"Fault or no, he hath sworn allegiance to a condemned demon of the Goetia, hence hath sealed his own fate."
A flood of emotions rushed through me as I watched what was happening. Dantalion didn't mean to trap Rowan. They both sacrificed their souls for mine, and both loved me. But Dantalion no longer had any power over demons once he was restored to guardian of the third heaven, he could only protect mankind within my mortal dominion. Only Rowan remained condemned.
"As guardian, I cannot condemn an innocent to be cursed for eternity!" Dantalion's voice echoed below.
"Dantalion, thou art guardian of mankind. Thou hath waited for two ages to reclaim thy immortality. Thou hath withstood torture far worse than what waits for this boy," the warrior angel chimed in.
Dantalion met Rowan's eyes. "I had no intent to condemn you - I warned you not to come closer when you saw Laurel chained to the altar!"
"It's not your fault that I'm here now," Rowan replied. "It's no-one's fault but my own."
Gabriel and the other nine orders showed compassion. They had showed mercy once before on behalf of Dantalion when he was condemned. I tried to pull myself away to go where Rowan stood, his clawed fingers clenched together nervously. I couldn't move. I'd lost Dantalion forever and now, Rowan. I felt the tears coming, when I remembered what Lilith had told me. We were of the same immortal blood. I wasn't sure after I'd been restored if my immortality still remained. I wanted to save Rowan like I tried to save Dantalion, but there was no dagger this time. My eyes met Dantalion's but his expression was uncertain. Each demon awaited God's order, while I paced, still hidden behind the wisteria, out of sight.
The angelic order held conference, God's golden brilliance settling down over the entire Courtyard. The radiance generating around them caused the demons to squint their eyes. Behind the pines, in the early morning light, the demons of the Goetia and thirty six legions viewed Dantalion for the first time as an immortal angel of God.
Count Druitte, still standing atop one of the stone pillars forming the circle, caught Rowan's attention, "Do not worry , they will pardon your penance. Dantalion will show mercy!"
I could tell Dantalion's Godly presence made Rowan and the other demons uncomfortable with his transformation. Two of the Goetic demons I had never seen nor heard of stood near me, beneath the base of the altar, speaking to one another.
"What is this glory Dantalion beholds upon himself? I Andromalius, the seventy second demon of the Goetia to be sealed by this merciful God still stand condemned!"