Free Extinguish by J. M. Darhower

run amuck. Over half of the world doesn’t even believe in Him, doubts He even exists, and they’re easily forgiven. Even the angels who fell with me—around me—were offered a chance. But not me."
    "Is that why you’re doing this?" she asked. "Is that why the war is still going on?"
    As usual, Lucifer ignored that question, his attention returning to the flower in his hand. He brought it to his nose and inhaled, a shudder running the length of his body as he grimaced. "Are you aware Spider Flowers stink? One of the foulest odors, if you ask me, so strong I can taste the bitterness on my tongue, but it’s still not as repulsive as Michael’s scent on you right now."
    Lucifer held his hand out, the tip of the stalk of flowers penetrating the translucent shield. Serah stepped forward, taking ahold of them, yanking the flowers back to her side without making contact with him. Once she had them, Lucifer turned away, vanishing soundlessly without uttering another word.
    Hesitantly, Serah brought the flower to her nose and sniffed for the second time, wondering what it was he inhaled, wanting to know how he tasted the air.
     
    "Beat you there!"
    Samuel leaped from the ground, his wings fully expanding as he took off into the sky like a rocket. The darkness of night swallowed him up within a matter of seconds, sending a baffled Serah rushing after him. "Beat me where ?"
    She struggled to catch up with her brother as he soared through the air, never slowing down, refusing to take it easy on her. A quarter of a mile separated the two as they weaved in and out of the clouds, speeding past airplanes as if they merely hovered, closing the distance between them and the radiant stars. The orbs of magnificent light burned in the atmosphere, far past the ozone, their exploding gasses releasing strong energy—the same energy that flowed through Serah’s body. A small star burned inside of her, fu eling her life, emanating Grace, like blood pumping through a fragile human heart.
    The two raced from one side of the world to the other: past the protesters covering the streets of Beijing, along the soon-to-be demolished Berlin Wall, through London’s Purley Station, still reeling from a deadly train crash. They flew across the Atlantic Ocean, Samuel plunging into the depths of the water as Serah stayed airborne, her fingertips skimming the surface of the ocean and causing waves to appear.
    They crossed the border into North America, where Samuel abruptly stopped mid-air. Serah skidded to a stop as he dropped, hurling toward the ground like an atomic missile. He landed on his feet with a thud in the playground of an elementary school as Serah appeared by his side, shaking her head. "Where are we?"
    "A little town called Chorizon," he replied.
    "Okay," she hedged. "And why are we here?"
    He waved his hands in front of him, gesturing toward a building across the road, a "Grand Opening" ba nner still hanging from the roof. Chorizon Community Center . Cars swarmed the area around it, loud music thumping from inside. Beyond the noise, meshing with the vibrating bass, Serah could hear the frantic racing of over a hundred heartbeats.
    Behind them, the air shifted as a current crackled, Hannah popping up. Serah barely had time to look at her friend when another noise sounded, louder, less restrained. Michael appeared, silencing both girls before they could start their chattering.
    "Glad you could make it, man," Samuel said, greeting him.
    "I appreciate the invitation," Michael replied. "Although, I’m not sure what would interest us here."
    "Apparently that," Serah said, motioning across the street. "I don’t really know what that is yet, but I’m sure it’s something big if Samuel dragged us all here for it."
    She glared at her brother. He'd been inviting Michael everywhere recently, and Serah still hadn't gotten used to his imposing presence.
    "It is big," Samuel confirmed. "From what I’ve heard, anyway. I’m still a bit rusty on human