated.
He sidestepped the blow effortlessly, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth as he spun away, his wings flaring out behind him.“Tsk, tsk,” he taunted.“Did you really think it would be that easy?”
I didn’t wait for Rathiel to recover.Fueled by fury, I summoned hellfire to my hands, flames licking up my arms as I raised them, and hurled a fireball directly at him.
Gremory’s eyes widened for a split second before he spun to the side, effortlessly dodging my attack.The fireball sailed past him and slammed into a nearby tombstone, shattering it into pieces.His grin widened as he straightened, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder.“You’ll have to do better than that, little girl.”
And I would.I wasn’t near done yet.Inferno’s Kiss gleamed in my hand as I darted forward, Rathiel at my side.We moved as one, our blades flashing in the night as we aimed strike after strike at Gremory, who blocked and dodged with infuriating ease.His wings provided an impenetrable shield, deflecting our attacks like we were mere children playing at war.
Rathiel’s face twisted with frustration, and my anger surged, threatening to boil over.Gremory wasn’t just toying with us—he was savoring it, like a predator playing with its prey.
“Is this really all you’ve got?”Gremory sneered, his voice dripping with disdain.“Lucifer thought you’d be a challenge.What a disappointment.”
I gritted my teeth, determination coursing through me as I adjusted my stance, gripping Inferno’s Kiss tighter.I would wipe that smug look off his face if it was the last thing I did.
Together, Rathiel and I moved, our blades a blur of motion as we attacked in tandem, striking from opposite sides.Gremory’s laughter faded as he focused on defending himself, his wings straining under the pressure of our combined assault.
Just as I saw an opening, I swung my sword toward his exposed side, flames licking the edge of the blade.But Gremory outmaneuvered us both.With a savage grin, he parried Rathiel’s strike and spun toward me, his hand glowing with dark magic.
I barely had time to register the danger before he blasted me backward with a pulse of energy—a skill I’d never seen him use before.My body collided with a gravestone, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs as I crumpled to the ground.
“Lily!”Rathiel shouted, his voice filled with panic.
I coughed, struggling to catch my breath as I pushed myself to my feet.Gremory advanced on Rathiel, his wings casting a dark shadow over him, the air thick with malevolent power.
“I told you,” Gremory said, his voice dangerously low as he closed the distance.“You can’t protect her.Word’s out, brother.Lucifer wants both your heads served to him on silver platters.”
Rathiel didn’t waste a second.He lunged forward, his blade flashing in the moonlight.But Gremory anticipated the move.Magic burst from his hand, and with a casual flick of his wrist, he deflected Rathiel’s strike and stole his sword, now gripping it in his own hand.
Both Rathiel and I stumbled to a stop, stunned.I’dneverseen anyone disarm Rathiel before.Nor had I ever seen Gremory use that kind of magic before.
“You’ve stabbed me more than enough for one lifetime, thanks,” Gremory commented casually.
“I’ve stabbed youoncein the thousands of years we’ve known each other,” Rathiel argued.“And that was twelve years ago.You can’t possibly still be whining about that?”
“Hmm,” Gremory hummed.“Let’s see if you’re still whining aboutthisin twelve years.”Then, without warning, he struck, driving Rathiel’s own blade straight into his side.
The sound of metal slicing through flesh was sickeningly sharp in the stillness, followed by Rathiel’s sharp intake of breath.
I gasped, breath catching in my throat as if Gremory had stabbed me.I’d never seen someone move so fast before.My pulse spiked, and a wave of adrenaline crashed over me, freezing me in place.Fear tangled with rage, tightening in my chest.For half a second, all I could do was stare—at Rathiel’s blood staining Gremory’s hand, at the sick pleasure twisting Gremory’s features.And then instinct kicked in, and I surged forward, my grip on Inferno’s Kiss tightening as fury propelled me back into action.
Gremory lifted a hand and blasted me with another burst of power.Except, this time, it locked me in place rather than throw me back.“I wouldn’t, girl.You’re not ready to play this game.Not yet.”
I struggled against Gremory’s magic, but it held me tight.His power wound around me like thick vines, locking me in place.My muscles strained, but it was like fighting quicksand—every movement tightened the vines.I glanced at Rathiel, who gripped Gremory’s shoulder with white-knuckled determination.
Gremory gave the blade a final twist before pulling it out with a sickening sound, and Rathiel’s body jerked in response.Blood dripped from the sword, but Gremory didn’t bother to wipe it away.He spun the blade lazily in his hand, like it was a toy, while Rathiel staggered, his hand instinctively moving to cup his wound.
With a growl, Rathiel moved to take a step toward Gremory, but he flicked his wrist, and another pulse of dark energy slammed into Rathiel, forcing him to his knees.Dark energy encircled his body, locking him in place, just as it’d done to me.
Gremory sneered at Rathiel.“Stay down,” he spat, eyes gleaming with malice.
Rathiel raised his hand, and the blood dripping from his side quivered before rising into the air.The power crackled around him, illuminating his strained features.The crimson liquid twisted and churned, pulling together into thin, razor-sharp blades that hovered midair, glinting under the faint light.
But Gremory’s lips curled into a wicked grin.“Oh no, brother,” he sneered, his voice a dangerous whisper.With a sharp motion of his free hand, an arc of dark energy lashed out, slamming into Rathiel’s chest.
His body jerked violently, his concentration breaking as the blood he’d commanded collapsed back into the snow with a sickening splatter.
