Typical of humankind. They were always so hypocritical when it came to their faith, choosing what they cared to follow, ignoring anything that was inconvenient. It was little wonder the Supreme Being had washed his hands of them, leaving a heartless bastard like Uriel in his place. If they are going to be devout enough to bury her immediately, they should at least keep her body intact, I said, trying not to growl. We could have worked with that.
Where is she going to go? Azazel persisted. You have no use for a human female. Unless youve changed your mind?
I knew that was coming. I havent. I wont bond again, and I have no current need for sex. And if I were stupid enough to change my mind, it wouldnt be with someone like her.
Whats wrong with her?
I closed my eyes for a moment. I could see her, smart, questioning, undeniably luscious. Shes just wrong, I said stubbornly.
Azazel was watching me too closely, and I shifted so he couldnt see my face. Then why did you save her? he said in what for him was a reasonable voice. Why did you tell us to bring her?
How should I know? A moment of insanity. Its not as if I remember anything that was going onI was almost dead. Are you sure I did? I could barely speak.
Yes. I heard you.
Damn. Azazel never lied. Even if I couldnt say the words out loud, Azazel would hear me and follow my wishes. If Id told them to keep her, I must have had some reason, but damned if I could think of what it was. Just one more thing to deal with, then. And I have no idea what the hell is going on, only that Uriel has been lying to us.
And that surprises you? His power is infinite. As long as free will exists, Uriel is in charge, to heal or hurt anyone as he sees fit. Just because he told us the good ones are moving on is no guarantee that we arent taking them straight to hell. Children, babies, young lovers, grandmothers . . . It was foolish of us not to realize he would do this. Uriel is a cruel and mighty judge.
Uriel is a pain in my ass.
Youd best watch out, Azazel warned. You never know when he might be listening.
I rose, stretching my iridescent blue wings against the twilight sky, glittering against the purple and pink hues that saturated our misty world. Youre a pain in the ass, Uriel, I said again, raising my voice so there could be no confusion as to who was tossing out the insults. Youre a spiteful, vindictive, lying pain in the ass, and if the Supreme Being knew what you were doing, how you were interpreting the laws, you would be in deep shit. I loved cursing.
That was one thing I actually liked about humanstheir language. The rich expressiveness of the words, sacred and profane, that everyone outside of Sheol seemed to use. The way the
forbidden words danced on my tongue. Not to mention the fury I knew I was causing Uriel.
Azazel was unamused. Why are you asking for trouble? We already have enough as it is. What are you going to do with her?
He was right. Our lives were precarious enough, balanced between Uriels powerful hatred and the unspeakable dangers of the Nephilim, and now I had brought our entire family closer to devastation because of one stupid, quixotic gesture. I sank back down on the old leather sofa, momentarily distracted by the feel of it beneath me. Its coolness soothed my damaged body.
Asking me over and over wont get you an answer any soonerit will just annoy me, I grumbled. I expect Ill find someplace to send her. Somewhere far away, and Uriel will have more important reasons to come after us.
And youre sure you have no interest in mating with her? Azazel said carefully.
I dont even want to fuck her. I watched Azazel wince. Not that he had any problem with the wordhe just knew I was courting trouble. Uriel hated words as much as he hated so many other things of the human world, including sex and blood, and I did my level best to annoy him whenever I could. After all, our sentence was eternity, and the one remaining archangel couldnt kill.
She will have to stay here for now, Azazel said finally. Sarah will know what to do with her. Shes the wisest of us all.
Of course she is. Shes the Source. I didnt bother keeping the sarcasm out of my voice. There were times when Azazel treated us all like idiots.
I will remind you that I am your leader. I can take everything away from you, every gift, every power, Azazel said, his voice like ice.
I ignored his empty threat. Wed been raised up together, lived together, fallen together, been cursed together. There was no way he was going to cow me. Leaving you short one soldier if the Nephilim decide to engage, or if Uriel sends the Host down on us as he always threatens. But feel free to try it.
You could banish me as well. . . .
Azazel made a noise very much like a growl. You know I would never do that.
Im touched.
The Nephilim are too dangerous. They outnumber us, and theyre all mad.
I laughed. No sentiment for Azazel. I was just another soldier. Why the hell cant they be like the others? Unable to harm us. Uriels heavenly forces cannot attack us. The Nephilim were once like them