“Oh, you're preaching to the choir. Even after I watched Silas bring people back to life, I doubted him and his stories. But those people are so devoted to him.”
“Yeah, because they've been enslaved.”
I nodded. “As I said, it makes sense now. That's why Silas inducts them into the group with that ceremony. Once that happens, they can't betray him.”
“Exactly.”
“I noticed that there was tension between Michael and Silas. I wondered about that. That makes sense now too. Silas barged in on Michael's con.”
“It's not just a con. Michael wants an army to protect himself. He doesn't want to go back to hell.”
“Hold on. Are you saying there are people coming for him? Like real angels?”
“Not angels.”
“Demons?”
Garret paused. “I think those labels are limiting. Like the word hell. I used it so it would be easier for you to understand. But hell doesn't exist, not as you think. Hell is an afterlife. It's not Dante's version or even the more traditional Christian version. I like to think of it more as a place where the dead go to spend some time before coming back. And it has guardians. People who make sure the residents don't leave. And when they fail, there are others who bring those souls back.”
“And those other people are the ones coming for Michael?”
“Yes. His skill of body jumping makes him harder to catch. So, he's evaded them for a while now.”
“Body jumping. So, he can leave Jake?”
“He can leave and return.” Garret shrugged. “I'm sorry, Indigo, but Jake is compromised. He's become a willing host. Michael won't want to lose him.”
“At least he's alive,” I said.
“Don't go back there.” He took my hand again. “Come with me. I can keep you safe. And I promise, I'll try to help Jake.”
“Indie.” The voice was so low, almost a snarl, that I didn't recognize it at first. Still, it startled me into turning toward the sound. And there was Jake, as if Garret had summoned him.
“Speak of the Devil,” Garret muttered.
“Jake!” I shot to my feet, my hand sliding free of Garret's grip.
Garret stood as well, but he didn't say anything more. He just stared at Jake.
“We're leaving,” Jake said and grabbed my hand.
“The lady hasn't eaten her lunch yet,” Garret said in a smooth, welcoming way. “Why don't you join us, Jake? Or is it Michael?”
“It's Mr. Davis to you, Demon,” Jake snapped.
I gasped and looked at Garret. “Demon?”
“I am not a demon,” Garret said. “And you are not an angel,Michael. I know that's you. Stop pretending to be Jake. Oh, excuse me, Mr. Davis.”
Jake's face twitched and his grip became painful.
“Ow!” I jerked on his hand.
He eased up immediately, but when he looked at me, I knew it wasn't Jake anymore. Garret was right. It was Michael in control.
“Michael, let me go,” I said.
Amazingly, he let go. But he also said, “He's one of the hounds, Indigo. You can't trust anything he's said to you. Fuck, he probably targeted you.”
