Kushiel maintained a fixed, forced smile as Tarfiel and Azure were returned to him by the royal guard of Jehovah. While he was pleased to have the missing prisoners back, Jehovah's tenderhearted orders would make interrogating them difficult. He would not be allowed to torture them, and there would be guards in the dungeons at all times to enforce this. He was still allowed to ask the two questions, but he couldn't see how he could get a decent confession from this pair of shady characters without torture.
"You have no right to enter our dungeons!" Kushiel protested to Charles Morningstar, the captain on duty.
"I think the word of King Jehovah gives me all the right I need," Charles scoffed. "Besides, I think you owe me this after that time you tried to arrest my 14-year-old sister Abrielle over a stupid prank. If it makes you feel better, God gave us orders to enter no other part of your headquarters besides the specific cell block they're being kept in."
"That at least is good," Kushiel sighed. "But how can I force them to confess their crimes if they do not fear me?"
"Why waste time interrogating them?" Charles shrugged. "Look for external evidence... or a lack thereof. Oh, and Jehovah wants them to be comfortable. You're now under orders to furnish their cells as nicely as you can and to bring them whatever food they might ask for."
"I acquired a taste for sushi while I was stationed in Japan," said Tarfiel. "Maybe some California rolls as a little nod to the American side of my palette."
"I think I'd enjoy buffalo chicken wraps with blue cheese and celery," Azure said with a smile.
"I'm running a prison, not a hotel!" Kushiel protested.
"Jehovah seems to think it can be both," Charles chuckled.
"I refuse!" Kushiel said. "The law gives me that right!"
"You could, I suppose," Charles said icily, "but do you REALLY want to annoy Jehovah like that? This is important to him. These two were stolen out from under your nose by infernal sorcerers. If you cannot keep track of your own prisoners, God will send ME to do it!"
"Very well," Kushiel groaned. "But I intend to negotiate with God on this." He then stormed out of the dungeons in a fury.
*********************************************************
Kushiel sat at his desk in his office, brooding. Semyaza walked in. "I hear that our missing prisoners have returned to us. Odd, I assumed that they just died from their torture."
"Apparently they were stolen by Hellish witches for some unholy purpose," Kushiel said. "They didn't look much the worse for wear either. Tarfiel even had her wings back."
Semyaza's eyebrows raised. "Then she must be in league with the witches! She needs to die, and fast!"
"Jehovah's guards would never allow that," Kushiel sighed.
"Then we need to make it look like an accident," Semyaza said. "I can conjure an illusion designed to resemble a Chaos shade to attack the cells. It will swoop in and kill Tarfiel, and we can blame it on all of the recent turmoil."
"That could work," Kushiel said with a nod. "Go and carry it out."
Semyaza left with a grin on his face. What Kushiel did not know was that Semyaza was in league with Heka, Qesem, and Beelzebub, and that this so-called "illusion" would be a REAL Chaos Shade!