Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Gideon’s commands were directed to the new arrivals in a tone that left very little room for questions.
Fifteen were to patrol the perimeter inside the ward.
The other half were to guard the Trinity.
Five on Shitty Ritchie, five on Alana Catherine and five on Jennifer.
Zander and Catriona would be Gideon’s acting generals.
Although any decisions to be made or changes of plans went through the Grim Reaper.
While the Demons still appeared somewhat apathetic, it was obvious that there was great respect mixed with a healthy dose of fear of Gideon.
I was wildly curious why this particular group owed my husband—especially the three females who were not-so-covertly eyeing my man like they were starving and he was lunch.
Whatever. He was mine. There was no doubt about that. But… he’d been alive for a gazillion years and had a past. I didn’t fault him or judge him for that. However, I did hope the trio of hot Demon babes were not former bang buddies.
Charlie left the porch and strode to Gideon’s side.
All thirty Demons took a wary step back.
The Enforcer’s reputation preceded him. While he appeared all squishy and sweet, especially with June and their kids, the man was a badass with a capital B.
He slowly made eye contact with each of the Demons.
While the Enforcer regarded them, not one dropped their gaze.
Finally, Charlie gave a curt nod of approval.
“If the reanimated dead come back, which I’m sure they will, the only way to end them is to kill the leader.
They all go down if the kingpin dies,” he said.
“Unfortunately, they’re all identical and fight like no other foe I’ve encountered.
Which means, finding the leader is a process of elimination. ”
There was some concerned muttering from the Demons. One of the horny, hungry gals stepped out of the line and waited to be addressed.
“State your name and speak,” Charlie said.
She nodded respectfully. “I am Dogthirag.”
It took all I had not to laugh. Yes, it was petty.
No, I didn’t care. What the hell kind of name was Dogthirag?
I knew my green-eyed little monster was dancing in my frontal lobe, but I didn’t like the way she-Demon looked at my guy.
I might be the Angel of Mercy—full of compassion and all that jazz, but I was still a woman.
“Are we tasked with ending the present Higher Power?” Dogthirag questioned.
Charlie looked over his shoulder and deferred to Candy Vargo on that inquiry.
I thought they were alarmed when they realized the Enforcer was here.
When the Keeper of Fate joined Gideon and Charlie, they collectively paled and looked like they wanted to be anywhere but where they stood at the moment.
Candy chuckled as she witnessed the reaction.
Since I considered her a friend, it was easy to forget how high she was in the Immortal food chain.
The Keeper of Fate was right up there with the Grim Reaper, the Enforcer, the Goddesses of the Darkness and the Higher Power.
Heather—the Arbitrator, Tim—the Courier, my brother Gabe—the Archangel, and myself as the Angel of Mercy came in close seconds, but Candy Vargo was practically in a class of her own.
I adored the profane mess of a woman, and she adored me.
Most Immortals did not feel the same about her as I did, though.
Candy Vargo was known as a loose cannon with a short fuse.
Basically, attack first, ask questions after kind of warrior.
That wasn’t accurate, but dispelling a reputation that had been in place for millions of years was futile. Plus, I think she liked her rep.
“If the opportunity arises and it looks like a sure thing, kill the fucker. But lemme tell ya, that ain’t nearly as easy as it sounds.
That beeotch is wily and powerful, but I’ve found that no-fuckin-body is without a weak spot.
” she said with a toothpick hanging out of her mouth.
“So, sure. If you got a shot, take it. Now that the Trinity is in place, ending that shit stain won’t bring on Armageddon. ”
A male Demon stepped forward and joined Dogthirag.
“I am Kogzin,” he stated flatly. “With all due respect, why are we to believe there is a new Higher Power?”
Gideon growled. His eyes turned blood-red and narrowed to slits.
Charlie began to glow silvery-blue and the air grew thin as his power swirled around him.
Catching my breath was difficult. Candy Vargo sparkled a dangerous glittery orange.
Kogzin didn’t back down. The guy was either brave or batshit crazy with an intense death wish.
“Because I said there was,” Gideon ground out.
That wasn’t the best or most satisfying answer if the perturbed reactions of the Demons were anything to go by. I was apprehensive about them being here, but Kogzin’s question wasn’t out of line. At all.
Before a powder keg of magic exploded and a whole lot of people died, I realized someone needed to be the voice of reason.
I would be the voice. Gideon had called in favors because we needed back up.
Killing the enemy was one thing. Ending your own army was stupid.
As I moved to join Charlie, Candy and Gideon, I felt a hand lightly touch my arm.
It was my daughter. She smiled and winked. She reminded me so much of her dad.
“I’ve got this, mom,” she said. “Trust me.”
I nodded slowly then held my breath. It was difficult to come to terms with that a few days ago, she was a baby, and now she was walking out unarmed to a bunch of the deadliest Demons around.
I knew I was supposed to give my child wings so she could fly, but I’d only been a freaking mom for less than a year. This timeline was seriously warped.
Without any fear, Alana Catherine took Jennifer and Shitty Ritchie by their hands.
She spoke to them in a quiet voice and they nodded.
Jennifer looked like a lost child, but she raised her chin and adjusted her mail uniform.
