by Elicia Hyder
“Before you go, I have something else to tell you,” I said.
Sloan’s eyes widened in question.
“Your mother…”
With those two words, tears welled in Sloan’s eyes again.
I took her hand. “She asks about you and Iliana every time I see her.”
“Is she…” Emotion choked her. “Is she OK?”
“Better than OK. She’s happy and healthy. No more cancer, no more pain.”
Sloan’s chin quivered.
“And she misses you, but she wouldn’t choose to come back here even if she could.”
“She wouldn’t?” Sloan sounded a little hurt.
I shook my head and smiled gently. “No. Your mom understands now how short life here really is and that someday you’ll be together again.”
With a sniff, she nodded.
“But right now, you belong here with Iliana. And with Nathan.” I dramatically rolled my eyes.
She giggled.
I bent so we were eye level. “Keep practicing your powers. I believe in you, Sloan.”
“I promise. And I’ll try working with Iliana to get her to talk to you more.”
My heart swelled. “I’d love that.”
Behind her, headlights flashed coming up the driveway.
I smiled and released her. “That’s either Nathan saying it’s time to go, or for me to stop touching you so much.”
She chuckled and rubbed her fingertips beneath her eyes, wiping away some smeared mascara. “Probably both.”
“Probably.” I looked past her. “Is that the new mom-mobile?”
She laughed and covered her face. “When he brought that thing home, I felt like I aged ten years in a day.”
“I’ll bet, but motherhood really does look good on you.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Thanks.” She touched Iliana’s cheek. “I’ll give you two a minute. Bring her to the van when you’re ready.”
“Thank you.”
When she stepped away, I sat down on the top step of the porch and laid Iliana on my lap. I admired her sleeping face in the moonlight and spoke silently to her in Katavukai.
“Iliana, Daddy has to go away for a little while, but I’m going to try really hard to make this the last time I have to say see you later. I will miss you every second of every day until I come back. And I will always come back.” I leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I love you, Iliana.”
She didn’t wake, but when I touched her hand, her fingers closed around mine. Tears dripped down my cheeks as I scooped her up into my arms and carried her to the van.
Sloan helped me buckle her into the car seat, then hugged me one last time. “Let us know as soon as you’re back on this side of the spirit line.”
I sniffed. “I promise you’ll be the first person I call.”
“Take care, Warren,” Nathan said as she got in the van.
I waved.
They both waved back.
And then they were gone.
Inside the house, Adrianne was making up the couch. “Is everyone else still outside?” I asked, knowing business for the night wasn’t finished.
“Yeah, but I’m exhausted. Getting pregnant ended my night-owl days, so I’m going to bed.” She stuffed a pillow into a white pillowcase.
“Thank you for everything, Adrianne. This was a great night,” I said.
“Right up until all the angel drama, sure,” she said with a chuckle.
“I’m really sorry about that.”
She waved her hand. “Don’t be. I feel bad your evening was ruined. I’d hoped to give you one last peaceful night before you go.”
“I do appreciate it.”
“I’m really glad you got to spend some time with Iliana.”
“Me too. You have no idea.”
She put her hands on both sides of her belly. “Oh, but I do.”
And just like that, I felt sick again.
“Good.” When she finished straightening what appeared to be a handmade quilt, she sat down on the couch and patted the seat beside her. “Can we talk for a second?”
I suddenly wanted to run from the house. What if she started asking questions I couldn’t answer? What if she suspected the truth? What if—?
“Warren?”
I took a deep breath and sat down.
“I need your help.”
“With what?”
She touched her temples. “Your dad…” Her voice was laced with exasperation.
“I know. Nathan told me about the electrical experiments.” I mentally crossed my fingers that Azrael’s desperation was the trigger of the conversation.
“It’s not just that. I mean, he’s going to burn the house down, but that’s not all.”
Uh oh. “What else is wrong?”
She looked around to be sure we were alone, then clenched my forearm. “He’s driving me crazy.”
My whole body sighed with relief. I smiled and patted her hand. “I’m sure he’s nervous about the baby. My mind was a wreck when Sloan was pregnant.”
“Oh no. It’s more than that.”
Yep. I know.
“He hovers all the time. Wants to know where I am, who I’m with, who I’ve been talking to.” She released my arm and raked her nails back through her long auburn hair. “It’s like he’s suddenly become my psycho jealous baby daddy.”
“I really don’t think that’s it.” I knew it wasn’t, but there was no way I could tell Adrianne the truth. “He’s worried. And with good reason. Think about all we’ve been through. All he’s been through.”
She looked mildly guilty.
“I’m sure things will be different after the baby is born,” I said.
Truer words had never been spoken. Everything would be different after the Morning Star was reborn. I just had no idea how different.
“But I will talk to him,” I said.
As if on cue, the back door opened, and my father walked inside. Adrianne and I both stood. “What’s going on in here?” he asked.
Adrianne shot me a wide-eyed glare as if to say, “See?” Then she smiled at him. “We were just chatting after I finished making his bed. I wanted to say a proper goodbye in case he’s gone before I wake up tomorrow.” She turned and pulled me into a hug.
