The Unknown // Colby Brock

~~ Chapter Nineteen ~~

She went silent just in time for the front doors to open to Elton, who walked in ahead of way too many angel guards. Something was wrong, I just knew it. I think the devil did, too, because he was watching them with suspicion rooted deep in his eyes.

I let go of Xepher's hand to stand closer to the edge of the balcony. It allowed me to see more of who was standing around and where. Each angel guard stood around level with a separate member of the devil's army whilst two extras stood much closer to the throne itself. Seemed perfect for an ambush.

"What do you want?" the devil asked aggressively.

The front angel guard seemed strangely familiar to me, but I wasn't entirely sure where I had seen him before.

"We want to discuss a deal with you. Something... favourable to the both of us."

The devil didn't reply so he continued.

"All we want is to be free of heaven" — something was seriously off — "but God would never let us free. So we want to force it."

"And how do you plan on accomplishing that?"

"Replacing him."

It felt like the entire room went quiet, especially the devil, who was arching much more curiously.

"Colby, it's clear that these angels are lunatics. Let's send them out," Jake said just loud enough for Xepher and I to hear from the balcony, too. I genuinely thought that, for once, the devil would listen and he would send these rogue angels out, but he looked to be actually considering the offer.

"Why is it that you think this benefits me?"

"Because God won't ever be on your back again. We are coming here to ask for help in removing him from the throne. If you don't help us, we're going to kill anyone we come across up there in heaven, and we both know that your mother is included."

The devil tensed up. "Are you threatening me?"

"It wouldn't be a threat if you didn't care about Queen Fate - or rather, the queen's fate."

"I would think twice before threatening the devil," Jake growled as he walked forward. I felt the need to lean over the balcony. Everything inside me told me that something was off about this. I just couldn't figure out why or what I needed to do to fix it.

"I am not exactly threatening him, now am I? Just stating what we are going to do in a short amount of time." The angel glanced back at his followers. "Besides, most will benefit from his removal, don't you think?"

"That depends on who replaces him," I replied quickly.

The angel glanced up in surprise as if he didn't realise we were up here. His face completely changed as he assessed the two of us, not saying a word. He didn't have an angel to do whatever the others were supposed to do to everyone else down there. That meant he was planning something that required the opposing side all to be accounted for. My trust, though it was already pretty low, plummeted to the floor.

"Who exactly are you planning to put on heaven's throne?"

"Who even are you?" he replied with a scoff.

I raised my eyebrows at him as the devil sat up straight and leaned forwards on his elbows. "A member of my army, and she asked a valid question, so I suggest you answer it."

Reluctant, the angel opened his mouth to speak. "We believe that God's son, Sam, will be a better fit for the throne. He understands the things God doesn't and he gives a damn about those who God tosses aside as if they don't matter."