Seraphina stood on the highest ridge of the pocket dimension's outer ramparts, wings fully unfurled and catching the artificial light of their hidden sky. Below her stretched the full might of the Celestial Court — ranks upon ranks of nephilim warriors, veterans with scarred wings and new blood still bright-eyed, all armored in silver and gold that shimmered like captured starlight. Spears tipped with pure radiance rose in disciplined forests. Banners embroidered with the old symbols of the Watchers snapped in a wind that had never touched the mortal world.
She raised one hand. Silence fell across the vast host as completely as if the realm itself had held its breath.
