"But," says Isabella, "now it's your turn - how did you know? Jovah never healed a lucifer, but is there any reason he couldn't start, any reason it couldn't have happened the way I said?"

Alleluia holds herself very rigid.

Isabella waits.

"Would you object very much," Alleluia says, "if my husband were also party to this discussion?"

"The magic - I don't want that going any farther than it has to."

"We can keep a secret," Alleluia says quietly.

"Then - that's fine."