Page 143 of Bones

Another, grander burst of white interrupted him as it joined our side. It burst through the darkened room, reflecting and shimmering like a thousand tiny crystals catching the sunlight.

“You can’t be here!” Azazel screamed, panic lacing his words. “They’re not yours. This has nothing to do with you. Why’re you here?”

He didn’t have the chance to hear an answer.

Gray, silver, red, navy, blue, purple, green, gold, and glittery white came together. It didn’t mix to blend into one sludge color like the other side. It swirled, each component its own important piece. Individual and vital, working together.

Like The Four and our mates.

The smoke stoked. Inflated and deflated as life was breathed into it. It crept over the greenish brown, eating away at it until none remained. And then it swept over the two fallen angels.

Shrouded in the tapestry smoke, Asbeel’s eyes were lit with glee. It didn’t matter that the destruction was his own—he got off on it either way.

But Azazel’s gaze was pleading. His voice echoed through the torrent of smoke, “Brothers, please. There is so much evil in humankind. So many souls going to Hell. You need me. Please?—”

His words were cut off as the technicolor magicks swallowed them completely.

And they disappeared.

It’s over.

It’s actually fucking over.

Stunned frozen, no one moved. It was like we didn’t believe it was done. Or we were afraid that moving would bring about the next disaster.

We waited for another shoe to not just drop but for it to be torpedoed at us.

It didn’t come.

“I’ve never been down to Earth,” Chamuel said, breaking the heavy silence. “Does it always smell like this?”

He was answered with a mix of yeses and nos.

“The souls,” the mystery angel said in a soothing voice that filled the room with peace. He held out his hand.

I looked at Uriel, who lifted his chin. I handed them over.

“I hope to see some of you again.” He scanned the room, but his eyes seemed to pause on Aurora. “Very soon.”

And then he was gone.

“Who was that?” Juno asked. “He gave me nothing to go on.”

“Gabriel.” Michael glared at the spot where his brother had been. “That self-important ass.” He paused and wiggled histongue. “Oh, no wonder the defectors use such filthy language. That feels wild. Ass. Shit. Fuck.” His eyes lit. “That one is my favorite.”

“So,” Chamuel drawled as he grinned at Juno. “I’ve heard tales of houses internationally that are made of pancakes.”

She burst his bubble. “Not literally.”

“So the ones made of waffle…” At her headshake, he deflated. “Then I’m heading back where I belong.”

I moved to my mate just as Uriel did. His eyes darted between us and the flames in his hair sparked brighter. “I’m happy to see the light in you, Aurora. Beautiful. Just beautiful.”

He and the others disappeared until only Michael and Levi remained.

“I never would’ve imagined thattogetherincluded angels. Or that evil did, either.” Aurora shook her head and looked at me. “What did you mean about your humanity? And how did you do… whatever you did?”

“I’ve lived for a long time as just a human while I neglected my magicks. It led to a surplus of humanity. I was able to use it to fill the ones who weren’t completely void yet. Speaking of…” I turned to Michael. “What will happen to the souls?”

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