Rathiel shook his head.“When Heaven sealed the portal gates, they used celestial power to lock them down.That means only celestial power can open it, and even then, it’s damn near impossible.However, Deidre is a hellspawn?—”
“Was,” I corrected.
Rathiel’s brows shot upward.“Truly?”
I nodded.
His expression changed, and if I wasn’t mistaken, he seemed almost impressed.He gave another small nod and continued.“Since Deidrewasa hellspawn, she wouldn’t have been able to open it.Someone would have had to do it for her.And the only one who would want Deidre here?—”
“Is Lucifer,” I finished.But I already knew that.That Infernal Eye of his would haunt my nightmares forever.“So, he finally figured out how to open one up.”Memories from my childhood came to mind, of my father trying—and failing—to break through Heaven’s locks.It had been a constant source of rage for him.
Rathiel didn’t say anything to that.
Another question nagged at the back of my mind.“Why didn’t Lucifer come through himself?For as long as I can remember, he’s wanted to unleash an apocalypse on this this realm.Heaven intervened before, but if he’s figured out how to open a portal, why hasn’t he crossed over?”
Rathiel lifted his hands.“Your guess is as good as mine.I’m not part of his inner circle anymore.”
I moved past that, knowing he would simply evade that questionagain.Besides, I had more important questions to ask.
“I was at the portal a few days ago, and it felt closed to me.”
“Think of it like a door,” Rathiel said.“Heaven locked it, and your father, no matter how hard he tried, couldn’t break their seal.”
“Until now,” I mumbled.
“The portal isn’t what it used to be.It doesn’t stay open for long, and it takes an immense amount of power to force it open each time.More than your father is likely willing to sacrifice to keep it open indefinitely.When I crossed through, it drained me for a full day—and that was just me.The more who try to come through, the greater the cost.”
“So, if it felt closed when I was there, then it probably was?”
“Exactly.Lucifer would’ve only opened it long enough to get his fallen through, then let it close again to conserve his strength.”
“Can we seal it again?From this side?Preferably for good this time.”
Rathiel sighed, shaking his head.“It took the combined might of Heaven to seal it last time.Neither you nor I possess that kind of power, especially not for something permanent.”
Disappointment swelled within me, crushing all my newfound hopes of closing the portal and saving Edmonton—and Earth.Damn it.
“I guess that explains why my father hasn’t sent his entire army through yet,” I murmured.
“Lucifer has a plan—one I’m not privy to,” Rathiel said.“But Iknowhe has one.And he will follow that plan to the absolute letter.And I would bet my last feather that step one of that plan is eradicating you.Afterward…” Rathiel lifted his hands in a helpless gesture.
My stomach twisted at his words.“If he wants me dead so badly, why not just do it himself?Why send the fallen?”
“Your father surrounds himself with followers who would die for him without question,” Rathiel said.“They don’t know any other way.To him, they’re just tools—resources to be used without risking himself.”
“But why?What danger am I to him?”I asked, frustrating bubbling to the surface.“Sure, there’s a prophecy, but I’mhere.Not in Hell.What could I possibly do to him from here?The portal separated us.Why send the fallen after me now?”
Rathiel leaned forward, his gaze searching mine.“What do you remember about your life before you arrived on Earth?”
I blinked, thrown by the sudden question.“What?”
“Just humor me,” he insisted.“Before all this—before you arrived here—what do you remember?”
“I remember Hell.Training with you and the others, learning to fight,” I said, unsure of where he was going with this.
“And?”Rathiel pressed.“What else?What do you remember about the prophecy?”
I blew out a heavy breath.“Just that it claims I’ll destroy Hell and Lucifer.”I shuddered as that memory surfaced and I closed my eyes.“He was so angry,” I whispered.“Deidre had just betrayed me.She’d told him everything.I remember his power, the weight of it, the pain—it was unbearable.He nearly broke me.Then, there was a lot of darkness, falling, me screaming, pain.And then I woke up here.”
