Skin Game
Page 87
Holy crap.
The last time an archangel Fell, Im pretty sure there were extended consequences.
Uriel smiled faintly at Michael. Im confident that you wont. His smile turned a little green. I would, however, appreciate it if you . . . did not push any buttons or pull any of the levers in my giant passenger jet.
How could you do this? Michael breathed.
You need the reading light, Uriel said. You have more than earned whatever help I can give. And you are a friend, Michael.
What happens to you, while I . . . borrow your jet? Michael asked.
Transubstantiation, Uriel said. He gestured with his bloodied fingers.
Butters finally chimed in. Holy. Crap. Hes mortal?
And he can die, I said quietly.
Thirty-two
The fire crackled.
Because, obviously, I said, there wasnt enough on the line already.
Uriel smiled. It was a tight, pained expression.
Take it back, Michael said. Youve got to take it back, right now.
I can do that, Uriel said. If that is your choice, I will respect it.
Something in his voice triggered my instincts, and I said, Michael, wait. Think about this.
Whats to think about? Michael asked. An archangel of the Lord is vulnerable.
Right, I said, and spread my hands. Almost as if he thinks this is important or something. Or maybe you figure Uriel for the kind of guy who hands out this kind of power all willy-nilly, every time the wind blows. I looked at Uriel. Right?
Uriel helped Butters get another blanket around the shuddering Karrin, watched us, and said nothing.
Yeah, I said. You can tell when youre on the right track, because he shuts up and doesnt tell you a damned thing. Its about the Grail, isnt it? About what Nicodemus wants to do with it.
Uriel gave me a knowing look.
I flushed and said, Im playing my cards close to the chest, okay? I know its about more than that.
He put his hand on Karrins head and smiled at her encouragingly.
Michael shook his head and walked over to where hed set Amoracchius after hed drawn it from his belt once we had Karrin inside. He picked it up absently, and started cleaning the water from it carefully with one of the used towels. Youre asking me to make a very large choice.
Yes, Uriel said.
With potentially horrible consequences.
Uriel looked at him with sympathetic eyes and nodded.
Can you tell me what is at stake, that I should risk this?
Urielfrowned, considering the question for a moment. Then he said, A soul.
Michael raised his eyebrows. Oh, he said. You should have said that from the beginning. He extended the Sword and looked down the length of its blade. Im not retired at the moment, he said. What about my family?
The guards remain, Uriel said. I have taken your place.
Michael exhaled and some of the tension eased out of him. Right. Though this is going to draw attention here again.
It might.
And your protection doesnt extend to the merely mortal, Michael said.
No.
So mortals could enter, and kill you. Kill them.
Potentially, he said.
Guys, Butters said, we need to get her to a hospital.
Right, I said. Heres the plan. Butters drives Murphy to the hospital and tells the guys at SI she needs looking after.
Those guys cant stop someone like Nicodemus, Butters said.
No, I said, but they can force him to get noisy if he wants to get to her, and Nick wont want that until after the job. He might send some of his squires to do it, but SI can go up against them just fine. Michael, will you loan Butters a car?
Of course, Michael said.
Good. Theyll help you unload her at the emergency room, Butters.
Right, Butters said. Great.
Im going to go clean up out front, I said. Whats left of the Sword, shell casings, what have you. Those shots were muffled by the sleet, but we dont need to leave things lying around in case some busybody called the cops.
Leaving me to talk to Charity alone, Michael said drily.
Yeah, funny how that worked out, I said. Where is she, anyway?
In the panic room with Mouse and the kids, Michael said. Little Harry was all but bouncing off the walls, he was so excited. I didnt want him seeing . . . He nodded toward Karrin. Ill sound the all clear as soon as she and Butters leave.
Good call, I said.
What should I do? Uriel asked.
Sit, I said. Stay inside. Dont put pennies in the outlets or play with matches or run with scissors.
I dont understand, Uriel said.
Take no chances, I clarified.
Oh, yes. He frowned and said, But I want to help.
So sit, I said. Sitting quietly is very helpful.
