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angel rose slowly and raised his arms once more, this time the light shone from his face.
    “Glory unto God, the Most High. Hosana! Hosana! Praise be unto God and all His Creation! Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men and all creatures great and small.”
    Lucifer began to sing, giving credence to the belief that the songs of angels are impossibly beautiful. The language was unknown to his listeners, but none dared to move as his song filled the meadow and the woods with a sound unheard in the world for thousands of years. Ashmodai joined him and the Boggans covered their ears, and cowered on the ground unable to bear the angelic voices. Menaka laid the baby on the table and uncovered him for all to see, and as the angels sang their praises, the Templars and all the creatures gathered there, with the exception of the Queen’s Guard. Armand brought out his little gold box filled with incense and gave over the white knit cap that his wife had made for the baby. Menaka took it from him and put it on the baby’s head and the tiny boy smiled his first real smile.
    “Allo, little one,” Armand whispered and touched the baby’s cheek with one finger. “May all the blessings of all the Universe fill your house as mine has been blessed.”
    The French Elf stepped back and allowed everyone to file by. Some touched the child’s toes, others his hands or fingers. Some simply stared at him in awe while some offered blessings and words of encouragement for Sophia, who stood by in a state of mild shock. When the singing stopped, Ereshkigal approached the table and eyed the former warrior chieftain suspiciously.
    “Now, Lord Lucifer,” she said. “If you are finished, would you please tell me what you are doing here destroying my party?” She gestured toward the ruined driving range.
    “Your party? Party. Hmmm. Party. Festival? Celebration? Very good!” He nodded. “Excellent. You surprise me, Dark One.”
    “Will you please not call me that? It is so disrespectful,” she complained through gritted teeth, but took his arm, escorting him away from the pavilion. “Now tell me of this child. What is so special about him?”
    “I would be glad to do so, but we are on our way to the Seventh Gate, home of Uriel. We are trying to find him. Alas, my good Queen, we will not be able to stay and join in the festivities.”
    “I’m afraid you have no choice,” she told him. “There are foul things afoot in the Seventh Gate, and I cannot permit you to go there. I will not have my reunion ruined before it is begun. I am using every power at my beck and call to protect us even now, and I’m not sure how long I can hold out. I am, after all, only one great power. Afterward the reunion, perhaps, we can formulate some plan of action to deal with the problem there.”
    “But what of Uriel?” He asked her and then frowned as he realized his mission was over. He had announced the child and sung his praises and Hymn of Gratitude to the Lord. He had no idea what to do next. “This child is his grandson. He should be here for the great occasion.”
    “And he will be,” she patted the angel’s hand solicitously. “Ahhh. Here is my husband now, the esteemed Lord Nergal.”
    Nergal had emerged from the woods riding a black horse, dressed in silver and black armor, resplendent in his battle gear. The Queen had not seen him decked out in such a fine array in ages.
    “So, you are going?” She looked up at him.
    “I am. I owe him a few favors.” Nergal looked down his nose at the angel and his dark eyes snapped with recognition. “What is he doing here?”
    “He just dropped by to see the child of Adar’s son,” she explained.
    “Oh,” Nergal nodded, seemingly satisfied with the abbreviated explanation. He reined in his horse and started off down the meadow. “Well, my love, I should not wish him to stay overlong. Angels tend to cause trouble wherever they go.”
    “Do not tarry long in the Seventh