Chapter 40 #2
“No, I’m talking to you from Lucifer’s tower. I’m… I’m getting better at this. I can sense other Scions, too. There are other packs!” I report excitedly.
“One day, our daughter will meet them,” he replies. “I’m so proud of you, Ansley. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I reply, a smile spreading across my face, because I don’t just hear it, I feel it.
I focus on the rest of my mates, making contact with each of them, and confirming I can communicate, even from here. By the time I open my eyes, I’m trembling with excitement, and Lucifer has never looked prouder.
“See, it was always in you,” Lucifer says, walking over and offering his hand to help me stand up. “That’s enough for today. I’m sure you’re eager to get back to Joanna.”
“Yes, thank you,” I say, then I do something I haven’t done since we met: I hug him. “And thank you for everything you’ve done. Really, I mean that. Thank you, Lucifer.”
“I wish I could have been there for you from the beginning,” he sighs, pulling me into a warm embrace. “Wish I could have been there when your mother got sick, so you weren’t all alone.”
“I had my grandparents,” I say. “They took care of me. Helped me find my place in the world. I miss them. They don’t even know they have a great-grandchild now and probably won’t get to meet Joanna for a while.”
“I could bring them here, if you’d like,” Lucifer offers.
“No, I think this would be too much for them,” I admit. “But one day, I’ll go see them. Once we feel it’s safe.”
“It may never be safe, Ansley,” he cautions. “The Crimson Templars don’t give up easily, and they’ll continue looking, especially now that they know an angel still lives.”
“Then maybe I’ll let you bring them here. One day,” I answer quietly. “But not right now. I’ll have to think about it.”
“That’s fine, just let me know when,” Lucifer murmurs, letting go of me.
“You said the Crimson Templars had weapons that can kill angels? How? I mean, how can an angel die?” I ask, tilting my head slightly.
“We’re strong, and we’re durable, but we’re not invulnerable.
Their swords and bullets don’t hurt us as much, but they have bigger weapons.
Weapons that can shoot us out of the sky,” Lucifer explains.
“And without flight, we’re a lot more vulnerable.
Catching them by surprise, as I did when I rescued you all, is one thing, but if they’re ready…
it’s not worth risking my life, not when everything I care about is right here. ”
“That’s understandable,” I admit. “Alright, let’s go back downstairs before Daisy does something crazy, like mix your granddaughter her first drink.”
When we get downstairs, Daisy is taking very good care of Joanna. The baby is sleeping and Daisy is gently rocking her, a loving smile on her face. She doesn’t notice us, so I stop by the door and watch.
“So adorable,” I whisper.
“She does look good like that, rocking a baby,” Lucifer admits. “Maybe there’s more to her than the craziness suggests.”
“You… don’t mean,” I ask, glancing at him.
“What? No, goodness no,” he chuckles. “I gave up on that sort of companionship long ago. Too painful. It’ll be painful enough when I’m the last one again.”
“I’m sorry,” I sigh. “It really isn’t fair.”
“It’s life. It’s rarely fair,” Lucifer says resignedly.
Daisy finally notices us and grins. “Hey, what are you two whispering about over there?”
“Nothing,” I lie, walking into the room. “How is she doing?”
“Sleeping,” she whispers, then Joanna immediately starts crying. “Or maybe she’s hungry.”
“I’ve got her,” I say, walking over and lifting my daughter from Daisy’s arms.
I’m still nursing Joanna when my mates return from their sparring session.
They’re excited about my progress, but more excited about doting on the baby.
Truthfully, it’s very comfortable here with Lucifer.
I won’t be able to work remotely forever, but I’m almost ready to give up that part of my life.
I don’t feel as connected to it as I did just a few short months ago.
Several more weeks fly by, filled with love, affection, and the needy cries of our child when she requires us. When I’m not taking care of her, I’m training with my father, learning more about my abilities, and getting a little stronger every day.
“I can sense so many Scions now,” I say, my eyes closed, my concentration coming a lot easier. “Wait, I can sense something else, too. I can sense the souls inside me!”
“Ah, your power grows, daughter,” Lucifer says. “You won’t be able to call all of them, but you might be able to utilize them, if needed.”
“I want to try something,” I say, standing up. “I don’t have my sword. Can I borrow yours?”
“Of course,” Lucifer says.
He extends his hand, and the blade appears. It really is similar to mine. I take it from him and look it over, noticing the same amber in the hilt, and the same wing-swept pommel.
“Where did this come from anyway? The one I have, Wyatt said it was in his family for generations,” I say, testing the weight of the sword.
“The angels trapped on Earth crafted them long ago,” Lucifer replies. “The one you have likely belonged to one of the others. Possibly even the one whose bloodline eventually gave birth to wolf shifters.”
“Do you know which angel it was?” I ask.
“No, there have been too many bloodlines. Too many Scions,” Lucifer says. “You I recognize as my own. Others, I cannot tell their lineage.”
I swing the sword a few more times, then I concentrate. I feel a warmth in my chest, and a name fills my thoughts.
“Thyra,” I whisper. “Show me your strength.”
The warmth spreads, the blade ignites, and I start to transform. Red highlights appear in my hair as I get bigger and stronger. I look up and see a halo over my head for a moment, then it dissipates like smoke.
