“You’re a fool, Lucifer,” said Islington. Its voice was gentle, its tone loving, and its comment blunt at worst, but something like a poisoned knife blade ran under the words. “Falling. You Fell because you were a fool and God saw through you, and you fell again because you were a fool and you let that woman control you—”

Islington was met with silence. It waited patiently, and spoke again. “You always were a stupid man.”

Cold silence. Somehow, it managed to exude a hint of lurking amusement. The angel fumed. “You betrayed me, you bastard,” hissed Islington.

Lucifer smiled.