The Devil's Wife Read Online Free PDF Page A

my—"
          Lucifer stood up while I fumed, my mouth open to join the argument. "Jehovah, look at the smug little leech. He's been trying to get rid of his son for centuries, and you've seen some of his complaint files. You know I'm telling the truth."
          "What I know," Jehovah said, looking up at him, "is that he's accused you, and you're biting back. Aspen!"
          I jumped. "Yes, boss?"
          "Tell me," She said slowly, "do you have any complaints with anyone in this room?"
          I looked around, stopping to glare at my father. "Well, Michael's been stealing your notes on creation, but other than that—"
          "Oh, this is bullshit, Jehovah!" Michael snapped. "Aspen and Lucifer have been accused of plotting to overthrow you, and now they're accusing me of theft in order to distract you from their transgressions!"
          God lifted Her hand as Lucifer and I prepared to fight back. We looked to Her and shut our mouths, glaring at Michael and Raphael.
          "This is not the first time that either accusation has come to my attention." She looked to Raphael. "Leave."
          Raphael was gone in a few seconds, the door shut tight.
          "Now, I am going to deal with this bullshit once and for all," She said, glaring at the three of us. "Michael, you are being demoted to the position of Level Six Angel for thieving my notes. I know you did, because you have authorized numerous creations that I was only thinking about doing. Where else would you have gotten the platypus and the flamingo?"
          "Jehovah—"
          "That's unfair—"
          "Silence!" She snapped. When we all quieted down again, She continued, "Aspen, I'm assigning you to Level Two, where you will—"
          "No fucking way!" I spat, standing up. "Do you realize how long it took me to get to Level Six? I refuse to be reassigned to the cesspit of Angels just because my father wants to see me in shit for gaining your favor!"
          I ignored Jehovah's cry of "Silence!" and leaped at my father over the table. Jehovah sent me flying back to my seat with a smack on the head, and I stared at Her.
          "This is not the first time that this issue has come to light, Aspen, nor is your father the only one to raise it."
          "You should kill him," Michael spat from where he was sitting with his arms folded. "The little rat's just been a pain in the ass from the time he was born—"
          "That is enough, Michael," Jehovah said to him. "You may go."
          "But—"
          "Now!"
          Michael got sullenly to his feet, sulking like a threeyear-old denied a sweet. When the door had clicked closed, Jehovah turned to me.
          "Time for you to go."
          I stood up, trying to disguise the tears rolling down my cheeks. I was pissed, but I knew there was nothing I could do. I threw the chair I was sitting in half-way across the room, and before it hit the wall, I was out of the door, slamming it behind me. After a second, I pressed my ear to the door. I needed to know what was going to happen to Samyaza.
          Jehovah's voice was soft, but I could still hear Her through the thin wood. "He is extraordinarily like his father."
          "As you created them to be."
          "Indeed." I heard Jehovah's sleeves rustle as She moved. "I really don't want to believe Michael's accusations, Sam. You're my favorite, you wouldn't plot to depose me."
          "Because I wouldn't. You know me, Jehovah."
          "You're right, Sam. I do know you." She sighed. "That's one of the reasons I find Michael's accusations to be so persuasive. I know what you are capable of, even if you don't."
          "But, Jehovah, we weren't plotting to depose you. We were planning Sera's birthday party. Which has now been ruined, thanks to her father."
          "There's nothing I can do, Sam. You have to be demoted to Level Five.