“He has more of those things?” Michael asked in horror.
“Maybe,” Az said. “We don't know.”
“He must, if he's brave enough to punish Archangels,” I said.
“You never know with Jerry, he's so fucking delusional,” Mike grumbled, his gaze going to the plate of cookies.
“Brother, it's your territory,” Jesus said to Az as he passed Mike a cookie.
Azrael turned toward Jesus and intercepted the cookie. “Yes, but I don't control the Avenging Angels.”
Mike spread his hands at Az in the universalwhat-the-hellgesture.
“Pot cookies from Hell,” Az whispered to him.
Mike's eyes widened, then he snatched the cookie out of Azrael's hand. Az's expression turned beleaguered.
“You may not control the Angels, but you controlthe land,you dig?” Jesus gave Az a pointed look.
“Dig the land?” Viper whispered to Kirill.
“It's hippie slang for, 'do you understand?'” Kirill whispered back.
Meanwhile, Az said, “I don't control that part of my territory. The dark land is there because of human belief.”
“Yeah, but you control the rest of the land,” I said, jumping on Jesus's train of thought. “Can't you block off that corner and stop the taint from spreading? Ward it or create a chasm or something?”
Azrael and Michael looked at each other.
“You'd have to sever the land completely,” Mike said, cookie crumbs falling from his lips.
“It might work,” Az said.
“It might not.”
“It's better than doing nothing.”
“True.”
“Have the Avenging Angels already ceased working?”
“Yeah. I came here as soon as I found out.”
“All right, let's go.” Azrael headed toward the tracing room.
“Azrael,” Thor called after him.
Both Angels paused and turned around.
“Don't forget that you have more than Angels available to assist you. You have us and the Wild Magic.”
“Thank you, Thor,” Az said. “I'm counting on your help in the war to come, but, hopefully, I can deal with this matter on my own.”
“Should I just chill here?” Jesus asked.
“Oh, sorry, Brother,” Az said. “Yes, stay here and brainstorm with the Squad. I'll be back soon.”
“Right on. Don't let the Man get you down, Brother!”
