"All right," Gabe agreed after a moment. He wouldn't wish what they were about to see on any girl Valkyrie's age, or even on Fletcher's age, but it was a compromise and after what Gabriel was asking it was fair of Skul to make the request in turn. Actually, Gabe was a little surprised Skul hadn't argued more. Surprised, because in lieu of Skul, it was instead Raphael.
Which honestly wasn't all that much of a surprise.
"I should go," Rafe said with a frown. "You were just healed last night, Gabe. After that fight with Imemiah and the others, and the explosion, you have strength to husband."
"More than you?" Gabe asked, turning to his bother. "You've just arrived, you're still hurt, and you've had to heal me. I've more energy to spare than you, and Necromancy will hurt you worse than me. Michael might have cast the Fallen from Heaven, Rafe, but don't forget who sealed them to Earth. The Temple won't be any worse than Hell."
Rafe's mouth drew to a tight line. "At least let Merlin and I help you spin the wards. It would tax you to do it alone, against such a place as that. Between the three of us we can lighten the burden for any one."
Gabe hesitated. Merlin would be well able to do so, but Rafe ... Rafe was still injured and tired. More than Gabe, right now. "You're exhausted," Gabe said softly, holding Rafe's gaze. "You should let me and Merlin handle it alone." Raphael opened his mouth to object, but Gabe added quickly before he could, "Solomon will need you."
Rafe's mouth closed again and for a moment he looked at his brother with a keen gaze. Then he sighed and all the fight went out of him. "Very well. Merlin's still with Ms Sorrows, as far as I know. Mind if I borrow one of your phones?"
It was Kenspeckle who silently reached across to the other counter and handed his mobile over, eyes narrowed at the angels both. His thoughts, he kept to himself, though both angels could see them. Now wasn't the time for recriminations. Rafe gave him a nod and dialled the number he'd read from Skulduggery, raising it to his ear.
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Which honestly wasn't all that much of a surprise.
"I should go," Rafe said with a frown. "You were just healed last night, Gabe. After that fight with Imemiah and the others, and the explosion, you have strength to husband."
"More than you?" Gabe asked, turning to his bother. "You've just arrived, you're still hurt, and you've had to heal me. I've more energy to spare than you, and Necromancy will hurt you worse than me. Michael might have cast the Fallen from Heaven, Rafe, but don't forget who sealed them to Earth. The Temple won't be any worse than Hell."
Rafe's mouth drew to a tight line. "At least let Merlin and I help you spin the wards. It would tax you to do it alone, against such a place as that. Between the three of us we can lighten the burden for any one."
Gabe hesitated. Merlin would be well able to do so, but Rafe ... Rafe was still injured and tired. More than Gabe, right now. "You're exhausted," Gabe said softly, holding Rafe's gaze. "You should let me and Merlin handle it alone." Raphael opened his mouth to object, but Gabe added quickly before he could, "Solomon will need you."
Rafe's mouth closed again and for a moment he looked at his brother with a keen gaze. Then he sighed and all the fight went out of him. "Very well. Merlin's still with Ms Sorrows, as far as I know. Mind if I borrow one of your phones?"
It was Kenspeckle who silently reached across to the other counter and handed his mobile over, eyes narrowed at the angels both. His thoughts, he kept to himself, though both angels could see them. Now wasn't the time for recriminations. Rafe gave him a nod and dialled the number he'd read from Skulduggery, raising it to his ear.