by Maggie Walsh
“Fate,” Aurora said with a smirk as she finished Lillian’s thought.
“Oh my, goddess. I am so honored,” Lillian said and bowed her head, then looked up quickly, eyes opened wide in fear. “I am so sorry, goddess.” Lillian quickly placed the lamp back on the nightstand.
“No, there is no reason to apologize and please, none of that goddess stuff. We are family,” Aurora replied as she moved closer to Lillian.
“What can I help you with, goddess?”
“You have already helped me and will continue to when you promised to look after my grandchildren. Thank you, Lillian. To show my gratitude, I would like to give you something.”
“Oh no, my goddess, that is not necessary. I love those babies, and it is my pleasure to do this. As you said, we are family, and this is what family does for one another.”
“Which only proves to me that you are more than worthy of my gift, Lillian,” Aurora said and reached out a hand, then gently cupped Lillian’s cheek.
A strange tingling feeling entered her cheek then ran through the rest of her body. Lillian gasped softly as the sense of peace filled her. Then just as suddenly as the sensation took her, it was gone. “What was that?”
“How do you feel, my friend?” Aurora asked.
“I feel wonderful. I feel…better than I have in many years actually. Did you use some kind of spell on me to help me to be able to be there for Kalen, Collin, and Shea?”
Aurora smirked. “You could say that. I think what I have given you will definitely help you in what years you have remaining. And don’t worry, you will be around to see all of my grandchildren grow up into wonderful adults.”
And with those last words, the goddess vanished. The smell of jasmine and wildflowers engulfed her, and once again Lillian was filled with a sense of peace. After a few minutes, Lillian turned toward the dresser to grab some of her other things, and her gaze flicked to the mirror above momentarily. Lillian opened the top drawer and reached inside, then froze. Slowly she raised her gaze up to peer into the mirror. When her gaze landed on her face, Lillian’s eyes went wide, and her jaw dropped. “S-S-Sage? S-S-Sage!”
A few moments later Sage and Slade came running into the room, Slade’s claws were extended like he was ready to do battle and protect her against anything. Behind them, Maddy rushed into the room with his sword held high, and Josh and Milo followed.
“Gran, wha…who are you?” Sage asked in concern.
“Sage, it’s me. I know it doesn’t look like me, but…it is me,” Lillian whispered, her eyes still open wide.
“Shit, it’s Lil’s voice, but…wow, what happened?” Maddy asked as he lowered his sword and moved further into the room.
“We don’t know if this is really Lillian. Maddy, don’t get too close,” Slade admonished.
“It is me, Slade, I promise you. Aurora was just here, and she told me she wanted to give me a gift.”
Now it was the boys turn for their eyes to bug out. “Aurora? As in Fate, was just here?” Sage asked, awestruck.
“Yes. She told me she wanted to give me a gift to thank me for promising to be there for her grandchildren should their daddies not come back. Then she touched my cheek, and I felt this amazing tingling throughout my body, and she said, ‘I think what I have given you will definitely help you in what years you have remaining. And don’t worry, you will be around to see all of my grandchildren grow up into wonderful adults.’ Then she was just gone. When I moved over here to gather my things, I saw that face looking back at me, and I yelled for you. Fate has made me young again so that I could look after Collin, Shea, and Kalen.”
“We still don’t know that this is really Lil,” Slade said.
“Well I do,” Sage announced with a smile and walked to Lillian. “You still smell like my gran, and you have the same beautiful, loving eyes. And I also remember my mom showing me pictures of you when you were younger. You look exactly as you did then, Gran, when you were what, forty, forty-five?”
“Yes, Sage. I look like I did when I was forty. I feel like I did when I was forty, too. My arthritis is gone. That pain in my lower back from my sciatica is no more, and my knees feel like they are brand new. I just want to run and jump and dance. It has been so long since I really danced,” Lillian said with glee.
Sage and the others laughed at her exuberance. “How about I promise that when this is all over and if we make it back, we’ll take you to the club dancing all night?”
