On top of that, we cant reproduce, so how they can beget a new generation of the Fallen is beyond me. The prophecy is just one of the twisted stories Uriel put about to torment the wives of the Fallen and sow discord among us. Its wicked enough that we offered Rachel up to them in our desperation to find Lucifer. If youll remember, I was against it in the first place. And it not only didnt help us, it gave Uriel the advantage, and in the meantime we lost our humanity.
My love, Raziel said gently, were not human.
Well, I am, Allie snapped.
In fact, youre not.
She glared at him across the table, and a lesser man would have watched himself. Are you suggesting we offer Rachel up as a virgin sacrifice once more, even though she no longer has anything we need?
That remains to be seen. Asmodeus and the Lilith will rule
Enough, already. Shes no longer Lilith, and we dont know if Azazel ever was Asmodeus. Come up with a better reason.
How about this one, Azazel said from beside me. Uriel believes that prophecy, whether its true or not. It unnerves him, frightens him, and theres not much that can frighten the archangel. And frightened creatures make mistakes. If he believes he has something to fear from us, hell go straight for where Lucifer is entombed, and hell lead us there.
So what do you suggest we do? Michael demanded. Sit and wait? Wait for him to uncover Lucifer and destroy him?
He cant do that. He cant override the Supreme Beings edicts, which is why he hasnt destroyed us. We live in the curse placed upon us by an angry and vengeful God. Uriels not divine. Raziels voice was measured.
Even though he thinks he is, Allie said. There was a ripple of laughter around the table, which astonished me. I wouldnt have thought these grim creatures capable of laughter.
So what do we do? Michael repeated.
The answer is obvious. Azazels cool, deep voice almost seemed to vibrate within me, he was so close. He will attempt to wipe out the first threat. Hes already tried it and failed, which must gall him. If he believes the Lilith and Asmodeus are truly mated, he will panic. The threat of the union is at least twofold: not only that we will find Lucifer, but that we will beget children and the curse will be broken. If the Fallen can have children, then our numbers increase, and we grow stronger.
I was speechless with outrage, and by the time I found words Michael had already overridden me. And you will reign in hell. Uriel has joined heaven and hell, so if he believes the prophecy, he will fear that you will reign over his own kingdom.
The Dark City? Azazel said. He can have it.
And if you bond, you will find Lucifer and raise him, and our
army will have a leader, Michael added, his voice tight. It sounds like a good plan.
Michael, the warrior angelof course hed think anything involving battle was a good plan. Once more I opened my mouth to protest, but no words came out. It was my damned voice. There still wasnt much to it, and any stress or heavy breathing shut it off entirely.
Its not without its risks, Raziel said. But as far as I can see, its our best option. Are we all agreed? Azazel and Rachel will mate?
I pulled away, knocking my chair over as I went. Azazel could have stopped me, but he let me go, and I ended up with my back against the wall, literally and figuratively.
Finally I found my voice. Hell, no.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
THEY ALL JUST LOOKED AT ME AS if Id grown a second head. You heard me, I said fiercely. Hell, no.
Azazels eyes were on me, unreadable as always. Why have you suddenly become so squeamish? Weve already done most of it.
Heat flooded my face. Yes, you fucked me on Belochs orders. You see how far that got us.
Damn, everyones eyes were moving between Azazel and me as if this were the worlds best tennis match. That, or a soap opera.
I disagree. I found it most instructive, he said in his cool, emotionless voice. It proved were physically compatible.
Not anymore, I snarled.
Allie jumped in, thank God. Azazel, you havent thought this through. You cant risk mating with her. Its too dangerous.
He already has mated with me, didnt you hear him? And why should it be dangerous? Im not a praying mantisI dont bite the heads off my partners once were finished. Even if they deserve it, I added.
Allie shook her head. You dont understand. And really, you dont need to. This is simply too dangerous for Azazel to attempt. He knows he can mate only with his chosen one. If he mates with a casual partner, he could die.
I had no idea what the hell she was talking about, but everyone else in the room seemed to understand. I stood there, wishing I hadnt jumped up. Now I felt foolish and vulnerable, the only one in the room standing. I was being too emotionalit had always been one of my failings.
Shes right, Raziel said finally. You cant risk it.
It is no risk, Azazel said. I choose her.
There was dead silence in the room, shock mixed with doubt. I opened my mouth to announce that I sure as fuck hadnt chosen him , then wisely shut it again. Spouting off wasnt getting me anywhere.