“I can take you to the start of the path, and no farther,” he said after a long pause.
“Another test?”
“No,” he said impatiently. “I am bound by treaties written long ago, treaties that prevent the old creatures from encroaching on one another. I cannot enter Titania and Oberon’s realm without express invitation, as they cannot enter mine without the same.”
“Fine,” I said. “Show me where to go and I’ll take care of them without you. Just as I’ve taken care of every other problem you’ve brought me.”
“You seem very contemptuous of me, granddaughter,” Lucifer said, and he seemed to grow larger. The magic in the air grew stronger, thicker.
But my anger was greater than his, and my power pushed back. This was the second time I had gone head-to-head with the Prince of Darkness. The last time, he’d backed down because it had suited him to do so.
This time, he didn’t.
His power roared up in the darkness, a sudden blaze of fire like an exploding volcano. The blood that connected us turned against me, and I saw before my eyes the horror that Lucifer could bestow upon the world if he so chose.
“No,” I said, but instead of shrinking before him, I grew stronger. It seemed that he hesitated for a moment, shocked that I had not withered before his assault.
He had tried to turn the power against me, but he was feeding it. I no longer belonged only to myself. Gabriel’s blood was inside me, too. Gabriel’s child was closer to Lucifer than me, separated by only two generations, and that child could feel the call of Lucifer’s magic, and embraced it.
“You can’t scare me,” I said.
He diminished suddenly, returned to his normal self, his wings hidden beneath his coat. And then he applauded.
“Oh, yes. Titania and Oberon won’t know what to do with you, my dear,” he said.
I returned to normal as well, the light and power shrinking in the face of his sudden surrender. I felt as if I’d somehow been tricked again, that Lucifer had gotten something he’d wanted.
“Why is it that I never seem to feel like I’ve gotten the best of you?” I muttered. Beezle needn’t have worried. Madeline Black had returned without any ill effects.
“People often feel that way around me,” Lucifer said.
I rubbed my head. “Will you take me to the path, then? Since it seems to suit you?”
“Of course, as it suits you as well,” he said, a merry twinkle in his eye. “But I think you should not go alone.”
He nodded toward the front porch, and I turned to see Nathaniel standing there as if he’d been summoned. I looked back at Lucifer and shook my head.
“I’d rather have Jude,” I said.
“But I would prefer you take Nathaniel,” he said, his voice covered in steel.
“Why?” I asked. “What have you got planned now?”
“If you want to go to the path, then you will allow yourself to be escorted by Nathaniel ap Zerachiel and no other,” he said.
I glanced back at Nathaniel, standing on the porch with a stony expression, waiting for my decision. Was it worth it to push this, and lose my chance at confronting Titania and Oberon? I already knew I could handle Nathaniel, but why was Lucifer pressing him on me so determinedly?
“Ticktock,” Lucifer said.
“All right,” I said.
I needed to take one problem at a time. First Titania and Oberon, then Azazel’s plot, then Azazel himself. Somewhere in there I’d have to find time to unknot Lucifer’s motivations and figure out if the Agency was conspiring against me.
“Beezle is not going to be happy about this,” I said.
“I will speak with your gargoyle, and your guard dog,” Lucifer said.
“Um, I don’t think you want to talk to Jude,” I said, thinking of their history.
“Do not worry. Judas and I have dealt with one another before.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of,” I muttered. I didn’t want Jude to get himself killed going after Lucifer.
Lucifer smiled, and it was not a nice smile.
“Wait here for a moment,” he said, and went toward the house. He paused on the threshold, calling Jude’s name.
Even Lucifer couldn’t get into my house without an invitation. That made me feel a little better.
Jude, Samiel and Beezle must have been lurking just inside the foyer. The door opened immediately.
Nathaniel went down the steps and came to stand near me. I watched Lucifer and the other three confer in quiet tones at the door. I couldn’t see Lucifer’s expression or hear what was said, but Jude was purple in the face and Samiel’s jaw was set.
“He’s controlling them by threatening your life,” Nathaniel said softly.
“He wouldn’t risk me,” I said, not mentioning the baby. As far as I knew Nathaniel was still unaware of the pregnancy. “He wants me for some purpose of his own.”
“They won’t risk you,” Nathaniel said. “No one can see into Lucifer’s heart, and they love you. So they will not take the chance that Lucifer might harm you out of spite.”
“Would you let him?” I asked, giving him a sidelong glance.
“No,” Nathaniel said firmly.
I was surprised. I’d expected the usual nonsense about having to obey the wishes of his master and whatnot.
“Whatever you may think, whatever my other motivations, you have come to mean something to me. I would not let anyone harm you if I could prevent it.”
He seemed sincere, but I didn’t know what to think. Just about every angel I’d ever met had seemed one thing and been another. Except Gabriel. He’d always been exactly what he seemed to be.
I didn’t know what to say to Nathaniel, so I just nodded in acknowledgment. This seemed to satisfy him for the moment, and we both looked away.
Lucifer approached us with a satisfied look on his face. Apparently he’d gotten his way. Jude, Samiel and Beezle all appeared angry and frustrated.
“Are we ready to depart, then?” Lucifer said, clapping his hands together.
“Just a moment,” Nathaniel said. “I have to discuss something with Samiel.”
Nathaniel went up to the porch. I watched him go, bewildered. What on earth could he have to discuss with Samiel?
Lucifer turned to me. “I hope you are prepared, granddaughter, for the trial ahead of you.”
“Titania and Oberon can’t be worse than you,” I said.
He smiled at me. “Not many are.”
“Normal people aren’t proud of things like that.”
Nathaniel returned a moment later, nodding at Lucifer. “My lord.”
“Off to see the wizard, then,” Lucifer said.
He took hold of my hand and Nathaniel’s, and a second later we winked out of sight.
It wasn’t like traveling through a portal. Portals are noisy, and windy, and painful. This was like passing through the heart of the universe. It was peaceful, and quiet. Above and beneath and beside us all the worlds unfolded like a beautiful string of pearls. Images passed by at a rapid rate, a flickering film of people, gods and monsters, cities and countries, mountains and oceans. And in one of them, I thought I saw, just for a moment…
“Gabriel!” I cried out, and tried to slip Lucifer’s hand, to go to him.
“Madeline,” he said firmly. “Do not let go, or you will fall into time and space and be lost forever.”
“I saw… I thought I saw…” The wound that I’d thought was scabbed over was bleeding anew. I’d seen him. I was sure of it.
“You saw what you wished to see,” Lucifer said.
