British lions I had—huffed angrily.

“And a dumb-ass,” I added. “Besides Azrael's considerable strength, and that of his father and all of his demons, he has the support of several other powerful groups. I thought Jerry was smarter than this.”

“I thought so as well,” Azrael agreed. “He seemed completely cowed after we stormed Heaven.”

“Could it be another rogue angel?” Kirill asked. “Like ze angel who took Vervain?”

“Gabriel? Possibly,” Azrael murmured. “It's too soon to know.”

“Az!” An anxious male voice came from the tracing room. “Azrael, you here?”

“In here, Mike!” Azrael shouted back.

The Archangel Michael came rushing into the dining room wearing black leather pants. Matching black leather straps crisscrossed his chest, and a dog collar was buckled around his neck. Mike's blond hair was slicked back, and his blue eyes were lined with black kohl. We all gaped at him.

“Thank goodness!” Michael exclaimed when he saw Az. “I just received the most alarming text.”

“Where were you when you received this text?” Azrael's lips twitched as he looked pointedly over Michael's ensemble.

Mike froze, looked down at himself, and then blushed. “I... uh.” He cleared his throat. “I've met someone.”

“Someone into black leather straps?” I asked with glee.

“Among other things.” Mike smiled brilliantly. “She's fucking awesome, but never mind that. One of the Earthers texted me that his buddy had to clean up a Starbucks after you were jumped by a bunch of Virtues.”

Azrael went grim.

“No fucking way!” Michael shouted. “It's true?”

“What's an Earther?” I whispered to Az.

“An angel who works on Earth,” he said quickly before he answered Mike. “It's true. They were offended by my retirement.”

“We warned you, buddy,” Mike shook his head. “I mean; you know I got your back, but we told you this was going to make waves.”

“I don't give one flying fuck if it makes a damn tidal wave!” Azrael snapped. “Fuck them all! I deserve a life.”

“You do,” Mike said gently. “And that's why you have my support. I just had to get my 'told you so' in since I so rarely get to say that to you.”

Azrael's angry expression broke, and he smiled at his friend. “Thanks for coming to check on me, Mike.”

“Of course,” Mike huffed. “I love you, Bro.”

“I love you too,” Azrael said softly. “Except it feels really awkward to say that when you're dressed like an emo pervert.”

Michael winked at Azrael.

“What in all the fucks is going on in here?” Re roared as he entered the room. “First Odin shaves, then I hear someone spouting off the L word, and now there's an angel wearing bondage gear, standing in my fiance's dining room.”

We all gaped at Re.

“I wear the pretty face and the bondage gear in this family; is that clear?” Re snarled.

“Um, Re; this is Michael,” I introduced them, though they'd already met. “And since he's an archangel, I think he can wear whatever he wants.”

“Oh,” Re simmered down. “Hey, Mike.”

“Hey, Re.”

“I didn't recognize you in all the leather,” Re went on. “And make-up.”

“It's a new look I'm trying out,” Mike said conversationally.

“It's a good one, but I prefer the woven shirt instead of the buckled straps,” Re waved a hand at Mike's chest. “It doesn't chafe as much.”

“Oh, yeah?” Mike perked up. “I'll have to try that.”

“I'll give you the number of my tailor.”

“Anyway,” I said in a loud voice.

Both of the men turned to me with chastised looks.

“We were just talking about how Azrael got jumped by the Virtue Gang,” I said.

“The what?” Re frowned.

“The Virtues are a tier of angels,” Mike whispered to Re.

“You were attacked by your own pantheon?” Re asked Az with horror.

“My retirement has caused some ill will,” Az said.

“It's about to cause a lot more than ill will,” Re said in a deadly tone. “No one attacks my family and lives.”

“Wow.” Azrael blinked at Re. “Thanks. But let's wait until we know exactly who is behind this before we start killing angels.”

“Also,” I said with a serious expression, “that was totally hot.”

“It would have been hotter if I'd known to wear my leather,” Re grumbled.

Chapter Fourteen

The next unexpected guests were Luke and Holly; Azrael's parents. Word had finally reached Hell that their prince had been attacked. The Jewish-Christian-Islamic Pantheon had an odd hierarchy; its main god was technically Jerry (aka Jehovah), and its human followers recognized only the one god, but the angels and demons were Atlanteans and received a god-like status as far as energy and magic went. Lucifer and Holly “the Holy Spirit” Morningstar were the other two ruling gods of the Pantheon. Yes; the Holy Trinity was actually God the Father, Goddess the Holy Spirit, and God the Devil. But Jesus “the J-Man” didn't mind. Nor should he; he got more prayers than any of the gods in the true Trinity; although Satan received the most sacrifices.

Now, two parts of the Holy Trinity were pissed off.

“What in all the blazing fires of my Hell is going on?” Luke shouted as he walked into the dining room.

“Zese dramatic entrances are getting old,” Kirill murmured.

Odin and Trevor had returned, and we had called in the God Squad; excluding the Hindu gods—who were busy meeting with their pantheon to discuss the possibility of Dvārakā's rise; despite the assurances from Krishna—but including Toby.

“And I see that the God Squad was notified before I was,” Satan snarled.

“I didn't want to upset you, Dad,” Azrael said gently as he went to hug his father. “Take a deep breath; I'm all right.”

“But you were attacked by angels?” Luke asked.

“Yes; Virtues,” Azrael confirmed.

“Virtues,” Holly huffed as she went to hug Azrael. “As if a Virtue could hurt my son.”

“That's probably why they sent twelve of them,” Trevor offered.

Azrael glared

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