The shining light spreads back, then flashes outward in an arc that circumscribes half the room and holds along the line where it meets the resistance of Gabriel's power.

White brilliance surrounds him, turning Sam's face and body into an exalted figure outlined in incandescent glory, painful in its beauty. Lucifer laughs again, and the dark bronze welling sound is at once joyous and exultant.

"It's been a long, long time, brother."

A single beat, and a delighted, challenging smile.

"Will you stand against me?"

The light around him grows more intense, brightening, brightening--