Demon Moon by Meljean Brook Page B

they refused to take sides in the First Battle—but who witnessed this? The demons and nosferatu, who say they were once angels.”
    â€œAh. But they’re all liars, so you assume they lie about this as well.”
    â€œWell, I don’t know that they do; I just don’t rule it out as a possibility. And doesn’t it benefit them to say they came from Heaven? Maybe they’re just capitalizing on things people already believe, and they change the details of their story according to the culture. It inspires more power, more fear—is more impressive.”
    â€œAnd what of Michael and the Guardians? Do you doubt his word as well?” His fangs gleamed when she shifted uncomfortably. “Do you think his story of the Second Battle is a lie?”
    â€œNo. Demons are real; I’m not questioning that—or that they probably were jealous of the angels who were on Earth, protecting it. I live with a hellhound, so I don’t doubt Lucifer bred them, and used them to massacre the angels during that battle. And I’ve seen what Michael can do.”
    â€œSo you are willing to believe that he really did lead an army of men who fought against the demons, and killed a Chaos dragon with his sword?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œHow generous of you, Savitri.” His voice was teasing. “And what about afterward—that the angels gave him the power to transform other humans into Guardians, and take their place as protectors in Caelum?”
    â€œI’m willing to accept that, too. I just don’t necessarily think it has to all come from some huge, ineffable source. There might be other explanations. Stop laughing, it’s not that funny,” she said, but when he glanced at her and sucked in a long breath as if he was trying to suppress it, then failed and burst into laughter again, she had to join in.
    â€œOh, Savitri,” he said. “You are incredible. Still a skeptic.”
    She shrugged. “They—you—do things I have no explanation for, but maybe in three hundred years, there will be one. A thousand years ago, the world was flat, gravity didn’t exist, and lightning was a sign from the gods. And no one’s studying Guardians or demons—except for the quacks, scientists don’t even know they’re supposed to be figuring this shit out. They don’t have terms for most of it. But once people take a look at it, pull it apart…demystify it all, maybe they’ll find a reason for it. So I’m not saying it isn’t true—but I’m not ready to say it is, either.”
    â€œDo let me know when you are; I think I shall very much enjoy hearing your conclusions, however convoluted they may be.”
    â€œI may take a long time.”
    He grinned. “I’ll wait.”
    The turnover had almost completely cooled; she took another bite. His lids lowered as he inhaled, his gaze falling to her mouth. “That is apple?”
    She nodded.
    He blinked and gave his head a slight shake, turning his attention back to the road.
    â€œActually,” she said, “the only reason I’m not running away screaming is because it’s all so interesting. I live with a two-thousand-year-old woman and an eight-hundred-year-old man. Did you know Lilith once tried to tempt Isaac Newton?”
    â€œShe told you that?” Colin glanced at her. “She may have been lying.”
    â€œHugh said she wasn’t. But even if she had been, it’s still fascinating.”
    â€œAnd are you so certain Castleford tells you the truth?”
    â€œI think so. Usually, if I ask a question he doesn’t want to answer, he just says it’s not for me to know.” He didn’t say it very often—and the majority of the times he had, it had been in relation to Colin and Chaos. “Except it doesn’t sound so condescending when he says it. Is all that stuff about you in his book true? Have you read