No Shadows Fall by L.J. LaBarthe Page B

voice that Penemuel recognized. “I haven’t been summoned like that in a very, very long time.”
    “Raziel,” Penemuel whimpered, cowering in his chair.
    The Archangel walked to him, holy light shimmering around his body. “Yes,” he said. “Me.”
    “Oh dear,” Penemuel said again, trembling.
     
     
    R AZIEL HAD barely appeared in Cuba with Tzadkiel, Brieus, and Sophiel when he felt the pull of magic.
    “What the hell?” he demanded, looking around.
    “What is it?” Tzadkiel asked.
    “Someone’s summoning me.” Raziel was astonished.
    “Summoning you?” Brieus echoed.
    “That’s what I said.” Raziel blinked. “I have to go. Don’t do anything foolish while I’m gone. I shan’t be long.” With that, he vanished.
    Emerging in a living room in an apartment in London was not what Raziel had expected. Even more surprising was who was in the living room. As Raziel gazed at Penemuel in astonishment, he was aware of the two human women clutching each other and staring at him in awe.
    “This is quite a revelation,” Raziel said, turning to face them. “Who summoned me?”
    “Um, that would be me, sir,” said the younger woman.
    “And you are?”
    “My name’s Chloe.” She stood up, running her hands through her hair, and lifted her chin bravely. “I know you can probably melt me down to nothing with a thought, but Pen’s my friend and he’s in trouble, so I decided that summoning you and asking you for help would be a good idea. Sir.”
    Raziel quirked an eyebrow. “Well, Chloe, while I admire your loyalty, not to mention your cleverness in discovering a working summoning ritual for an Archangel, I’m not entirely sure I can be of much help to you.” He turned back to look at Penemuel. “Oh stop that,” he said in disgust. “I’m not going to destroy you, Penemuel, honestly.”
    “I-I-I….”
    “Hush a minute.” Raziel raised a hand. He looked at the three with narrowed eyes. “This is quite remarkable,” he said. “How long have you been living here in England, Penemuel?”
    “Since 1286, my lord,” Penemuel said.
    “Really? I didn’t detect a thing.” Raziel couldn’t help but be impressed. “We seem to be awash in Grigori this week,” he went on, “so tell me, who else is wandering around the planet?”
    “Azazel, Kokabiel, and Baraqiel, my lord.”
    “Astonishing.” Raziel sat down on the sofa. “Where’s Semjaza?”
    “Do you promise to help protect Penemuel from him?” Chloe cut in.
    Raziel’s eyebrows rose even higher. “This is a serious request?”
    “Of course!” She looked offended. “Pen’s our friend. Right, Mum?”
    “Yes. Yes, he is,” the older woman agreed with her daughter.
    “Incredible.” Raziel shook his head in wonder. “And you’re not coercing them?”
    “I have done no such thing,” Penemuel said, suddenly angry. “I did not do so in Eden. I would not do so now.”
    “Huh.” Raziel regarded the Grigori thoughtfully. “What about the other three who are out of Hell?”
    “Azazel… yes.” Penemuel looked stricken. “Ishtahar’s sister.”
    Raziel scowled. “Fucking hell. Damn you, Semjaza!”
    “Amen,” Penemuel agreed fervently. “You must understand, my lord Raziel, most of us who were sent to Hell by Michael were sent there for crimes unrelated to human women. Mine was the sharing of the knowledge of reading and writing, Kokabiel and Baraqiel’s crime was sharing how to read the stars. Only Semjaza’s closest took human women for wives and priestesses.”
    Raziel sighed. “You do know that it’s most unlikely that all of my Brotherhood will agree to this, yes? This protection of you? Uriel and Gabriel particularly will object, and Tzadkiel was the one who refused you pardon after you all begged for forgiveness while in Hell. They will most likely be reluctant to help you or to let you stay here.”
    Penemuel nodded. “I know.”
    “But you can’t send Pen back to Hell,” Chloe protested. “He hasn’t