Page 18 of By An Angel's Grace

“Something like that,” I said. “But I don’t think we’ll be going back anywhere near him for quite some time, God willing.”

“And if called into conflict again?” Raphael said.

“It’s like I told Lucifer, I’ve chosen my side. And it’s with the mortals,” I said.

“As you’ve shown,” Raphael said, finally looking up again. “Hopefully it won’t come to that again. I much prefer working with you than at cross purposes, brother.”

“Likewise,” I said, entirely honest. I’d cross Michael again as many times as needed, but far preferred staying on the good side of the archangel of healing. It came in handy. “I just hope this is the last time we need to work together for some time. No offense.”

“None taken,” he agreed, with the same easy smile. “She has a lot of healing to do in plenty of ways. I’d prefer she didn’t need my hand involved in it again.”

“So, she’ll be okay this time?” I wanted to hear it one more time.

He nodded. “I have some more work to do, but she should be just fine, given time and rest.” He resumed praying over her.

Gabriel and I stepped into the next room again to let Raphael focus on his healing prayers. “So, how long do you think you’re going to get Adelaide to actually take down time and rest for?” Gabriel asked with a twinkle in his eye. “Fancy hotel or not, she’s not going to want to waste her short vacation sleeping.”

“We’ll see how she’s feeling. She may want to stay in bed awhile.”

His grin grew. “I’m sure you can convince her, yes.”

“Not what I meant.”

“Sure, but you know it’s how she’d take it.”

“Probably,” I agreed. “So, are you saying it’s going to be a short vacation because you’re sure Lucifer will try something soon, or because you don’t believe I can stay on vacation for very long before getting back to work?”

“Some of column A, lots of column B. The lengths you went to for Addy just prove that you’ll be springing boldly back into action when there’s another threat, and we both know it.”

“And you’d prefer it was otherwise?”

“You know me. I don’t quite get your mortal-fixation. Individually, they have such short lives, and there’s so many of them. I mean, the big picture, sure. And then there are some exceptional individuals and all, but... well, anyway. I like to have a good time where I can.”

“Which is why you have an arrangement where we can just pop into a luxury hotel suite, and no one questions it, yes.”

“Comes in handy.”

“And I trust you’ll use all those contacts to keep an eye on things, too. Just because you’re having fun doesn’t mean you’re not working as well.”

“And you need me to keep an eye out for signs Lucifer is breaking his end of the deal.”

“Naturally.” This time, I was the one smiling.

“Damn my preternatural awareness and suspicious nature. It gets me all these responsibilities,” he said with a dramatic eye roll and sigh.

“The trouble that comes with being good at your job.”

“Tell me about it,” he said.

“I wouldn’t presume to. You know your job.”

He nodded. “Right now, that job involves a date with a supermodel in Paris, and, whenever that’s done, I need to kick Uriel’s ass at the new first-person shooter. We finally got the home entertainment system rebuilt.”

“You can’t blame me for that one. You destroyed it.”

“To help you out. Plus, I was winning.”

“Of course, you were. And that’s what bothers you.”

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