The supernatural energy swirling inside her made me dizzy. “I’ll see you again soon,” I said.
“Please be careful and know we love you,” she said over my shoulder.
“I love you guys too.”
The baby kicked against my midsection, and I shuddered.
“Will you be OK sleeping on the couch?” she asked.
“Positive.”
“He doesn’t sleep much anyway, remember?” my father said.
“I know. Runs in the family.” She leaned over and gave him a solid kiss on the lips. “Do you think you’ll be up late?”
“Not too late, and I’ll be quiet when I come to bed.” He kissed her once more. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Adrianne,” I said.
When she was gone, Azrael turned back to me. “What were you two talking about before I walked in?”
“About you acting like a crazy man,” I said.
His shoulders slumped. “I know I’m hovering and being overly protective, but—”
I held up a hand to stop him. “You don’t need to explain yourself to me. I get it.”
“What’s your plan tomorrow?”
“I’ll talk to Fury tonight, but since Reuel is with us, I’ll leave North Carolina and warp to the island, or at least warp to Oregon and meet up with them. I don’t want to risk that much time in the air again.”
“Now you see how I feel.”
“You’re right. I do.”
“I’ll take you to Tennessee in the morning, to a secure location where you won’t have to worry about being seen. Or heard.”
Because warping was loud.
“Sounds good.”
“What time is that flight out?” he asked.
/> “Fury said eight.”
He frowned. “That’s early.”
I laughed and shook my head.
“What?”
“You’re such a human now.”
“Oh, shut up. We’ll leave here at six and take them to the airport.”
“Six? Will that give them enough time to get through security?”
“It’s Asheville, Warren. Not O’Hare. Then you and I can leave from there.”
“Sounds good. By the way, I never said thanks for sending your new toy to come get us today.” I lifted an eyebrow.
“The assault helicopter?”
“Yes. What the hell is that all about?”
“It’s just a precaution.”
“For what? The apocalypse?”
He stared at me.
I groaned.
The back door opened again. This time it was Reuel, mid-yawn.
“You going to bed?” Azrael asked.
“Yeah. Too tired to keep fighting with that girl.”
“You’re still trying to talk Fury out of going?” I asked.
“Warren, we can’t let her go. Especially after what Theta told you.”
The thought of the vision sent a chill down my spine. I swallowed hard. “I know. No one wishes more than me that we could talk her out of it, but I don’t think it will change her mind.”
“There has to be a way.”
“Well, you keep thinking on it, buddy. I’m open to suggestions.”
He sighed. “She’s so hardheaded.”
I gave him a thumbs-up, and the tension finally faded from his worried face.
“No matter what happens, I’m glad you’re coming with us, Reuel. I’ve missed having you around.”
“I’ve missed you too. It’s not the same working alone.”
“Agreed. Do you have a passport with you?”
“Of course.”
“Good, I want you to fly with Fury tomorrow. I’ll meet up with you at the Claymore base in Oregon.”
“OK. What time will we leave?” Reuel asked.
“Early. By six at the latest,” Azrael said.
Reuel’s brow crumpled. “Is that early now?”
I chuckled.
“Go to bed,” Azrael said, shaking his head.
“Gladly. I haven’t slept in weeks.” Reuel shook both our hands. “Bonirav.”
“Goodnight,” Azrael and I said together.
When he was gone, Azrael lowered his voice. “Does he know?”
“He suspects. Anyone from my world who sees Adrianne will,” I said, barely above a whisper.
He looked out the window. “Theta knows.”
“She must, but she hasn’t told anyone.”
“Maybe that’s in an attempt to prove her innocence. We’ll see.” Azrael jerked his thumb toward the door. “You going back out there?”
“Yeah. I need to see if Theta has anything else for me.”
“What did you see?” he asked.
“Fury was dead, and I was happy about it.”
His head snapped back. “That’s ridiculous.”
“It’s what I saw.”
“Warren, listen to me.” He took a step closer. “Theta has an agenda. She always does. When she told us I would be the one to cast the Morning Star into the great pit, I set out for Earth to find him.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “What made you think you were the great sword? You don’t have a sword.”
He touched his chest. “Damon Claymore. My name is, literally, Damon Sword.”
“Sword?” I put my hands on my hips. “I always thought you were Damon ‘Explosive Ordinance,’” I said, using air quotes.
“No. Those came later. Much later. A claymore is a Highlander’s two-handed sword.” Az stacked both fists over his head.
I pointed at my own face. “Like my sword?”
“No. Not like your sword.” He was mimicking me.
“So which came first?” I crossed my arms. “The name or the prophecy?”
He frowned.
Laughing incredulously, I shook my head. “You really are the picture definition of a narcissist.”
“I’m confident, Warren. There’s a difference.” He blinked. “What was I saying?”
“That you were supposed to be the savior of the universe.”
“Oh right. I came to Earth looking for the Morning Star based on Theta’s word. As you know, the prophecy never came to pass, but guess what did happen?”
