“Oh, damn. That's right. I remember you guys talking about that. I should have told you sooner.”
“Nah, it's all good.” He slapped my shoulder. “I'm just glad you have it. It's time for some big changes in Heaven. For peace and love and lots of flowers.” He grinned broadly. “I'll use Dad's magic in the way it should have been.”
“I'm sure you will. And once you're done with Heaven, you could take your flower show to Earth.”
Jesus made a soft sound of joy. “I could help people. Really help them.”
“Yep. All you have to do is accept the Light of God.” I held out my hand.
“Thanks, V,” Jesus said as he took it.
“No problemo, J-man.” I drew Jehovah's magic out of the emerald but that was all I had to do. The energy came alive like a hound sensing its master and shimmered into my chest, then down my arm to rush into Jesus.
“Whoa,” Jesus whispered and closed his eyes. “Far out.”
As it passed through me, the Light filled me with effervescent joy, assuring me that it had been cleansed of Jerry's evil. It was pure magic again, and it was thrilled to find a home in a man who would treat it with respect and love. When the last of it left my fingertips, I let go of Jesus.
Jesus stepped back and opened his eyes. The blue of his irises had lightened to nearly white and sparkled like diamonds.
“You've got the Devil's eyes,” I said with a smirk.
“I do?” He hurried into the dressing room.
I followed him but waited in the doorway as he checked out his new eyes in a mirror.
“Trippy,” Jesus murmured as he turned his head from side to side. “I wonder if this was what Dad looked like once?”
“Luke would know.”
Jesus turned to face me and as he did, his body began to thicken. “I'll ask him.” Then he saw my face. “What?” He turned back to the mirror just in time to see his chest and shoulders expand. “Outta sight!” He flexed, then flung back his long hair. “I look like a combination of my dad and me.”
I laughed. “You've got a dad-bod, but in your case, that's a good thing.”
“Thanks. I think I dig it.” He took a golden robe off a mannequin, slipped it on over his funeral suit, and bound a white sash around his waist. Then, with far more reverence, he took a pair of round, purple sunglasses off a shelf. The J-man put on his glasses as he turned toward me, then held out his arms. “How do I look?”
“You look groovy, J-man. Groovy in a very royal way.”
“It's the purple.” He tapped his glasses. “It's a royal color.”
“Whatever it is, it's very you.”
He grinned again. “Time to let my freak flag fly!”
Chapter Forty
After giving Jesus his father's magic and warning the others of his new look, I went home to fetch my children, the Intare, and the God Squad while Trevor went to get his father and the Froekn. All of Heaven's allies were invited to Jesus's coronation. We returned to find the gold streets full of sharply dressed Angels and Demons.
My immediate family and I were invited to stand on the throne's terrace along with the Archangels, Lucifer, and Holly. Not only did it give us the best view of the coronation but also of Araboth and all its rejoicing citizens.
The Host and Horde went silent as the Cherubim began to sing “Holy, holy, holy,” their melodious voices carrying across Araboth. As they sang, Jesus strode down the pathway from the royal palace to the terrace. Since he was coming from behind the throne, at the same level of the terrace, none of the Angels who stood in the street below could see him at first, but they knew from the song that he was coming and an excited murmur swept through the crowd. Then Jesus reached the edge of the terrace, and Heaven vibrated with cheers and applause. The streets and sky were full of Angels, every one of them joyous, some even wept. I suspected that this was a sight that hadn't been seen in thousands of years—not the crowning, but the honest joy of the Host.
“They love Uncle Jesus,” Vero said.
“Yes, they do, Son.” Trevor, who was holding our boy, said with a broad grin. “He's a lovable guy.”
“Oh, no, you don't!” Azrael yanked on the leash attached to Sebastian, jerking our little winged monster out of the air and back into his arms.
“Uncle!” Sebastian pointed at Jesus.
