Page 44 of Unbroken

Michael bellows in outrage, and it feels as if the ground shakes beneath our feet. I glance up. All around us Archangels begin to screech in an eerie chorus, some still fight Lucifer, while others retreat, popping out of existence. I stop and watch. It’s as if they are answering a call, stopping to listen, then vanishing, like God himself is calling them home.

“You!” Michael shouts as time seems to stand still. He moves in slow motion while I watch in terror as he aims his flaming twin swords at Rook. Micah shouts Rook’s name, jumping out of his arms and pushing him out of the way. I see the outcome clearly. Esme’s vision. I don’t think, I react. Closing my eyes, I pull my essence around me and reappear in front of Micah, shielding her as two flaming swords impale me through the chest. Michael screams in anger at the miss of his target, kicking me in the chest, he dislodges his swords. The force of Michael’s blow sends me crashing into Micah. She catches me, wrapping me in her embrace as we tumble to the ground.

I can feel fire spread, eating away at my life force as magical blasts from Ty, Trys, and Rodyn keep Michael away from Micah. Marcus surrounds us in fire as Micah cradles me in her lap. Pain begins to spread, and I let go. I know there is no coming back from this. If this is what my Demonic life is meant for, then it is worth the sacrifice. I stroke her cheek as my lips part to tell her that I love her as she screams my name over and over again. But I never get the chance to reply. My last thoughts are that I wish I had found her sooner, held her closer, loved her more, but our time together is brief and cut short too soon. But it was enough.

Then, I explode.

* * *

MICAH

I hold Lyrik in my arms, screaming and rocking him as the Angel Fire from Michael’s blades devours his body. My tears fall unchecked, my anger a burning fire in my veins. Those blades were meant for me. I saved Rook and Lyrik saved me. Oh God. His lips part, his eyes, his beautiful hazel eyes swirl with pain as he gasps.

“Lyrik! Hold on! Lyrik, please. Lyrik, don’t you dare leave me!” I shout. In a blink, through my blurry eyes, I see his body explode, leaving nothing but wisps of his purple essence behind.

I scream, my body shakes as I stare at my hands in disbelief as the last of what remains of my Mate floats away from me. I feel the cool relief of numbness as it washes over me. My thoughts are singular as I call on my power once more. I didn’t feel the wings before, but I cry out in pain, while more tears stream down my face as they rip out of my back. Sets of golden wings on both sides unfurl from my back, they flex and flap, ready for me to use. I pull my father’s sword from my back, and I let my wings carry me into the air.

Rook is in shadow form, battling Michael in the air, while Ty, Trys, Rodyn, and now Marcus, fight him from the ground.

No more.

No more sacrifices for me. If I die. I die on my own terms, fighting with my last breath. I let loose a battle cry and fly towards Michael. I call on my Angel Fire and ignite my father’s sword as we collide in the air. Flames fly and fall to the ground as we spin and block each other’s blows. I am pure fury as I grip my sword with both hands, slamming my blade against his in pain and outrage.

“Do you see how they follow you blindly? He gave his life for yours. It was easy. Love brings nothing but torment in the end. But that’s one less Demon to plague the world,” he taunts, swinging both his swords over his head, striking lightning fast towards me as I dive out of the way. My wings pulling me back as the sizzle of his fire cuts across my abdomen. I hiss in pain, but I let the pain fuel me.

“You took him away from me. You took my father from me! I going to kill you!” I scream as I put all my strength into every blow.

Michael laughs. “I am going to enjoy removing your head. You don’t deserve those wings, and I am going to enjoy plucking them from your back.”

I’m not only a Nephilim, I am also a Witch, and it’s with that thought I grab hold of Michael with my Telekinesis and pull with all my might. My teeth clench, muscles strain as he tries to resist my hold. His eyes widen in shock as he thrashes in the air, his wings beating wildly as he attempts to get away from me. I swing my sword in the air and yank hard on the invisible binding holding him in place.

“You lose, Michael,” I say as I plunge my flaming sword straight through his heart. “This is for the world. For my father. And for my Mate,” I say, my voice trembling as his swords fall from his hands. Michael’s mouth parts as he glances down at my sword and then at me with a look of disbelief.

“I believe you’ve been bested, motherfucker. Checkmate.” I yank out my sword and kick his ass out of the sky. I watch him fall but he doesn’t land as his body explodes in a searing white light; I flinch away to protect my eyes. When I remove my hands, the world around us is quiet. The only sound is the shouts coming from my bonded below me. I look down and only then do I realize how high up I am. I panic as my wings pick that moment to abandon me and I begin to fall. Again.

Strong arms catch me around the waist, scooping me up into his arms and holding me tight. “Well, well, Miss Jones. I am astounded by you.” Lucifer looks at me like I’m the greatest of all mysteries with a frown on his face that he soon replaces with a smile. “The world survives to turn for another day.” He floats down and places me on my feet as my guys come running.

“Sunshine,” Trys says, reaching me first, pulling me into his arms.

“Sons,” Lucifer says in greeting. “I hope this helps bridge the gap between us. I’ll be seeing you around.” He nods as a portal opens up before us, it’s wide, arching up into the sky. He turns. “I’ll leave this open so the Demons can get home. I am sure Bishop will be with you shortly,” Lucifer says as he walks into the portal and leaves us there.

As if summoned, Bishop flies over a tall, white stone building aiming straight for us. As he gets closer, I notice a small bundle in his arms, and I know it’s my mother. I pat Trys’s arm, and he releases me as Bishop lands.

Light Guardians begin to wake up all around us, blinking and disorientated, as they try to process what happened to them. I cross over to Bishop, the expression on his face is one of sorrow. I stop and look up into his pain filled eyes. He shakes his head and I make no move to get closer. She’s gone.

“Mom,” Marcus says as he rushes past me, and Bishop lets him take her as he lays her on the ground. “Fuck! Mom!” My brother shouts to the Heavens, his voice heavy with grief and pain, making my knees buckle from the weight of it all.

I fall to my knees, my hand clutches the Earth between my fingers, and I let go. I scream and cry, clawing at the ground. I did what was asked of me. I won the day, but what did I win? I’ve been given so much in such a short period of time. Maybe, I had too much, but it is mine. Mine!

“Lyrik,” I whisper. My heart broken.

I don’t know what happens after that as I retreat into the safe recess of my mind. All I remember is strong arms holding me. Words of love and reassurance as everything becomes a blur of activity all around me.

“We are taking her home,” I hear Rodyn say to someone, but my eyes won’t stop leaking as I purge my sorrow. My father, mother, Lyrik, Esme and her baby, it’s all too much to bear.

“Heaven thanks you, Micah Jones. You have done what we could not. God smiles down on you. You’ve been God blessed; your Seraph wings were a gift from him.” I hear a soft feminine voice say in the background, but I don’t turn to acknowledge her. “We will fix what Michael has broken and help where we can, until we are called home.”

“Archangel Uriel,” I hear my brother say, the sound of awe in his voice makes my stomach turn. I know I shouldn’t harbor resentment but at this point I can’t help it. Part of me is yelling to acknowledge her, to show deference but I can’t. I did what was asked of me, now I just want to be left alone.

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