Something prickled at Ashmedai’s awareness, needling him out of his trance state. The sound of chains echoed in his ears for a moment, but the demon ruthlessly forced the jangling back, searching out what had awakened him.

An angel stood in his doorway.

Ashmedai rasped a dry chuckle, rubbing at his eyes with the heels of his hands. “I’ve finally begun hallucinating.”

“I doubt it.” Blue-gold light crackled across the room as Raziel moved. He stopped a few feet away from the laughing demon.

“Well, you didn’t fall, I’m sure. Not you. And I doubt the Voice would send you here for something, unless he didn’t intend for you to come back.” Raziel’s face tightened, and Ashmedai laughed again. “What, am I right after all?”

“No.”

“Then why are you here, Secret? Got lonely up there after all?” The red light coloring the room dimmed slightly as Ashmedai winked.

Raziel sighed. “None of the above. I know you know why I’m here, Ashmedai. You’re not as stupid as you act.”

Ashmedai froze, then buried his face in his hands. “I’m mad; you know that.”

Raziel knelt. “You’re not mad enough, you mean.”

“I’m hearing things…”

The angel pried Ashmedai’s hands away. “Yes, but nothing that isn’t real.”

Ashmedai glared up at Raziel. Raziel smiled grimly.

“He’s waking up, Ashmedai…”