Page 100 of Good Vampires Go to Heaven

“We’re lifemates, you know. You can’t call that a mistake.”

“Oh, yes, I can. Stop touching me.”

He’d reached for her hand, but she closed both hands into fists.

“You can’t escape me. We’re going to have this out.”

Just then, someone yelled, “Michael’s here.”

A shiver of anticipation went through Regina. This was the day! All other days . . . the rest of her life . . . would be measured from this day forward.

The buzz of conversation in the room halted and the crowd parted to allow for Michael to enter. He was in full archangel regalia today. White gown, twisted rope belt, crucifix on a gold chain, sandals on his feet. And a halo that surrounded not just his head but his entire body. Big, white wings were tucked in and folded at his back.

Businesslike and unsmiling, he proceeded to the front of the parlor and stood before the fireplace. “Kneel,” he told them.

Zeb, of course, insinuated himself right up to her side, so they were hip to hip, shoulder to shoulder.

“Let us pray.” Michael raised both hands in the air and said the “Our Father.” They prayed along with him. When it ended, Michael told them, “The Lucipires are no more. God is pleased.”

A sigh of relief went through the crowd, who continued to kneel.

“The fact that thou hast destroyed the Lucipires is a good and holy thing. It does not mean the end of evil in this world, but your job as vangels is ended. As of now, vangels no longer exist.”

And just like that, all of their fangs disappeared and their shoulder bumps went away. “Sorry I am to tell you, Vikar, but your wings were short-lived,” Michael joked.

“I didn’t like them much anyhow,” Vikar joked back.

“Sigurdssons, stand!” Michael ordered, serious once again. When the seven VIK brothers were standing in a half circle before Michael, the archangel said, “This is what the Lord has decreed. You, and all the former vangels, will have two choices. Thou may go to Tranquility and wait until the final Judgment Day. Know that thy chances of going to Heaven from there eventually are good, and know also that Tranquility is not a bad place to be. Better than earth, a far cry from heaven.”

They all pondered this option, which raised other questions. What about those who’d married and whose wives were destined to “die” when their mates did? And what about the children of those couples, both the natural one, and the adopted ones?

As if hearing these questions, Michael continued, “If thou choosest that first option, thy mates will go with you, but thy children will not. Thou wouldst have to make arrangements for their earthly care. Thou canst surely see now why I urged you not to connect with human lifemates. The complications!”

Michael waited to see if there were questions so far. There were not. None voiced, anyhow.

“The second option would be to become human once again and live out a natural life. There is risk in this option. Earth has temptations. If thou commitest some grievous sin again, thou wilt not have a second chance for Tranquility. Dost understand?”

They did. They could still go to Hell.

“Vikar, thy pride is still great. Could thou control it?”

Vikar cringed at being singled out.

“And Trond, wouldst thou become lazy again? Mayhap the military would be too difficult for thy lazy soul?”

Trond also cringed.

“Harek, Harek, Harek! Still no archangel website?” Michael smiled, knowing he was responsible for the delays. “I guarantee, thou wilt be trading stocks and gambling as soon as I leave today. I know, I know,” he said when Harek was about to speak, “the evil is not in thy making money, but how thou usest it.”

Harek just smiled.

“Mordr, thy anger is a cancer thou still must fight to control. First time one of thy children is threatened, I fear what thou wilt do.”

Mordr appeared angry just at being accused of anger.

“Cnut, surely you will not gorge yourself again? But then again, who knows?”

Cnut mouthed silently, “No way!”