The Archangel cautiously approached, the only one in the park not in human form. His wings seemed more expansive with everyone else's tucked away, his stance intimidating.

"Michael," Samuel greeted him. "Nice to see you, buddy. Have a seat. Relax."

Everyone remained still, attentive, almost awestruck with him there. They worshiped no one except their Father, but Michael inspired something in them. Being in his presence, witnessing his radiance, made them feel just a little bit holier for a moment.

Samuel seemed unaffected, though. Always so relaxed, always so friendly.

Michael didn't sit, appearing not at all at ease. He lingered in front of them, watching curiously, not used to socializing. His eyes met Serah's eventually, the magnificent blue as bright and cloudless as the afternoon sky. Curiosity sparked in them as his lips twitched with a smile—the first smile she'd ever seen on his face.

"This is my sister, Serah," Samuel said, noticing where his attention had gone. "Serah, this is—"

"Michael," she whispered. "I know who he is."

Samuel laughed. "Of course you do."

The other Powers hollered for a rematch, drawing Samuel back out into the park.

"Serah," Michael said, her name a warm summer breeze from his lips. "I apologize, but I can't say I'm as aware of you as you are of me."

"No need for an apology," she said. "You're an Archangel and I'm—"

"Exquisite."

She blanched. That certainly wasn't something she'd expected him to say.

Michael's gaze drifted out onto the park as the second game of tug-o-war started. "Your brother's a great warrior. I couldn't ask for a better ally in the fight against evil."

"Yeah, Samuel's brilliant. I hope to be just like him someday."

"I have no doubt you already are," he said, turning back to her. "I've never seen you in battle, though."

"I prefer earthly duties."

"Shame," Michael said. "If I had you by my side every day, maybe it all wouldn't feel so utterly drab."

Before Serah could even make sense of his words, Michael drifted away. He broke up the game of tug-o-war, grabbing the middle of the rope and singlehandedly sending all eight men flying into the puddle before disappearing.

Hannah cleared her throat. "Well, I guess we know now who has the biggest penis here."

Serah shook with laughter as the gathering broke up, Hannah vanishing to go back to work as the Powers wandered off. Samuel shook off the mud as he strolled toward her. "I had a feeling he was going to do that."

"He's, uh . . . interesting."

"He's a great ally."

"That's the same thing he said about you," she said. "He seems fond of you."

"And I of him," Samuel said. "Most shy away from Michael, and I get why. No matter how good he is, no matter how pure, it's hard to break from the shadow of someone who, so badly, fell from Grace."

"Satan."

"Yep," Samuel said. "Imagine having that dude as a brother. Makes me look a million times better, huh?"

Serah dramatically scrunched up her nose. "Eh, I guess you're okay."

"It was my brother."

Lucifer’s brow creased as he gazed across the gate at Serah. "Your brother?"

"You asked how Michael noticed me," she said. "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.