"What else did you wake up, Harmony?" he asked, his concern for his safety eclipsed by the storm that looked powerful enough to shred the underworld.
With the flow of knowledge lessening, he was able to make out the faint cry of alarm of the Lake of Souls echoing in his thoughts. The storm came from the opposite direction, but if it wasn't stopped, it'd suck up the Lake and its souls easily.
"Harmony, what did you do?" he demanded.
"Take it or leave it," Harmony said, ignoring him.
Gabriel faced her, disturbed. "There won't be an underworld to rule over, if you don't stop whatever it is you did!"
"I need an answer, Gabriel."
"I will hand deliver the soul of anyone who raises a sword to me to the Dark One," Gabriel replied. "That is my answer."
Harmony lifted her chin to the man beside her. He signaled the largest men among her loyal flock forward. Gabriel stretched his neck and lowered himself into a fighting stance, ready to knock the head off of every man they threw at him.
I am Death. No one takes what's mine.
Suddenly, Jared appeared, shoved out of the invisible doorway leading to the secret passageways that Gabriel had come through as well. The demon landed hard on his knees in the space between Harmony and Gabriel then bounced up, looking around.
"What the fuck, Jared?" Gabriel snapped.
"Just thought you might need … back up," the demon said, gaze settling on the death dealers.
Gabriel snatched him and dragged him close. "Where's my mate?"
"Relax. She's safe in the walls."
Gabriel sought any sign the demon was lying. His instinct told him Jared wasn't. "Try not to damage my extremely rare weapons, asshole."
Jared offered a grimace and pried himself loose, stepping aside to draw his weapon.
"This is your plan?" Harmony looked between them, amused. "A cowardly demon and a former human to take on the might of Death's army?"
"Death's army has been disbanded," Gabriel replied. "You all are traitors now. I'll rebuild after I collect everyone's head and soul."
"Have it your way." Harmony turned away. "Bring in the rest!"
The entrances to the roof opened in unison, and death dealers spilled out, surrounding Gabriel and Jared.
"I'm really not much for fighting. At least, not when they have weapons and can fight back," the demon said. "If they're alone in a dark alley with no weapon, it's different."
Gabriel glanced at him, none too pleased at his choice of companion, before finding Harmony again with his gaze. "You're not staying for the victory, Harmony?" he called after her.