Page 194 of Wicked Believer

I read Azrael’s expression earlier correctly.

This bladeisn’ta fake. Even if the one Michael had previously was.

My blood runs cold.

“Mother, we had an agreement,” Michael says. “Your Seer for my blade.”

“What?” Ian says, rounding on Michael, a desperate look in his eye as the blade he holds against Jax’s throat cuts into her skin and she starts to bleed.

She lets out a muffled cry, and I flinch.

Focus, Charlotte. Focus.

How am I supposed to get us both out of here?

“That wasn’t whatweagreed on,” Ian continues.

An idea strikes as I make my way toward the church’s sound and recording booth.Please, God. Please let this work. Please.

There are very few things I’ve prayed for harder.

The audio booth is exactly as I remember it, which makes it so I’m able to work quickly. It was only a few months ago I was regularly in here.

God, it seems like a whole lifetime has passed since then.

I focus my attention back on Michael as I move through the motions, trying to parse out the implications of what I’m overhearing. I could practically do this in my sleep.

If Michael used Ian and the Righteous to abduct Jax in exchange for the blade, therealone, that means ...

Lilith had the true blade all along.

The anthrax. Olivia . . .

It was all her.

But did sheactuallywant me dead?

Or was she playing Lucifer and Michael off one another?

She’s the one who destined me for Lucifer, after all.

I finish setting up the recording equipment, breathing deep to calm myself from where my hands are starting to shake.

But I’ve got this. How many times did I have to help the boomers in the congregation with the PR equipment? Too many times, if you ask me.

It’snotthat hard to learn.

You can look basically anything up on your phone these days.

Including a random Kansas megachurch’s livestream.

Michael may have his angelic army, but he won’t have the loyalty of the Righteous anymore. Not for long.

Not if it’s up to me.

“You honestly didn’t expect me to keep my word, did you?” he says to Ian. “You humans were always too trusting of anyone with wings. You might remember that Eve made the same mistake.”

“You promisedusthe blade. Rapture. That we’d enter God’s kingdom as the ones who made the Serpent fall, if only we did what you asked.” Ian looks a bit panicked as Lilith in all three of her forms circles him, and for a moment, I almost feel a little sorry for him.