A trumpet sounded, dragging Mikhail out of a deep sleep. Andrew stirred beside him, but didn’t wake. With as much as care as possible, Mikhail got out of bed and slipped on a pair of loose pants. Then he went down the hall, past the pool, through the clock room, and out onto the terrace.
Gabriel, horn in hand, lifted into the air, then dropped to his feet before Mikhail. “The army is assembled. We need you.”
“What about Andrew?”
“Bring him. He will be our standard, and he will be well protected.”
“Where is Uriel?”
Gabriel looked off into the distance, then back at Mikhail. “Gone to take care of a small matter on Earth. He will join us soon.”
“You don’t look particularly thrilled,” Mikhail said, crossing his arms over his chest.
“He and Michael are at it again,” Gabriel sighed.
“I s
