But then his icy focus was once more on me. “Just so you know, I wouldn’t have brought him back if it had come down to you summoning me.”

Another wave of shivers danced over my skin. “You knew I planned to do that?”

“Of course I did.” A tight smile appeared on Grim’s face. “I always know. I’m like Santa, but with more death.”

“Wow,” I murmured. “That comparison just ruined Christmas for me.”

“No life is worth being brought back,” he said. “Not even his.”

His comment sent a bolt of irritation through me. “Not to be rude, but why are you here? Just to lecture us?”

Silence filled the kitchen as Zayne shifted closer to me.

One side of Grim’s lips kicked up. “Pretty much.” He paused. “And I think you were knowingly being rude.”

I crossed my arms. “I was. It’s not personal,” I said, using Lucifer’s own words. “It’s just that I’m a little tired of angels doing nothing more than talk and air their grievances while everyone else is having to do the dirty work.”

“Hey,” Zayne said. “I’m more than talk.”

“You’re a Fallen. You don’t count in my sweeping and mostly accurate generalization,” I reasoned. “And by the way, why do you sound like you have a British accent?”

Grim eyed me. “Why would you even ask that?”

“I’m just curious.”

“You shouldn’t question what you cannot possibly understand.”

I rolled my eyes. “That makes no sense.”

“Well, at least I don’t sound like an American. ‘Y’all comin’ down to the crick to catch some catfish for a fish-and-fry,’” he mocked. “That’s how you sound.”

“We do not sound like that.”

“Yeah, you kind of do,” Roth said.

“What?” Layla demanded. “Even me?”

Roth shrugged. “Yeah, not as bad as Trinity, though. I blame West Virginia for that.”

My eyes narrowed. “I’m offended.”

“Your accent is cute,” Zayne assured me.

“I didn’t even realize I had an accent,” I said.

“And I didn’t realize I was here to talk about accents,” Grim replied.

“I also didn’t realize there was an actual reason,” I muttered.

Grim raised a dark eyebrow in my direction. “You know who you remind me of?”

“Someone you’ve probably killed at some point for annoying you?” I offered with a yawn.

He smirked. “You remind me of your father.”

My lip curled. “I think I’d rather remind you of someone you murdered.”

“You both have a quick mouth and lack of tact,” he continued. “Both you and your father are lucky I find that amusing.”

I opened my mouth, but Zayne curled his arm around my shoulders as he said, “Was there another reason?”

“Yes. I’m here to drive home the importance of you all finding Lucifer as soon as possible.”