“What did you do with it?”
“The body?” I shrug and look at Lucas. “He buried it somewhere. I think that was the last body on the property. Unless we find a surprise when the pool is put in. Maybe then we’ll wake and anger a spirit. I haven’t had a seance in a while.”
The lights are already on in the kitchen, and I take the bottle of wine from Lucas so I can use magic to pull out the cork. I’m not really a fan of Chardonnay, though to be fair, when I buy wine myself, I don’t usually spend more than ten dollars on a bottle. This bottle came from Burgundy and was pricey. Maybe it’s good? I won’t know since I’m not drinking.
“I know you don’t have to eat or drink,” I start, getting two wine glasses from the cabinet. “But do you want anything?” I ask my dad. Lucifer drank, so I know it’s possible for angels to consume food, unlike vampires. It raises a few questions, though. If food goes in, it has to come out, right?
“No, but thank you.” Michael sits at the island, resting his hands on the counter. I pull Thanksgiving leftovers from the fridge as Lucas grabs plates and forks for Kristy and me. Kristy fills her wine glass and leans against the counter on the other side of the kitchen from Michael.
“What would you like?” Lucas asks me.
“A bit of everything,” I tell him and pull a pie from the pantry. “As much as I’d like to sit and eat, I know you’re short on time.” I pick up a fork and don’t bother with a plate. I shovel a forkful of pie into my mouth. I can’t drink my worries away like I usually do, so I’m going to have to settle for pie. Lots of pie. “What do I do?” I ask with my mouth full.
“In regard to Remiel, nothing,” Michael says calmly. His presence is soothing, and for some reason, being in the company of other angels feels right. My angelic side seeks out their company, I guess.
“Nothing?” I question. “Are the others going to be pissed and wondering what happened to him?” My pulse quickens again, and I scoop up another forkful of pie, shoving it into my mouth.
“Let angels deal with the matters of angels.”
“But I’m half angel,” I counter.
“Exactly,” Michael tells me. “Half. And your human half needs to rest, now more than ever.”
“I claimed the Throne of Hell,” I say, getting all jittery as I think about it. It feels like that happened so long ago, and I haven’t had time to think about it yet. What it means…and how it felt.
Good.
Right.
I liked having that much power.
“You did,” Michael says.
I nervously poke at the pie. “I didn’t mean it, though. I just said it because I had to, and I don’t even know how the idea occurred to me. But it did, and I stopped Bael and saved Lucas and Kristy. I just said some words, it’s not like I had a ritual or anything to become the Queen of Hell, right?”
“You have archangel blood in you, making you a rightful heir to any part of Heaven or Hell,” Michael tells me. “You willed yourself the crown and named yourself queen. Right now, you are the ruler of Hell.”Chapter 3“But I don’t want to be,” I blurt. “Can’t I un-will the crown or whatever?”
Michael’s brows furrow, and he casts his gaze down as he thinks. “Perhaps. The simplest way to remedy this is to get Lucifer back on the throne. You were able to claim it due to his absence, but if he were to return and you didn’t fight him for the throne, it would be his once again.”
“Then do that,” Lucas says. “And Callie won’t have to leave.”
I look up from my pie and see the terror on Lucas’s face. It hits me all at once, and now I understand why he was so mad when I named myself the Queen of Hell. If I rule Hell, I’ll have to go there. Literally.
“That is my plan, as soon as I find my brother.” Michael’s eyes meet mine and his face softens.
“Until then?” Kristy asks, voice thin. “What will Callie do?” She takes another sip of wine.
“Nothing,” Michael says again. “Live your life.” He’s told me that before, and I know now just how much he wants me to do just that. It’s why he risked everything to keep me out of the hands of the angels.
So I could live.
“You want me to go on like everything is normal?” I ask dubiously. “I don’t think I can do that.”
“Normal for you is far from typical for most other humans,” Michael says with a slight smile before his face goes somber. “The demons will come. Word will get out not only that Lucifer is gone but that you claimed your blood right to the throne. You must be vigilant, Callie. I will do what I can to protect you, but I will not be able to come back as easily as before. It’s imperative now more than ever I don’t raise any alarm to you. Now that Remiel is gone—”