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PROLOGUE

THE FALL

For centuries, Roman had dwelled in the heavens, living a life of immortal bliss and contentment.

He was a commander in the Almighty’s Army, having the honor of training fifty of the most powerful, fearless, and loyal warriors of the heavens. He answered only to his General, Lucifer.

Roman trusted Lucifer with his life. Forever his loyal commander, never questioning him on his orders. But on that fateful morning, Roman could sense, deep down in his soul, that something wasn’t right.

“Bring the angels. Stand with me,” Lucifer had ordered earlier that day. His piercing blue eyes had given away nothing of his intentions.

Now, here Roman stood in the Almighty’s throne room in the center of the heavens. His snow-white wings cascaded down his body, the tips trailing on the ground. He tucked them tightly into his back, a feeling of unease beginning to settle in the pit of his stomach, unsure of what was about to happen.

Roman’s nervous gaze swept the room, landing on the walls stretching high into the sky, filled with paintings portraying various wars between Heaven and Hell from long ago. Each image was so realistic that Roman’s memories of the battles flashed through his mind. At the end of the enormous hall, a set of gleaming white marble stairs rose from the shimmering marble floor. Upon it sat a golden throne. Above him, there was no roof, only a clear, bright blue sky.

Roman knew better than to think he would see the great Almighty himself. That was an honor reserved for the highest-ranking angels. They were seventeen elite, powerful warriors. Lucifer was the highest-ranked of them all. The seventeen elite ruled them all at the command of the Almighty.

They were the Archangels.

As he swept his gaze from the clear sky back through the hall, Roman observed thousands of angels like himself standing and anxiously awaiting the reason for their summons here. Their whispers began to rise and drift through the hall.

Lucifer stood in front of him, his back facing Roman. His magnificent wings hung loosely, flowing down his back. Lucifer turned his head, peering over his shoulder, his gaze seeking Roman’s. “Be ready. Our destiny is in our grasp.”

Be ready for what?

A foreboding feeling started simmering inside of Roman. The unnerving trepidation weighed him down.

Over the past year, he’d noticed a slow change in Lucifer. He seemed unhappy, talking constantly about ‘ being better than most and deserving more.’

Mostly, Roman had ignored his comments, which seemed so strange to him. How could one not be happy in their home amongst the heavens, being so favored by the Almighty himself?

Lately, Roman had become troubled by Lucifer’s opinions. He’d slowly turned his irate attention to the mortals on Earth. Their existence irritated him, but the love the Almighty showed for his newest creation infuriated Lucifer more than anything. He considered the humans beneath them, nothing more than an inferior creation that he should eradicate.

A loud crack of thunder rumbled from above, jerking Roman from his worrisome thoughts. He raised his head, his golden hair falling into his eyes as a powerful gust of wind swept through the hall, rustling the feathers of their wings. Dark gray clouds blanketed the sky until there was no trace of the bright blue from a moment ago.

“My angels,” a deep voice echoed throughout the hall.

Instant warmth and happiness flooded him, washing away his worries. He fell to his knees in blind devotion.

Gasps echoed around him. Roman raised his head slightly. To his dismay, Lucifer remained standing in front of him. Squaring his shoulders, his blond hair blew in the wind as he raised his head and stared straight up into the clouds.

As Roman got over his shock at Lucifer’s show of disrespect, he looked around the hall, and to his consternation, he found Lucifer was not the only angel still standing. There were hundreds more standing tall, their heads raised to the sky, just like Lucifer. Some he recognized as other commanders like himself, who led other factions of the heavenly army. Behind each of them, fifty loyal soldiers stood, bound by oath, to blindly follow their commanders’ orders until death.

Roman glanced to his right. Kneeling next to him was his second-in-command, Ariel. She was looking around the hall, stunned by what was taking place. Her fiery red hair was blowing in the breeze as her concerned green eyes finally landed on Roman, a look of apprehension settling over her beautiful features.

Roman frowned, then turned to his left, where his younger brother Maalik was calmly kneeling next to him, staring at Lucifer and the other standing angels. As always, Maalik’s face—almost a spitting image of his own, except for his piercing emerald green eyes—was unreadable.

It was at that moment Lucifer tilted his head to look at Roman.

“Stand with me now,” he ordered.

For the first time in Roman’s immortal life, a slither of fear crept through him. His chest tightened, his eyes widening in alarm. Punishment for ignoring his general’s order was unimaginable, but he had always been taught to never stand in the Almighty’s presence. It was the ultimate sign of disrespect and would surely incite his wrath.

Lucifer’s expression grew hard, anger glinting in his bright blue eyes.