The last time an archangel Fell, Im pretty sure there were extended consequences.
Uriel smiled faintly at Michael. Im confident that you wont. His smile turned a little green. I would, however, appreciate it if you . . . did not push any buttons or pull any of the levers in my giant passenger jet.
How could you do this? Michael breathed.
You need the reading light, Uriel said. You have more than earned whatever help I can give. And you are a friend, Michael.
What happens to you, while I . . . borrow your jet? Michael asked.
Transubstantiation, Uriel said. He gestured with his bloodied fingers.
Butters finally chimed in. Holy. Crap. Hes mortal?
And he can die, I said quietly.
Thirty-two
The fire crackled.
Because, obviously, I said, there wasnt enough on the line already.
Uriel smiled. It was a tight, pained expression.
Take it back, Michael said. Youve got to take it back, right now.
I can do that, Uriel said. If that is your choice, I will respect it.
Something in his voice triggered my instincts, and I said, Michael, wait. Think about this.
Whats to think about? Michael asked. An archangel of the Lord is vulnerable.
Right, I said, and spread my hands. Almost as if he thinks this is important or something. Or maybe you figure Uriel for the kind of guy who hands out this kind of power all willy-nilly, every time the wind blows. I looked at Uriel. Right?
Uriel helped Butters get another blanket around the shuddering Karrin, watched us, and said nothing.
Yeah, I said. You can tell when youre on the right track, because he shuts up and doesnt tell you a damned thing. Its about the Grail, isnt it? About what Nicodemus wants to do with it.
Uriel gave me a knowing look.
I flushed and said, Im playing my cards close to the chest, okay? I know its about more than that.
He put his hand on Karrins head and smiled at her encouragingly.
Michael shook his head and walked over to where hed set Amoracchius after hed drawn it from his belt once we had Karrin inside. He picked it up absently, and started cleaning the water from it carefully with one of the used towels. Youre asking me to make a very large choice.
Yes, Uriel said.
With potentially horrible consequences.
Uriel looked at him with sympathetic eyes and nodded.
Can you tell me what is at stake, that I should risk this?
Urielfrowned, considering the question for a moment. Then he said, A soul.
Michael raised his eyebrows. Oh, he said. You should have said that from the beginning. He extended the Sword and looked down the length of its blade. Im not retired at the moment, he said. What about my family?
The guards remain, Uriel said. I have taken your place.
Michael exhaled and some of the tension eased out of him. Right. Though this is going to draw attention here again.
It might.
And your protection doesnt extend to the merely mortal, Michael said.
No.
So mortals could enter, and kill you. Kill them.
Potentially, he said.
Guys, Butters said, we need to get her to a hospital.
Right, I said. Heres the plan. Butters drives Murphy to the hospital and tells the guys at SI she needs looking after.
Those guys cant stop someone like Nicodemus, Butters said.
No, I said, but they can force him to get noisy if he wants to get to her, and Nick wont want that until after the job. He might send some of his squires to do it, but SI can go up against them just fine. Michael, will you loan Butters a car?
Of course, Michael said.
Good. Theyll help you unload her at the emergency room, Butters.
Right, Butters said. Great.
Im going to go clean up out front, I said. Whats left of the Sword, shell casings, what have you. Those shots were muffled by the sleet, but we dont need to leave things lying around in case some busybody called the cops.
Leaving me to talk to Charity alone, Michael said drily.
Yeah, funny how that worked out, I said. Where is she, anyway?
In the panic room with Mouse and the kids, Michael said. Little Harry was all but bouncing off the walls, he was so excited. I didnt want him seeing . . . He nodded toward Karrin. Ill sound the all clear as soon as she and Butters leave.
Good call, I said.
What should I do? Uriel asked.
Sit, I said. Stay inside. Dont put pennies in the outlets or play with matches or run with scissors.
I dont understand, Uriel said.
Take no chances, I clarified.
Oh, yes. He frowned and said, But I want to help.
So sit, I said. Sitting quietly is very helpful.
