Gates of Paradise (Blue Bloods 7)

My daughter. My daughter with him. I could see it in her sadness. The scar through her shirt. I knew what had put it there. I could see the remnants of your sword shattered in her soul; knew that its power had healed her.

I understood then, that this was not the end.

This was only the beginning.

But maybe there was hope.

There was a boy with her. A wolf. And I knew. I knew how to get help.

I could see the past, the present, and the future.

I brought her close to me.

I whispered in her ear.

FIFTY-ONE

Bliss

other.”

“Lupus Theliel. My wolfsbane.”

“What is happening to you? We can help.”

“You cannot stop this from happening. He will come for me. And it will be done.”

“No!”

“There is nothing you can do now.”

“No,” Bliss sobbed. “He will destroy you.”

“Listen—the wolves—the Praetorian Guard—they will rise here—they will help Michael defeat the demons and their king for now.…And when Lucifer returns, you must have them by your side.” Gabrielle looked at Lawson. “Fenrir, it is up to you to restore what has been broken.”

“We cannot free them. The passages are blocked. We have been unable to return to the underworld,” Lawson explained.

“This is our only chance, then,” Gabrielle said. “He will take me, and he will be distracted. When it happens, the path will be open.” She turned to Lawson. “Open the portal and it will take you where you need to go.”

“We can’t leave you here!” cried Bliss.

“It is too late for me.”

“Mother…”

“It has already happened,” Gabrielle said. “Nothing can change that.”

She turned away from them and kept running.

And they saw him.

Lucifer.

He appeared in the tunnel as his true immortal form. He was beautiful and golden, his wings str

etched to their full span. He stopped Gabrielle from running, appeared right in front of her.

Took her in his arms.