“And you will be again,” Theodore promised.
“You’re evil.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
“I’m going to pray.” She crouched down and put her hand on the tower and whispered, “Our Father, who is imprisoned, if you’re listening and have any love for me at all, help me escape. Me and this innocent child.”
Then she rose suddenly and, with Lector clutched against her, ran for the edge. She knew she wouldn’t make it without a miracle, but she had to try. To do nothing was to become a blind follower again.
She’d rather die.
Wings flapping, she aimed for the gates, her height dipping when she realized an ominous figure stood outside of them, dressed in a cloak that swirled around him like a mighty shadow. His stave planted on the white marble outside.
Julio didn’t come alone. He had Kourtney in her deep blue robes by his side. They knocked at Heaven’s door, the sound booming and drawing eyes.
It gave Helen the diversion she needed to pull ahead of Theodore, but when she would have flown over the gates, a force repelled her and she had no choice but to land. Ignobly she might add. Lector squawked.
“Sorry,” she muttered.
Julio noticed her and bellowed, “Helen!”
“You came for me.” The warmth inside her almost exploded.
He got right up against the gates and said, “I told you I wouldn’t let you go.”
She reached out and slid her hand through the bars so he could hold it. “I didn’t want to leave.”
“I know.”
“Step away from the gate, reaper.” Theodore landed and strode close, wearing a sneer.
“I’ve come for my wife.”
“The marriage was annulled. She belongs to Heaven.” Theodore’s words crushed Helen.
“Actually, she doesn’t.” Kourtney held up a copy of the treaty between Heaven and Hell. “According to the eighteenth paragraph, subsection C, fallen angels are automatically the purview of Hell.”
“She’s not fallen,” Theodore stated with his arms over his chest. “Our Father, who is on a break, hasn’t cast her down.”
“In this case, he’s not needed to pass judgment because clause iii under subsection C states a female angel who gets pregnant shall be automatically considered fallen and cast out of Heaven.”
“That’s impossible.” Theodore’s gaze dropped to her belly.
A bunch of gazes did.
But not Julio’s. He held her hand and mouthed, I love you.
Click. The gates opened without warning.
Julio tried to rush through but was stopped by the force field.
Helen took a step when she heard a voice, Don’t leave me, daughter. I will punish those who forsook you.
But Helen couldn’t forgive. You lied to me.
The tone of the voice changed. You will obey. I am your God.
Perhaps to others he was, but she’d decided to worship at a different altar. That of love.
She stepped through the gates and heard Theodore yelling at her back, “Kill the minion of Hell. She’s kidnapping a cherub.”
Theodore’s soldiers remained still as he strode forward and reached for Helen, only to have Julio knock his hand away.
“Don’t you fucking touch her.”
“Or what? What will you do?” Theodore sneered some more as he drew his sword.
Helen tucked herself by Kourtney and set Lector on his feet as she watched.
“I’m not going to do a damned thing, actually. But I do wonder if maybe your god might have a thing or two to say.” Julio stood bravely in front of the gates, and his cloak whipped as if caught in a storm.
“Our God is—”
“Angry,” Lucifer said, as he appeared, wearing a somber dark suit. “And so am I. You locked my brother away.”
“I didn’t. His son did.”
“And where is Charlie, my dear nephew?” Lucifer asked.
“He left and told us it was time we ruled ourselves.” Michael was the one to provide the answer as he strode into view. “Given we are currently without a leader, I’ve been placed in charge of Heaven. Which means there will be some changes to how things are done.”
Lucifer rubbed his hands. “Does this mean the treaty between Hell and Heaven is abolished?”
“I think it’s past time we stopped playing this game.” Michael held up a scroll that unrolled and kept unrolling. A silver flame ignited it.
As it turned into glittery ash, the devil smiled. “Here’s to hoping you don’t regret that later.”
“We have no interest in Hell.”
“And Earth?” Lucifer asked.
“Can govern itself,” Michael declared.
“Well, you’re definitely easier to deal with. Sounds fantastic. Good luck. Let’s go, minions.” Lucifer clapped his hands.
Julio pointed his stave in Theodore’s direction. “What about him? I want a promise that he, and everyone else in Heaven, will leave Helen alone.”
“And Lector!” Helen added.
Michael inclined his head. “Easy enough to arrange.” The gates suddenly closed, leaving Theodore on the wrong side.
With a frown, Theodore moved to them and said, “Open up. Let me in.”
The archangel now in charge offered a cold smile. “Only the unfallen can enter.”
“I’m not fallen. God hasn’t cast me down.”
“Our Father isn’t in charge anymore. I am. Your antics have the populace questioning my control. You will be an example to those who get too big for their wings. Enjoy Hell. You’ve earned it.”
“No,” Theodore screamed. “No, you can’t do this.”
“Apparently, he can, Theo old boy!” Lucifer beamed as he rubbed his hands. “And wow, I’m impressed at your list of transgressions. How do you feel about spit shining boots for a few centuries?”
Theodore swung his sword at the devil and missed. By the time he pulled back to strike again, the devil snapped his fingers and the newly fallen angel was gone.
Kourtney tucked away her paperwork and said, “Just so you know, the annulment was invalid. It was filed after the child was conceived. You’re still married.”
Which was the thing Helen least cared about. She glanced at Julio then Lector. “We need to take him home to his mother.”
“I’ll handle it,” Lucifer offered. “Hey, boy, ever hear about the time I ran with the wolves?” The pair disappeared, along with Kourtney, leaving Julio and Helen behind outside the closed pearly gates.
She’d never been more relieved to know they were shut to her forever.
She hugged Julio as she said, “Can we go home?”
25
“Sure. Where should we go?” Julio totally endorsed the idea of leaving. He still couldn’t believe they’d manage to spring Helen. Especially since his plan had been more about drawing eyes on him while the real scheme happened in the background. A scheme that had failed to produce as expected.
Instead, he was saved by his pregnant wife.
Fuck him. She was carrying his child.
“I don’t know,” Helen mused aloud. “It sounds strange to say, yet I didn’t mind Hell. Although the food and television are better on Earth.”