Page 74 of Found In Destruction

Mom giggled, and both my fathers smiled at her. “Tits up! That’s hilarious.”

“Come on Lyn, we have to make sure the portals between the antechambers and here are properly set up.” Michael offered mom his arm, and they faded out of the room.

“Ooo, Michael and Marilyn, sitting on a cloud. Rocking it back and forth so loud?—”

My father muted Ares’ cutting the god’s singing short. “Shhh, focus. Michael is the only person who can open that portal, andI’m not letting him go without me or to let my daughter out of my sight. Ares, you have to stay here with the army…you’re their General. You’ll meet us when we secure a holding area for the troops.”

“I know…” he sulked.

The blood rushing to my head was making me nauseous, so I faded out of his hold, and gave him a huge hug. He squeezed me so tightly that I was surprised he didn’t crack my ribs.

“Ares, my giant hairy man, you need to have some faith. My Dads are perfectly capable of keeping me safe. I’ll have Azazel, Mal, Oisín, and Judas with me too,” I assured him.

“Did someone call my name?” Judas said after he faded right between Ares and Lucifer.

“Um, ironically, I did…” I admitted.

“What can I do for you, Diana Morningstar—Lucifer’s Spawn and Sword—Terror of the Void—Woman Warrior waltzing into war wielding a weapon and a winning smile?” He said all of that with a straight face, and I had to give him props. It cut the tension between the three of us and made me snicker.

“Please help us convince Ares that we have to part for a day at most so he can lead the troops and I can help my dads?” I asked him. “My dads, brother, two of our partners, and you’ll be there.”

“And Bain, but that’s not the point. You could walk in there alone and you’d still be fine, because you can take care of yourself. You’re more powerful than even you give yourself credit for, Diana. Your men need to accept that even though they want to wrap you in man-bubble protection, you don’t need it.” Judas shot a pointed look at Ares, who flicked his hand, hitting his friend with a shot of magic to the jaw. It cracked like a right hook.

“Your caveman energy is excused because you’re worried about your lady. I feel the same way about mine, so I understand,” Judas sniffed. “Anywho, I have to drop said ladyoff with my guards, because sometimes the safest option is to let them go so everyone can do their job.” Steam came out of Ares’ ears, his fists catching on fire. “Toodles!” Judas exited.

“May the stars shine down on that poor man. Your aunt is hell on wheels,” Lucifer snarked. I would argue with him...but he was right. She was all moxie, ass, and snark—but I knew someone like Judas would definitely be able to handle her.

“Fine. But you need to check in with me, every hour. Just keep your mindlink open so I can hear everything you’re doing,” he pouted.

“You’ll see me soon, handsome,” I said, giving him one final hug before I left to meet my dads and mom by the portal on the other side of the training facility.

Ares dipped me over, and gave me the longest, most passionate kiss I’d ever had. When the soldiers started whistling and cheering, I wriggled out of his hold, rubbed his chest for good luck, and walked away, reminding myself that this plan was for the best and that we’d only be parted temporarily.

When we met everyone at the portal, an ominous feeling settled in my chest. This was it. Once we stepped through that door, everything would change. We’d be in the thick of it, no longer removed from the war that would decide our world’s future.

“Diana, I think we should say something to the troops,” Lucifer suggested. “They need to hear from their leaders.”

I had no clue what to say, but I agreed with him—this was the time to boost morale and remind them what they were fighting for.

Lucifer magnified his voice. His enormous, black wings unfurled from his back and carried him under the vaulted ceiling, allowing him to see the entire facility.

“Today is the day we take Pandemonium City back!” he yelled, his voice carrying a preternatural echo that sent chillsdown my spine. “I won’t take up too much time, because I know you’re all just as eager as me to get this bloodbath started—” the room erupted in cheers. The combined magic of all the vampires, shifters, demons, and magical beings crammed into the room buzzed and crackled, rising like a tide before crashing down over everyone. Their revelry went on for a few more minutes, dying down again when Lucifer cleared his throat.

“There are some people I’d like to thank. First and foremost, my children Diana and Oisín. They’re my reason for coming back into the world after being gone for so long. Thank you for being by my side and fighting this fight with me.”

The crowd started chantingMorningstar, Morningstar! Their belief in us almost made me cry. Oisín’s emerald green wings sprouted from his back, and he flew to meet my father, giving him a huge hug and whispering something in his ear. Even with my superhearing I couldn’t hear them over the army’s excitement. I followed suit, hugging them both. The crowd got even louder, chantingSword, and I had to blink back tears. I shot magical fireworks into the air, and many followed suit.

When the crowd died down, Lucifer said, “I would also like to thank my daughter’s boyfriends. I hated them on principle, because no one will ever be good enough for her in my eyes, but they all grew on me.” I scanned the room for my guys, and their expressions ranged from scowls to smiles. Zaz was laughing his ass off. “And lastly the loves of my life, Michael and Marilyn. Michael stood by me through my fall from grace, even through times I didn’t deserve him. He brought me Marilyn, and I hope that once the war is over, we can start a new chapter of our lives together.

Michael and Lucifer locked eyes, and I had the feeling their private conversation was a good one, because both of my fathers smiled. Michael wrapped his arms around my mom’s waist, lifting her into the air with him to meet us. The image of thethree of them holding each other made me and O cry. They deserved happiness when all of this was over.

Lucifer nodded at me, and despite having no clue what to say, I sent a beam of magical light into the air, getting everyone’s attention.

“Last but not least, the Morningstar family would like to thank all ofyou. You all believe in a better future enough to fight with us and bring our vision to life. You’re all passionate and fearless enough to put your life on the line and fight injustice and a better tomorrow. Not just for all the paranormal beings of the world, but their mortal counterparts who don’t even know we exist. Thank you. Together, we’ll bring about a new era—The Morningstar Era!”

The volume of our army’s chants and cheers could have blown the metaphorical roof off of the training facility. I waved to my men below, reminding myself that this war was for them as much as it was for me. Red had targeted all of us, and we wouldn’t truly be safe until he was dead.

Thank you for being here with me,I linked them all. Azazel, Desmond, and Bash flew to me, joining the family’s group hug. Mal and Ares used their magic to levitate themselves into the air and met us, and with all my men around me, I felt invincible.

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