A Candle in the Sun

by L. J. LaBarthe

  “There you are,” Raziel said, leaning over and patting Tzadkiel’s shoulder. “Back on track and focusing on the important things.”

  “Thanks,” Tzadkiel drawled.

  “You’re welcome. And may I suggest that you and your two companions there take some time off once the trials are all over. You need to rest and relax just as much as any of us. And if you won’t, I’ll go upstairs and ask God to order you.”

  Tzadkiel stuck his tongue out at Raziel. “Fine,” he said, relenting. “You’re right, I know you are. We’re all stressed out, and we’re all tired. There’re only a few more years until the end of this century; it’s probably the best course of action for us to spend those years involved in things that aren’t stressful. Who knows what the next century will bring?”

  “What a cheerful thought,” Uriel said. “Damn, Tzad. I was hoping the next century would be a quiet one.”

  “You’ll get around fifteen years, give or take,” Raziel said to him. “Any more rest and recuperation and you’ll get a potbelly.”

  “I beg your damn pardon, I will damn well not!” Uriel looked mortally offended.

  Raziel grinned at him and hugged him, awkwardly, given the positions they were sitting in. “I still love you, baby.”

  “Hmph. I love you too.”

  “Hush,” Tzadkiel said, “the judges are coming in, things are getting underway.”

  “Where’s the rest of our choir and the Archdemons?” Raziel asked in an undertone.

  “Down there.” Tzadkiel pointed toward the semicircle of member seats. “Just behind the member for Russia.”

  “Ah.” Raziel nodded and sat back once more, settling in for a long day of testimony and judicial process.

  IT WAS after 8:00 p.m. when Raziel and Uriel returned to the hotel they had taken a room at. Raziel was tired, and he wanted no more than to lie on the large, comfortable bed and relax, to stretch out and enjoy the luxury of soft sheets and warm blankets. Uriel was muttering under his breath as they climbed the three shallow steps that led to the door, and Raziel wondered what was on his lover’s mind.

  He decided to wait until they were alone to ask, and as he opened the door to enter the hotel, Uriel reached out and stopped him.

  “Just a minute, Razzy. You go on up to our room, and I’ll go get us some food.”

  Raziel quirked an eyebrow at him. “That’s awfully kind of you. Why?”

  “Because I want to eat and I know you do too.”

  “No, why are you being kind?”

  “I can be kind,” Uriel said. “Keep going on like this, though, and you can get your own damn food.”

  Raziel grinned at him and reached over to ruffle Uriel’s hair. “Sorry. That’d be good. You getting the food, that is, not making me get my own.”

  “Because I am awesome,” Uriel said grandly. “After you.”

  “Thanks.” Raziel shook his head in amusement and opened the door. He nodded politely to the concierge on duty and made his way toward the elevator that would take him up to the top floor and the large, palatial room that he and Uriel were sharing. As he walked over to the elevator and pressed the call button, Raziel idly wondered if Max and Minnie would be called on to appear in the courtroom, or if the information in the pages of their very detailed statements would be sufficient.

  He pondered that as the elevator doors opened, and he stepped inside, leaning against the rear wall after he pressed the button to take him to the top floor. If they had to appear, well, he and Uriel would make sure they were conveyed safely. He imagined that Max would rather not appear before a court—he wouldn’t want to have to detail what sort of things he did when he wasn’t working for the Archangels. Raziel wondered if he could get Tzadkiel to make sure that was a line of questioning that wouldn’t come up and then he dismissed it. No, it would be best to make sure that Minnie and Max wouldn’t have to come to The Hague at all.

  The door chimed and then slid open and Raziel stepped out into the empty hallway. He walked down it toward his room, using his power to unlock and open the door. Once inside, Raziel sat down on one of the leather upholstered wingback armchairs and pulled off his boots and socks, then his shirt and tie. He stood up and shucked his trousers and, naked, padded into the bathroom to take a quick shower.

  He heard Uriel return, heard his lover lock the door with his power. Finishing up in the shower, Raziel quickly dried himself off then knotted a towel around his hips and went out into the living room. Uriel had brought up a simple meal of baguettes, several different kinds of cheese, and sliced fruit.

