Present day

Sariel

I wake in the bed where Selah should be. She’s gone. There’s only a slight indentation in the pillow where she’d been. Dread floods my chest at the memory of her words in our dream. I’m leaving you. When this is over. I’m done. She’s not gone; she can’t be. This isn’t done, not even close. Besides that, she’s not safe. She pulled me into her dream without warning, and I wasn’t able to do anything other than ward the house. I’d planned to summon the coven of witches I know of and convince them to help. Michael and Gabriel will find us soon. I’m honestly surprised between the archangels and Lucifer, they let her get this far. But Lucifer is crafty, and he more than likely already has a plan to strike.

Pulling on some clothes, I survey the room for any evidence Selah is still here. When I see her bag still sitting next to the dresser, I heave a sigh of relief. I take the stairs two at a time, hoping I can catch up with her, apologize for the way I’ve been treating her. I can’t keep up the facade and maintain my sanity. I’d rather love her in any capacity than have her think I stopped.

My heart gives a pained lurch as I cross the hall and catch sight of her, holding Sean on her lap as he chatters animatedly, hands flying around in an attempt to better illustrate his point. When she sees me, she stiffens, but a soft smile appears on her lips. She remembers the dream.

“I remember you,” Sean says, his big dark eyes wide as he stares at me. “You bit me.”

I’m shocked at his announcement. Not only was he unconscious when I helped bind his grace, I was in Devin’s body. Galen’s shoulders stiffen as he stands at the stove.

Sean blinks up at me and grins. “You looked different, but your eyes are the same. Ma says my eyes sometimes look like yours. She says we should be thankful for you. Else I wouldn’t be here.”

Galen turns and crosses the room. “Sean, when did she say that?”

The little boy drops his gaze to the table and pouts.

“Sean,” Galen scolds.

“In her head. Sometimes I hear her.”

This shouldn’t happen. I bound his grace. The boy should live out a normal life with no worries of his Nephilim grace interfering.

“I thought you fixed this, Sariel.” Galen’s words are tight with worry.

“I did. I bound him. Any part of me that’s inside him should be hidden.”

“Clearly, it’s not.”

“He must be stronger than we all thought.”

“What can we do?”

Taking Sean’s hand, I pull his attention to me. “Sean. You need to make me a promise. Can you do that?”

He nods.

“You must never tell anyone about me or what you can do. It’s like Superman. He doesn’t tell the world he’s Clark Kent. He just uses his power for good and keeps himself a secret.”

Sean’s eyes widen, and, God help me, they flare silver as he nods again.

Selah has gone very still during this conversation, and it’s only when Sean jumps down from her lap that she looks at me. “He’s yours?” she whispers.

Before I can answer, she shoves back the chair and makes for the back door. I let her go, but only so I can tell Galen not to worry. I think Sean has a destiny to fulfill that none of us were aware of.

Stepping out into the bright morning, I scan the fields for Selah, knowing she can’t have gone far. After walking down the gravel driveway a few feet, I see her bent over and retching. Without another thought, I rush to her, rubbing my hand in wide circles on her back.

“You didn’t say you were feeling sick,” I murmur.

She stands and flinches away from my touch. “I’m fine, Sariel. Don’t worry about me.”

A flash of a past conversation, very similar to this one, hits me. In another life, she’d said those same words just before telling me we were going to have a child.

“Where were you going?”

She starts walking toward the town, jaw set in stubborn determination. “Sightseeing.”

“If you want to see Ireland, Galen and Reese can show us around after we’re sure you’re safe.”

“And Reese? She’s…special to you?”

I shake my head. “Not to me.”

“But you’ve fucked her.” The accusation stings. “And you enjoyed it.”

If I say no, I’ll be lying. “I thought she was my soul mate.”

“You’re Sean’s father. You said you lost your ability to have children, but you gave her one.”

“I gave up my grace to bind Sean’s. He’s Galen’s son, I just supplied a small portion of my power. Unfortunately, Sean’s body couldn’t take it, and the fallen wanted him because I wouldn’t join with them.”

“So, the reason we won’t have children is Sean?”

I nod.

She heaves a sigh, and her lower lip trembles slightly. It’s a small detail, but I notice every nuanced change in her face. “Why did you bring me here, Sariel? Did you just want to rub it in my face that you’ve been with another woman? You didn’t have to force me to look her in the eyes.”

That’s not what I intended at all, but I can see how she might think I’d be vindictive enough to do something like that. “No, Selah. I brought you here to keep you safe. To fix everything.”

“Between us?” Her voice quavers as she turns a fierce gaze on me. “Or to fix me?”

I don’t know how to answer. Being with her, loving her puts her at risk.

“Right. Your silence speaks for itself. I’m going for a walk.”

Panic spikes through my chest as she turns away. “You can’t go alone,” I say, reaching for her. Glacial gray eyes greet me as she stops and glares.

“I’ll do what I want. You aren’t my guardian, Sariel. You’re a fallen angel, remember? You may be beautiful, but you’re selfish and disloyal, and I wish to God you’d never fallen for me in the first place.”

I don’t follow as she walks away with my heart in her hands.

* * *

Selah

I know I said I’d stay until this was over, but I can’t. He loves Reese. He might not want to admit it, but the way they spoke to each other, the way she touched him, it proved the depth of their connection. And, now knowing he played a part in Sean’s conception. I can’t handle it. I have to get away.

My limbs feel like lead as I walk down the winding road that must lead into town. I wish I could enjoy the beautiful scene, lush greenery, misty fog settled low on the hills, the sun shining through the breaks in the clouds. I can’t. I’m nauseous, heartbroken, and lost.

“I knew you’d be here.” From behind me a singsong voice with an Irish accent catches me off guard and sends me whirling around, heart in my throat. A small, beautiful woman stands in the middle of the road. She’s decked out head to toe in leather, striking and formidable all at the same time.

“I can’t believe he’d leave you alone,” she says as though carrying on a conversation with herself. “He’s lost his humanity. I’m sure his faith in her has been shaken as well. Maybe he’s finally making the right choice.”

Her assumptions send rage bubbling close to the surface.

“Excuse me. Who the hell are you?” I ask, hip cocked and bravado dialed up as high as possible.

A bell-like laugh fills the air. “Sweetheart, I’m Sariel’s worst nightmare. I’m going to need you to come with me.”

Turning on my heels, I run, but instead of finding escape, I gasp as my limbs stop working.

“Don’t fight it. This is for the best.”

She walks in front of me and, with a gentle smile, drops her lips to my forehead and I swear I hear Sariel scream my name as the world turns white and I lose consciousness.