“I’ve been called worse.” “I’m not through with Mason, but I’m not interested in being you.” “Too bad. It’s a package deal. Whatever you decide, I’m going home. None of my generals is equipped to run Hell on their own. It will fall apart in months if one of them takes my place. There are only two candidates with the power and knowledge to take over: you and Mason. One of you will live and lead. The other will die. I’m on your side, James, but if Mason is better than you, I won’t be able to stop him from taking over.” “If you’re not my father…?” “Uriel is your father, you imbecile. But you always knew that. I know your mind, James. You liked the idea that I might be your father because it fit your image of yourself and would let you continue to cultivate your anger. You have to stop fighting yourself if you’re going to survive what’s coming.” My mind ices over for a second. I shake it off. Now’s not the time to think about any of that. “If I’m not your son, why does this come down to Mason and me? Is Mason your little monster, too?” Lucifer winces and touches his side. There’s blood on his hand when he pulls it back, thick and so dark it’s almost purple. “Hardly. I’ve had a million children over the centuries and they’re all like Mason. Even when I’ve had them with good, smart, kind women, they always came out the same. And no, none of them are nephilim. Not the way you are. Whatever the deformity in my blood that produces such little bastards also makes my progeny human. Powerful humans, but nothing more than mad, cruel little Caligulas. They’re more the way the Church has painted me than I ever was. Isn’t that funny? I wanted to keep this transition in the family, but none of them was ever worthy to take the throne. That was truly humbling. I’d been God’s favorite. More than Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, or even your father. But I couldn’t produce a single heir who wasn’t a miserable piece of scheming human excrement.” “What you’re really asking me to do is clean up your mess.” “No. I’m going home to clean up my mess. I’m giving you a chance to save your world.” “This isn’t my world any more than it’s yours. I’ve changed and everything is different. Nothing is solid. The world is all motes of light. Random nodes vibrating on long strings of existence. Fireflies in a jar. Who could love that?” I almost want a cigarette. Stark screams in my head. I have to concentrate to keep him locked in the dark. “I think about the Mithras more and more. I’d solve everyone’s problem by releasing the first fire and burning down the whole universe.” “I tried that with Heaven, remember? Talk to your father before doing anything rash. Unless you want to be exactly like Mason.” I look over at Ritchie. “What are we going to do with him?” “Nothing. He’s dead.” “And you don’t even have his soul. He’s on his way to the Jackal’s Backbone.” “I’m perfectly happy to let him wander and rot for a while. I’ll have his soul eventually.” “You can’t go back to the Chateau. I’m using your room to finish things with Koralin Geistwald.” He shakes his head and tries to stand. He doesn’t make it. “I wasn’t going back there anyway. I need to return below and ready things for my departure. Do you think you might take me through the Room? It’s the quickest way and I’d like to rest before leaving Pandemonium. The elevator is out of service and it’s a long walk up to Father’s place.” “The Druj Ammun controls the Drifters. Is it true it will control Hellions?” “I expect so.” “That could be a nice weapon if I decided to take you up on your idea.”
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