“You weren't at the battle, being manipulated at the moment of that release,” Luke said.
“And you're an Archangel,” Azrael added. “You have more magic and willpower than the others. It takes a lot to counter someone's free will and the stronger their will, the harder it is. I'll bet that's why Jerry didn't attack me before he got his hands on the magic apples. He only had enough power to control a few lower-level Angels at a time. But with the Wild Magic aiding him, he was able to send nine sacred squadrons after us, and even more today. Today, he had enough power to overcome an Archangel's will. Just one, but still.”
“So, I really didn't do it?” Zachariel asked.
“Search your heart, then answer truthfully. Do you believe yourself capable of such deception?” Lucifer asked gently.
“He's not,” Raphael said.
Zachariel frowned, considering it. “I am capable.”
We all went still.
“No, you're not!” Raphael grabbed Zachariel's arm. “I know you. I've governed a territory with you for centuries. You're a good man, Zach.”
“I am also capable of doing anything to protect the people I love.” Zachariel laid his hand over Raphael's. “But only for that reason. I would never leave a battlefield to abduct a child, then hand him over to someone who would hurt him. Never. My very magic rebels at the thought. I am the Angel of Children, their protector.”
Raphael's expression softened. “And that's why Jerry chose you. He needed your magic to steal one of Vervain's children without anyone noticing.”
“Is he dead?” Saraqael asked. “Did you kill Jehovah?”
“No,” Lucifer said as he looked at Jesus. “But I'm afraid that I must.”
Jesus nodded. “I understand. And I won't try to stop you.”
“Thank you. You should go back to Pride Palace. I'll fetch you when—”
“No,” Jesus cut him off. “I want to be there for him at the end. That, at least, I owe him.”
The Devil closed his eyes and bowed his head, almost as if he was praying, but it was only to compose himself before he laid a hand on Jesus's shoulder. “You are what your father could have been. The best of him.” Then he turned and strode out of the building.
We followed Luke outside, where our army and the Angels of the Seventh Heaven waited. They cheered when they saw the freed Archangels, but Lucifer held up his hand for silence. The quiet started at the front and rolled back.
“Give me some space,” Lucifer said.
Those in front moved to the side, clearing a small area on the gold road. Luke knelt there and laid his palms on the stones. Once more, Heaven trembled, but the road didn't bulge nor did the buildings move. Nothing but those gentle tremors.
We waited in silence, every eye upon Satan, but no miracles happened. Jerry didn't pop up out of the ground and the city remained as it was. Finally, Luke stood up, sighed, and stared at the cloudless sky.
“Father?” Azrael stepped up beside him.
“I've taken control of the Heavens and cast my ward over all of them,” Luke said.
“All of them?”
“All of them, including yours, Son.” Luke turned to look at Azrael. “Every Angel and Demon will be allowed through, but Jehovah will not. The Host and Horde are safe here.”
The Angels and Demons cheered at first, but then they saw Luke's grim face and the cheering subsided into a tense silence.
I was the first to come to the conclusion, or at least the first to say it aloud, “He's not here. Jerry's escaped, hasn't he?”
“Yes. I've searched every Heaven, and he is not in any of them. He has eluded us once more.”
“You almost sound relieved,” Az whispered.
“I am a little, but I also know that now, we must hunt him.”
“We will find him,” Samael said grimly. “Iwill find him.”
