Ellie took his hand and squeezed. Long since severed from the Presence, and now cut loose from Hell's influence as they were, she and Belial were the only members to date of a very exclusive club, and none of the other Manor residents were really in a position to understand. She had asked Aziraphale once what they were--something new, or nothing at all--and though he had given the appropriate comforting response, there were times when she still wasn't sure.

"Still, better captive here by own own will than playing free at the end of Hell's leash."