Lillian was so excited. She had heard Jesse’s club was fun but had been afraid she would cramp all the young one’s style. “I would love that, Sage. Yes. I say we all go and have some fun.”
“Then it’s a date. Now, let’s get you all packed and over to Storm’s so they can get you into the safe house. We’ll all help you and make sure you get settled, then say our good-byes…for now.”
Lillian hugged Sage close. “That sounds like a wonderful idea. All my grandsons helping me.”
“I don’t think you’ll be able to say that anymore, Lil. You look smoking hot, woman. We’ll have to beat the straight men off you,” Maddy teased.
Lillian giggled, then slapped Maddy’s arm playfully. “Oh, you sweet talker you. I may not look like I’m in my early eighties anymore, but this brain still has all those memories, so be careful, pup, I know a secret or two about all of you.”
They all started laughing. “Yup, that’s our Lil,” Slade replied and slid an arm over her shoulders. “Come on you Bond girl grandma, let’s get your things packed and get you settled.”
* * * *
Micah sat behind his desk, staring at papers spread out in front of him. Jesse strolled into the office and walked right to Micah’s side. His mate never looked up like he normally did when he came in. He looked over Micah’s shoulder to see what held his mate’s complete attention. The lists that they had made the day before during the meeting, listing all the paranormals in Sanctuary right now, along with who would be fighting and who wouldn’t, as well as what breed they were and what powers they held, were splayed out before him.
Jesse sighed softly, then touched Micah’s arm, causing his mate to flinch. Micah’s head snapped around to him, their gazes meeting. “Boy, you really were concentrating if I could walk up to you unnoticed,” Jesse said.
Micah slid his arm around Jesse’s waist as he pushed back in his chair, and pulled Jesse around in front of him, then drew him onto his lap, as he replied, “I’m sorry, baby. I’ve just been studying these lists and trying to figure out how to use everyone to the best of their abilities. I still feel like I am missing something here.”
Jesse settled on Micah’s lap and slid an arm around his neck. “After looking at all of this and listening to everyone, do you think we have a chance?”
Micah gave him a sad smile. “I will always think we have a chance. Even though we are going to face a very powerful god and his army, I still think we have a chance. As we said before, we need to keep the faith that Aurora and the gods know what they were doing when they chose us. I feel like I am overlooking something though and wonder if it’s just the stress of thinking about including everyone. I’m not sure we should. The world has gone to shit, and we may be all that is left. Should we be taking the chance of risking others’ lives?”
“I’ve been kind of leaning toward keeping everyone away, as well, but they do have the right to fight and protect their way of life and those they love. You let everyone know they didn’t have to fight if they don’t want to and gave them the choice. We told them all the risks and let them decide for themselves. It all boils down to what I was saying to the gods. Free will. We gave everyone all the information, and now we need to let them choose what they think is right.”
“I know, baby, but I still worry.”
Jesse cupped Micah’s cheek tenderly. “And that is one of the things I love so much about you, love.” Jesse leaned in and gave Micah a soft kiss, then pulled back.
“We got Tempest and his people, along with Ann
, her Liam, and Lillian settled at the safe house. Oh, and you should see Lil. Apparently, my mother stopped by for a visit and granted Lillian a gift,” Jesse said with a chuckle.
“Yeah, and what would that be?” Micah asked.
“Lil is now forty years old again,” Jesse announced.
Micah’s eyes went wide. “Holy shit. Are you serious?”
Jesse nodded as he replied, “Yup, Aurora wanted to thank Lillian for promising to look after Noah’s children, so she blessed her with youth again so that she would be around for a long time.”
“Wow, and how is Lil taking that?”
Jesse smirked. “Fabulous. She’s loving every minute of it, and I did see her giving a few of Tempest’s men the eye. Which was funny as hell when they got all embarrassed and gently informed her that they were gay.”
