That was the same thing he had done to me, only not completely yet. He never gave me a choice, and knew what I would do to save those I loved. He knew I’d submit if they were involved. But I had a sinking feeling that even though I made the pact, their lives would still be in danger. He just better keep his end of the bargain, or so help me God.
“It’s too late for me,” he said with a bit of sadness in his voice. “I am dammed. A slave for all eternity.”
I didn’t know what else to tell him. My heart broke with his words. We were quickly approaching Ethon and I knew because I could feel him.
“Wait,” I said, placing my hand on Bane’s chest. He stopped in mid-air. “I want to know Ethon’s secret.”
He closed his eyes then sighed. “You have to swear to me you will never tell a living soul.”
“I swear,” I said with confidence.
He exhaled loudly. “Ethon is Lucifer’s true son.”
Gasping, I shook my head. “I thought Lucifer’s brother was his father, and after he was caught and killed, Lucifer took him in?”
Bane shook his head. “That’s what they want everyone to believe, but Lucifer was the one who impregnated Ethon’s birth mother. Then Lucian found out. If Lucifer had been found guilty, he would have been stripped of all authority and executed. Lucifer blamed his brother and made him plead guilty to his transgression. He had no choice. Lucifer threatened to kill his bonded in front of him. So, when Lucian came to Lucifer, he charged his brother. His brother was taken and murdered for a transgression he never committed.”
“That is seriously screwed up. How could he live with himself? He blamed and killed his brother for something he did.”
“Bottom line, Ethon is Lucifer’s son and Prince of the Underworld. It is Lucifer’s blood that flows through him, which is why he has more power than any other Nephilim, and is also stronger and faster than any of the Fallen around him. He was trained by the Fallen’s best warriors, and thus, nearly undefeatable.”
“Holy crap,” was all I could say. His words painted Ethon to be a monster in training, and made me want to get back into the safety and protection of Alaine’s home. “I think I’ve changed my mind. Could you please take me back home?”
“Of course,” he said, then turned around and started back. “There is someone following us,” he said, and then held on tighter to me.
I turned back and didn’t see anything.
“If you can, you need to go invisible.”
I nodded then closed my eyes and concentrated, and soon felt the tingle. I grabbed Bane’s arm and he disappeared.
“They can’t see us now,” I whispered.
“How are you doing that?” he asked.
“It’s one of the powers of my suit. If I’m invisible, so is anything or anyone I’m touching.”
“I think we might be able to shake whatever is out there. I’m going to fly low. Just hold on.”
“How do you know something’s out there?” I asked.
“After centuries of war, you know when your enemy is near. It becomes instinct.”
“Okay,” I exhaled, holding on a little tighter.
Centuries? Every time they used the word according to their age, it rattled me. How could anyone live for centuries, especially under Lucifer’s rule? It was mind blowing.
I was cradled in his arms, and instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck for extra grip. His eyes snapped to me, and I quickly let go.
“No, it’s okay,” he answered. “I’m just not used to anyone’s touch. You took me by surprise.”
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“Don’t be. You should hold on because I will have to maneuver to try and lose whatever is out there.”
He flew a bit faster. Not nearly as quick as Ethon, but much faster than he was before.
A loud screeching sound suddenly alerted us something was there. Then swooping out of the sky, a huge dark creature with a wingspan, double Bane’s, came flying toward us.
“Shit,” he cursed, diving down toward the trees. He headed for the largest one and landed on a thick bough, then sniffed the air. We became visible.
“What is it?” I gasped, not being able to make out what it was.
“Gryphon.”
“A what?”
“Another creature from the Underworld used to bring death and destruction. But they’ve never been sent out into the mortal world.”
“Until now,” I said, holding on tighter to him. “Can it see us?”
“I don’t know. It has the head and wings of an eagle, and eagles have exceptional vision. It also has the body, tail, and legs of a lion, but there are eagle's talons as its front feet. Those are its greatest weapon, and what we need to stay away from. It can rip anything to shreds, including wings.”