Atlas nodded.
Michael rose to his feet and looked at all of us poignantly. I tried to break eye contact, but I was never good at avoiding him. Raphael and Gabriel both cracked smiles in my direction. Helpful.
I knew they could read my thoughts, for both of their smiles widened. Gabriel coughed as Raphael cleared his throat and looked away.
Sometimes I forget that angels still have a sense of humor.
Michael sighed. “Athena, you’ve been busy.”
“Understatement,” I answered, putting my hands on my hips.
Michael chuckled. “What news do you bring me?”
I exhaled and clenched Adonis’s hand. “The Titans refused to fight for Azazeel, but…”
“But?” Michael prompted.
“They ask a favor.”
“A favor?” Michael seemed more amused than upset as he laughed. “And do the Fallen feel they are in a position to ask a favor?”
“To be fair,” Seth interrupted, stepping up beside me. “They helped save our lives. Cronus himself would have suffered eternity in Purgatory if it would have spared Athena’s life.”
“And who are you to question my authority?” Michael demanded.
Gabriel fell to his knees in that moment, weeping. “Uriel. It is our brother Uriel.”
Michael’s gaze narrowed, and it was as if the layers of his confusion lifted. He began to cry with Gabriel. Raphael soon followed. I have to admit I was feeling a little emotional. After all, once upon a time Uriel had stood right along with these angels. There were seven all together in the beginning, and Seth, or Uriel, should have been one of them.
Seth nodded, and in an instant, he was again transformed into his original state. The four angels hugged. I felt like I was watching something too intimate for my eyes, but Atlas, Adonis, and I stayed silent, as they all communicated with one another in a language I would never understand. The ancient language of my ancestors. The heavenly tongue.
After a few minutes, Seth stepped back, and the form of Uriel vanished. Again I was struck with gratitude. El must watch all, for I knew Seth didn’t possess the power to keep changing back into his original form. It was as if he was graciously allowing this reunion, despite what Seth had done.
“Our brother says Thanatus and Azazeel are still alive and well.” Michael said to me.
I nodded. “Yes, but for now they will leave the Titans alone. That’s part of the favor they asked.”
“I’m listening.” Michael crossed his arms.
“They want the protection of Light.”
Adonis’s hand gripped mine tighter; none of us breathed. As Michael’s nostrils flared, he began pacing in front of us, and then stopped. His eyes blazed white as his head tilted back. Power surged through him as he stood motionless, his eyes so white I had to look away.
Within seconds, it was over.
His eyes returned to normal, and he looked at me. “Consider it done. El agrees with this favor. Because the portal has been opened by Azazeel, they need protection from the Darkness.”
“Whom will you send?”
Michael looked up. I followed his gaze and noticed a star shoot from the sky and fall down to Earth. “One of their own. Despite what’s been done, El decided it would bring them something that all the protection in the world cannot give.”
“What?” I watched as the star disappeared into the earth.
“Hope.”
Chapter Twenty-One
My throat constricted with emotion as I took in what Michael had just said. When the Titans had fallen, it was like a great divorce in the universe, a giant tear between Heaven and Earth. They’d caused it, they’d been to blame, and still El had shown mercy in the form of offering hope.
Because He’d extended that grace and that same hope, my faith grew, for I was just as guilty as they were. I was black as sin, and I wondered, did that mean I had a chance too?
As always, the archangels were brief, and of course, confusing. They ordered us to rest for a bit before we found information of Azazeel’s next move. Though they imagined it would be soon, they figured we would be safe for a few days.
Adonis pulled Michael aside briefly.
I stood by Seth and Atlas, watching the exchange.
“He’s talking about you,” Seth whispered.
“How can you tell?” I didn’t see anything telling about the conversation.
“He’s flushed.” Seth snickered. “And to top it off, he looks like he’s about two minutes away from grabbing Michael’s sword.”
I gulped. “They’re arguing.”
“Big time.” Seth laughed.
I punched him in the arm. “I haven’t forgotten that you tried to kill me. Don’t push me.”
Seth sighed and tugged me, so I faced him. Crap. He was perfect. “Icarus, or as you know him now, Thanatus, was very powerful. When I was near Darkness…”
“It takes over,” I finished for him.
He nodded. “It’s no excuse. It’s like watching yourself captive in your own body, watching yourself make decisions and do stupid things, but you don’t have the will to stop it.”