  “That looks good,” Raziel said as he sat down.

  “So do you,” Uriel said. He leered at Raziel and Raziel winked at him.

  “After we eat.”

  “Okay.”

  They ate everything in short order and then Raziel stood up and let the towel slip from his hips to the carpet.

  “Oh now that’s a fucking beautiful view,” Uriel purred. He crooked a finger at Raziel. “Come here.”

  “Why not go to the bed?” Raziel asked even as he walked over to Uriel.

  “Getting there.” Uriel tugged Raziel down onto his lap and kissed him hard and Raziel hummed happily as he kissed Uriel back, just as hard.

  “Tomorrow, Uri, we have to make sure that they don’t call Max and Minnie to testify.”

  “I know. I heard you thinking about it before. I’ve already told Tzad and he said they’re not listed on the witness list. He doesn’t think they’ll be called, but he’ll make certain if it’s necessary.”

  “Good. Thank you. You’re awesome.”

  “I fucking am.”

  “And so modest.”

  “Modesty’s for Michael.”

  Raziel laughed into the kiss at that. “Take me to bed,” he said as he ended the kiss, resting his forehead against Uriel’s.

  “With pleasure,” Uriel said, and he moved them, teleporting straight to the bed and to its welcoming comfort of soft cotton sheets and fluffy wool blankets.

  Raziel used his power to get Uriel naked, and he ran his hands down Uriel’s back to his ass. “Mm, now this is what I want.”

  “Just my ass, huh?”

  “And the rest of you.” Raziel tilted his head as Uriel nuzzled his neck. “Thanks for today, babe.”

  “You’re welcome. Which bit are you thanking me for exactly?”

  “For what you said about the Venatores and Yaak. For telling Tzad that his idea to separate them all was ridiculous.”

  “Oh that.” Uriel pulled back and braced himself on one arm, looking down at Raziel. “It’s the truth. You were right, I agreed with you then and now. Those kids went through hell down there. Separating them for some stupid idea of keeping their testimonies pristine, after so much time’s gone by, is dumb. Tzad forgets sometimes, I think, that carbon apes talk. Hell, he forgets that angelkind talk. We’re all gossips of one sort or another. And shit, Razzy, those kids needed to talk out what they went through.”

  Raziel reached up to touch Uriel’s cheek. “I love you,” he said. “I love the way you think—most of the time. I love how you’re fair even when you’re cranky.”

  “Just don’t tell anyone about the last part,” Uriel said, turning his head so he could kiss Raziel’s palm. “That’s a secret.”

  “Got it. And as I’m secrets and mysteries, you know it’ll be safe.”

  “Exactly what I was counting on, babe.” Uriel grinned. “So, where were we?”

  “Round about here, I think.” Raziel tugged Uriel down and kissed him again, spreading his legs and giving a little buck up into Uriel’s body. The action elicited a low moan, and Raziel groaned in response as he felt Uriel’s hands on him, his body pressing against his own.

  “Everything’s going to be okay, Razzy.”

  “I know. It’ll be doubly so with you by my side.”

  “That’s a given. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Best words ever.”

  AT THE end of the first week of t
he trial, Gabriel found himself walking along the edge of a park with Michael, Tzadkiel, and Samael. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining in a cloudless sky, and there was a light wind that stirred the tree branches and the grass, ruffling the hair of the four Archangels as they walked.

  “How can I say we’re completely transparent with our case when I can’t call or mention to the prosecution the existence of some of the key witnesses?” Tzadkiel was asking. “Uri and Raz want me to avoid mentioning Max and Minnie. Ahijah’s told me not to call Hiwa because the Russians will pounce on him the moment he’s finished testifying, and to rely solely on Piotr’s words about the gulag. The FBI won’t let Arthur appear because he’s some kind of undercover operative for them. Lilith won’t appear because Lucifer refuses to permit it. How are we supposed to convict Transom when I’m hindered by everyone?”

  “Forgive me, but I fear I do not understand.” Michael was frowning, and Gabriel thought to himself that Michael had been frowning for several weeks now. He was determined to get his beloved away from The Hague as soon as possible, even if it was only for one night.

