“None of your business. You’re not one of us.”
A male stepped forward. “He serves the Malachai, just like we do.”
She raked another sneer over the demon who’d spoken. “You defend him?”
The demon shrugged. “Well, he is my brother.”
“Half-brother.” Lyseah glared at Caleb. “Just because you shared a mother, doesn’t make you family.”
Nick turned to Kody and mouthed,Brother?
Eyes wide, she shrugged.
There was something else he hadn’t considered. That either Xev or Caleb would have siblings they hadn’t mentioned. But again, that made sense. Their parents had been known for getting around. There was no telling how many siblings they had that they knew about. Probably some they’d never met or knew existed.
The male demon moved closer to Caleb. “I think he’s suffered enough without us adding to it. It’s good to see you again, Malphas.”
Caleb held his hand out to him. “You too, Itzal.”
Itzal took his hand, then jerked him into his arms. “I should stab you through the heart.”
“Wouldn’t be a family reunion without bloodshed.”
Snorting, Itzal shoved him back. “Who are these interlopers who travel with you?”
Caleb introduced everyone until he got to Nick. He hesitated.
“He’s a Malachai.” It wasn’t a question. Itzal made the declaration without any judgment.
Caleb nodded.
That only confused them, as they knew Nick shouldn’t be here, given that Cyprian was still alive.
“You’re Cyprian’s son?” Lyseah finally asked.
“His father,” Caleb answered before Nick had a chance.
“Impossible.”
Nick grinned at her. “Apparently not. Here I stand.”
Itzal cocked his head as if he was struggling to understand. “So who do we serve now? Malachai I or Malachai II?” He looked at Lyseah. “Ambrose commanded us before Cyprian. And if this is Ambrose, shouldn’t we be following his orders instead of Cyprian’s?”
She used her telekinesis to retrieve her sword from the ground. Without hesitating, she moved toward Nick. “This isn’t Ambrose.”
Xev used his powers to turn her sword away from Nick’s throat. “Not yet. But he will become Ambrose. As such …”
“We’re bound to him,” Itzal finished.
Nick looked to Caleb. “Does this mean we have an army?”
“Maybe.” Caleb turned to Lyseah. “Who’s the leader?”
“I am.” Her tone defied Caleb. “They promoted me after your betrayal.”
“I didn’t betray you.”
“No. You betrayed us all.”
