Facing Michael's interrogation, Bruce responded with nothing but a cheeky grin.
Michael was practically dying of anger.
He truly could not kill Bruce, because Bruce now had Gabriel's wings. Angels could not slaughter their own brothers and sisters. But that did not mean Michael had no way to deal with Bruce. He ordered Bruce to scrub Eden Lake clean.
But it was not nearly so simple. On the way to Eden Lake, Lucifer, who was carrying Bruce's tools, explained, "That lake may contain things no normal lake has—though I hate to say it, you should have seen it already. If a fish can smack me flat with one slap, even when I was young, then you should know it can beat the shit out of you."
"Isn't it dead?" Bruce asked.
Lucifer froze, then turned to look at Bruce. Bruce spread his hands and said, "Otherwise, why a lake instead of a river? I could have dumped the energy into that river just as easily. I know you've been thinking about that fish for ages. When it floated belly-up, I fished it out and buried it under a tree. Why do you think I told you to bring a grill?"
Lucifer lowered his head and glanced at the bucket of cleaning supplies in his hand. There was no grill inside. He wrestled with himself for less than a second, and then they had a grill.
As they walked, Lucifer was in a fine mood. "I don't understand why your professor rejected your doctoral applications so many times. You're actually very considerate. I suppose that proves your psychology studies paid off."
Bruce had just been about to modestly deflect the praise when Lucifer winked at him. "But don't expect such minor favors to buy me off. And my advice does not