The Broks took off, each going in a different direction, and Scotty followed one of them into the receiving bay.
“Sir, shall I go check on the angel?” the left-behind Brok asked.
“Trust me, Brok, he’ll be okay. Thank you, though.”
I turned to Dash. “So, how’s everything with you?” Yeah, it seemed like an odd thing to say considering the circumstances, but I knew my angel would be just fine. He was one to be reckoned with, and I pitied anyone who tangled with him.
Keir and Adonis were strolling through the flower gardens as though nothing out of the ordinary was happening, Keir continuing to deadhead the bushes every now and then.
It was fucking hysterical to see them chatting like old friends when I knew Adonis would probably love to have Keir as his next meal. I supposed that was how we operated— humans, angels,and demons. My only question was—were we all trying to save humanity, or was it like a game of cards? Whoever had the better hand won.
Scotty came out through the receiving bay, his head shaking. I glanced around to see he was alone. “Where’s your Brok?”
“He went through the portal. Said he’d report to Beelz. I have a feeling this is all for nothing. What will we do with De Vil when we get him?” Scott was at the end of his rope, and I could tell.
I took his hand and pulled him closer. “I’m going to show him how scary I can be.”
“See, that worries me.”
Dash laughed. “Yeah, no shit.”
Just then, Jonas drove around the side of the funeral home on his motorcycle with Valentino on the back, the two of them happy as pigs in shit. Valentino waved at us.
After Jonas and Valentino dismounted, Jonas took Vale’s hand and led him over to us, the two appearing to be sickeningly in love. Of course Valentino looked quite stylish in a denim jumpsuit with a colorful kerchief around his neck, while Jonas appeared to be every bit the bad boy in torn jeans, a white T-shirt, and a leather jacket.
Vale was, however, flopping his left hand around as if it was a fish off the hook. Suddenly, Scotty grabbed it and looked at the sparkling ring on his ring finger.
“Did you guys get engaged?”
My angel’s expression appeared happy, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Something was up with him, but I had no idea what it might be.
“We did. Jonas proposed to me earlier today while we were having a picnic at McKinley Park in Sacramento. Are you guys back for good?” Vale then hugged Scotty.
I didn’t know the kid too well, but then I remembered Dash had taken Vale with him when he went to meet Paxton De Vil. Maybe he knew something that would be of help?
“Jonas, when you met Paxton De Vil, did he—”
“Not that guy, again. What’s he done this time? I thought Dr. Carl bound his powers." The disgust on Jonas’s face was comical.
I glanced at Vale to see if his expression had changed but it hadn’t. He continued studying his engagement ring. It was a nice diamond solitaire.
“Did you explain things to Vale? Things of the Heaven and Hell variety? About the wings and all?” I was a bit surprised Vale was still with Jonas if he knew the guy was a guardian angel, though, I had one of my own. But then again, I wasn’t a human any longer.
“He already knew most of it. Vale’s damn smart, and the shit that happens here at Dearly & Son is hard to ignore. I had to seek permission from the Council to marry a human, but Jophiel was kind enough to speak on our behalf,” Jonas answered.
He then took my arm and pulled me away from the group, who were discussing wedding ideas. My Scotty was in the mix, seemingly as excited as Keir and Adonis.
“I’m not sure if this has been shared outside the Celestial Council, but Jophiel told me they’ve been able to close two more portals to Hell here in the Human Realm. That leaves three to be closed.” Jonas’s gaze didn’t leave my face.
“Uh, no. That’s wrong. There are four to be closed, right? Mephistopheles told Dash that Jo closed three, and now you say two more are closed. That leaves four, doesn’t it?” I might not be alive, but I could still do fucking math.
Jonas glanced at the ground for a moment before meeting me eye-to-eye. “The Celestial Council has ordered that this portal remain open. I haven’t told Keir and Dash yet, so feel free if you want to spill the beans.”
Son of a— What the hell...? “Why?”
“The fight needs to be here so the Key and the Gatekeeper can defeat Nyx on their own turf, hopefully before she has a chance to do any damage elsewhere. That’s what I was told, anyway. So, why do you want De Vil? His powers are still bound, aren’t they? I think I’d know if they weren’t.”
That wasn’t much of a relief. “Do you know if anyone else can vouch for Asmodeus being the father of a demon, Vagar, whose mother is Apate, one of Nyx’s daughters?”
