‘Uriel says that Gabriel went insane,’ says Raffe. ‘That he hasn’t actually spoken to God in eons. Maybe never.’

Most of the Watchers stare at him openmouthed. A couple of them, though, nod as if they had been suspecting this for some time.

‘I have no idea if it’s true,’ says Raffe. ‘Nobody does, except for Gabriel. But it does seem like he was wrong about the nephilim. I’d been telling myself that it was a mistake. But now . . . who knows what else he was wrong about?’ He glances at me.

‘In the end, it doesn’t really matter,’ says Hawk. ‘Our loyalties are to you, whatever happens.’

‘Do you have a plan, Commander?’ asks Thermo.

‘Sure,’ says Raffe. ‘The plan is to bust you out, then you’ll help me take down Uriel.’

Everyone’s face changes. I’m not sure if it’s awe or disbelief. Maybe a little of both.

‘Don’t get excited,’ says Raffe. ‘We don’t know if we can all get out. And even if we can, we don’t know what’s waiting on the other side.’

He glances at Beliel, who looks excited at the thought of getting out. ‘Sacrifices will need to be made.’

Chapter 42

42

The Watchers are sure there are more hellions in the direction where the first ones came from. We decide to split up to increase our chances of finding them.

‘Howler and Cyclone, come with me,’ says Raffe. ‘The rest of you, split into small groups and each take a direction. We’ll meet back here.’ He looks at the sky. ‘How do you tell time here?’

‘It’ll get hotter,’ says Thermo. ‘We can meet when we feel like we’re baking.’

‘That’d be now,’ says Howler.

‘We’ll meet when Howler feels like he’s burning and the rest of us feel like we’re baking,’ says Raffe. ‘Ready?’

‘Uh, can I go with Thermo?’ asks Howler.

‘Thermo?’ asks Raffe. ‘The last time I assigned you with him, you said it was dangerous to pair up with him because you were afraid you’d fall asleep on the mission.’

‘Yeah, that’s why he’ll be the odd man out, and if I go with him, I won’t have to go with you and your Daughter of Man.’

‘Good point,’ says Cyclone. ‘Can I go with Howler and Thermo? They’re helpless without me.’

Howler snorts.

‘What’s wrong with going with me?’ I ask.

‘No one wants to be stuck with love birds.’ Howler shakes his head.

‘Awkward,’ says Cyclone, already walking toward Thermo.

‘You think I’d do something to risk a fall?’ asks Raffe.

‘You can’t fall for anything you do here, Commander,’ says Thermo. ‘You’re already in the Pit, so technically, it’s equivalent to being in a Fallen state during the time you’re here.’

The heat intensifies in my cheeks, and I want to crawl behind a rock.