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Now that Uriel is dead, they have a shortage of archangels Raffe see in and out of consciousness as we race down the bay to the nearest working – or at least standing – hospital

The Watchers are executing Raffe’s orders and reporting back to hiels are so shell-shocked that they’re just following orders

I get the i as it sounds reasonable to theroup that’s so used to following orders that they probably wouldn’t knohat to do without soe I’es for me too, just because it’s easy for now I’istics of et to shore In theory, they’re followingwhatever the Tweedle Twins tell thelance over at Raffe for the hundredth tiave rees, and no et war all the Watchers and angels surrounding hi on one of the bench seats of the speedboat that the twins found for us

The angels and Watchers move aside and look at me expectantly Then they all take off into the blue sky Raffe is conscious and looking atbaby by insisting on holding his hand in front of the angels, but the urge is strong I don’t want to embarrass hione, I sit beside him and hold his hand It’s warm, and I pull it to iveshi you the new Messenger?’

‘Hardly’ His voice is raw ‘I fought against then for election The only thing that saves s to save theelic pestilence’

‘You could have had it all, Raffe Once Uriel was out of the way, you would have been back with the angels And they er’

‘Saer who used to have des It’s unseemly’ He winces and closes his eyes ‘Besides, I don’t want the job We’ve sent word out to Archangel Michael to get his stubborn ass back here He doesn’t want the title either’

‘There sure was a lot of fuss over a job that no one wants’

‘Oh, lots of angels want the job, just not the ones who should have it Power is best held by the ones who don’t want it’

‘Why don’t you want it?’

‘I have better things to do’

‘Like what?’

He opens one eye and looks at irl to admit she’s madly in love withfarm that you want, what is it?’ he asks

I s ‘How about a safe place to live where we don’t have to scrounge for food or fight for it?’

‘It’s yours’

‘That’s it? All I have to do is ask?’

‘No There’s a price for everything’

‘I knew it What is it?’

‘Me’

I s ‘I need you to be very clear right now I haven’t slept in forever, and I’ve been living off of adrenaline, which isn’t the best lifestyle for hu to make me spell it out?’

‘Yes Spell it’

He stares deep into my eyes It irl’s Oh, wait I a if that’s how I’m supposed to bat my eyelashes