Extinguish by J. M. Darhower Read Free Book Online Page A

"It was because of my brother."
    "Ah." He kicked at the ground casually, disrupting the dry dirt. It clouded in the air around him, swirling around his ankles. "You’re a Power, though, so you have to have what, hundreds of thousands of brothers?"
    "Technically," she said, "but this was my real brother. He and I were created at the same time, born from the same light."
    "Twins," he muttered. "Two halves of one whole."
    She knew he’d understand, as he was one of the few who knew what it was like. A part of him existed outside of his body, the same formula of Grace that had once simmered in his veins still flowing through another’s.
    Michael .
    "So I take it you and this brother are close then?"
    "Yes," she said. "We were."
    "Were?"
    "He, uh . . . he’s fallen."
    Lucifer’s eyes instantly met hers, the red swirling madly with intrigue. "Did he fall with me?"
    She slowly shook her head. "Nearly two weeks ago."
    "Ah, Samuel ."
    Serah blinked rapidly as the devil spoke her brother’s name. "You know?"
    "Yes, I know he fell. I know the moment they all fall." He tapped his temple. "Angel Network, remember? I’m surprised Samuel held out so long, to be honest. I tried to get him to go with me from the beginning, but he resisted. He wanted to, though."
    "You’re lying," she said. "Samuel would’ve never joined your side."
    "I’m telling the truth. He nearly did, but he decided against it at the last second. I seem to remember his saying he had a sister he was worried about leaving behind. Makes sense now. I wouldn’t have wanted to leave you, either."
    The conviction in Lucifer's smooth voice made Serah pause and actually consider his words, despite her defenses prickling to the contrary. Don't listen to the vindictive snake. Don't trust a thing from his vile, slithering mouth. She didn’t want to believe Samuel would turn, and until two weeks ago, she wouldn’t have even entertained the notion. But the truth couldn't be denied—he'd lost his Grace some way, somehow.
    Despite being a Power, one of the intermediate angels in the grand hierarchy, Samuel had always seemed so formidable—almost as intimidating to Serah as the Archangels. His strength and steadfast belief that innocence needed protecting was so at odds with the scarred, fallen angel standing in front of her. How could Samuel ever consider joining Lucifer’s side?
    Preposterous .
    "Is he here?" she asked, the words spilling out before she had fully made sense of it all. "Is Samuel like you now? Or is he . . . you know . . . ?"
    "Does it matter?"
    "Yes."
    "Why?"
    "Because he’s my brother."
    "Still?" Lucifer pressed. "Even after falling, even after what I just told you, you still think of Samuel as your brother?"
    "Yes."
    After a moment of contemplation, Lucifer gave a half-shrug. "I can’t tell you where he is. You’re more than welcome to come inside and have a look around, though."
    Serah stammered, taken aback by his suggestion. Come inside? Hell? "You’re insane!"
    He chuckled to himself. "I’ve been called worse."
    "I’d never go in there. It’s stupid. It’s impossible ."
    "Stupid? Maybe. Impossible? Hardly."
    Lucifer kicked a rock on the ground, sending it barreling straight toward the gate. It hesitated as it hit it, penetrating the shimmering force field in slow motion. A low hiss shook the land, momentarily disturbing the reapers, who watched as the rock flew through to the other side. It came straight at Serah, rolling to a stop near her bare feet.
    Alarmed, she immediately took a few steps away, her gaze frantically bouncing between Lucifer and the rock. How had he done that? The gate was supposed to keep everything in.
    "It’s just simple magic," he explained, as if he’d heard her worried thoughts. "Some things are immune to the charms."
    "Like rocks," she gathered.
    "And angels."
    She stared at him with shock. "If angels are immune, how are you. . .?"
    "How do they keep me in here?" he guessed. She nodded, and he quickly tore his