“You fell in love with two amazing women and had a pretty decent son and a beautiful granddaughter?”
His brow crumpled. “Don’t make me sound like an ass.”
I lowered my voice and leaned toward him. “You do a fine job of that all on your own. Besides, I’m tired of everyone telling me the world would be better off had I—and Iliana—not been born.”
“I’ve never said that.”
“Not directly to my face, maybe.”
For once, my father didn’t argue. Probably because he knew I was right. The overwhelming opinion on Earth and in Eden was the universe would be safer without us in it. Iliana’s power was too great. Too unpredictable. And potentially, too dangerous.
“I’m not talking about you or Iliana.”
“Then what are you talking about?”
“While I was away from Eden, Theta had the ear of the Father. And when I returned, a failure by most accounts, the Angels of Death had lost Celestine to the prophets, and we were banished to Reclusion.”
Biting down on the insides of my lips, I considered the accusation. “You think Theta sent you on a wild goose chase to Earth to steal your office? Seriously?”
“Have you been to Celestine?”
Celestine was a bit like the Swiss Alps of Eden, if the Alps were lush and green with lakes made of diamond water.
“Of course.”
“Then you know the energy it draws from the auranos. Angels are more powerful in Celestine. Quite the opposite of the dreary pit of Reclusion.”
I couldn’t argue that Reclusion was a dump by comparison. The current seat of the Death choir was a fraction-of-a-fraction the size, encapsulated in black obsidian, and silent. Dead silent. The only sounds were generally the wails of dying souls as I destroyed them.
It was pretty miserable, which was primarily the reason few of us, myself included, spent much time there. Following Azrael’s lead, many of the angels took residence on Earth, though none so permanently as he. But none of us actually lived in Reclusion, whereas almost all the prophets resided in Celestine.
“Did the Father give a reason for the relocation?”
Azrael’s head tilted. “Does he ever?”
Good point.
“Theta said a vision revealed the prophets should be in Celestine because there will be a time of great unrest on the Earth and the people will need as much insight as can be afforded to them.” The muscle in his jaw tensed. “Sounds pretty convenient to me.”
“So you really don’t buy into prophecy anymore?”
“I’ve just seen too many times how fallible and manipulative it can be.”
“Are you even going to hear what she has to say about your powers?”
For a moment, he looked conflicted. Not something I was used to sensing around him. Finally, he shook his head. “No. I’ve lived enough of my life in pursuit of someone else’s dream. I need to focus on doing what I have to do to protect those I love. I suggest you do the same.”
“You’re going to bed then?”
His eyes flashed toward the back door one more time. “Yes.” He glanced at his watch. “We have an early day tomorrow.”
“Six,” I said with a grin.
He chuckled. “Yes. Six.”
I held out my hand. “Goodnight, Az. Thanks for the welcome back tonight.”
He shook my hand, then pulled me into a hug. “It’s good to have you here. I’ve missed you.” It was good to know he meant it.
When he was gone to his room, I rejoined Fury and Theta outsid
e. They were standing on the patio. “Is it just us, then?” Theta asked.
I closed the door to the house. “Yes. Everyone’s gone or in bed.”
“Azrael didn’t want to hear what I have to say?” Theta’s eyes stared past me.
I shook my head.
“I guess I’m not surprised.”
“He believes you lured him to Earth to—”
“Steal Celestine from him? I’m well aware.” She rolled her eyes. “It isn’t true.”
Of course she’d say that, no matter what the facts were.
“Can you tell me about Azrael’s powers?” I asked.
“You know I can’t.”
“What about Sloan’s?” Fury asked. “Do you know anything about how or why she got them back?”
“I do not.” Theta turned toward me again. “But I am sure we can expect impressive things from your daughter.”
I smiled. “I already knew that.”
“What will you do now?” Fury asked her.
Theta looked toward the sky. “It is time for me to return to Eden. I’ve been gone long enough, and I may be of more use to you there than if I was here.”
“You think it will help us if you’re in Eden?” I asked skeptically.
“My gift is already swirling around this journey of yours. If I’m nearer the auranos, I may be able to guide you.”
“How long has it been since you’ve been home?” Fury asked.
“Hundreds of years on Earth. Tens of thousands of years in Eden.”
Now that I’d been there, I couldn’t imagine being away from Eden for so long. It was true what I’d told Sloan. No one would wish to come back to Earth. Even me, if it weren’t for Iliana. But a lifetime with her was a blink compared to how long Theta had stayed away.
It bolstered my faith in her, honestly. She’d sacrificed quite a bit to still stand so firmly on her belief in her gift.
Theta touched Fury’s cheek. “Best of luck to you both.”
“Luck?” I asked, smiling. “Is that what we’re doing now?”
Theta didn’t laugh. “I fear that’s all that might help you now, Warren. In Nulterra, you’ll be beyond all our reach.”
I gulped.
She looked at Fury again and lowered her voice. “Remember what I told you.”
Fury gave a slight nod.
Then Theta launched into the night sky.
Fury and I walked inside together, and I locked the door behind us. “What did Theta say to you?”