  “What don’t you understand?” Tzadkiel asked.

  “This is a trial unlike any other that has occurred in these hallowed halls of The Hague, is it not? It is unlike the extraordinary trials at Nuremburg in the mid-twentieth century, after World War Two. There has been nothing like these before, and even the procedures have been altered to satisfy the rule of international law because of the nature of the crimes. So I do not understand why the lack of some witnesses is distressing you.”

  That was a good point, Gabriel thought.

  “You sound like Raz and Uriel,” Tzad said. Then he let out a loud sigh. “I suppose I just want to be thorough. I hate that there are things I can’t do anything about.”

  “Do you think these suggestions regarding those who should not be brought into testify are valid?” Samael asked. “I understand completely why Ahijah is worried, for instance. Hiwa has led a… colorful life. He would no sooner step down from the witness stand than he would be snatched up by the FSB and taken to Russia. Now, I cannot say that I agree with much that young Hiwa has done in his life, but he has also done a vast amount of good. I would be distressed to hear that he had been executed, not to mention how Ishtahar, Remiel, and Ahijah would feel.”

  “I know, I know.” Tzadkiel walked off the path they were following and went to a large bench beneath an oak tree, its broad, shady limbs thick with leaves. Gabriel smiled up into the foliage as he followed with Michael and Samael, seeing the large numbers of birdlife up in the higher branches and greeting them telepathically. As Tzadkiel sat down on the bench, Samael and Michael with him, Gabriel sprawled on the ground, on a patch of grass that was bordered by dirt.

  “So why are you ranting?” Gabriel asked, as he toyed with a fallen leaf. “You’ve told the lawyers, yeah? So why are you having a mini-tanty now?”

  “Because I’m pissed off,” Tzadkiel said. “I’m pissed off at you and Mike, because of what happened with Lily.”

  “Hey now,” Gabriel interrupted, “the kids called us. They wouldn’t have if they didn’t feel threatened, and that’s on you, Tzad, and your two lieutenants.”

  Tzadkiel scowled at him. “Why is everyone so damn reasonable about this? You’re all making me feel illogical!”

  “Language, gentlemen,” Michael said primly.

  At the same time, Samael laid his hand on Tzadkiel’s arm. “Dear Tzadkiel,” he said in his deep, rich voice, “perhaps you’re feeling illogical not so much because of what is being said, but because it is what you know to be true but refuse to acknowledge openly.”

  Tzadkiel shot him a dark look and then he sighed and slumped, leaning back against the bench. “Yeah, you’re right.”

  “There now, did that hurt you so very badly?” Samael asked gently. As Tzadkiel shook his head, Samael smiled. “I didn’t think that it would. We all understand that this is an important case, that it is the first time since the beginning of the war that the humans have taken charge of things by themselves. That in itself is worthy of celebration, is it not? This is their planet, after all, and these crimes were committed upon it and upon their fellows, upon the monsters and the demons. That they have stepped up to take charge of punishment is admirable, more so because young Arthur of Purgatory took the initiative and informed them when we had decided not to. We are old and accustomed to protecting the humans, but even as with children, they grow and learn and come into their own. We need to step back and remain as guardians, called upon for advice and for company rather than for bringing down retribution and judgment.”

  Gabriel looked at Samael with deep respect. He saw that Tzadkiel’s expression reflected how he felt and that Michael was nodding in silent agreement. The Archangel of Death had seen more than any of them, Gabriel thought, more of the best of humanity and the worst, and if anyone was to say this then it would be him. Or Remiel, Gabriel added in the silence of his mind. Death and mercy went hand in hand.

  “You speak truly,” Michael said. “And your words are wise, beloved Samael.”

  Samael inclined his head. “I speak out of love for these humans and for the Earth. For all life upon her, whether it be on the land, in the air or in the sea. This is a glorious, beautiful, astounding place and I care deeply for her and all her creatures.”

  “Amen,” Michael said, pressing the palms of his hands together and raising his hands, lowering his head over them in a prayerful gesture.

  “What they said,” Gabriel said.

