Azrael moved before Metatron's blade completed its arc.

Black wings erupted with enough force to crack the courtyard stones beneath him, carrying him upward to meet the descending strike. His own blade—reformed from recovered fragments—blazed with twilight fire as it intercepted the high seraph's weapon.

The collision sent shockwaves rippling outward. Mortals who'd struggled to their feet were thrown back down. The compound's already damaged walls cracked further. Even the descending ...