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Daniel chuckled at God’s humor, shaking his head in disbelief. But hey, if he knew about angels and had met so many of them in the last week, meeting God just seemed like the final culmination of this miraculous holiday. He turned to study the old man and drew back, for the old man now looked like Santa, with a full white beard, pot belly, and broad smile.
“So…” He glanced around again, almost expecting the garden to have changed to a snowy winter wonderland, complete with elves and tiny reindeer. “Does this mean I’m dead?” He’d really hate that. His sister would be so pissed.
“Nope.” God patted Daniel’s leg. “Just in limbo. I wanted to talk to you.”
“Me? Why? I’m not worthy of your notice.”
“Daniel, do you know what your name means?”
He shook his head, confused where God was going with the conversation.
“Daniel means ‘God is my Judge.’ I am judging you and find you worthy. Your acts of kindness have redeemed you in My eyes. I have looked inside your soul and found your spark of greatness. You have grown that spark into a warm, glowing flame. You are so much more than you believe, but you must open your heart just a little more. Thelial is waiting for you. Your declaration must be more than ‘I do.’
“So now I’m asking you, God to man, can you say the words he needs to hear?”
Daniel remained silent, taking in everything God said. He barely believed it. He certainly didn’t feel worthy of the divine attention. Again, he glanced around at the majesty of Adonai’s garden. He felt the cool mist of the water, the concrete of the fountain’s pool. If he believed he was in Heaven and talking with God, then he had to believe that what God said was true. God found him worthy, redemption had been granted, and Theo loved him.
So could he tell Theo he loved him and would love him forever? He thought of being able to watch Theo behind the bar every night and know that the man was his, regardless of the flirting men and women vying for his attention. He thought about the changes he’d make in his life. Finding a good job, helping others, spending time with his and sister and her family. Theo would be with him every step of the way, holding his hand and cheering him on.
The knot that had lived inside him for so long unraveled, and Daniel knew exactly what he had to do. “I can, Father. I’m ready.”
God laughed. “I do so love it when you mates call me ‘Father.’”
Thelial
Theo pressed a fast kiss to Daniel’s cheek before he stood to face the growing threat behind him. Troy no longer existed, for he had become his true manifestation: Troian. The blood-red demon towered over them all. Theo surmised the demon had to be fifteen feet tall, if not more. Long curling horns stuck out from its elongated head, its hands and feet ended in black claws, and thin, skeletal wings of the darkest night stuck out from its back.
Sy, El, and John landed beside him, leaving Ari, Leo, and Judah to contend with the lesser demons.
“I’m here,” Nate shouted, flying not to them, but protecting Elijah as he ran to assist Glen and Walt with moving a still, unconscious Daniel.
Troian watched, his sharp, menacing teeth bared in a vicious snarl. “I will kill your man,” he hissed, taking an awkward, lumbering step toward the humans.
“I think not,” Theo said, raising his blade as he moved to intercept Troian.
Troian’s tongue flicked out a foot from its mouth, the forked end vibrating like a snake’s. What in Hell’s name was it doing? Trying to taste its own defeat?
Theo snickered. Heck yeah. He would defeat the demon. He dropped into a slight crouch, a guarded position that allowed him to move quickly if needed. Troian clawed the air, his nails clacking as he leapt at Theo. The jump gave Theo plenty of time to move out of the way, raise his sword, and slash at the demon.
He’d barely connected when his legs were swept out from beneath him and he fell to the ground, his sword falling from his hands on impact. Troian’s tail encircled Theo’s lower legs like a vise, and with a yank, he slid across the floor. The demon slashed Theo’s front, and when he tried to turn away, claws ripped into his back and wings.
“El, Sy, get in there!” John shouted. “Nate, you’re with me.”
The Maccabee brothers flew in circles, dodging in and fighting Troian from all sides. Distracted, its tail loosened, and Theo crawled away in agony, whimpering as his right wing hung in ruined tatters. Ari and Leo got their arms under him and lifted him to his feet, getting him to safety. They gently laid him down beside Daniel, where he could watch the actual warriors fight Troian, feeling utterly useless.
“Here’s your sword,” Judah shoved the handle into Theo’s hands. “Protect our mates,” he ordered, then strode forward into the battle with the minor demons still standing.
Theo’s eyes widened, and a fresh wash of adrenaline hit his blood with the command, but as he watched the fighting, that pulse of energy drained away. His eyes shut and he slumped, falling into darkness…
…and rose into bright sunshine.
“Thelial, awaken my son. You haven’t much time.”
Theo sat up and stared at Adonai kneeling beside him. “I’m sorry, Father. I failed you.”
“Not yet, you haven’t. I realized that part of the problem is I forgot to give you something, something that will help turn the tide.”
Theo shook his head. “I don’t understand.”
