“Yes, I'm here,” Silas said.
I grimaced at him.
“Sorry.” Silas held up a hand and smiled. “Just trying to bring some levity.”
“What did you do to him?” I growled at Silas.
“I offered Jake a choice,” Silas said.
“A choice? If you're God, why couldn't you just heal him?”
“I could. But I have laws I try to follow, Indigo. There is a reason for suffering and death. I don't like breaking my own rules.”
“What was the choice?”
“It was death or hosting an angel,” Jake said.
I let out a sob that verged on hysterics. “I knew there was something inside you. I knew it!”
“Indie, it's still me,” Jake said. He tried to take my hand, but I jerked it away and shot to my feet. “Indie, please.” He stood up as well.
“Who are you?You, the fucking invader, not Jake. Who the fuck are you?”
An unfamiliar voice came out of Jake's mouth, one that was more velvety. Softer, but more powerful. “My name is Michael.” Jake smirked. “Perhaps you've heard of me?”
“Michael?” I snorted. “So, not only are you an angel, but you're alsotheangel. The dragon-killer.”
“Well, that's future-me. I haven't killed the Devil yet. And that's uncertain. Those prophecies are only possibilities.”
“And the possibility of us winning is growing slimmer every day,” Silas said.
I swung my head back to face him. “But you're God. You're stronger than the Devil.”
“That's what I let humans believe,” Silas said. “It comforts them. And I do help as much as I can. But the Devil and I are equals. We were formed out of the Void to create life and keep it in balance. So we were made as equal counterparts.”
My knees gave out, sending me back onto the sofa. “Equals?”
“Yes. For thousands of years, we have maintained balance,” Silas said.
“But now that motherfucker is upsetting the balance,” Michael growled. Michael, not Jake.
“Go away,” I said to him. “I want to talk to Jake.”
Jake's face twisted in anger, and his stare went to Silas.
“Michael!” Silas snapped.
Jake shuddered and sat down. When he looked at me again, he seemed to be himself. “Sorry about that, Indie. He can be a lot.”
“You have an angel inside you?”
“Yeah.” He grinned. “I know. Bonkers, right? But it's kind of awesome.”
“I've chosen Jake to host Michael,” Silas said. “He is in a partnership with my angel now. Together, they will lead this group and add to its numbers. You are welcome to stay, Indigo. But I understand if you wish to leave. All I ask is that you do not speak a word of this to Jake's family. I don't want to upset them.”
“Then what am I supposed to say to them?”
“If you go, you don't have to say anything to Jake's family.” Silas glanced at Jake. “He's going to call them today and tell them where he is. He'll explain that he needs some time to recuperate on his own.”
