I dissolved the whip as she told me to, and the loss of tension sent both of us flinging apart.
Using the momentum, I raced to the ground, where Lincoln was throwing a Hellhound into the Celestial orb I’d created.
We weren’t going to get out of here alive by driving, and I wasn’t leaving Lincoln and his broken wings while I flew off to safety.
‘Oh no. Don’t.’ Sera had obviously heard my thoughts.
When I was within arm’s reach of my man, I hooked my hands underneath his armpits and hauled him up into the air, flying awkwardly with him dangling from between my legs.
“Brielle, no. I’m too heavy!” Lincoln roared as I skimmed the tree line and left the cemetery. He was heavy—it felt like I was carrying a car—but I was also pumped with “mommy juice”， the stuff mothers had when they protected their child or loved one. I had it right then, coursing through my veins in a rush. I could have lifted a freaking semi off a baby deer if I’d had to.
“Mind over matter,” I spit out.
I was pretty sure I’d given myself a hernia, as something in my stomach felt like it’d ripped when I lifted him, but I’d deal with that later.
“You won’t make it to Fallen Academy. Go into the war zone. Michael is on patrol tonight,” Lincoln called out over the wind.
I could see the wall and the fiery war just behind it to my right, much closer than Fallen Academy. Flapping my wings in that direction, I veered us toward the war and prayed Michael would be there to rescue me. I’d just remembered that I’d created a Celestial orb, and I was going to crash very soon.
Just then, something wrapped around my ankle, jerking me backward. The sudden movement caused Lincoln to slip in my arms and I… I dropped him.
I dropped him right over the war zone.
Oh God.
“Lincoln!” I screamed until my voice was hoarse.
It was only about a twenty-foot drop, but his wings weren’t out. At this height, will he break his legs? Oh, Lincoln!
“Like I said, you’re coming with me,” Lucifer called from behind me.
‘Castrate him already!’ Sera screamed, flaring to life.
Anger snapped inside of me and I felt the darkness blaze within me. Raphael was right. I was feeding the darkness. I was angry, but not at the world, or Raphael, or even God. I was mad at this asshole right in front of me.
“Ahhhh!” I screamed as my face shook with rage and hot black magic flew from my throat, wrapping around Lucifer’s head. The second it hit his face, it dissolved, as if it were unable to harm him.
Oh frick.
“Yes!” Lucifer shouted with pride, pulling on the black rope that held my ankle. “You will make a great archdemon,” he purred.
Archdemon.
It’s true? This whole time… it was true.
Tiffany’s stupid blonde face popped into my head then and I wanted to cry.
“No, she won’t,” a familiar voice called out, and then a streak of blue light cut through the black band around my leg, like it was lightning.
“Hello, old friend.” Lucifer grinned in Archangel Michael’s direction.
Michael wasted no words, just flew at the Devil blindingly fast until they crashed together like two meteors exploding in the sky.
That’s when the fatigue hit me. The Celestial ball, flying with Lincoln, it had zapped every last ounce of energy I possessed, and suddenly I was falling.
Landing in Lincoln’s arms was the last thing I saw.
Chapter Twenty-Three
When I came to, there were hushed voices. My mouth felt dry, and I had practically melted into the bed with exhaustion. Peeling my eyes open, I saw it actually wasn’t a bed but a sleeping bag, and I was in a tent.
“I think he’s fled back to the underworld.” Lincoln’s voice was strong, and I nearly cried hearing it. He was okay.
“I’m not taking any chances. The other Archangels are coming to escort Brielle back to the academy, which is where she’ll need to stay.” Michael’s voice was fatigued and sharp.
“Yes. Thank you, sir,” Lincoln replied.
“Linc,” I mumbled loudly, wondering how many hours had passed. I needed water and a ten-hour nap.
Lincoln burst into the tent then, and I was surprised to see he looked relatively unharmed.
“You’re okay,” he breathed.
I nodded. If by okay, he meant the Devil was chasing me and I felt like I’d been hit by a truck, then yeah, I was okay.
He knelt down beside me.
“What happened? Lucifer? Your wings?” I asked, sitting up slowly. I reached down to my thigh to do a quick check and make sure Sera was still with me. Then my eyes fell to the small diamond band on my left finger and I smiled.