“Congratulations again.” He plants another kiss on me before looking to Logan. “You take care of my girl, would you?”
“And you take care of Sage,” I say.
“Yeah.” He frowns as he nods and takes off.
I sigh as I look to Logan. “And that tells me everything I need to know.”
“Congratulations.” Gage steps up with a sheepish smile on his face. “Job well done. I think you might actually have your angel this time around.”
Tears flow down my cheeks instantly at the mention of our baby girl we miss so much. Angel was the rather generic name we came up with for our baby girl. I think this time around we’ll be a little more original.
“Thank you.” Logan clasps his hand over Gage’s arm and pulls him in and I join in on the embrace.
I hold onto both Logan and Gage as if I were about to fly off the planet without the two of them tethering me to the ground. For so long that was true. For so long I believed it was the only way to survive. But if these last few weeks have taught me anything, it’s that I’m strong enough to survive on my own. But it doesn’t change the fact I need them, that I absolutely require them to breathe.
I pull back, the hot tears now raining down my cheeks.
“I love you both so much,” I whisper.
Logan nods, but Gage has a fresh level of fury in his eyes.
“Brother,” Logan whispers to Gage. “We’re not giving up on you. Know that.”
Gage takes a deep breath as if to stave off emotions.
“I’ve already given up on myself.” He’s about to take off, but I pull him back with monstrous strength.
“There’s no devil in Hell that can keep you from our love,” I say it low in an effort to keep it from Demetri. “Have you discussed what we talked about to anyone yet?” I nod toward the devil in question.
Gage purses his lips. That hardened expression on his face lets me know this isn’t going to be easy.
“No,” he bites the word out. “I’ve forgotten about it. And I recommend you forget about it as well. It’s a lie. I have to do what I have to do.” He looks from Logan to me, tears sparkling like shards in his own eyes now. “You are not in my shoes. You aren’t faced with the same reality. This isn’t a drill, Skyla. If I don’t accomplish my mission, I lose it all.”
Logan yanks him in close. “We get it. We want you in our version of eternity as well. You’re doing it all for those you love, for the boys, for Skyla. I would do the same. I would burn the world down for five minutes so that I could stand in eternity with those I care about, forever. But if I was lost in a maze of lies, I would be fully dependent on the two of you to tell me. And that’s what’s happening here. If you don’t want to believe us at face value, that’s fine. Dig deep. Find the answers on your own. But for God’s sake, don’t forget about it. You’re a pawn in the biggest game of chess in the universe. People have died. Celestra has been knocked down. You don’t want either of those things.”
“Do me a favor.” My voice quivers as I press my body to his. “When you lift the rock off everything you think is true, and you see nothing but sickly worms that look like Demetri underneath it, call me, find me—no matter what I’m doing, no matter what the time. I want to be there for you. I want to share your rage, your joy, your magnificent release.”
Logan nods. “Me too, man.” He pulls Gage into a headlock and kisses his hair. “Don’t hesitate. The three of us have been in this together since the beginning. And that’s the way it’s going to end.”
Gage pulls away and eyes us both with an uncertainty I’ve never seen in him before.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers. “It’s not going to happen.” He takes off deep into the woods as an electric blue fog envelops him. That colorful mist lets us know who he is, and who he still belongs to.
Gage may be a Fem, but he won’t belong to them for long. Not if I can help it. Not with Logan and me clawing at everything in the natural and spiritual world to make sure Gage Oliver lands back in his right mind.
Logan kisses my hand. “It will happen.”
Marshall and my mother stride over, and we catch a glimpse of Demetri headed off in the same direction that Gage took off in.
Marshall’s lips curl as he takes me in. “One step closer to me.”
Logan growls, “How about you start with congratulations?”
“And that.” Marshall bows my way. “Congratulations to you both. Another beautiful child will soon grace our presence.” He gives a worried glance to the Landon house, and I watch as his expression quickly morphs to anger. “I’ll be in the lab at Whitehorse if you need me.” He takes a few steps and dissolves in a blaze of glory like only Marshall can.
My mother chortles as she takes up Logan’s hand and mine.
“Congratulations indeed. May this child be blessed coming and going. May angels guard its every step, its every precious breath. May it learn to live in a world of chaos with a heart full of peace that only He can provide. May you both be blessed beyond measure with the precious gifts you’ve been blessed with.”
