"You're a prime example of humanity's stubbornness," Gabe said with a laugh. Strangely enough, that did make him feel a bit relieved, because it wasn't an inaccurate observation. But at the same time, the concern still stood--robbing them of the choice to decide wasn't something Gabriel intended to start doing every day.

"Besides," the Archangel added, looking at the detective sidelong. "You're a little biased, my friend." Not that Gabriel wasn't, but he did know a few more of the facts than Skulduggery did. Still, Skul was that very special kind of biased. The same biased Joby had been.

Gabriel had said before that his Lord had tried hard to stop humanity from feeling they weren't worthy of Him. Those words had been deliberate. He wasn't giving up on Skul just yet.