Page 116 of Grave Revelations

Azazel nodded, inhaling sharply as he took in Dina’s limp form, crushed in the Fallen’s fist. She opened her eyes and coughed, golden liquid spilling over her lips.

“I’ll distract them. You grab the lance,” she said.

What will you distract them with?

White teeth flashed in the dark as she grinned.You’ll see.

I don’t like that.

A bubble of laughter spilled from her lips.Lightning. I’ll call down lightning so you can grab the lance.

It was a good plan, and his chest swelled with pride at his mate’s brilliant mind.

She smiled again, raising her hands overhead—his signal.

Azazel became dust, floating on the wind.

Lightning scorched the earth beside Samael, and his head shot up. “They’re here,” he said to Elizabeth.

The words sent a shiver down Azazel’s spine. Could this be a trap? He didn’t have time to consider it as another bolt of lightning slammed into the dirt, sending Samael dancing back.

Samael tossed his head, and several nasdaqu-ush raced away, searching for Rebecca.

They’re looking for you. Stay hidden.

I will. Be careful.

He sent her the mental image of his lips pressed against hers.

Lightning struck true, sizzling along Samael’s arm, and Azazel used that moment to reappear, twisting through the air as he dove for the lance.

Samael spun, lifting the lance and plunging it into the side of Dina’s neck. Golden blood slid over his fingers, soaking the earth.

Azazel landed hard as he yelled for Dina and charged forward, but Samael swung the lance at him; he darted backward, narrowly avoiding it.

“Stay back,” Samael warned, squeezing Dina tighter in his enormous hand. Her blood traced the lines he’d made in the earth, forming a star, and the ground rumbled. “Now, Sanura.”

The name registered in Azazel’s mind as Elizabeth raised her hands overhead and barked commands to the silent army. Their glazed expressions never changed as they moved into smaller circles, clasping hands with one another. Each group’s hands glowed as energy zinged through them, and the earth rocked, trees toppling, fissures opening all around them.

Light. Elizabeth is Sanura. She’s much more dangerous than I thought. Be careful.

Azazel launched into the air, aiming for Rebecca, hidden among the tree branches, and scooped her up as he brought them higher. He thought of Sanura’s creatures’ end, attempting to rid the world of them, but they weren’t typical night-beings—their souls could not be destroyed with his dark gifts.

Dozens of small fissures chased one another over the earth until they connected, and chunks of dirt and debris fell into a deep chasm. It was an abyss so deep it appeared to have no end. But itdidend, and another shudder rolled through him as he stared in horror.

What is it?Rebecca whispered in his mind.

He has opened a rift between Primoria and Earth.

The rush of power surging through him, climbing, racing for the surface, was intoxicating, and he knew what it meant. They were coming.

Azazel wrapped his arms more tightly around Rebecca’s waist, taking them higher, and a euphoric bolt of ineffable power tore through him as they exploded from the earth: a legion of infernal creatures. Some were wispy, incorporeal; others were hulking beasts, stamping their hooves on snow.

They charged out, flooding the land, choking the air, as wave upon wave crested the surface of the mortal plane.

Some dove for the witches, settling inside them, and Rebecca screamed: “Stop them!”

Azazel yanked their tethers, ripping them out of the witch’s bodies. He released his hold, refocusing on others, and they darted away into the night.

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