Demon Angel

a group of a few hundred.
    "So many?"
    Michael glanced at him. "You were an inspiration; they agreed that this is an age that does not need the influence of Above and Below."
    A hard laugh escaped him. "Did they misunderstand me so badly? A fine teacher I was." Better for humans to make their own way—and better were there no demons to tempt them; but as long as there were demons, there had to be Guardians to check them. If one Fell after losing faith, or five hundred Ascended to show theirs—it mattered little. But to destroy the corps when Lucifer still held power?
    "If it is any consolation, the majority of those who stayed were your students. And there were a few others who were on assignment on Earth." Michael shook his head. "It was inevitable; there were too many, and not enough were active. Lucifer's methods had changed, made him less visible—the danger was not so apparent or immediate." A wry smile pulled at his mouth. "I knew it was coming, though I'll admit I did not think it would be so many."
    "What will you do?"
    "Fight. There is little else to be done."
    There was no blame in Michael's tone, nor disapproval, but Hugh felt the cold, heavy weight of his Fall settle in his stomach, banking the fury that had burned there.
    But Michael was shaking his head. "It is better that you are human. If it ends, if they destroy the corps and slaughter the vampires, there will be no one who knows the truth—except for you."
    A burden Hugh would rather not bear.
    He rubbed his forehead with his free hand and thought of the other responsibilities he'd shunned. One, at least, he could make amends for immediately. Michael could offer protection that Hugh could not.
    "The vampire Colin Ames-Beaumont could assist your cause."
    The table trembled under the force of Michael's silent laughter. Hugh grinned a little as well, and added, "He is proficient with his sword."
    After another bout of laughter, Michael managed to say, "Selah is on her way to his residence. When you spoke with her, Lilith indicated her intention to see him."
    Hugh's humor vanished. He let the blanket fall from his shoulders, stood, and began pacing in long angry strides away from the table. Finally he turned and faced the Guardian. "You'll not kill her."
    Michael regarded him carefully. "A strange command, given the source."
    "Perhaps," Hugh said, his throat rough. "But you'll not kill her."
    "No," Michael said, and gracefully rose from his seat. "I won't. If I didn't in the thousand years after her transformation and before yours, I see no reason to do so now."
    Her transformation? Hugh frowned, but had no time to question the Guardian. Michael abruptly turned and walked toward one of the waiting ambulances and disappeared into the back of the vehicle.
    "Dr. Castleford?"
    Hugh turned. Detective Taylor had spoken his name, but her gaze slid past him. Toward the ambulance, Hugh realized. After a moment, her attention returned to him. "Did he speak to you?"
    "He brought me a blanket," Hugh said.
    He could see she wasn't satisfied, but she didn't pursue a more direct answer. Instead, she held out a small, clear evidence bag. "We found an identification card from San Francisco State. We cannot determine if it belongs to the body, of course, until forensics identifies the remains. Do you recognize this student?"
    Hugh knew it was the victim's; Michael had told him. He looked blindly at the small rectangle of plastic, letting the picture and letters blur. Cowardly not to focus, but he didn't want to know.
    "Dr. Castleford?"
    He blinked, and drew in a ragged breath. "Ian is one of my students."
    Taylor's mouth hardened into a thin line. "When was the last time you saw Mr. Rafferty?"
    "A month ago," he said, and forced the next words out. "At Auntie's."
    "Playing DemonSlayer," she said, her voice flat. "A game based on your book."
    "Yes."
    She lowered the evidence bag. "I'd like you to come to the station for an interview, Dr. Castleford. If it's convenient."
    "It is," he lied, and knew it was the first of many.
----

CHAPTER 14
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    Night had fallen by the time Lilith got off the train in Richmond. Slipping into an alley, she stripped off her shirt and jacket and vanished them. The skin on her back rippled as her wings materialized; she sighed in pleasure and took to the sky.
    A three-quarter moon rose behind her, slinging a dancing path of silver light across the bay. Each powerful beat of her wings made her feel strong, invincible. She