The trio left the porch and walked forward.
Shitty Ritchie strutted with pride. The tiny dingbat even grabbed his crotch a few times.
My guess was that it was to impress the females.
It didn’t work. Jennifer looked like she was about to lose her cookies.
Her entire body trembled. Next to me, Tim was just as much of a wreck as I was.
I crossed my fingers hard that my child knew what she was doing.
I shouldn’t have worried. Underestimating my daughter was a waste of time. Learning that was hard, but I was working on it.
Alana Catherine led her cohorts past the Grim Reaper, the Enforcer and the Keeper of Fate.
Gideon’s body tensed like a bomb about to detonate, but he didn’t stop them.
The Trinity stopped about ten feet in front of the line of curious Demons.
I could feel my heart beating in my throat.
If this went south, I was ready to smack down.
I shoved my sparking hands into my pockets and hoped that I didn’t set my pants on fire.
Hand-in-hand, without any fanfare or spoken words, the new Higher Power began to glow.
It was so bright, I had to shield my eyes.
First came a brilliant orange that morphed into a blinding red.
The colors green, blue, pink, purple and shimmering sliver followed.
Once each of the colors had danced though the air individually, all of them joined together creating a rainbow that was so extraordinary the Demons cried out in awe.
A gentle and fragrant breeze began to blow and the crowd dropped to their knees in reverence.
“It’s like the aurora borealis,” Heather whispered with her hands on her heart.
“Very much so,” Tim agreed, going right to facts to calm himself down.
“Although, the aurora borealis is caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with gasses in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Green and red are caused by oxygen and blue and purple from nitrogen.
” He swiped tears from his eyes as the colors continued to grow brighter and tendrils of light wound their way around the three people who would improve our world immeasurably.
“This… this is beyond what nature can do. It’s glorious, rare and unimaginable magic. ”
Though I’d only seen pictures of the Northern Lights, I was hyper aware that this light show beat it hands down. And, it had answered the Demons’ question to their satisfaction.
The silence was broken by the gal who’d been terrified only a short while ago. “Holy shit,” Jennifer shouted gleefully, glancing back at the gang. “Did y’all see that? Way better than Edward in Twilight. Screw sparkly. I’m a dang rainbow!”
The Demons weren’t sure what to make of the short, over-Botoxed Higher Power on the left, but I laughed. Jennifer’s joy was contagious. We just needed to make sure she stayed alive to continue spreading it around.
As the light died down, Alana Catherine led Shitty Ritchie and Jennifer back to the porch.
Jennifer was smiling so wide, my cheeks hurt.
Shitty Ritchie seemed to be in a state of shock and was unusually subdued.
I was pretty sure the news of becoming the Higher Power was finally sinking in.
Only Alana Catherine was as calm as a cucumber.
She gathered her partners to her and hugged them.
My daughter whispered in each of their ears, and immediately they became as serene as she was.
I knew I’d just observed something otherworldly.
It was humbling and scary at the same time.
Was I about to lose my daughter? Would she need me or Gideon anymore?
Would she become so powerful that calling her to chat or grab lunch would be off the table?
My mind raced with so many terrible thoughts about losing my child to this thing she was becoming that my knees went weak.
Grabbing the railing on the porch, I steadied myself and gulped in some much-needed oxygen.
“Live in the moment, mom,” Alana Catherine said softly from behind me. “The future will work itself out the way it’s supposed to. The present is all we have control of.”
Nodding jerkily, I turned and gave her a smile that I was positive looked like I was constipated. She giggled and wrapped her slim arms around me.
“I love you,” I said. “So much.”
“I love you more,” she told me.
My tears had a mind of their own. They leaked from my eyes and rolled down my cheeks.
She’d just spoken the words Gideon and I spoke to each other.
I was sure she’d never heard us say it, but it shouldn’t be a surprise.
She was our daughter and so far, it seemed like she’d gotten the best of each of us.
“Not possible,” I finished the ritual. “It’s just not possible. I love you so much it’s unexplainable.”
She laughed. “I think we need a little family time before Jennifer’s training. Sound good?”
“Sounds fabulous,” Gideon said, joining the hug.
“Does that include me?” Gram asked, floating in and wedging herself into the lovefest.
“One hundred percent,” Alana Catherine assured her.
“Hot diggity dog!” Gram sang. “Love me some family time!”
Gideon grinned. “I have just the place in mind for a family reunion. Trust me?”
“With my life, Gram’s life—so to speak, and the life of our daughter,” I told him.
“Follow me,” he directed.
Gideon didn’t have to ask twice.
“Even into the fire,” I said, as he took my hand.
“No infernos today, babe.” He glanced at the small Demon army. “At least, I hope not.”
“We’ll cross that path when it comes.” I looked from him to Alana Catherine. “Together.”
“As a family,” Gram added. “Ain’t nothing me and my girlies can’t handle. Of course, Gideon ain’t chopped liver either!”
I nodded and forced a smile, wishing I could let go of the tiny knot of doubt tightening in my gut. Risking my own life or even Gideon’s was one thing. Risking my daughter’s was something else. I shoved the awful fear down and put on a brave face.
It was family time, and I wasn’t going to waste precious moments with what ifs.