Michael kept his head bowed, lips and palms pressed firmly together as he waited for permission to rise.
“Get up, soldier, and return to your mission.”
Straightening slowly, Michael lifted his head and rose to his feet.“But sir… my King. How do you expect me to surpass your brother in skill?”
“I don’t,” Jehovah snapped, ocean eyes narrowing to slits. “I expect you to stoplyingto me, because I can discern your half-truths. You failed to gain custody of her? That doesn’t mean you didn’t find her; it only means you left without her.”
“Because Lucifer?—”
“Because of your bleeding heart, you mean.” The King sighed, sitting back and pinching the bridge of his nose. “I know you care for her. We all do. She’s the consort of my own son; you think I care nothing for the girl?”
“I never meant to imply?—”
“The boy lives for millennia, and he never even looks at another woman. I know he loves her, so a part of me does as well. But we havelaws, Michael, and you know this better than most. I, more than anyone, am bound by those laws.
It is a heavier burden than I would wish on you, and I bear it best I can. There are times I fail, and it is because of this that I rely on you—my soldiers, my sentinels—to help enforce these laws. You swore that oath to me, Michael.”
Michael swallowed hard around the lump in his throat.
“I understand you have reservations, my son. But everything must be kept in line. She broke a law; she must be punished. I couldn’t bend these rules for my own flesh and blood, so I certainly can’t for anyone else. EvenIam bound by the laws.”
“Yes…I understand.”
“Then go. Find the girl and return her to Heaven.”
Michael nodded slowly and reached to close the connection.
“Oh, and Michael?” He paused, and Jehovah smiled warmly at him. “If you aren’t coming back with Mary Magdalene... Don’t come back at all. Or it will beyourtrial.”
Michael gritted his teeth but kept his expression blank and his tone measured. “I understand.”
“Then go in peace, my child. Have faith and do well.”
The connection closed, and in the silence, Uriel pocketed the cube. “What are we supposed to do now, Mike?”
Michael had always considered himself above such ‘cowardly’ actions, and yet he could feel the temptation to run away from it all simmering under his skin as he avoided looking at his lieutenant. Because what was he supposed to say?Sorry Uriel, you’ve been my right hand for centuries, but you may lose another friend, because Jehovah will kill me if he finds out I have no plans to obey him?
Instead, he turned his focus on the only thing he could: desperately trying to piece together a plan,anyplan. Anything that would save Mags and hopefully prevent the horrific futurelooming over them all.
The first thing Mags noticed was a soft pressure over her eyes, and an accompanying darkness tinged in red light. A moment of panic threatened, but her sharp inhale brought with it the scent of burning jasmine and bergamot. So, she was still in her room. Mags calmed slightly, settling into the plush surface she laid on, recognizing it as her bed. A few more deep, steadying breaths, and she felt ready to figure out what in hell was going on—literally.
Slowly, she brought her shaking fingers to her face and relaxed when she felt smooth silk under her fingertips.
“A sleep mask.” She breathed out, giggling slightly at the crazy possibilities she had been cycling through. She had slipped back, albeit briefly, into a past that lingered at the back of her memories like a bad smell. That was no longer her reality, and her frantic pulse started to settle.
“Mags?”
She startled slightly and lifted the strip of padded silk from her face, blinking in the dim lighting.
“Remi,” she croaked, and raised a hand to her throat to massage the sore muscles there.
“Here,” Remi handed her a glass of water and Mags accepted it gratefully, each cool swallow soothing and refreshing.
“What happened?” she asked when she found her voice again. “I remember Michael was here, and Luce came to my rooms to… check on me?”
Remi huffed, sinking onto the edge of the bed and resting the back of her hand against Mags’s forehead. “Oh, is that how you remember it?”
“Yes?” Mags pulled her hand away and held it between her own. “What am I missing, Rem?”
