Page 15 of By An Angel's Grace

“No matter what you say, it’s not going to change anything with her,” I said.

“I’m noticing that, especially with how pleased she was to find a bit of gray in her wings.”

Now that bit was interesting. I wasn’t even sure it was possible to gain real redemption after falling fully. Of course, I was positive she never would, not really, because she’d never recognize that she needed to ask forgiveness for her sins, or even recognize that she had sinned. But I could see where even hints would be troubling for Hell. “And she’s giving some of the Fallen ideas?”

“Like I said, your ex is a pain in the ass.”

“But you’re still in love with her, or you wouldn’t keep her around, or at least so close.”

He rolled his eyes. “She’s still useful. She’s the best at interpreting the visions we do get through Penemue’s eyes while the traitor serves a few centuries under the torturer’s care.”

“Useful wouldn’t be enough.”

“You’re enjoying this,” he said, in almost a snarl.

“My ex’s boyfriend coming to tell me what a pain she is? Maybe a little.” We were still in grave danger, granted, but he had asked for more banter, after all. He just didn’t want to get the worst of it. “But that’s not really what you’re here for.”

“Hearing someone else who knows her agreeing with me? Sure it is.”

“But there’s something more important, too. This is too much effort to go to just to drag me down memory lane.”

“Fine. God chose you to bear the keys to the Gates of Heaven and Hell.” I glanced to the tattoos on my forearms granted after the battle, then looked back to Lucifer. “What of it?”

“You’ve already assaulted the gates once. I want your word that it won’t happen again.”

“You know I can’t make that deal. It may be centuries away, but the time will come. I’m not going to defy divine will.”

“God’s will is one thing. Michael’s, or because we’ve come to another point of disagreement, is another entirely.”

His realm must be in more disarray than I’d thought. I knew we’d done plenty of damage, and he’d lost some of his most capable lieutenants when most of the leaders of the Grigori died, or betrayed him, but it had to be worse than that for him to try and reach out to me for a deal to avoid disruption. “I’m not in any hurry to resume the conflict.”

“That can change quickly. I want your word, because I know you’ll keep it.”

“That hardly benefits my cause any.”

“Getting you and your girlfriend out of here alive benefits your cause.” He didn’t draw his sword, but his hand moved to rest on it. Fighting Lucifer would have been bad enough. Doing it while trying to protect Adelaide would be that much harder.

“No deal. I don’t respond well to threats. Try again.”

His hand tightened on the hilt, then he cursed under his breath and let go of the weapon without drawing. “What is it you want, then?”

“I want you to stick to the spirit of the agreement, not just the letter. Mortals will make bad decisions and never ask forgiveness. That’s their choice. But you leave them to it. That includes Adelaide. No more threats, no more active hand and claiming technicalities. You want me to call Hell off-limits while you rebuild after the fight? Don’t give me a reason to interfere. I’ve picked my side – it’s not with you, it’s not with Michael. It’s with the humans.”

“Stupid sentimentality,” he spat.

“I don’t care what you call it. Those are the terms. And if I, or Gabriel, or anyone credible determines you’re not holding up your end of the bargain, the deal is off.” It wasn’t an ‘if,’ it was a ‘when,’ but at least it’d given Lucifer back the initiative. It might very well be a long time before he found something worth the risk. I hoped so, anyway.

There was a long pause as he watched me through narrowed eyes. “Your word?”

“I have no desire to start a new fight and want nothing more to do with Hell right now. I was supposed to be on vacation. But the agreement goes for your minions, too – no one acting at your behest, or actively interfering. Or the deal is off.”

He frowned. “There’s a lot of demons in Hell, a lot of Fallen Angels. A lot of them have interests on this side, and a lot of them don’t like you much. Do you really think everyone will stop because I say so?”

“Right now? Yes, actually. We were just on the verge of war. A lot of your more independent lieutenants are dead. I’m not expecting perfection, but I expect an honest effort on your part. You want time to clean your house? Deal with the rats first.”

His hand tensed on his sword again. He wasn’t lying about wanting revenge here, or his current hatred of me after everything that had happened. I also didn’t doubt that Iaoel was making things just as miserable for him as he claimed. His fingers relaxed again. “I should just kill you and close the gates. That would solve a lot of problems.”

“That would cause you even more. Even presuming you succeeded.”

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