Page 142 of Grave Revelations

They tumbled through the sky, Samael’s crimson wings winking and sputtering before reforming. As they spun, Gabriel called the wind, commanding it to whip and lash Samael while increasing the force of their spin.

Samael dug sharp talons into Gabriel’s wings, sending pain lancing through him.

A resounding crack rent the air as one of Gabriel’s white wings fell away, sailing in a funnel of air. He screamed, releasing his bolts of lighting still embedded in the Fallen, and called two more, spearing them through Samael’s neck.

They spun toward the ground, the world zipping past.

Samael wrapped a taloned hand around each of Gabriel’s arms, working to wrench him off, but Gabriel pressed harder, forcing lightning through the corded muscles of his brother’s neck until there was a popping, tearing sound as they crashed, torpedoing into snow-packed rock.

Samael’s head kept sliding—free of his body—and landed several yards away.

Dozens of feet hit the ground around Gabriel as his siblings helped him up. He leaned into Phanuel’s shoulder, wincing at the gaping wound where his wing had been.

Hands came down, resting on all his aches and wounds, and healing magic bled through him. On his back, the bleeding stopped, injuries knitted together, his wing bone reforming and spreading fledgling snowy feathers. Somehow, they seemed whiter and more pristine even than before. It would take some time for all the feathers to fill in, but it had been worth the sacrifice.

The seraphim bowed their heads for their fallen sibling, feeling his loss as they had Dina’s, even knowing there could only be one end.

When Gabriel was mostly healed, he stretched his wing experimentally and strode forward, kneeling beside his brother. He laid both hands on the once angelic form of Samael and let out a great sigh, returning his brother’s body to dust. He prayed he would find peace at last.

One by one, the seraphim launched into the sky—led by Phanuel—to scour the Earth for any remaining demons and vanquish them once and for all.

Gabriel landed atop the snowy mountains in Denali National Park; all was still and quiet. For a moment, he thought perhaps he had come to the wrong place, but a scratching sound came from somewhere to his left, and snow fell aside, revealing a deep cave.

Sophia appeared before him, looking him over. “You look awful.”

He laughed, rubbing a hand over his face. “I’m here to tell you the Devil has been defeated. My brethren continue to slaughter the demons, but you are safe to return to…”

She raised an eyebrow, daring him to say home. He didn’t. Home would be wherever they could carve a place for themselves now. She nodded, looking past him to the horizon.

“It’s nearly dawn,” she said. “I have a message for you before you go.”

Gabriel crossed his arms over his chest. “What message?”

“She remembers.”

Chapter 96

Rebecca

Rebecca stood beside Asher, gazing out over the throng of lost souls. “How can we convince them to move on?”

“They’re here because they aren’t sure they deserve Alaxia,” he answered. “These souls weren’t bad people, but they don’t believe it. It’s our job to persuade them.”

“What about the ones who should have gone to Primoria? Can any of them be saved?”

“No. They had their chance.”

Rebecca frowned, biting her lip. “So, how do we help them?”

“We give them hope.”

She blew out a breath.

Her attention snagged on a dark figure moving through the group. He halted beside a woman, murmuring quietly. After a few moments, she took his arm, and they continued forward together. They stopped in front of Rebecca and Asher.

Simon faced Asher, not meeting Rebecca’s eyes. “This is Angela.”

Rebecca smiled at the woman, who seemed confused. “Hello, Angela.”

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