“Jesus,” I muttered. “BFFs means best friends forever. Seriously, I ask yet again, how am I supposed to be afraid of you when you don’t even know what that means?”

The tainted grace flared. “But you’re already afraid—afraid of me, of the role you’ve played in the deaths of so many. Terrified because I’m right about them.” He sneered. “The human race no longer deserves any more chances. They are without faith and damned, and God is just as lost as His creations are. Give in to your anger and join me.” Gabriel lifted his hands, palms up. “I will be the father you never had, and with us together, you will have your ruin.”

A laugh burst out of me—a loud, obnoxious and cackling laugh I couldn’t hold back as I stared at him.

Gabriel started to frown.

“I’m sorry. I know you’re trying to be all scary and threatening,” I said. “But all you need to add to that is ‘Luke, I am your father,’ and it would just be perfect.”

“I do not understand.”

“Of course you don’t.” I shook my head. “Is that gross stuff in your wings infecting your brain or something? Because you’re out of your mind.” I clasped the handle of the sword with both hands. “You’re right. I am angry, but I’m not irrational or stupid enough to blame anyone but you. You are the only thing I want revenge against. You may be the source of my rage, but you will not be my ruin.”

His lip curled in a snarl. “That is incredibly disappointing to hear, especially when I’m being so generous by giving you not one but two chances to make this easy on you. I will give you no more.”

Before I could formulate a less than wise response, Gabriel came at me. The only blessing was that he hadn’t summoned his grace.

It was a small blessing.

I swung the Sword of Michael, but he caught both of my wrists in his hands.

“I know someone who is dying to spend time with you.” Gabriel lifted me by the arms, clear off the ground. “Bael will be glad to hear that you’ve been less than willing. He has been so looking forward to getting to know you better.”

Panic threatened to take hold as my feet dangled in the air. Sparks of heavenly fire spit harmlessly in the space between our faces.

“Demons do love to get their mouths and teeth on anything with angelic blood in them.” Thin, inky black wisps seeped across his white eyes. “I only need you alive. I don’t necessarily need you in one piece.”

Pushing down the fear and panic, I tightened the muscles in my legs and stomach. “How would I still be alive if I’m not in one piece?”