Fallen Academy: Year Four (Fallen Academy #4)(41)

“Brielle. We need to get the injured back,” Lincoln called softly from behind me. “Hello, sir.” Lincoln nodded to my father as I pulled away.

My dad beamed. “Hello, son.”

More sobs racked my body at their exchange, and my legs went weak. What was worse than losing a parent? Having to say goodbye to them twice. I didn’t think I could do it again.

“Love you, baby girl,” my dad whispered, and my legs finally gave out as grief rolled through me.

Lincoln scooped me into his arms as my father backed away, until he was in Heaven once more. Metatron waved, closing the gate, and locking my father and Bernie behind it.

A huge hole opened inside my chest, but all I could do was wave. I’d run out of words, of energy, of everything.





Sixteen





Saying Lucy was pissed since I’d botched his heavenly war was an understatement. Hell had reigned on Earth, and it felt like it was partially my fault. Angel City was constantly being infiltrated by demons, the skies were dark and stormy, and it rained as though we were in Demon City instead. Lucifer was making his anger known.

“Why can’t you just do it for me?” I shouted for the hundredth time at Raphael and Mr. Claymore. Sera lay on Raphael’s desk, covered in the black crap Lucifer had put on her a week ago, when we’d warred in Heaven.

‘Because he’s an ass,’ Sera answered.

“Because this is a school, and we’re here to teach. I want you to learn to dismantle the Devil’s darkest spells by yourself.” Mr. Claymore crossed his arms. I’d brought the matter to Raphael, hoping he’d help me and have my back, but he’d barely said five words since we got here.

“I’m not a Mage,” I answered through gritted teeth.

Claymore nodded. “No. You’re greater than that.”

I sighed. “Raph, help me out here.” I wanted to storm into Hell with the Fallen Army and take out Lucifer, but I couldn’t do that until my weapon was free.

Raphael shared a look across his office with Grace. Emberly’s mom had grown her human, demon hunter school fivefold since she’d received the technology gifted to her by the Creator. I’d barely had time to look at it all, but it was glowy, lethal, and badass.

“I agree with Mr. Claymore,” Raphael finally concluded.

Reaching over, I picked Sera up by her hilt and huffed. “Fine. I’ll do it myself.”

“Girl power! You got this.” Grace reached out to fist-bump me on my way out, and I couldn’t help but chuckle and fist-bump her back.

If it took every waking minute of the next week for me to learn to dismantle this energy, I would. Screw classes—this was my next assignment.

‘It feels awful, like I’m touching slimy wet food in the sink,’ Sera griped.

‘How do you know what wet food feels like?’

‘I just do.’

Weird. I’d never understand how Sera sensed all this stuff.

I burst out of the office and nearly collided with Michael. He looked stressed, with black soot smeared over his face, and a bleeding gash above his eye.

Steadying myself against the wall, I took him in. “Oh, Michael. Are you okay?”

He looked down at Sera, and the blackness that covered her. “May I walk with you?”

‘Yes,’ Sera answered seductively.

I ignored my infinity weapon, focusing on the archangel. “Sure.”

As we stepped away from the office, Michael stopped and faced me. “I actually wanted to talk to you about something.”

Nerves clawed at my gut as I ceased walking, and faced the archangel. “Okay. What is it?”

He paused for a moment, just looking at me. “We’re all so proud of what you’ve accomplished in your time at the academy,” he finally answered.

Oh God.

“What’s wrong? Am I getting kicked out?”

Michael’s head jerked back. “No, no. I just… Raphael would never tell you, but I think you can handle it.”

Is my mom dying? My brother? What the hell’s going on? “Tell me,” I pressed.

A heavy sigh left him. “Tonight, the archangels and I are making an evacuation plan. We simply can’t sustain this level of security night after night.”

“Oh.” Suddenly, I knew what he meant. “Unless I can take Lucifer out.”

Michael nodded. “He’s creating hundreds of demons a day. If you could fulfill the prophecy… we’d certainly have better odds.”

Angel City and all of its inhabitants were counting on me. Some chick with powers she didn’t fully understand. Still, I had to believe I had the power to do this. I trusted Raphael, and he believed in me. All the archangels believe in me.

Reaching out, I squeezed Michael’s shoulder. “I won’t let you down. Give me a week.”

He grinned. “You got it.

After he turned to head back to the office, I put the conversation out of my head, and strode across campus to meet up with Mikey. I hadn’t seen much of my little brother since he came to Fallen Academy, considering I was either stuck in Hell or he was off with his ‘pack.’ We’d all just come to accept that his life would be different from now on, and counted our blessings when he was on campus.

I’d told him, and my mother, about what my dad said when I saw him in Heaven, and it brought a sense of peace over our family. My mother had burst into tears when I’d told her my dad totally approved of her dating, and just wanted her to be happy. Now, Mikey and I were having a brother-sister picnic lunch, something I’d just started with him, and hoped to continue monthly. I never wanted to get too busy for family.