The lack of recognition on Jack's face explained a great deal. By the time Michael had met him, Jack had been little more than human. He had to be from an earlier time frame, before they'd met and before whatever he'd done to lose his power.

The thought of a first meeting with a fully charged nephilim who probably expected him to be the same aggressive, alternate Michael Lucifer had didn't thrill him, but it was better for it to happen in a place he controlled than in the middle of Nocwich. Michael moved closer, stepping slowly and deliberately between the tables without taking his eyes off of Jack.

"I do know you—or I will, however you prefer to see it. You're Lucifer's son, which makes you my nephew," he said, and then, before Jack could start going through the list of possibilities, he gestured at himself. "Michael."

Next, Michael waved a hand at the single table that remained between them—an invitation. Have a seat.

"You're in the Horizon, within my domain. How I know you is a longer story."