Page 142 of Bones

My siblings and their mates spoke, but I only heard Aurora.

“In just a short time, you already gave me more than I thought I’d have in life. If I die now, I do it happy.” She choked on a sob. “I love you.”

I closed my eyes and waited, feeling peace in my soul.

Feelingwhole.

For a moment, I thought I heard music over the clashing magicks.

“And I also love you, even if you’re not my daughter. And before you turn your green smoke my way, big guy, I love all of you like you were my children. Even though you’re not. We can still play a nice game of catch, though, sport.”

I’m dead, and Levi is taunting me.

My lids snapped open, and a glittery white was added to ours.

“We have the power of souls,” one of the angels said.

Levi yawned like he was bored. “Okay, and? I have the power of big dick energy, and you don’t see me bragging.”

“Yes, you do,” Juno said. “All the time. I’m pretty sure you’d put it on a Christmas card if you could.”

“I could, and I will. The stocking isn’t the only thing hung.” His white surged. “Thanks for the idea.”

“Choose your side wisely, Levi,” the angel continued screaming over the buzz and crackle of the warring magicks. “Or we might come for Hell next.”

“Please, do. I’m up to my giant dick in paperwork.” He turned to face Juno but still aimed his magicks across the room. “Hmm, I guess you’re right. I do talk about it a lot. It’s like a parent with their kid. I’m just so proud.”

“Once again, you don’t have kids,” another voice joined in, adding his glittery white magicks.

The brown and green receded momentarily as one of them gasped. “Uriel. What’re you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same, Asbeel and Azazel.”

“Oh, it’s so obvious,” Juno called. “Asbeel eye-fucking the carnage as the angel of destruction, and Azazel the angel of death and fetching souls. Nate, he’s like your Bizarro World twin.”

Nate just grunted, sending more gray.

Juno kept talking like we weren’t in the middle of a battle for humanity. “Remember when those fuckers broke into your house? This is who they were talking about. A and Z. Phew, that unsolved mystery would’ve driven me crazy.”

“You’re not supposed to be down here,” Azazel said to Uriel, ignoring us. “You’re forbidden from getting involved in these matters.”

“The universe demands balance,” a booming voice echoed around.

“M-Michael,” Azazel stammered.

I expected one burst of shimmery white.

There were three.

I glanced to the side to see Michael was joined by two other angels—Raphael and Chamuel. Contrary to what Juno had said about her stoner angel, he looked as fierce and angry as the others.

“You physically got involved,” Michael said, his words carrying like they were being played through surround sound speakers. “Which opened the door for us to do the same. Balance. And you must know, Azazel and Asbeel, there is no winning here.”

The fallen angels didn’t give up.

“Your powers are tainted by evil,” Michael’s voice continued over all the clashing. “Poison. Even if you manage to defeat us, it will rot you from the inside. There will be no paradise. You will decay before you see your selfish plan to fruition.”

A and Z pushed on, Asbeel shouting, “The souls will heal us. Fuel us. Power?—”

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