fast at times, as if he were fighting, always fighting. But …
“You’re in control,” Gabriel whispered, and something settled in his chest. No, something was being extinguished. Gabriel had seven ever-roaring fires inside him, one for each of his brothers. And one for himself. One had already been doused—Raphael, he realized. When Raphe had fallen in love with Maria, the flames of his fire had become soft-burning embers rather than a blazing inferno. And now another fire was waning in strength, fading to crackling cinders. Diel. It was the fire that belonged to Diel.
Diel’s jaw clenched, then his arms fell to his sides and his tightly fisted hands relaxed. “I’m in control,” Diel said hoarsely. His nostrils flared; his cheeks twitched with obvious concentration and effort. But he was doing it. Diel was actually staying in control. Gabriel felt a small, victorious smile etch onto his mouth. “I let him in.” Diel’s breathing came more easily the more he spoke. Gabriel wasn’t sure if he had ever been as proud of anyone as he was of Diel in that moment.
Diel reached out beside him, and Noa took his hand. She had been standing silently beside him this entire time, seemingly Diel’s pink-haired guardian angel. “The collar came off and I let the monster in. Where he should have always been—a part of me.” Diel’s shoulders loosened. “Just … me.”
Gabriel looked at Noa. She was waiting for the Fallen’s leader, her eyes narrowed, her stance firm. She tilted her chin higher, clearly waiting for Gabriel’s censure, his anger at her stealing the collar’s key, her risking them all in this way.
But then Gabriel bowed his head slightly and whispered, “Thank you.” Noa’s eyes widened. “Thank you for saving my brother.”
A faint blush coated Noa’s cheeks. But then she looked at Diel, who was staring down at her like she was his sun, like she was his savior. Diel’s hand tightened around hers. And Gabriel saw it then, whatever was between them—he saw it shining from their souls like beams of white light.
Noa finally tore herself away from Diel to refocus on Gabriel. “He saved himself.” She lifted their joined hands and kissed the back of Diel’s. “He saved himself.”
Gabriel took a step forward, his heart rattling in his chest. He put his hand around the back of Diel’s neck and pulled Diel toward him. Diel’s forehead rested against Gabriel’s, and Gabriel felt a lump build in his throat. His tongue felt too thick in his mouth as he held back tears—happy tears for Diel, for the lifelong battle he had won that day. “I’m proud of you,” Gabriel whispered, just for him and Diel.
Diel exhaled a long breath. To Gabriel, it sounded like freedom.
Footsteps sounded behind them. Gabriel stepped away from Diel and turned to see his brothers approaching. One by one, Uriel, Raphael and Bara embraced Diel. Even Michael stood before him, looking him in the eyes and nodding his head once.
“Not gonna lie,” Bara said. “I’m gonna miss you losing your shit and dropping to the floor when the collar took you out.” Bara’s smile was wide, taunting, but toward his brothers, his snarks and insults were always delivered with a sheen of veiled affection.
Diel smirked, a sight Gabriel would have to get used to. “Don’t worry, brother. I can still lose my shit.” Noa backed away from Diel and walked toward her sisters, laughing low at Diel’s retort. Diel stepped closer to Bara. Gabriel stilled, waiting to see if Diel really was in control. But Diel simply said, “Only there won’t be a collar to stop me this time.” Diel’s wide smile mirrored Bara’s. “Nothing but me will stop me again.”
“Anyone else looking forward to their sparring matches now?” Uriel said, and all the brothers laughed. Gabriel let out a long breath of relief.
Bara put his hand on Diel’s shoulder. “No collar, and getting pink witch pussy.” Bara shook his head. “If I didn’t love myself and my wicked good life so fucking much, I might just envy you, brother.”
“At least you don’t have a monster inside of you,” Raphael said to Bara as he made his way back to Maria.
“No monster,” Bara said, arms wide. “I’m one hundred percent evil sociopath.” He bowed dramatically. “I truly am blessed.”
“Hey!” Gabriel turned to the sound of Noa’s voice. Diel’s head snapped up. Noa braided back her long hair, then cracked her neck from side to side. “Are we going to fight, or are you pussies going to stand around