edges of my mind and flared, calling to something inside me. Another silver light blossomed in my heart in response. The two lights stretched toward each other.
Vervain, my star, I'm with you, the voice came from inside me.
I shot to my feet in shock.
Azrael's head jerked my way. His eyes narrowed and the voice, along with the silver mist, vanished. I met his stare guiltily and sat down. The Faerie God turned back to Lucifer and swung his sword; it sang as it parted the air. Lucifer stretched his bulging, monstrous muscles and lowered his head as if to charge. He ran for my husband but, at the last second, he leapt, his barbed tail swishing behind him, and brought the scythe down.
I gasped. Starlight shone bright enough to make me squint, but it came from inside me. I pushed it back as Azrael dropped to the ground and rolled. He came up swinging.
Lucifer fell.
The Devil dropped to the ground like a stone and lay there panting. Blood seeped from a terrible gash in his side. His deadly claws dug at the earth, scrabbling for the scythe. His hand closed around the shaft and gripped it tightly as my husband strode over to stand above him.
“Concede defeat and I will heal you.”
Lucifer met my eyes. My breath trembled across my lips. The Devil pushed himself up with great effort. Blood gushed. Massive forearms trembled. Satan gained his knees and faced the Faerie God. He set the butt of the scythe against the ground and used it to hoist himself up, dragging himself onto his feet. He stood but swayed.
Azrael shook his head sadly. “Get back on your knees, Father, or I will put you there.”
Lucifer roared and lifted the scythe. Azrael swung his sword. But instead of aiming at his son, Lucifer cast the scythe like a spear, straight at me. Azrael cried out in fury and fear, stabbing his father in the chest with one hand while reaching for the scythe with the other. He launched himself after it but missed and hit the ground hard. It didn't matter. Lucifer hadn't been trying to hurt me.
The scythe came to my hand as if I'd summoned it. As if it wanted to be there. I stared up at the arched, silver blade. The script winked at me and something inside me winked back. My whole being trembled.
“Vervain!” Lucifer cried out as he crumpled to the grass, Azrael's sword embedded in his chest. “Save him! Please, save my son!”
I looked at Azrael. His expression went slack in relief when he saw that I was unharmed but then tightened in confusion. He got to his feet while holding my gaze. The silver mist returned and my body began to convulse.
“Carus!” Azrael shouted and ran for me.
I'm here, Starlight, Viper's voice spoke in my mind while his strength bloomed in my body and his love filled my heart. Hold on to me. We'll do this together.
The light of two stars burst through my entire being, burning away the faerie magic that shouldn't have been there. My body reformed rapidly, cells shivering through the change, and my wings stretched out wide as I screamed in agony. Men shouted. Beasts roared. Butterflies swarmed inside me. But one voice spoke clearly above the cacophony, comforting me through the chaos.
I'm here. Let me share the pain. Just let go, Vervain.
Viper!
I've got you, baby.
The terrible wrenching torture lessened as Viper shouldered some of the pain, and I took a deep breath. It was enough to clear my mind and help me regain control. I embraced the shift back to my true self, welcoming the necessary pain. My body shrunk, condensed back to its normal size. Bones hardened, hair withdrew to my hips, and a strip of starlight appeared at my left temple. My magic came alive inside me, stretching as if it had been cramped. The Moon rose to shine with my star and calm came with it. I lowered my dragon wings and set my burning stare on my husband. No, this man wasn't my husband; he was the thing that held my husband captive.
“My love,” the Faerie God whispered in entreaty, one claw-tipped hand reaching out to me.
I narrowed my eyes, gripped the scythe with both hands, and brought it down. It tore through him. Azrael collapsed before me, shock slackening his features. The scythe's blade glowed pure white. I tossed it away and dropped to my knees beside Azrael. He clutched at his chest, convulsing.