“Oh boy. I can’t wait to see her. Is everyone all secure over there?”
“Everyone but the babies. Noah, Bastian, and Storm, as well as Dale, Dante, and Dare, want to spend as much time as they can with their children. Once we’re ready for the battle, Dante and Noah will pop the kids there, then get to us.”
“Which only brings home the fact that I need to try harder to come up with a plan so everyone will go home after.”
“You mean us. This is not all on you alone, love. We’re all here to help,” Jesse said and hugged Micah tight.
Chapter Five
The time had come. The moment they had all been fearing for many millennia was finally here. Was this day to be the end of all things or the beginning of a new world? To think that even if victorious, the world would be a Utopian society, was a childish wish as young Jesse had stated. To become a true Utopia then the creatures of Earth would have to lose their free will, and he was not prepared to take that away from them. Even the few who were left. But had they been wrong to entrust this group with the future of Earth? With the future of heaven and hell? Their own futures?
It was too late to stop it now. Their hands were tied, and all they could do now was watch. To bear witness to one of the greatest heavenly battles between good and evil of all time, and only the heavens and their paranormal creations knew of it at this point. The humans had no clue what had been happening right before their eyes. That their world has been standing on a precipice ready to fall over the edge into a pit of darkness and despair so deep there would be no coming out of it. More so than the pit they stood in now thanks to the horsemen. Those still left were so consumed with survival, they had no idea what was about to take place.
They had their legions of angels ready for the battle ahead here in heaven if the battle on Earth went the wrong way and their chosen warriors were defeated. All their generals, the Archangels, stood with their men at the ready, guarding the hall of gods. Millions surrounded them, but not a sound could be heard. It was as if all of heaven held their breath, watching, waiting, anticipating. The air was thick with the anxiety of all heaven’s inhabitants as they waited to see where their future lie, as well. Because Zeus and the other gods knew that if Hades was to be the victor, then he would set his sights on heaven next.
Zeus stood and walked down from the dais to the center of the hall. He held his hand out straight in front of him and swirled it in the air, and a large round mirror formed. Once he was done, the others left their seats and came to stand around the shimmering pool. He looked across and met the gaze of Poseidon and saw the stress lines around his eyes and the uncertainty in his gaze. Zeus then looked to each of the other gods and met their gazes. All but one held the same distress. Only Aurora’s eyes were filled with hope as she gave him a comforting smile.
“I still don’t like this, Aurora. We should be able to help them. They have all done so much, sacrificed so much in our names, for all that we have created, yet we allow them to stand alone without us. We should be able to help them,” Zeus argued.
“I agree with Zeus,” Hermes added, causing a small gasp of shock to echo through the quiet hall. “Hades hasn’t been playing by the rules and has stepped in to help his followers. He even found a way to release the horsemen so that he too could escape hell. So why shouldn’t we also be allowed to help ours?”
Aurora turned her head to face Hermes. “Because Hades and those who follow him believe that he is the rightful heir to rule the heavens and all of us because he is the firstborn son of Kronos, but we all know the truth. If it were not for Zeus, then Hades, Poseidon, and the others would never have escaped Kronos prison. The three of them stood together to defeat Kronos, and together they agreed to draw lots. When Hades didn’t win, he threw a fit like a spoiled child and told anyone who would listen how Zeus tricked him, but you and I know that to be false. If we help them in this battle, and they defeat Hades, his followers will never accept their loss and will continue to build and fight against us, against Zeus, and all of this will be for nothing. But if we have faith in them and they defeat Hades without us, then his followers will see that Zeus is the rightful king of heaven and king of the gods.”
Aurora turned to Zeus and looked at him pleadingly. “You need to have faith in them, Zeus, like they have had in you. And you need to have faith in Fate,” she said with a smirk and a glint in her eyes. “Trust that I have put all the correct pieces on the playing field and that they will stand victorious, no matter what Hades throws at them.”