“I did it!” I say, holding the sword tightly.
“A mighty Viking warrior,” Lucifer says.
“Is this like shifting?” I ask. “Is that what I’m doing when I call her?”
“No, this is the soul inside you, being brought to the surface,” Lucifer replies. “Most Nephilim struggled with this. You have come a long way in a short time.”
I smile from the praise and concentrate again, watching as the fire goes out. I shrink back to normal size, and the red highlights disappear from my hair.
“At least I can use if it I need to,” I say, offering Lucifer the sword.
“Indeed, daughter. Hopefully you never will,” Lucifer replies, taking the sword. He holds it out and it vanishes.
“Can you teach me to do that? Like you did with Storm and his clothes?” I question.
“In time,” he says. “One step at a time. Remember, all of this is inside you. You just have to believe it’s possible in order to harness it. That’s the first step towards mastery. But enough for today.”
I spend another few weeks working with my father.
I learn to call Thyra’s soul. I discover a few others inside me, but they’re not as impressive as Thyra.
Just passengers latched onto the others.
I even try to call Joanna, but she’s peaceful and content.
Being apart from Jaxton was the only thing that kept her from being at peace.
Healing him gave her everything she needed.
“What do you want to work on first today?” Lucifer asks as we get to the top of the tower. “We could spar, if you want to see what Thyra can really do.”
“Maybe later,” I laugh, taking my seat in the center of the tower. “I’ll work on a little of everything today, starting with this.”
I concentrate and focus on the other Scions.
I’m getting so good at it that it doesn’t take much effort to feel them.
I might even be able to communicate with them, but I haven’t tried that yet.
My reach seems to be unlimited now. I can feel every Scion alive, although it would be impossible to count them all.
“Wait,” I say, focusing a little harder. “I thought you said you were the last angel.”
“I am,” Lucifer says confidently. “The Crimson Templars thought they got me too, but I managed to survive.”
“There’s… there’s another one,” I say hesitantly. “I can sense him, like I can sense you. He’s… he’s weak. Really weak.”
“I would be able to sense him. I cannot sense other Scions, but I can sense angels,” Lucifer says. “It could be a Nephilim. It would be strange for one to have survived this long, but maybe something in their bloodline gave them a longer life.”
“No, it’s not a Nephilim. I don’t sense any others like me,” I say. “This is distinct. Same way I recognize you. It’s definitely an angel. I’m going to try to speak to him.”
“Wait,” Lucifer says, but I’m already establishing the mental link.
“Can you hear me? My name is Ansley,” I say. “I’m Lucifer’s daughter. A Nephilim.”
There’s nothing for a moment, then a whisper. So faint I can barely make it out, but I listen to the message carefully. As soon as I hear it, my eyes fly open and I jump to my feet.
“What is it, daughter?” Lucifer asks. “Is it really an angel.”
“It is,” I say. “Gabriel. He’s being held captive in the Vatican by the Crimson Templars.”
“What?!” Lucifer gasps, shaking his head. “No, you have to be mistaken. I saw Gabriel fall. He did not survive.”
“He did,” I insist, more firmness in his voice. “But that’s not all. They’re not just holding him prisoner. He’s the source of their power.”
“The source?” Lucifer narrows his eyes.
“They’re drinking his blood, just like how my blood gave my mates and Daisy protection from the vampires,” I report. “That’s what makes them so strong. It’s angel blood!”
Lucifer turns away. I can sense the rage building inside him. I haven’t noticed that before. Not from him.
“I have to go,” Lucifer says, then he begins to transform, large wings appearing and spreading as he gets taller.
“Wait, alone? You said they could kill you!” I rush to him, grabbing his robe as it appears.
“I’ve failed my brother. It’s not the same for angels, but there’s still a connection. I didn’t sense him. I thought he was dead,” Lucifer’s voice is wracked with anguish and regret. “If he’s been held prisoner all this time, I can’t abandon him. I have to help.”
“But if you…” I shake my head, tearing up. “No, I can’t lose you. Please, I didn’t even know who my father was, but now that I do… just no. There has to be another way.”
“There isn’t,” Lucifer rumbles, the halo appearing above his head. “This may not be a battle I win, but I have to try. If I’m that close to him, he’ll sense me. He’ll know I gave everything, even if I fall.”
Lucifer prepares to take flight, but I cling to him. I refuse to let go.
“Wait, what if there is another way?” I ask.
“What do you mean?” he asks, clutching his sword in his hand.
“The Crimson Templars. They hunt and kill. What if they were the ones being hunted?” I ask. “I can reach out to other Scions. What if I called out to them all? Every single Scion? What if we… what if we all fought the Crimson Templars?”
Lucifer relaxes. He turns to face me with a curious look on his face. “As much time as has gone by, even with the Crimson Templars killing them off… there would be a lot of Scions out there.”
“There are,” I confirm, nodding desperately. “Enough to build an army. Enough to put an end to the Crimson Templars once and for all.”
“Then call your army, daughter,” he commands, his sword vanishing. “But if they don’t respond, or they don’t wish to fight, I’m still going after Gabriel.”
I sit down in the circle and concentrate. This is life or death now. My family is at stake.
Lucifer is going to the Vatican, regardless.
But he’s not going alone.