“An archangel,” Tagas whispered. “And given your history with Lord Samael, you were compelled to suspect him.”
“That and the fact that it would make sense for another death angel to be offended by Azrael's retirement,” I added.
“We just want to rule him out,” Ted said with a good-natured smile.
“How can I help?” Tagas asked.
“You keep watch over Makhon when Samael's gone,” Azrael noted. “So, you know when he's in residence.”
“Yes.” Tagas nodded.
“Has he left recently?” Azrael asked. “Say, a few days ago?”
“He did leave,” Tagas said. “But I can't see how that proves anything.”
“Have you noticed any strange behavior on his part?” Ira asked. “Or maybe outbursts associated with Azrael?”
Tagas went solemn. “I have been witness to several such incidents lately. Lord Samael is furious that Azrael was able to leave his duties while he cannot.”
“Why couldn't he?” I asked.
“Samael is too closely tied to Jerry,” Azrael answered for Tagas. “He is the wrath of god and must be available for Jerry to unleash at any moment.”
“Yes, precisely,” Tagas said. “However, Lord Samael may hiss and snap, but he rarely bites.”
“Snake references,” I chuckled. “Nice one.”
“Snake references?” Odin asked.
“Samael is a snake-shifter,” I said. “Didn't I tell you?”
“You may have.” Odin shrugged. “I don't recall.”
“Tagas is right; Samael doesn't do vengeance; he has enough of that when dealing with Jerry's,” Azrael said. “I think we're wasting our time here.”
“Hold on,” Ted said. “Samael was gone at the right time, and he's been heard raging about you, Az. If anything, I'm more inclined to think it's him.”
“Search his home, if you like,” Tagas offered. “Though I agree with Azrael; this is a waste of time.”
“Better to cover all bases,” Ira said.
“You guys look through Samael's stuff,” Ted said. “I'm going to talk to the other angels.”
“You're just going to walk around and ask the angels if they have seen Samael plotting against Az?” I asked.
“Something like that.” Ted shrugged. “Except with finesse.”
“It's not going to work.” Ira shook his head. “Those angels won't rat on their leader.”
“We'll see about that.” Ted sauntered away.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
I had assumed that the palace we had entered Makhon through was Samael's. It was not. Samael didn't want to live in the same place where the angels of the territory—and there were a lot of them—trace in. That was simply too much foot traffic—or wing traffic, as it were. So, Samael lived somewhere nearby. Tagas led us around the edge of the sleeping forest, on a cobblestone path, to a more modest structure of pale green stone.
“Aw, it's the color of his eyes,” I observed.
“What about Lilith?” Azrael asked Tagas. “Did she go to dinner with Samael tonight?”
“Lilith and Samael have been at odds these last few months,” Tagas said. “They had a violent disagreement, and then the Lady took some belongings and left Makhon.”
“Lilith left Samael?” Azrael's eyes widened.
“And you didn't think to tell us?” Odin asked.
“Is it relevant?” Tagas looked more surprised than Azrael.
“It could be,” Azrael said gently. He gave Tagas a pointed look and added, “Depending on what they were arguing about.”
“Oh!” Tagas blinked rapidly. “You think that perhaps Lilith was protesting an attack on your person?”
“Lilith is a Luke supporter,” Azrael said. “She would never condone an attack on me.”
“Wait.” I held up a hand. “Samael—the guy who is a staunch Jerry-atric—is married to a Luker?”
“What did she just say?” Tagas gaped at me.
“My wife has a delightful tendency of making up words.” Azrael chuckled. “I believe she is trying to be humorous by labeling the supporters of Jerry as Jerry-atrics and those of my father as Lukers.”
“Oh, I see,” Tagas murmured as my husbands chortled.
“Jerry-atrics,” Odin repeated. “I have to admit; that's clever.”
“Thank you,” I said. “But no one has answered me. Why is Samael married to someone who supports Luke?”
“Love conquers all.” Tagas shrugged.
“Though it has made their relationship rocky,” Azrael noted. “Their children supported my father as well, and they became demons after the war ended.”
“Shiver me timbers!” I declared. “No wonder Samael doesn't like you.”
“I told you that he had his reasons,” Azrael said dryly. “And it also happens to be the reason that Samael and Lilith fight a lot. I think we're reading more into this than is warranted.”
“That's why I didn't mention the argument.” Tagas nodded. “The Lord and Lady of Makhon argue often.”
“But it doesn't usually result in Lilith leaving the Fifth Heaven,” Sam said. “Not from what I've heard.”
“You're correct, Lord Samuel,” Tagas agreed. “Lady Lilith's exodus is unusual.”
“So, it must have been an argument of note.” Sam looked at Azrael grimly.
“Let's just get this search over with, and then we can try to find Lilith,” Odin said before Azrael could get upset.
“So be it,” Azrael huffed. “Tagas, you may join us to supervise or you may leave so that you're able to claim ignorance.”
“I'll take the ignorance, Lord Azrael,” Tagas said. “Just make sure to leave everything as you find it.”
“Of course.” Az shook Tagas' hand. “Thank you for your help.”
“There is only one place where you may find evidence of Lord Samael's innocence or guilt,” Tagas said before he left. “His study. Samael keeps journals regarding every important event in his life.”
“That's convenient,” Trevor said.
“He is a historian,” Tagas explained. “One of the forms he takes is covered in eyes. Lord Samael cannot help but watch, and when you see as much as he does, you tend to want to record it.” Tagas bowed and left.
“Covered in eyes?” I whispered in horror.
“It's not something you want to see,” Azrael said with
