Heir of Night (The Thorne Hill)

“I tried,” I start, eyes falling shut. “But I couldn’t.”

“It’s not your fault,” he tells me, hand landing on my shoulder. “You can’t blame yourself.”

I want to tell him I don’t, but that would be a lie. Because I do, and I want Julian here, sharing this moment with us. It’s because of his sacrifice we are here, and I hope he knows how grateful I am. If it weren't for him, I wouldn’t have my baby.

“That’s the archangel?” Maryellen loudly whispers.

“Yes,” Tabatha replies. “That’s Callie’s father. Let’s give them some space.” Everyone shuffles out of the room, closing the door behind them.

“I am sorry I couldn’t come sooner,” Michael tells me. “Uriel has been watching my every move. He is now certain the Nephilim child is alive and still believes Lucifer is the father, which is why he’s in hiding.” Michael holds up his hand to keep me from asking questions. “He does not know I’m here, though I can’t stay long.” His face splits into a smile. “I had to meet my granddaughter, and there’s no need to keep your powers locked up now that you’re no longer carrying a human baby.”

He puts his hand on my collarbone, and something warm zaps through me. My eyes glow blue, and I get the strangest feeling of having wings, but only for a fleeting second. “Do be careful. The more power you have, the more likely you are to get caught using it.”

“Juliet has powers,” Lucas starts, eyes still on his daughter. “Do they need to be bound?”

“As of now, no,” Michael tells us. “Her divinity isn’t as strong as Callie’s.” He walks around the bed, going to Lucas’s side. “May I?”

Lucas passes the baby to him, and Michael’s eyes get all misty when he takes Juliet into his arms. “She looks just like you did when you were a newborn,” he says softly, and I realize how hard this must be for him and why he risked so much to come here.

The last time he held a newborn in his arms, he was getting ready to pass me off to the cruel Martin family, doing what was necessary to keep me alive.

And my own mother, the woman Michael risked everything to be with, was dead.

“Really?”

“You had more hair.” Michael looks from Juliet to me, small smile on his face. “Your mother would be so proud of you, my daughter. All she wanted was for you to be loved, and I am sorry your life was hard in the beginning.”

“I used to be so mad about it,” I say as the realization settles down on me. “And I used to hold so much resentment. But right now…” I turn, looking at Lucas, my father, my familiars, and of course, my baby, and feel so much. “Now I see people saying things happen for a reason isn’t total bullshit.”

“Some of it is,” Michael admits and holds Juliet so he can look straight at her. He whispers something, and his eyes glow blue. He holds her for another moment, looking conflicted. I don’t need to ask to know why: he can’t stay and be here with his family. Just being here now is a risk, and not one we can take.

The Horsemen are still on the loose.

Paimon is going to make another attempt to steal the throne.

And Uriel is only a few steps behind figuring out the whole truth.

“Dad?” I start, brows pinching together. “Julian was working on something that would get rid of the Horsemen. I don’t know what it was, but he wanted me to find Lucifer. He…he didn’t say anything to you?”

“No, he didn’t. We hadn’t had much contact as of late. With him being here, it would have been too obvious. You just delivered a baby, Callie,” Michael says. “The Horsemen aren’t going to come after you tonight. I’ve already put extra protective measures on the house and gave Juliet a blessing.”

“I know.” I don’t have the energy to go after demons right now anyway. “You don’t know where Lucifer is?”

“He’s been evading us again, which is something he’s quite good at. The cloaking spell has worn off, and if I leave now, I still have enough time while Uriel is distracted to try and find him.”

“I want you to stay,” I tell him. Our time is limited enough already, and I don’t want him flying out to look for Lucifer when there’s a good possibility he won’t be able to find him. “My mother,” I start and take Lucas’s hand. I’m feeling so much for him right now, and the fact that the only two people in this world who are biologically related to me are in the room with me is overwhelming. “Did she get to see me at all?”

“Yes,” Michael replies softly. “She held you and passed with you in her arms.” Michael looks out the window, pained from the memory. “Her final moment on earth was filled with joy and so much love for you.” Lucas gives my hand a reassuring squeeze and wipes a tear off my cheek.