“You know I’m human now.”
Katia didn’t reply, she just looked up at him with love and sadness mingling in her eyes and nodded, stretching her head up to kiss him gently on the cheek.
Luc swallowed hard and continued, nervous beyond belief. “Knowing everything I’ve been and done, and knowing I’ll only be around for a human lifetime, do you still want me?”
Katia held his gaze for what seemed like an eternity, before she threw her arms around his neck and uttered the sweetest words he had heard in all of his long life. “Yes! I love you! You’re quite literally my soul mate, you’re stuck with me now.”
Luc felt tears of joy stinging at his eyes, threatening to overflow. There was only one thing left to make his life complete, whether it was eternal or only a few short decades. With his arms banded around her, he buried his face in her hair and whispered right back to her, “Katia, will you marry me?”
He felt her nod as she hiccupped and sobbed at the same time. Through their connection he could feel her joy battling her sadness. A thought whispered through his mind. Duh, of course I will, you silly man.
Luc burst out laughing, causing the others that had gathered here to turn and look at him like he’d lost his ever-loving mind. They gave him questioning looks and shook their heads in confusion as he continued laughing. Luc knew in that exact moment that the darkness was gone and all that was left in his life was light, Katia's light.
A bright golden flash momentarily blinded the occupants of the room. Metatron stood in it's wake.
“Morningstar,” Metatron said with a smile.
Luc shook his head and replied, “Nope. Just Luc.”
Metatron nodded. “Ah yes, the deal. In fact, that’s why I’ve come.”
Luc felt Katia shift in his arms as she turned toward the brilliantly-glowing angel standing before them. He felt her intake of breath as she stared at the magnificent wings that arched gracefully from his shoulders. The angels had hidden their splendor at Sergei’s, and, in the heat of battle, she had not taken the time to admire the others. Luc felt a momentary stab of jealousy as he thought back to his own glorious wings. Katia would have loved them; he could have flown her around the world and back again. He felt her squeeze his hand, his thoughts having drifted through their bond.
“What deal?” Katia asked, looking back and forth between Luc and Metatron.
Metatron smiled at Katia, the glow around him seemed to grow brighter in his happiness. “He traded away his immortality in order to be there for you.”
Gasping, Katia turned back to Luc with so much love shining in her eyes he felt his heart swell. “That’s why your Sigil is gone, why you’re human. You did this to come after me.”
Luc cupped her cheek. Leaning down he kissed her. Their lips clung for a sweet moment before he pulled back and looked into those amazing mismatched eyes and replied. “Sweetheart, I would do anything for you.”
Metatron stepped forward and gently drew Katia out of Luc’s embrace. “You may want to step away from him for a moment.”
Luc looked up at Metatron in confusion, barely having time to register what was happening when Metatron placed a hand on his head and cried out. “Lux es tenebris!” Light from darkness.
Power crackled through the room and Luc felt a tingling travel up his arms and legs. “What’s happening to me?” he cried out as the feeling grew stronger and reached his heart. His chest burned like a brand had been pressed into his skin. Sparks lit up the air around him and his entire body jolted. A radiant golden glow shot out from his chest and consumed him in light. A flash of pain sliced across his shoulder blades making him cry out and squeeze his eyes shut. As the pain receded it was replaced by a familiar hum of power, and an intense feeling of peace. A hush fell over the room. Luc cracked open his eyes and looked at his friends. They were staring at him like he'd grown a second head. He turned to Katia, who had tears streaming down her face. All he could feel through their connection was joy. Luc took a step toward her and was momentarily thrown off balance by a weight behind him. Frowning, he reached a hand back and froze. Katia smiled at him through her tears. “They’re amazing,” she said softly.
Luc swallowed hard and did something he hadn't done in centuries, he stretched out his wings. Looking down, he saw his sigil once again burning with a golden light, not a trace of darkness to be seen. Katia stepped toward him and placed her hand over the glow. Luc tipped his head down to rest his forehead on hers as he enveloped her in his wings. She reached out and stroked the soft feathers, making him sigh and shiver in pleasure. He had forgotten how sensitive his wings had been; this was definitely going to make life more interesting. Katia heard his thoughts and raised an eyebrow suggestively, making them both laugh.
Raising his head, Luc turned to Metatron, “Why?”
“You’ve proven you’re not the same angel you were. You’ve always had a good heart; you just needed the opportunity to prove it to yourself.”
“Why are my wings grey?” Luc asked.
Metatron smiled. “Like your Chimera, you’re neither good, nor evil. You’re capable of both and the decision will be yours. Your wings are a reflection of that, neither pure nor
