Kurst screamed in Franks’ ear. “We will make Hell far worse for you this time, Franks!”

“Bring it.” Franks punched him again.

The C-17 exploded on impact.

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 20

Franks found himself back in the small white interrogation room with the angel sitting across from him. He groaned. “Not this shit again.”

“Good to see you too, Franks,” the interrogator said. “Believe me, there’s things I’d rather be doing as well.”

“Is Kurst banished?”

“You are a remarkably focused individual. Yes, he is. He has been cast back into Hell.”

As much as this place annoyed him, it certainly wasn’t the Void he knew so well. “Why aren’t I in Hell?”

“You’re not dead yet.”

“Hmmm . . .” Franks leaned back in his imaginary chair.

“I don’t think in the history of the mortal universe we’ve ever seen any spirit cling to life as tenaciously as you have. Much of your body, including a significant chunk of your brain and central nervous system, were hurled from the plane on impact. The MCB found you, and one of your men had the brilliant stroke of inspiration to place your remains into the only surviving Nemesis growth tank at the STFU bunker, which amazingly enough, hadn’t been damaged in the battle. This process stabilized you. This unlikely series of events culminated in your physical body being saved in the nick of time. You could go so far as to say that this was a miracle.”

“Yeah . . . A miracle.” Franks snorted. “So He’s not done with me yet?”

“Of course not. Your side of the covenant isn’t complete.”

Interesting. He’d been told that he would perish fulfilling his part of The Deal. “I kept my kind out. I should be dead.”

“No, Franks. That’s one faction of many, and the rest are lining up to challenge us for the future of this world. We are at a crossroads. What’s coming next is much worse. The mortal world still needs defenders. I don’t understand why, but you’re among those who have been given that calling. It isn’t my place to ask questions. You’ve still got a job to do.”

“What about Strayhorn? Did he have a job too?”

“We all have a purpose, but very few of us are smart enough to see what it is while we’re still alive.”

“Why would He let something like me have a son . . . and then take him away? That’s . . .”

“Unfair?”

Franks scowled.