“So that means the other children of the angels will be immortal now too?” Corson inquired.
“Yes,” Raphael replied. “And if there are any surviving children of the demons who once walked Earth, they will also be immortal.”
I’d forgotten about the children of the demons, but then the demons had never bothered to track any offspring that may still be walking the Earth.
Kobal wrapped his hand around my head and cradled me against him. “Forever,” he breathed.
I released my grip on his arm to hug him close. “Forever.”
The others remained silent as we clung to each other.
Finally, Vargas cleared his throat and focused on Caim. “You said the being retreated after laying down the laws for the angels, are you saying there is no God?” Vargas’s hand went to the golden cross hanging from his necklace; he rubbed it as he asked his question.
“Did you hear those words come out of my mouth?” Caim retorted.
“No, but—”
“It is believed the being will return,” Raphael interrupted Vargas. “It’s why the angels have tried to obey the laws. Things will be upheld in Heaven, as much as possible, until the being returns.”
I could almost hear Caim’s eyes rolling.
“Where did the being go?” Erin asked.
Raphael spread his hands out before him. “That we do not know. Perhaps, the being went to other worlds. Perhaps it simply went to rest, but it will return one day.”
“What if you’re wrong and it has retreated forever, or ceased to exist?” I asked.
Raphael stiffened. “I am not wrong.”
“I guessthat’sa touchy subject,” Corson said.
“The being will return,” Raphael insisted. “We weren’t told when.”
“Now would be a good time,” Hawk shrugged when Raphael shot him a fierce look. “Just saying, you know with Hellliterallybecoming a part of Earth, we could use some help.”
“The being will not interfere with the course we have all walked,” Raphael replied.
“So what do we do now?” Erin asked.
“We return to the wall,” Kobal replied. “We regroup, and we hunt Lucifer. He has to be destroyed. If he didn’t come out the gateway on this side…?” His voice trailed questioningly off as he looked to Shax.
“He didn’t,” Shax confirmed.
“Then he most likely escaped on the other side, but I would guarantee he escaped before the gateway closed,” Kobal said. “When Lucifer is dead, the rest of his followers will scatter. Once scattered, it will be easier to pick them off. It will take time, and many will die, but with Lucifer dead, the rest will fall eventually too.”
Kobal focused on Raphael and Caim. “What do the two of you plan to do?”
“I will stay with the offspring,” Raphael replied.
My eyes narrowed on him. “The offspring has a name, and it’s River.”
“I am sorry. It is what you are known as in Heaven. With the many we watch die every day, detachment is easier.”
“Lovely,” I muttered.
“Don’t worry, child, the angels are like that with everyone,” Caim said. “I will also be coming with you.”
“You turned on the angels and then Lucifer, and you think I’m going to let you stay with her?” Kobal inquired of him.
