“They were incredibly strong and fast,” Cassiel said. “And they weren't just any Angels. Jehovah sent the Dominions after us.”
“Those are the ones in charge of the lower Angels, right?” I asked.
“Yes, and they're nearly as powerful as we are. With apple magic, they became . . .” Cassiel shook his head. “I've never seen their like. Not even Jehovah has shown such strength.”
“I thought you guys weren't breaking your vows to him?” Viper asked.
“We didn't,” Zachariel said.
“But we've been working against him,” Cassiel added grimly. “We may not have broken our vows, but we betrayed him.”
“Fuck him!” Zachariel snarled. Then he looked at me. “Godhunter, how do we get them back?”
I gaped at him before I said, “I don't know. You know more about the Heavens than I do. Where do you think Jerry took them?”
“Could be anywhere,” Cassiel said. “Somewhere warded, most definitely.” He lifted his chin. “I think the only way to free them is to fight. When do we go to war?”
“Soon, I think,” Odin said. “Azrael is, even now, setting the lure. Don't worry, Jehovah won't have the time to hurt your friends. He'll be too busy with us.”
Zachariel's expression went vicious. “Just tell me what you need me to do.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Azrael returned a few minutes later with the news that the lie had been planted. The Church of Eternal Light would be opening its doors in three days, on Sunday.
“That'll really burn Jerry's butt,” Azrael said, then frowned at our expressions. “What's happened?”
“Michael, Cassiel, and Zachariel are here,” I said. “They're resting in some guest rooms.”
“Why?”
“Jerry sent some Apple Angels after the Archangels to round them up and imprison them. The three of them were the only ones who got away. Not counting the Horsemen, who are still in Hell, thank goodness.”
“What?!” Azrael's eyes flashed diamond-white and the magical tattoo on his cheek began to glow pale blue. “Where did he take them?”
“Michael doesn't know,” Odin said. “They could be anywhere in the Seven Heavens.”
“Wherever they are, we'll find them.” He pulled out his phone. “It's time my father stepped in.”
“Hold on.” I grabbed his hand. “If your father invades the Heavens, he'll have to search for those Angels. Jerry will have plenty of time to grab them and use them as leverage. And either way, he'll have the advantage of the home field.”
“She's right,” Re said. “We've been planning this trap for a reason; it gives us the upper hand. And we'll need it against those apple-enhanced Angels.”
“We can have the Demons eat apples too,” Azrael said. “They'll be just as powerful then.”
“But that doesn't change the fact that you'll have to fight the Dominions before you can even look for the Archangels,” Trevor said. “Jerry could kill them before you find them.”
“Dominions?! The fucking Dominions are involved?”
“Yup.”
“Ve need to draw him out of Heaven,” Kirill said. “Jerry, not just his Angels.”
“But we don't know if he'll come to the church or just send the Host,” Azrael said. “We could win on Earth but give him the same opportunity to kill the Archangels. Even more of one since we won't be in Heaven to stop him.”
“So we split our forces,” I said. “Text Luke and ask him to come over for a strategy meeting. If he could sneak some Demons into the Seventh Heaven and search it while we're fighting Jerry's Apple Gang on Earth, maybe he can secretly find the imprisoned Archangels. Then, once they're safe, Luke can attack Jerry.”
Azrael nodded. “All right.” Then he suddenly shouted, “Fuck!”
