The war council assembled in what had once been the building's executive boardroom. Maps covered every surface—crude sketches of the compound's defenses, the surrounding city blocks, approaches both realms might use. Azrael stood at the head of the table, the relic at his hip casting faint shadows across the papers.

Gabriel sat opposite him, wings folded tight, looking uncomfortable being on this side of the planning table. The oath-bound filled the remaining seats—Sariel, Vex, the ...