Chapter Fifteen. #2
“Avery is our child. He is not an orphan,” I snarled.
“He was a ghost, just like you. Lyra’s alive; you can’t have a dead family. Do you not understand how that is wrong?”
“No,” Lyra snapped. “Love is love.”
“Love between the dead and the living?” the woman inquired.
“Sela,” the man chided,
“Luc,” she coolly replied.
“Who are you?” I demanded finally.
“Someone who can offer you a choice. William, I can give you life again. To feel the blood rushing through your veins, your heart pumping, and to have a life with Lyra. Or you may remain as you are.” The one they named Luc stepped forward.
I swapped glances with Lyra as she held my eyes. Lovingly, I kissed her forehead. “Will you bring our son back and give him that?” I asked.
“Why him?” Sela demanded.
“Because he’s our child,” Lyra replied, her fists clenched in my jumper.
“How interesting. William, you would sacrifice the gift of life for a child not even related to you?” a third man remarked.
“Yes. Without doubt or hesitation. Give us back our son, if possible, please,” I begged.
“Well, brother, you were right!”
“Remy, I usually am,” Luc answered. Although I couldn’t see his face, I knew he was watching me.
“Uriel, do the honours,” Sela said.
I straightened. “Uriel is an angel. What are you? You’re not spirits,” I demanded. I rose and shoved Lyra behind me.
Luc held out his hands, and beneath them a form began taking shape. It became that of a small boy, and a lump rose in my throat. Our son.
“What will you exchange for Avery?” Luc asked as Avery stared at me.
“My existence, and that offer you made me. Give everything to Avery,” I replied. I turned to Lyra, her eyes brimming with tears. “Look after him, give Avery the life he deserves. Teach him to love as you do. No matter where I go, I’ll wait for you,” I promised.
Lyra clasped my face and kissed me before nodding. Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Give me my son,” she whispered.
“Lucifer,” Uriel hissed.
“William passed my test,” Lucifer replied. Lucifer, as in the devil? What was happening here?
“Avery, these are your parents. Love them well; you’re going to have a wonderful life,” Lucifer said, crouching to stare into Avery’s eyes.
“Will I be a real boy?”
Lyra’s breath hitched behind me.
“Yes, because you always were. You sacrificed your soul to protect your mother. That’s genuine love, Avery, and should be rewarded. You are destined to live a blessed life,” Lucifer answered him and kissed his forehead.
There was a blinding light, and then Avery flung himself into my arms. He was solid, and I felt his heart beating against me.
“Oh my God,” Lyra gasped as she joined our huddle. We stayed together. Tears streamed down our faces as we both felt the life in Avery. A smile broke across my lips. Avery would get a chance that had once been stolen from him.
“Get on with it,” Lucifer said abruptly.
“Luc, you’re so impatient. William Trelawny, for being pure of heart, I return that to you,” Uriel stated. Suddenly my heart beat. I looked down as Lyra placed her hand on my chest.
“You’ve a heartbeat!” she gasped.
“Selaphiel, your turn,” Lucifer urged.
“I grant you wisdom and temperance. Knowing when to battle and when to refrain,” Selaphiel remarked. “Remiel?”
“I give you joy and happiness and strength,” Remiel replied.
“William Trelawny, you’ve been offered mighty gifts but lack the main one. Life. Your self-sacrifice for Avery today showed the man you are. This will be painful, but it must be, for it to be worth the gift,” Lucifer said.
I struck the ground, screaming. Pain flooded through me, and there wasn’t a part that didn’t hurt.
“Stop hurting my dad!” Avery screeched, running forward, even as the ache began to fade. Lyra snatched him back. God forbid I experience pain like that again. I lay on my back, sweating, and wondered what the hell I’d been hit with.
“Rise, William Trelawny. You’ll learn that life comes with numerous gifts. You’ve a history, a past and a backstory, I believe it’s called,” Lucifer said.
“Luc is always the overachiever,” Uriel complained.
Lucifer snorted. “Certainly, brother.”
Lyra crouched down beside me and touched me with wonder. She placed Avery next to my feet and raced over to the glowing figures.
“I had no faith in angels and heaven, but I’ll pray nightly for you all. And Lucifer, I shall be forever grateful.”
“Indeed. A warning: You’re a small part of the puzzle.
Three more will be saved. You are not to interfere.
Instead, research, learn, investigate, and let them come to you.
The world is filled with many creatures that people don’t believe exist. They do.
True evil walks this world, just as Ajax warned you.
The Jaspers will fight against it, as they are meant to.
Stay strong and walk the path of righteousness.
And I will stand with you,” Lucifer declared, and they began fading away.
As Lucifer nearly vanished, Lyra lunged forward and boldly grasped his hands. “Thank you. I shall keep you in my heart.”
“And that, Lyra, is thanks enough. One day you’ll need me. Call my name three times, and I shall come. Be blessed, Lyra,” Lucifer said and disappeared.
Lyra turned to me and, with a joyous laugh, tackled me and Avery. We lay on the sand-covered ground and laughed.
We had a future. That was more than I expected.