I dont belong in this dank little cave? I can agree with that, I said. Not that its actually dank or little, but you get the point. Or I dont belong in Sheol at all? Because Im willing to agree with you on that one as well, but apparently its your fault Im here and not back in New York dodging buses, and I really dont feel like having a bunch of men get together and decide whats going to happen to me, particularly when one of the options includes the equivalent of brain damage. And I dont like white.
He blinked at the non sequitur. Tough, he said shortly. He started toward me, and I watched him, trying to put all the strange, disparate things I knew about him together in one package.
Where are your wings? I asked. If I was going to be stuck with angels, I should at least get to see some feather action.
He rolled his eyes. Why is that always the first question? You dont need to know.
If I stay here, do I get them?
Youre not and never will be an angel, he said.
I was willing to put up a fight. Oh, you never can tell. I mean, clearly Ive been far from angelic
so far, but I can always change my ways and become positively saintly. I gave him a hopeful beam that left him entirely unmoved.
People dont become angels, he said in a tone that said, Any moron knows that.
How about heaven? Dont people get wings there? Since Im dead and all that, it seems like a good place to start.
His laugh wasnt flattering. I dont think youve reached that point yet.
Then youre stuck with me. Get used to it.
He halted directly in front of me. For now, he said. I wouldnt count on a lengthy stay. But for as long I have to put up with you, you can stop stealing my clothes. And you can stop talkingthe sound of your voice is like fingernails on a blackboard.
Dont be ridiculous, I said, totally unmoved. I have a delightful voice. Its low and sexy, or so people have told me. Youre just being difficult.
I dont care how glorious your voice is, Id appreciate hearing less of it.
I opened my mouth to protest, then shut it again. If I wanted to survive, I needed him on my side, and I was going to have to behave myself, at least a little bit. I stood perfectly still, saying nothing, waiting for him.
He tilted his head, letting his strange eyes slide down me, assessing. Odd, but it felt as palpable as a touch. My clothes are too tight for you, he said helpfully.
Youre a man, Im a woman. I have hips.
Indeed, he said, and I looked at him sharply to see if there was an insult hidden behind his bland tone of voice. I meant to have clothes provided for you.
You did. They were all white. You dont like white? Its the color of rebirth, renewal.
Its not a color at all, its the absence of color, I said. I may be in limbo, having to get by on your charity, but Im not going to let everything go a dull beige.
Limbo is a mythical construction, he said. And white is not beige.
Sheol is a mythical construction, and angels are part of fairy tales, and vampires are nightmares, and you dont exist, I snapped. I was getting a little tired of all this.
Then where are you? He wasnt expecting an answer. What did Sammael tell you?
Sammaels a teenager. He barely said two words. Sarah was more forthcoming. She told me not to count on you for anything.
Did she?
She said that despite your great kindnesses to meand I have to admit I have yet to see any evidence of kindness on your partyou wouldnt speak up for me at the meeting and youd let the others do what they want with me, and I wanted to make sure
Be quiet! It was spoken in a soft voice, soft but deadly, and I shut up.
Almost. Are you going to let them melt my brain?
He looked confused for a moment, before resuming his familiar exasperated expression. Oh, the Grace. No.
It was one small syllable, but I trusted him.
In the future, youre not to come up here, he continued, his tone cool, and I will make certain Sarah knows where youre allowed to go and whats offlimits.
There are dangerous places in Sheol, including the gates that surround us. This place is almost as dangerous.
Have you found Lucifer? He opened his mouth to reprimand me, and I shot back, Its four words, for heavens sake. Deal with it.
He looked annoyed. Sarahs been talking too much.
Everyone seems to talk too much to suit you. Or is it just women? Sexist bastard, I thought with a peculiar lack of heat.
No Im not, he said.
Not what? I thought.
You are the only female around here who seems unable to control her tongue You dont need the details of our fight with the archangel. Its none of your business, I chimed in with him. And Sarah didnt tell me much. Besides, I might point out that Lucifer fell because he dared ask too many questions. I shot him a wry glance. You should have some sympathy for the curious.
Dont get delusions of grandeur. Lucifers questions were more important than whining about why there are so many stairs.
And that reminds mejudging by Sammaels shortcut, I shouldnt have had to walk. You have wingsyou could have flown me up there in no time.