It was then she noticed how many dealers had already fallen. Past-Death gave a laugh of sheer mockery. "I told you - send two hundred more!"
"I'll do one better. I'll send three hundred more." Harmony tossed her head to one of those following and shoved past-Death forward.
She landed hard on her knees and grimaced, twisting to sit on her backside instead.
The storm approaching from the east drew her gaze, and her breath caught. Past-Death stumbled to her feet and shifted away from the landing of the stairwell crowded by death dealers to get an unobstructed look.
It was devouring everything in its path, chewing a part the underworld and destroying it. She glanced in the direction of the Lake of Souls, whose glow was visible from the palace roof. Panic and fear shot through her at the prospect of what happened to all the innocent souls if they were swept up and crushed by the storm.
Deidre. Past-Death wasn't certain which direction her twin, Rhyn and even Darkyn had escaped in, but she found herself hoping that at least two of the three hadn't gone east.
"Fix this, Gabriel," she whispered, overwhelmed by the sight of the monstrosity headed their direction. "Only you can."
Harmony snatched her arm once more and turned her to face Gabriel once more. Another forty death dealers had moved onto the roof, and Harmony started forward, taking past-Death with her.
When she was close enough, she stopped and shouted, "Gabriel!"
The wind took her words. She released past-Death and moved closer, into his line of sight.
Past-Death shifted away from the dealers, waiting for a chance to run for it to open up.
Gabriel twisted and met her gaze. After a lingering look, he lowered his sword and straightened from his fighting stance. Harmony waved off those dealers waiting to face him, and past-Death saw Gabriel and Harmony talk for a moment without hearing anything. His dark gaze remained on her, not Harmony.
Past-Death studied him, regret in her gut once more as she realized how bad their situation was. She regretted so much of what she'd done to exacerbate the situation, but there was one thing she began to understand was worth it all: the chance to be with Gabriel.
Harmony strode back to her and wrenched her forward, dagger at her neck. Past-Death leaned back instinctively from the razor sharp blade, not trusting the angered death dealer to keep it steady with the harsh wind.
"One more time. Where the fuck is it?" Harmony growled.
"Harmony!" Gabriel boomed. "If you harm one fucking hair on her -"
"Tell me where it is!" Harmony shouted back.