  Tzadkiel gave him a small smile. “I’m overreacting a bit, huh?”

  “Yeah, but you’re entitled. You didn’t get to bring Taytton and his cronies to trial, if I remember right. They opened the portals and started the war before we could do anything, so we had to kill ’em.”

  Tzadkiel sighed and nodded.

  “And then,” Gabriel continued, “during the war, there was so much pain. So much death. How can all the perpetrators be called to account before they die? Turning a legion of my Seraphim into assistants to your Ophanim still wouldn’t have done it. Then after the war, the kidnappers who stole our kind and sold ’em on the black market, the Archdemons involved in that—no time for trial there, either. You’re Judgment, Tzad, first and foremost. I bet if you look at your Grace long and hard enough, you’ll see that part of you is craving to see justice done properly after so many decades of there not being much at all. I ain’t a lawyer or anything, and I ain’t entirely sure what all’s going on in that courtroom, legal jargon confuses me sometimes. But I bet you any amount of Euros that’s a big part of this.”

  “Gabriel speaks true, I am certain,” Samael said. “Your Grace requires justice, yet things have changed and the procedures here have changed as well. It has taken a little while for your Grace, which is ancient and primal, as are all of our Graces, to catch up with how things are now done.”

  Tzadkiel looked at them thoughtfully. “I think you guys are right. But even if you’re not, I feel a ton better. Thanks, guys.”

  “It is no trouble,” Michael said.

  “So what happens next in the courthouse?” Samael asked.

  “Well, we had this week of preliminary testimony—that was you guys and the Archdemons and Markus.” Tzadkiel suddenly barked a laugh. “Didn’t Ondrass charm them all?”

  “He is very gifted with his words,” Michael said. The frown was back, Gabriel noticed. “He has a silver tongue.”

  “He did cause quite a stir when he told them about eating a demon,” Samael said. “Although I am unsure how relevant what happened during the quest for the Holy Grail is to this situation.”

  “He was making a point,” Gabriel said. “He might be charming the pants off ’em all, but he also wanted them to know that he’s an Archdemon, second in command to Adramelek who is second only to Lucifer. He’s the Lord of Discord and he’s a Grand Marquis of Hell. He’s about as high up in the ranks as you can get if you’re not a Fallen
One. And he wanted everyone in the court and the gallery to understand that you do not fuck about with him or his kind, even in a court of law.”

  “They were very polite after he told that anecdote,” Tzadkiel mused.

  “Wouldn’t you be?” Gabriel asked.

  “I guess.” Tzadkiel rolled his shoulders. “So next week is the Venatores and your two boys. Then the week after is Danny, Jonathon, Raz’s friend from CERN, and my contact in the police who got us those photos.”

  “So you can do this, work with the prosecution without needing to have Hiwa, Max, or Minnie called in?” Gabriel asked.

  Tzadkiel nodded. “Yeah, I think so. I haven’t mentioned them in any case, so it wasn’t going to be an issue. No one else has mentioned them so far, either. If you tell the Venatores and the boys not to mention them, that’ll help too.”

  “Will do,” Gabriel said. Then he grinned. “Ain’t that called witness tampering?”

  Tzadkiel swore at him, and Gabriel burst out laughing.

  “I’m teasing you,” he said.

  “You better be. I’m choosing to call it protecting our sources rather than witness tampering. Though to be honest, Hiwa, Max, and Minnie didn’t really interact or work with the kids much, so it wouldn’t be much of an issue.”

  “There you go, then. All good.” Gabriel changed position, crossing his legs beneath himself.

  “Yeah, I guess. I should head back anyway. Sophiel and Brieus are stressing out over all of this.”

  “I will join you,” Samael said. “And if you wish, I will speak with them too, as I did here, so that they can see the whole picture.”

  Tzadkiel nodded, looking relieved. “I think that’s a damn good idea, Sammy. Thanks.”

  “It is my pleasure.” Samael got to his feet and gave Michael and Gabriel a shallow bow. “I shall see you both later, yes?”

  “Aye,” Gabriel said.

  “Well, once more unto the breach, as they say,” Tzadkiel said as he also stood up.