She pulled a long-bladed knife from a belt-sheath and glanced briefly at him, assessing the chances of escape. But then, her shoulders slumped as she took note of the full-body halo that enveloped him, and she dropped the weapon. “So, that’s it then. I’m to die for my sins.”
“Not quite.”
Her head shot up at that.
“In his mercy, God is willing to give you a second chance for repentance.”
She narrowed her green eyes at him. “What would I have to do?”
“Thou wouldst join the ranks of vangels, fighting in the Lord’s army against evil forces.”
“Me? An angel?” she scoffed.
“Not an angel. A vangel. A Viking vampire angel. Put on earth to destroy Lucifer’s demon vampires, wicked creatures who prey on sinful humans, killing them before their fated time of death, giving them no chance to repent.”
“Huh?”
“Explanations can come later. Dost thou choose Hell or Vangeldom?”
“That’s some choice! For how long?”
Michael was growing impatient. “As long as it takes. Centuries. Mayhap even until the Final Judgment Day.”
“And I will live all that time, growing older and older, more feeble?”
“Dost deliberately misspeak, witch? Thou wouldst stay the same age.”
“Oh. Really? Well, yes, then. Of course I agree.” She paused. “But what exactly is a vam-pyre? Does it have anything to do with fire, or is—”
The time for questions had passed. She’d agreed. That was enough for Michael.
Raising both arms, he levitated her high in the air so that she twirled about, screaming as her upper jaw broke and restructured itself to accommodate newly formed fangs and her shoulder blades cracked open and grew bumps that might one day become wings. Her green eyes turned the clear blue of all vangels. Now, do you understand what a vampire is? At the same time, for his own pleasure, Michael sent the bristling, hissing familiar with her. Take that, cat!
“I changed my mind,” Regina screeched.
Too late! The witch was flying through the air to parts unknown to take on her new role. And Michael was off to see what the Sigurdsson brothers were up to now. An archangel’s work was never done!