“We should split up,” Uriel suggested.
“No, we’re sticking together on this,” Azazel said, then stopped walking. Uriel did the same, looking at the other man. “You’d think after the last time I burst through here and tried to kill their lord, they’d beef up security.”
“When did you do that?” Uriel questioned.
“The night I found you, I wanted to know what Dio did to you.” Azazel furrowed his brows. “After seeing your memories, I wonder if he’s even aware of everything that happened during your imprisonment.”
“What do you mean?”
“Didn’t you find it odd that he never once visited you?” Azazel said.
“I figured he was too disgusted and didn’t want to see me,” Uriel responded.
“I can see that, but I get the feeling that’s not the case,” Azazel reasoned. “My father is a very hard man to please, and although he and I have our differences, I understand him far better than most. He’s calculating and plans out his every move. I can understand his anger for your failure, but he wouldn’t imprison you for twenty years for no reason. He knew you wouldn’t be able to kill me, so what was his purpose?”
“It was a test,” Uriel answered. “According to Dio, he was grooming me to take his place.”
Azazel rested his hands on Uriel’s shoulders. “Baby, do you really think Dio will give up his throne? Being a god is more important than his family.”
“Then why would he say that? Why would he try to match me to Micha?”
“Because you were too dense to get the message,” another voice said.
Both Azazel and Uriel turned and saw Bezaliel not far from them. Uriel pulled out his sword and pointed it at Bezaliel.
Bezaliel sighed and rolled his eyes. “Put your sword away, I am on your side.”
“I don’t believe you,” Uriel snarled.
Bezaliel looked away from Uriel to Azazel. “Your father has been expecting you. He would have met you here but…”
“He’s sick,” Azazel said. “I guess Micha’s poison worked.”
Bezaliel nodded as he looked down. “So you know?”
“Yes,” Uriel answered. “We found out tonight. How long has the poisoning been going on? And where are the bloody guards?”
“We’re not sure, but we suspect that Micha had started using his manipulation tactics just before you were sent to kill Azazel,” Bezaliel said. “Dio was too focused on Azazel which gave Micha the opportunity to convince everyone that Lord Dio was no longer fit to lead. He went for the weaker cherubs, and after many years he slowly brought the stronger angels on board.”
“Angels are so damn fickle,” Azazel mumbled.
“Why didn’t you tell me in those years you were watching me?” Uriel asked.
“Dio asked me not to tell you, but I wasn’t just watching you. I was protecting you. He had hoped you would have tried to get away, but as always, you never understood the assignment and simply followed the orders on the surface and not underneath.”
“Cut the bullshit,” Uriel snapped. “Why didn’t he just tell me to leave? I even offered him my powers in exchange for my freedom and that of my child. Why all the hidden codes?”
“You ungrateful little bastard! Even before Micha asked to save your soul, Dio took a liking to you and crafted your powers, working day and night until it was pure and perfect in his eyes before he gave them to you, and this is how you repay him? All other angels who have gone against Dio had their powers taken away, but you got to keep yours. If I were him, I wouldn’t have done that for you, even if Micha had gone down on his hands and knees and begged.”
“You talk as if he wanted to protect me! You think I should be fucking grateful? He took my child away from me and gave him to someone else to raise! He imprisoned me in a dark dungeon for twenty years and had Gadriel and Dagon torture me to the point of death, and you want me to tell him thank you.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? What dungeon and torture? You were placed in the very room you gave birth in,” Bezaliel said. “You were fed and given the finest robes, and each time Dio visited, you would….”
Uriel chuckled and looked seriously at Bezaliel. “What fairy tale are you trying to weave, Bezaliel? I don't know where you got the idea that I had it good for the years I was imprisoned, because you’re sorely mistaken.” Uriel pushed up his shirt sleeves and showed the markings on his wrists.
Bezaliel’s eyes widened. “You both follow me, quickly. Lord Dio needs to be aware of this,” Bezaliel instructed, then walked back into the dark alcove, not waiting to see if Uriel and Azazel would follow.
Uriel pursed his lips and put away his sword. “I don’t trust him.”
