He elects to return and heads to the house of an ectomancer who can communicate with ghosts, Mortimer Lindquist, whom Harry had maneuvered into helping him in the past.

Harry finds out that he has been dead for six months, and as a spirit, both his access to his magical powers and his ability to interact with the normal world are greatly compromised.

Harry summons an army of spirits that had sheltered at Mort's house, storms the hideout through the Nevernever, and takes down its protective wards, allowing his allies to mount a physical assault.

The fallen angel's direct influence permitted Uriel to respond in kind, allowing Harry to come back and learn the truth.

Uriel takes this opportunity to officially balance the scales, whispering seven crucial words to Harry as he had promised: "Lies.

Harry realizes the truth of this and tells Mab that he will be her devoted knight, but will carry out her orders in his own way and not permit her to turn him into her monster.