“He has already broken the rules to get to this point, Aurora. He has stolen the book of the Lamb, The Book of Revelations, and has broken the seals, causing so much pain and death upon the earth. None of that was supposed to be a part of this. Now he will come to them with legions of the dead. Those who cannot be killed. They will stand a massive army like none have ever seen before, and our wonderful creatures will stand too few and less powerful to face even Hades alone. We send them to their deaths, Aurora.”
“We all knew that this day would come, and they would have to face this battle alone. This is what they were born to do, Zeus. Do not falter in your belief in them and their abilities. I know that no matter how many Hades brings with him, that Jesse, Micah, and the others will stand the victors,” Aurora said with conviction.
“It begins,” Aphrodite announced, and they all looked down into the vision pool.
Micah, Jesse, and all their family stepped out of the Angel Pack home from the back door and into the yard. Far off in the distance, a rumble began, and the ground started to shake. They each looked around at one another, worry and stress in their eyes, but each also filled with love. Micah held out his hand to his mate Jesse and gave him a loving smile. Jesse then placed his hand in Micah’s, returning the smile. Together they turned toward the forest and walked away from the house. All the others joined hands with their own mates and followed the pair to stand in the clearing between their home and the forest.
The vibrations beneath their feet grew harsher and the sound of destruction coming toward them a deafening cacophony. Thousands of birds that had been trapped under the protective dome the fae king had placed over the Prime’s lands took to the sky as they flew away from the coming danger. From the forest, thousands of animals of all shapes, sizes, and breeds ran toward them in a stampede, their stomping feet adding to the trembling earth and the sound of battle to come.
Micah, Jesse, and the others stood firm and unmoving as the throng of creatures raced toward them, then split and continued around them. No one paid the horde any notice and stood unmoved, keeping their focus on the tree line in front of them. The sound of the animals died as they made their way around the house and down the driveway, making their escape.
In the distance, above them, things started to fly into the air. Trees and cars tossed as if toys and the sound of thousands of feet moving toward them echoed. The group held their ground, just waiting for what would appear. As Hades, Minos, and their men moved closer, a line over a mile wide was ripped from the earth and tossed aside, clearing the area, and leaving a path of destruction behind them.
The earth began to shake violently, and
the sound coming from the large group grew so loud that the sound damn near split the heavens. Windows in the large home behind Micah and Jesse shattered as they blew out into the yard, and the house started to shake.
Suddenly, the last line of trees ripped from their place in the earth and shot up into the air to finally reveal what was coming for them. Hades stood in front with Minos at his side, and at least a hundred legion of men and beasts stood behind them. Thousands of rogue vampires and rogue paranormals as well as witches, demons, and demon Nephilim. It appeared as if hell itself had emptied out and now stood behind Hades as their leader.
Zeus’s chest clenched. He never thought it was possible for a god to have a heart attack, but standing here now, helpless as he watched this small family of thirty-one stand, facing Hades and over five hundred thousand or more. Zeus was surprised his heart was not physically ripping from his chest.
* * * *
“We’re all here,” Micah stated in a whisper.
“I still don’t understand why we can’t go with you,” Phenex grumbled.
Papa Angel stood and faced Micah. “I agree with Phen. You are my sons, all of you. How can you expect me to just stand by and watch?”
“It is not up to us, Papa. This is how it must be,” Jesse replied, giving Raphael a sad smile.
“I honestly thought we would have more time. I know Aurora said the battle would begin when the last of us found our mates, but I didn’t think it would be this soon,” Raith added.
“Yes, but technically Nicco found his mate first. So if we go by that, Cass was the last to find his mates, and that was months ago,” Christian said.
“He’s right. I never even thought of it like that, but he’s right,” Dante replied.
Everyone sat around the pack house kitchen, each going quiet, getting lost in their own thoughts. After about ten minutes, Lexi broke the silence as he said, “I just want you all to know that no matter how this unfolds, I love you all, and I couldn’t think of a better family to have standing by my side at the end then all of you.”
