Page 35 of Fated Angel

You’re fighting inevitability, the obsidian warns. It’s no longer hissing. It’s a seething, roiling shout.

Colt draws in a sharp breath. “The Grail hasn’t been seen for centuries.”

Gabby’s father nods, and with each movement, his shoulders drop a little. "It remains elusive. Uriel was caught as he discovered the last lead we had was fruitless.”

Gabby grips the nearby table, disappointment washing through her.

As the obsidian simultaneously roars with victory.

“We will continue the search, but it will require time—time we don’t have,” her father continues. “The Grigori are on the brink of altering fate, and they will grow desperate, coming for the shards after their negotiations failed."

And just like that, using the obsidian, with all its unforeseen consequences, becomes a necessity.

“I tried,” her father says quietly, his gaze heavy.

Gabby nods, unsure whether the flash of hope was helpful or not. Hope given, only to be taken away, is a bitter pill to swallow.

Her father walks toward her, stopping beside her to reach out and place a hand on her shoulder. “You have a battle ahead of you, daughter,” he says solemnly. “Never forget you were chosen for a reason.”

With that, he leaves.

“Gabby…” Colt starts.

But she shakes her head. “There’s one thing he’s right about. We’re running out of time.”

Gabby reaches for her bag, removing the Spear, then the obsidian. The first rests in one hand, heavy and lifeless. The second rests in her other hand, light…but carrying the weight of fate.

Every soul in the three realms depends on this.

On her.

On us.

Colt’s hand slips over the palm cradling the obsidian, drawing Gabby’s gaze to him. “Your father’s right. You were chosen for a reason.” He steps back, faith molding his features into determined lines. “You’re the only one strong enough to do this, Gabby.”

She nods, even as she’s not sure she believes him. Colt clearly has no idea how powerful the obsidian is.

That it’s already inside of her. Tempting her…

Gabby takes a step back, her stomach so tied in knots it hurts. She closes her eyes, drawing on her angelic magic, on her Light. The legends of old speak of Lucifer using the Spear of Destiny during the Rebellion, charging it with Primordial Light.

To fulfill her destiny and confront the Grigori, Gabby must follow in Lucifer's footsteps.

Except she’ll be connecting the Spear to the obsidian's profound Darkness.

She closes her eyes, murmuring the spell she’s never heard, yet already knows.

“Obsidian’s might, prepare to fight,

In this sacred rite, blend power and night.

Spear of Destiny, now empowered, arise,

With darkness united, reach for the skies.”

A gust of wind buffets Gabby, tugging at her hair and clothes, but she barely feels it. She becomes the conduit, her being linking the Spear to the very essence of the obsidian. The air becomes heavy, the room charged with palpable energy.

The dark power flows through her, shifting from the obsidian to the Spear. And with it come the whispers, far more malevolent and seductive. They cascade into Gabby's mind, like shadowy tendrils seeking to ensnare her.

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