With an anxious undertone, Errshek went next.“Arewegoing to be punished for this?”
The Twins and Kalia had both shared Lucifer’s vile temper and targeting of the rest of his kin.With all the conviction in his sinew and bones, Saer pushed his challenge further.“Turn Its ire on me.Say whatever you have to.”
The dread on Envy’s face increased three-fold.“But—”
“If you remain loyal and fulfill your duties, our maker will spare you.Save yourself, Errsheken.”
Envy’s throat bobbed.
“You have no idea what you’re doing.”The sharp edges in Arek’s voice could have sliced clean through a grown man’s ribs.
Saer growled and turned his full attention to the twin across the table.“Are you looking for a fight, Areknar?”
“I’m looking forlogic.”
“Easy, Bro,” Alus said from Arek’s side.
Arek snarled and shrugged off Gluttony and his placations.He stood.
Saer rose to his own feet.The two stood a near match in height, Saer the brawnier of the pair, but Arek filled the empty space with his fury.“Do you consider any consequences to your actions, or do you blindly follow whatever impulse happens to take you?Is it ‘Hells be damned’ to the rest of us?”
“I’m doing thisforus!”
Each time Saer raised his voice, Arek’s volume elevated to match.“Are you?Because it looks like everyone else really wishes you wouldn’t.”
“That’s not my problem.”
“Yes, you fucking imbecile, itis!”
Rage burned in Saer’s throat.“You have no idea the sacrifices I’ve made for all of you!”Neyu’s unmaking flashed behind his eyes, and he drew a sharp breath to shove it in their faces.
“Arek…” The ill-at-ease interjection rose from Errshek, and Saer choked on the revelation lodged in his throat.
If you say it, they won’t believe you.He didn’t know how he knew, but he did.
Envy pressed a palm to his stomach, gazing at the twin with a combination of apprehension and confusion.Fingers flexing at his gut, Errshek hesitated before finally speaking his mind.“You’re envious.”
Arek bared his teeth and turned away.“Your radar is off.”
Envy blinked, then lifted an eyebrow.
Arek exhaled, bowing his head and crossing his arms over his chest.“As the First and favored, you’ve always done what pleases you,” he sniped, ignoring Errshek.“The rest of us don’t have that luxury.And yes, if I’m being honest…” Lifting his eyes, he met Saer’s gaze.“I resent that.”
Errshek pressed his hand harder into his gut, then bowed his head.
Alus rose and stood next to his twin, putting a hand on Arek’s elbow.This time, Greed didn’t push him away.
“I also begrudge that we’re fractured as it is,” Arek went on.“More is better.You do this…” He shook his head.“Who’s to say we’ll all survive it?”
Saer lifted his chin.“Our creator won’t unmake you.”
“But will he command you, or any of us, to unmake one another?”
“No.”
The Twins blinked and shared a skeptical glance.“You seem awfully sure,” Alus said.
With a slow nod, Saer allowed the confidence to seep into his tone.“Destroying Neyu had the opposite effect our creator desired.”Rather than reeling him closer, the command had propelled the First well and truly away from Lucifer.The fallen angel was flawed, but not a fool—It wanted to keep Its children near and loyal.
