“Oh, fuck,” Lucifer swore. He’d managed to get free of one weapon, not by pulling the blade out, but by snapping off the handle and dragging his shoulder forward. “The prophecy.”
“What prophecy?” The angel backed off and glared at his brother. “What are you talking about?”
When Maccus lowered the tip of his sword, the flames extinguished as quickly as they’d appeared. “Yes, what prophecy?”
“Am I the only one who reads?” Lucifer demanded. “A little help here.” He pointed at the remaining blade sticking in his shoulder.
Maccus raised his free hand, and the blade ripped free. It slammed back onto his body as if it had never left. Even the broken weapon returned, fully repaired and functional again.
He’d never been as strong or dangerous. Or as confused.
Lucifer rubbed both shoulders. The bleeding had stopped, and he appeared immaculate once again. How much was reality? What was illusion? The devil could be bleeding to death. He was the master of deception, after all.
“It seems our escapade has had a side effect we hadn’t foreseen.” He tugged his jacket back into place.
“What are you talking about?” Gabriel’s tone was pure frustration.
Needing to be near Morrigan, he went to her side.
She’s alive.
It wasn’t an illusion or a dream. He wouldn’t be completely convinced until he could strip her naked and check every inch of her to make sure she was unhurt, which he planned to do as soon as they were alone.
She holstered her gun but kept her knife drawn. When she slipped her hand into his, he curled his fingers around hers, letting her touch ground him. Around her, he was whole in a way he’d never been before.
Lucifer shook his head. “You, of all people, have become the Guardian.”
“What does that mean?” Maccus was running short on patience. He didn’t trust either of them not to try something else. “What is the Guardian?”
“Hmm. I’d have thought you’d be given more information.”
He brought the sword up and touched the tip to the devil’s throat. “I can ignite the blade if you’d like.” That midnight flame could likely do some serious damage.
“The prophecy predicts the rise of a Guardian, a being able to travel between Heaven and Hell.”
Before he could continue, Morrigan interrupted. “The Guardian will keep the balance of the realms. A balance must be kept, or all will be destroyed.” Her voice was deeper than usual, her gaze fixed on a point beyond them. She slowly turned her head until she was facing him and blinked several times. “What just happened?”
He’d seen this, but only a few rare times in his long existence. Not sure how she’d react to the news, he cleared his throat. “You seem to be an oracle.”
“An oracle?”
Both Lucifer and Gabriel took a step back. Yeah, no one messed with an oracle. Not if they knew what was good for them. Oracles spoke with the authority of the creator.
“You’ll occasionally say things that will impact mankind or Heaven or Hell.” He shrugged. “I’m not really sure how it works or how often it will happen.”
“Oh, is that all?” Sarcasm was ripe in her voice, but so was fatigue. “As long as my head doesn’t spin around or someone doesn’t possess my body for any length of time, I’m guess good with it if it means we’re both alive.”
“Time for me to go.” Lucifer tipped his head to them. “Forgive me when I say that I hope I’ll never see either of you again.” A portal opened, and he walked through.
“What about you?” Maccus asked Gabriel.
The angel sneered. “I don’t think you’re worthy of such an honor, but my opinion doesn’t matter.”
“I’ll be keeping an eye on you.” It was petty, but he enjoyed seeing the color drain from his former friend’s face. “That’s right,” Maccus continued. “I now have the ability to travel back to Heaven any time I choose. And if I’m needed, I’ll be there.”