God is Dead!

Raziel had suggested a walk. It had been one of his favorite things to do, to clear his mind and to simply relax, and with Mary, they'd become frequent, enjoyable moments. His fingers wound into hers as they walked, and they spoke about small things, not usually the heavy, burdensome things that Raziel often had in mind. But tonight was different.

It was obvious that there were something that he hadn't told her yet. He'd had plenty of time to consider his options. She'd known that he'd been preparing their friend Ariel for ascension, and at least he knew that there was a new soul being groomed to take Hell's throne that he'd abandoned, but that left Raziel strangely free to decide what he was going to do with himself.

So as it was, they were on the bridge over the Thames when he spoke, "Mary, what if I were mortal?"

Ariel walked into the back door of his shop, the Sefer Raziel under his arm. He'd begun to translate the book, and only four pages in already felt like he'd been working for years. Marietta Turner had helped him get more sleep, but at the same time he still felt exhausted. He'd get through today at the shop by himself, then take the evening off.

He came into the main room, and set his things down. Only belatedly did he catch a glimpse of the woman sitting cross-legged within the devil's trap at the main door.