“Michael’s named after him,” Gabe muttered.
Az stopped, staring at Gabe. Gabe just nodded his head.
“Yup,” he replied. “Grandfather is the archangel Michael.”
“Well, shit,” Az breathed out, coming over and sliding down next to Gabe.
“Yup,” Gabe agreed. “We’re fucked.”
Chapter24
Asmodeus
Gabe was Nephilim. His whole family was Nephilim, for that matter. Az should have realized. He should have asked more questions. He had become so consumed with figuring out Gabe’s sexuality, and then with thinking about staying with his human, that he had forgotten to think about why Gabe and his family were immune to Az’s powers.
His lack of foresight was going to cost them now.
A regular angel wouldn’t have been a big deal. A hassle, yes, especially if the leadership team got involved. An archangel, though? They were one step below Yahweh. Yes, he was an Infernal King of the Underworld, and they were all one step below Luce, but there were more of them. He wasn’t exactly sure who would be more powerful.
He didn’t want to place bets on it, that was for sure.
He needed a window. Or a mirror. He needed to see Luce. Theybothneeded to see Luce.
He stood up, looking around the kitchen, which of course had no windows, when he heard a key in the front door. Gabe looked up and started to stand when they heard the door burst open.
“Where is the closest mirror?” hissed Az. Dammit, why couldn’t Gabe be vain? He needed a mirrornow.
“The bathroom?” Gabe answered, looking perplexed.
Before Az could head that way, Michael walked into the room. Az almost breathed a sigh of relief, but behind Michael was another figure.
Gabe wasn’t kidding when he said angels glowed. If this was what he was used to, no wonder he had questioned Kushiel’s angelic nature. Az put his hands up to shield his eyes. He could barely make out the figure who walked into the room, but he wasn’t going to let that intimidate him.
“Mind turning it down there a bit, Rainbow Brite?” Az asked. “Or would you like me to pull out the full demonic form? Not sure the kitchen or the house would survive it, but if we’re going in blazing, so to speak…”
He heard a hmph from the angel, and then he was looking at a strikingly handsome man. His skin was still glowing, but it was manageable now. He was also in full battle regalia of shining silver with white wings folded behind him.
He also had a rather large sword in his hands.
Az almost groaned out loud. He had forgotten which archangel Michael was (not really his fault; he didn’t usually concern himself with angels, after all). Of course Gabe had to be related to the warrior and protector archangel; he couldn’t have been related to the messenger, the healer, or the wise prophet? It would have made Az’s life so much easier.
“Nice sword,” Az smirked. “Although maybe overcompensating a bit?”
“Az!” Gabe gasped. Then he giggled. It was a bit hysterical, but Az was still glad to hear the sound.
“If I’m going to face down an archangel, I might as well have a bit of fun doing it, my love,” Az said. He saw both Michaels stiffen at the endearment.
Fuck them. He wasn’t going to hide how he felt.
He glanced around the kitchen again. Not even an itty bitty mirror anywhere. Although…
“You are an abomination, and you do not belong here,” archangel Michael intoned. “I have come to return you to your rightful place.”
Az raised an eyebrow. “I’man abomination?Iwasn’t the one running around making little Nephilim offspring, though, was I?” Az sneered. “Pretty sure that was outlawed, and pretty sure you guysaren’tsupposed to be the rule breakers.”
Archangel Michael looked pretty pissed off at that, while human Michael was kind of standing there and wringing his hands, looking all sorts of nervous. Archangel Michael took a step toward Az, and Gabe stepped in front of him, barring the way.
Gabe looked at human Michael and hissed out, “Call Grams. NOW!”
