This is Emmorta

20 Middle Finger

Orion

"We can try to break open the gate when Finn leaves for this... gathering," Dad says. "Maybe it won't be as strong if he's not there. If we can get in, Gabe has plenty we can use back at our parents' house."

For the first time, I know where Finn will be and when. And instead of figuring out how to kill him in a way where he doesn't go where she is, we're going to evict him.

Evander's fingers tap wildly against the table. Together, my brother, my dad, uncle, and I work out how we're going to pull off, ripping Heaven from beneath Finn's feet while Evander and I sit at some table Fate was too excited about.

"We'll only have a few minutes to do it, so we'll have to time it perfectly when everyone gets there." The problem is we don't know what time it will be and Finn will have to be gone already.

Michael's sword sits in the center of the four of us. The reflection of the light shining above gives it a warm glow, ready to be used for its calling. Whenever I see it, I only see his death and Layla's. At least, what it must have been like. It's a subtle reminder of why it's important to play our roles and not give away our plans even in our thoughts, especially around Fate and company. No one knew how deep Michael's involvement ran for centuries until recently, and even then, we still don't know everything he carried on behalf of the whole of Existence. Whatever sacrifices he made, terrible things he did, those secrets died with him.

And now, we need to figure out how to best use this thing, since it's all we have against Lucifer and Fate. It's an immortal equivalent of bringing a knife to a gunfight at this point, so we have to act smart.

If someone would have told me even a month ago that I'd be sitting civilly at a table with the three deadliest beings in this universe, I'd have said they were crazier than my brother. And suddenly Fate wants to have Orientation Day for us?

Get the fuck out.

"I'm the only one here who actually likes swords," Evander says. "I should be the one to get it."

As if that's the real reason he wants to plunge that thing into Lucifer. Because he likes swords. Everyone's reasons for wanting to end Lucifer are valid, and they'll fight over who should get to do it, but only one person will, and I'd rather save my energies.

Evander, I'm afraid, is the last person who should hold that responsibility, seeing as he won't see Lucifer as anything more than Rune's former father.

I notice no one here has mentioned wanting to take a swing at the big guy yet. Not even my brother, who apparently likes swords.

Dad shakes his head. "Michael would want me to have it. I'm the one he wanted to take after him in the event of his death, and Lucifer stole my daughter from us. He hurt you both. If anyone should do this for the family, it should be me."

Uncle Gabe disagrees with him. "I was his first son. I'm the one who got the sword back from that fucker, Royal, and if anyone here should get it, it's the man who designed the weapons for the angels. I know them better than anyone, and if there's a chance, the sword wielder dies, it should be me." He glances around the table at all of us. "Besides, I'm not the one with kids who need me."

My brother and father slam their fists on the table at the same time. "That's not good enough!" they both scream.

It's the deadliest person of us all who needs to do it. Not the one with the best reasons. Dad's the stronger one, but Gabe's faster. Evander won't succeed unless he has the right background music.

I'm saving my energies for the right moment. They can have Lucifer. I've made my peace with what happened in the past.

Besides, I'm in the only role he ever wanted.