“I command you to STAND!” He yelled the last word, his voice echoing through the hall.

Thousands of eyes were now watching him.

Roman quickly shot Maalik a glance. His mind was racing. He honestly didn’t know what action he should take. Whatever choice he made, he wouldn’t be the only one to suffer the consequences. He knew his loyal soldiers would follow his lead.

The ever-carefree Maalik simply shrugged his shoulders as if he didn’t care what choice his brother made.

“Now, Roman,” Lucifer snapped.

Not sure what else he should do, Roman slowly stood, meeting Lucifer’s gaze. The moment he did, he heard the rustle of wings as Maalik, Ariel, and the other forty-eight warriors behind him stood as well. They were loyal to him for all eternity and would follow him into battle against Satan himself if he asked them.

A satisfied smile crept across Lucifer’s face.

In that moment, Roman knew Lucifer was up to something. A feeling of dread inched its way through Roman like ice moving through his veins. Somehow, he knew his decision would cost them all dearly. Roman was certain he’d just condemned himself, his brother, and his loyal soldiers to a fate he wasn’t sure they could survive.

“Lucifer, it has become clear you are no longer happy here in your home amongst the heavens. You think yourself worthy of sitting on my throne,” the Almighty’s voice thundered throughout the hall.

Roman froze, terror rising like a tidal wave.

He thinks himself higher than the Almighty…to steal his throne.

After the shock of hearing the Almighty’s voice finally ebbed, a mixture of panic and anger replaced it. His brow furrowed, he could see Maalik and Ariel coming to the same conclusion he just had. They were all doomed. The Almighty would judge every single angel standing as an ally of Lucifer’s, and there would be no way any of them would go unpunished, as innocent in this as they were.

“You waste your time and love on those pathetic, inadequate humans. It is us angels that are perfect in every way, yet still, you hold those repulsive, weak-willed mortals above us,” Lucifer bellowed up at the clouds, his arms spread wide in anger.

“Yes, I love my humans. I love all my creations. I hold them no higher than my angels. You have let darkness slowly creep inside you, Lucifer. Your hatred for the humans has festered for too long. It is your pride that is your weakness, and it is your pride that will be your downfall.” The Almighty’s voice calmly echoed down from above them.

Roman could see the anger wash over Lucifer, his face twisting in rage as darkness settled over him. There would be no stopping him from whatever unspeakable decision he’d just made in his mind. Roman needed to be ready to do what was best for himself and his soldiers.

To his alarm, Lucifer pulled his sword out, blue flames dancing along the blade as he stood ready for battle. The moment Lucifer made the threat, the rest of the angels armed themselves. All except Roman and his soldiers. Roman knew his warriors would not make one move until he did.

“Pride!” Lucifer screamed. “I’m going to take what I deserve—your throne—and I will rule the heavens the way I see fit. My purpose extends beyond being your servant; I was destined to rule over the heavens. Once I claim your throne, my first act will be eradicating your beloved mortals.”

“Think long and hard about your intentions, Lucifer. I have seen this already. It does not end as you think. This is my only warning to you, my once-trusted and loved angel. If you stop now, I will not punish you as harshly. You cannot win this, Lucifer. You are not strong enough to defeat my warriors.”

An evil smile spread across Lucifer’s beautiful features.

“Can you not see my army?” he said, spinning around, arms wide, pointing in all directions. Then, his gaze landed on Roman, and his smile faded. “Draw your weapons.”

Roman shook his head. “No. This is wrong, Lucifer. I will not stand with you in this.”

Lucifer’s face turned murderous. “Then you will die with the rest!”

Roman’s hand went to the hilt of his sword, readying to defend himself as a brilliant white light blinded him. Once his vision cleared, he looked past Lucifer, his eyes wide. In front of the throne stood the Archangels, their swords raised, the same radiant blue flames dancing along their blades. Their wings spread wide as they eyed Lucifer’s so-called army of angels.

They looked fierce, standing ready to defend the Almighty’s throne. Michael stood front and center, looking menacing in his golden armor. His black hair whipped about his head as the wind picked up violently, his gleaming gold eyes resting on Lucifer.

“Put down your sword, brother. Do not make us fight you,” Michael said, sadness in his voice. His gaze quickly flickered to Roman, his face giving nothing away, before settling back on Lucifer.

Lucifer’s laughter echoed through the hall as he said, “Michael, you know what I say is right. Fight with me, brother, and together, we shall rule as we deserve, as we were made to. We are superior beings in every way. We can take the Earth and rule both Heaven and the world together. Just stand with me.”

“No,” Michael answered.

“Then, it is done.” In the blink of an eye, Lucifer raced forward and attacked Michael.