Brutality and vengeance.
Contrary to their stupidity, Thorn had been born with a mind of his own and gifted with enough battle skills to make even the war gods envious. Or more to the point, to make them bow down in defeat to him and his ruthless army.
And so he’d been at war with his father ever since he’d cast off his shackles and refused to do his father’s bidding. Had been knee-deep in blood and entrails, and that was fine with him.
He knew no other way.
Not that anything ever changed. He’d been knee-deep in blood and entrails before his rebellion. The only difference now was he protected humanity instead of slaughtering them.
Though some days, he wondered why he bothered. Indeed, there were times when it was hard to tell mankind from the demons who fought for his father.
Like now. The humans among his rank and file were every bit as cruel and cold. Some days, they were even worse.
“Pull back!” he shouted at his men. The demonic army was advancing and he was losing too many.
No need to see any more fall.
Belial was a vicious bitch who lived for the blood and gore. Always had been. And these were dark days for humans.
“Where are our reinforcements?”
Thorn scoffed at the question from his second-in-command. “We’ve been abandoned.”
Hugh turned pale. That was a new look for the seasoned warrior, not that Thorn blamed him. Anyone with common sense would be pissing his armor right now.
“Hellchasers, fall back!” he cried, hoping to save as many as he could.
Damn Belial for this.
Thorn flinched as he saw an entire segment of his right flank go down.It’s what you deserve, you bastard.Had he not banished his son to Le Terre Derrière le Voile, Cadegan would have been able to rout Belial’s forces without so much as a second thought. He was the only knight equal to Thorn’s prowess.
Now…
Thorn was getting his arse kicked and not liking it in the least. And Cadegan was suffering a fate worse than death because Thorn couldn’t bring himself to be merciful enough to kill his own child even for the benefit of mankind.
Damn me for it.
Hugh growled as he fought back another demon. “What has ruptured the balance?”
Killing his own target, Thorn ground his teeth. He didn’t have an answer for that. All he knew was that their enemies were growing stronger and they were dwindling in numbers.
Something was feeding Belial and if they didn’t discover it soon, it would be too late.
For the first time in centuries, Thorn feared he might actually lose this war.
And his own life in the process.
Dammit! He had to get to the bottom of this and find out what was going on.
Spurring his horse, he rushed up the hill, out of the sight of his men. There was no need in letting a human know what was actually leading them, as they’d never be able to handle it. Nor could he explain it to them.
But when things got this messy, he needed an answer, and he was through playing this shit.
His brethren might be assholes, but he still had a few who weren’t totally his enemies.
Glancing back toward the army he led, he made sure none could see him. Then he dismounted from his horse and unfurled his wings.
“Don’t any of you bastards shoot me.” That would be his luck. Wounded by one of his own who mistook him for the demons they were fighting.
