I wasn't sure which would be worse.
Chapter Two
“Should we call the God Squad?” Azrael asked.
“Let's do some investigating in Hell first,” I suggested. “Then we'll have more information for everyone to help us sort through.”
“Good idea,” Odin agreed. “In fact, why don't you two go home with Luke, and I'll go upstairs to let the others know what's happening. We'll contact the Squad while you're gone and, hopefully, they'll all be here by the time you return.”
“Thank you, Odin.” Luke shook the Norse God's hand.
“We're family; we take care of each other,” Odin said. “It's going to be okay, Lucifer.”
“I dearly hope so,” Luke said softly. “But if it's not, there will be hell to pay.”
No one could laugh at his choice of phrase. It was too horrible a situation, and there was far too much venom behind Luke's declaration. The would, indeed, be hell heaped upon whoever hurt the Devil's friends. Satan himself would rain down fire and brimstone once he found the culprit... if I didn't get to them first.
Odin headed upstairs—using the gilded-cage elevator instead of the grand staircase that spiraled up the center of Pride Palace—and the rest of us went straight to the tracing room. The elevator was set within the curve of the stairs—a column of gold and gears within the ribbon of stone—directly across from the tracing room. Both elevator and tracing room were within the foyer that was just outside the dining hall so it wasn't a far walk for any of us.
Odin went into the elevator just as the rest of us hurried into the small, stone tracing room. Luke held hands with his son and me and took us through the Aether; directing our journey to one of the paths into Hell. There were no direct routes; no tracing rooms in Hell itself. Even the Devil had to walk in like your average demon. Luke liked it that way.
“Where are we?” I asked as the blue sparks of the Aether faded away, and I got a good look around our new location.
We stood on a mountain ledge overlooking a glittering expanse of land. The sheer rock cliff dove into lacy clouds below us and then swept outward into a sparse forest of delicate trees. The land continued into gently rolling hills that undulated around a quaint, Medieval town. In the center of the town there was an enormous building that I would have labeled a cathedral; judging by its architecture. But there was no cross adorning the steeple, and the bulk of the building spread and branched off into a compound that looked more scholarly than spiritual. My dragon-enhanced vision was able to see men and women striding through this complex; carrying books and cups of coffee.
“Zebul,” Luke said.
“Excuse me?” I looked back at Luke.
“This is Dad's private entrance to Hell,” Azrael explained. “We're in Zebul, the Sixth Heaven. That is the Angelic University.” He waved toward the cathedral-esque structure.
“University?” I asked in surprise. “What exactly do Angels study?”
“Anything they wish,” Luke said simply but with some irritation in his tone.
“The Realms and the Universe,” Azrael got more specific than his father. “There are classes on Atlantean technology, magic, and human cultures. Any angel may attend at their convenience, but all of us are required to take refresher courses on how to interact with and assist humans.”
“Stop it,” I said with a smile. “You do not.”
“They do.” Azrael nodded. “Most use it as a time to reconnect with old friends and recommit to our original agreement with humans. They find it enjoyable.”
“You said 'they,' not 'we,'” I noted.
“My son is not allowed to attend.” Luke glowered at the University.
“Why not?” I asked angrily.
“His ties to Hell,” Luke said. “Proper angels don't live in Hell, according to them.”
“I'm so sorry, Az,” I whispered. “I imagine you would have liked to have gone.”
“I would have,” he agreed. “But I was very busy and didn't have time for classes anyway. I learned directly from humans, and I think I benefited from my experiences.”
“You're not busy anymore,” I pointed out. “And Jerry has been more inclined to be nice to you lately.”
Luke lifted his brows at his son. “You're friends with most of the angels who attend. It's not as if you wouldn't be welcome if you were given permission.”
“You want me to go to Angel School?” Azrael asked his father in surprise. “After I've retired?”
“You don't have to take the angel courses,” Luke said. “Take something that interests you. Why shouldn't you have access to that information? I built the darn school.”
“You built it, and they wouldn't let your son attend?” I asked; my anger turning to fury.
“Dad lost a lot when he surrendered the war,” Az said gently, “Zebul and the University included.”
“But I got back at them with this.” Luke waved us to a crevice in the rock face.
As we watched, the crevice expanded to reveal a glittering path through the mountain; lined with stones that matched Lucifer's eyes.
“It's become the ultimate challenge for the students,” Azrael explained. “Finding Satan's Gate within Zebul.”
“Satan's Gate?” I whispered as I strode forward. “Those look like diamonds.”
“They are. I wanted it to shout; Morningstar!” Luke said as he waved his hands in a manner denoting a banner above his head.
I admired the massive, circular diamonds—each over a foot in diameter—set into stone prongs so that light could reach their faceted bottoms. Their polished tops were only faceted along the edges; pulling even more light into their sparkling depths. It was as if giant engagement rings had been pushed into the earth side-by-side.
“I always thought the path to Hell should be lined with dead puppies,” I whispered.
“What?” Satan asked in shock.
“Well, you
