Michael shrugged. “It’s impossible to know what the future holds.”
“You angels are always so shifty.”
I shot a glare at Sin but couldn’t offer a retort. He was right.
“We were planning to give up our mantles to have a life with her,” Chaos said, looking over his shoulder at where Merri was still sobbing.
Michael was already shaking his head. Before he could deny them, I placed my hand on his arm and spoke in his stead.
“Give us twenty years.”
Chaos’s eyes were cloudy with suspicion. “Why?”
“The world needs time to recover. To heal. If you were to be replaced this soon, the new horsemen would be compelled to fulfill their purpose. All of this, everything we’ve fought so hard for, would be for nothing.”
“How do you know it will be any different for us?” Malice asked.
“You’ve proven that you are not defined by your mantles,” Evander answered. “Because of your mate, you can stay the course and resist the urge to bring about destruction. Any who replace you will not be able to say the same.”
“Two decades is a drop in the bucket, if you really think about it,” Sin murmured.
“And after we complete our time?” Grim asked.
“You pass on your mantles, but know that once you have done so, there will be no guarantee the apocalypse won’t be on the horizon,” I warned.
“Twenty years of peace before we have to worry about losing her?” Sin mused.
“I didn’t say that.”
“Pretty sure that’s what I heard. Isn’t that what you heard, Malice?”
“Mmhmm.”
“Me too,” Chaos said stubbornly.
“Nothing in life is guaranteed,” Michael said.
“But we’re making a deal with angels, I’m pretty sure that buys us a few guarantees,” Grim said.
“Now you’re sounding more like me,” Lucifer said. “I think I’m rubbing off on you.”
Grim’s eyes narrowed, but he continued. “We want assurances. We serve our duty for twenty more years, you ensure safety and security for our mate and our child.”
“And everyone else!” Sin tossed in.
Michael threw up his hands. “We cannot possibly agree to that. There are laws to the universe, you know that.” He pointed at Grim. “You especially know that.”
“Everyone who helped us fight, then. They get your protection, for as long as we hold our mantles.”
Michael glared at Chaos, but eventually relented. “Fine. Twenty years.”
Sin held out his hand. As Michael went to take it, Sin pulled it back with a warning taunt, “No takesies backsies, Michael. Promise.”
“You have my word.”
“And mine,” I agreed. “After all that you have given, it is the least we can offer you.”
“Then we accept,” Sin said, taking Michael’s hand with a wide grin.