“We wouldn't miss a fight with Jerry,” Sam, the Rider War, said.
“Not for all the tea in China,” Ira, the Rider Famine, said with a smirk.
“The other Sam is here too,” Samuel whispered, then looked pointedly over his shoulder.
Samael, ruler of the Fifth Heaven, stood beside Raphael, one of the few Angels I knew, near a sideboard where drinks had been served. Raphael nodded at us and when Samael noticed where his attention had gone, he looked over as well. His pale-green, snake eyes were so bright against his dark skin that I could see them from across the room.
The myths say that Samael was the serpent who seduced Eve, but the truth is that he was one of Jerry's staunchest supporters, even though he married Lilith, a Demon. He used to be so loyal to Jerry, doing whatever horrible thing he was commanded to do without question, that he earned a name for himself—the Wrath of God. But Samael had been slowly transitioning to our side and had recently turned his back on Jerry altogether. So, neither Azrael nor I were surprised to see him there.
“I'm glad he's here,” Azrael said. “I wasn't sure he'd come since this doesn't involve his territory.”
“It involves all of our territories,” a male Angel said as he stepped over to shake Azrael's hand. “How are you, Az?”
“I'm well, thank you, Zach.” He motioned to me. “This is my wife, Vervain. Carus, this is Zachariel, he governs the Second Heaven with Raphael.”
“Nice to meet you.” I shook his hand. “So, all the territory rulers are here?”
“Yes, even Cassiel.”
“Cass is here?” Azrael's eyes widened as he glanced around the room, then settled his stare on a blond Angel with a gentle face.
“Who's that?” I asked.
“He governs Araboth,” Ira said.
“The Seventh Heaven?” I asked. “That's where Jerry lives. I thought he rules there?”
“Jerry technically rules all the Heavens,” Michael said. “We only 'govern' our territories.”
“Ah, okay. And he's not a Jerry-supporter?”
“He's always been sort of neutral,” Azrael said, his stare still on Cassiel. “But I'm hoping he's finally ready to take a side.”
“This is just a meeting,” Mike reminded us. “No one's taken a side yet. So, I recommend that you don't say anything you wouldn't be okay with Jerry hearing.”
“Got it.” Azrael looked around again. “Did you contact Abaddon?”
“He's still MIA.”
“Abaddon,” I whispered. It had been a long time since I'd thought about him, and I felt horrible about that. “The poor guy. I hope he's gotten over the locusts.”
“The locusts were true monsters,” Mike said. “Killing them was merciful.”
“Yes, you and I know that, but he was their commander in a way. Sending soldiers to their deaths is never easy, and he didn't just send them into a war with the odds against them, he ordered them to stay in a city we destroyed. That's a heavy weight to bear.”
“I get it, but it's been years. He should have surfaced by now.”
“I wouldn't,” Az said. “I'd use it as an excuse to stay away from all of this bullshit forever. Jerry basically abandoned him, sending him to Earth to guard a pit of monsters who were never meant to be released. It was akin to banishment. So, why come back after he disobeyed orders and released them? Jerry would only punish him.”
“But we wouldn't. He could contact one of us.”
“Or he could start a fresh life,” I said. “And I hope he did. I hope he's somewhere beautiful and that he's found someone to love. My magic found him worthy of love. He deserves it.”
“Doesn't everyone deserve to be loved?” Mike asked.
“Nope.”
He blinked in shock. “Seriously? You're a love goddess.”
