Page 44 of Indecent

“It doesn’t have to be,” Ira said. “If I had a vision of you eating pizza and mentioned that it would happen, which caused you to start craving pizza, did I influence you, or would you have gotten pizza anyway?”

Daniel didn’t know how to answer that.

“Either way, the prophecy is fulfilled when you get pizza, whether I influenced you or not. Lucifer knew about the prophecy and knew we were going to war with the guild. Making you into a harbinger and giving you the symbol was already in the cards. Just because he knew it doesn’t mean it wasn’t always going to happen.”

Ashmedai rasped out a rusty laugh, sliding an arm around Nicolas’s shoulders. “We’re going to win.”

“I don’t think we ever had any doubt about that,” Talon said.

“The humans did,” Ashmedai replied, gesturing to the humans’ uncertain faces.

“They’re mortal,” Talon said with a dismissive wave. “They’ll learn.”

“Hey.” Alex pinched his side, and Talon squirmed away.

“Don’t get cocky,” Ira warned. “Just because we might be successful doesn’t mean we couldn’t lose people along the way. It’s still war. People get hurt.”

Cold spilled down Daniel’s spine. Yes, people would get hurt. They didn’t have any idea how to kill an angel, and that was a huge complication when they were getting ready for battle with the guild. He’d never forget the way Chaol screamed when the angel grabbed him.

“Okay,” Shadrach said. “We know how to deal with the guild. They’re humans, albeit well-armed ones. We’ve amassed a little army of our own in your absence, Danny boy.” He gestured to the crowd of people outside their regular little circle. “After your untimely demise, Talon sent a warning to the guild. Anyone who didn’t want to fight could defect. Some of them have opted not to fight at all, but many have come here, either for help or to pledge to our cause. We’ve also used Talon’s role as the new leader of the LA demons to have them on the lookout for paladins on patrol. They’ll kill any they come across. The only real problem we have now is: how the fuck do we kill an angel?”

“That’s the million dollar question,” Talon said, sitting back and toying with the back of Alex’s hair. “I don’t suppose Lucifer gave you any ideas?”

“He just said he couldn’t be killed in Hell,” Daniel said. “He can be killed here, because he has a physical body, but no, he didn’t say how.”

“Wonderful.”

“Demons can be killed by holy things, right?” Luke said. “What if angels can be killed by demonic things? Like Valac or Ashmedai’s powers?”

“Or a harbinger’s powers,” Talon suggested, giving Daniel a pointed look. “Lucifer created you for a reason.”

Daniel bristled. “He didn’t create me. I already existed. He just… gave me a little boost.”

“As far as Hell is concerned, he created you,” Talon said coolly. “Human souls are all but worthless down there.”

Daniel scowled, and Alex reached out to pinch him again. Talon caught his hand this time, drawing Alex under his arm.

“I’m not saying I feel that way, little bird. That’s just the general consensus of Hell. And stop pinching me.” He bared his teeth at Alex, who laughed and leaned into him.

“It’s worth a try,” Valac said, getting them back on track. The black tattoo-like lines on his body swirled as though in excitement. “Between the three of us, surely we could bring this creature down.”

“I’m not sure I like the idea of you going up against something holy,” Julian said uncertainly, tugging Valac’s large hand into his lap and worrying at his fingers. “Anything holy hurts you, right?”

“We will be careful,” Valac promised. “But the sooner we figure out what hurts this angel, the sooner we can end the threat he poses.”

Daniel added, “Congregating here might be dangerous. If this angel has some way of tracking or sensing us, we could be in danger. There are a lot of powerful demons here.”

“We can’t just abandon the place,” Nathan said, looking around at the crowded room.

“It’s warded, too,” Luke pointed out.

“Against demons,” Daniel said. “I have a feeling they won’t work against an angel. But you’re right, we shouldn’t abandon it. We should…” He shook his head. He didn’t know. “Lay low or stand guard or something.” He massaged his forehead. There was strength in numbers, right?

“First of all, you need some rest,” Nicolas said kindly.

“No, I need to find Chaol.” He wouldn’t be able to rest until he knew the demon was okay. And reminded him who he belonged to.

“I’m sure he hasn’t gone far,” Valac said. “We don’t like being far away from our people.”