Unfortunately, Gage Oliver was thinking the very same thing.
I glance out the window and spot Holden Kragger and his pale plus one, Serena, gliding through the early morning sky in all their winged glory.
A week has passed since Candace blessed us with the knowledge of our precious angel that’s on the way. Skyla’s body is about to transform once again as a symbol of our love grows inside her. We’ve decided to hold onto the news for a minute and let it soak in before we share it.
A dry laugh bounces through me. Jaxson is just two months old. Skyla didn’t catch a break. I suppose that’s my fault. Jaxson and the new baby will feel like twins, and hopefully share a very special bond because of it.
A part of me still can’t believe that the girl, thewomanI have worshipped for so long is finally in my arms—our family surrounding us like a shield. Every wild dream I’ve ever had has come to fruition, and included with that were some things I didn’t ask for.
All week we worked tirelessly side by side with Ezrina and Wes, struggling for a cure to this pandemic that’s eating the world alive. According to Ezrina, the Kingdom Virus has had thirteen different mutations so far. By the time she comes up with something that could possibly eradicate the monster, it’s already obsolete.
Then as soon as the virus departs from my mind, Rory and her demented games take over—or more to the point, Chloe’s.
Damn Chloe for being the unstoppable scourge she is.
And because of that, I’m playing the part of Skyla’s voice—at least as far as the Factions go.
I thread my fingers gently through her hair.
I would be anything Skyla needed me to be. And I will help lead the Factions as long as it’s necessary. Together, we will defeat evil, pull Gage from the flames, and stop this flood of wickedness that Demetri has unleashed.
All of it will be done.
And Celestra will prevail once and for all.
I look lovingly to my beautiful wife and whisper, “I promise.”
* * *
Some might say Ellis Harrison’s crowning achievement is a thriving cannabis business. Others might venture as far as suggesting it’s the gym we went in on—that was primarily his baby. But I think almost everyone who went to West Paragon High with Ellis all those years ago would agree that Ellis’ big mark on the island is his raging keggers.
Skyla glows in a baby blue dress, sparkling earrings that dangle halfway down her neck, and a pair of silver heels. She’s wrapped in a fuzzy white cardigan and looks like a winter dream as she talks to Laken and Bree on this, the night, which just so happens to be New Year’s Eve. The grand room of the Harrison mansion is dimly lit, the music is loud, the bodies are plentiful, and true to Ellis himself, the entire place holds the light scent of weed.
Coop chuckles. “You can’t take your eyes off of her.”
Wes grunts, “Why would he want to? He’s with the love of his life.”
It’s only fair to note that Wes has been drooling after Laken all night, as the crowd continues to grow around us.
Coop steps in front of Wesley’s line of vision. “And I’m with yours.”
Wes is not amused, but I can’t help but shed a simple smile.
“All right, no dog fight,” I say. “We’re a united front, remember? We’re just taking a few hours off before we head back to the lab in the morning. How are you feeling, Coop?”
Cooper sighs as he glances out at the crowd. “I’m okay.”
“He’s not okay, Logan,” Wes offers. “And for the love of all things holy and sacred, would you stop volunteering to take that damn antivenom? You’re allergic to just about everything Ezrina pumps into you.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Coop growls back. “There are people, our people who cannot tolerate the serum. Somebody needs to be on the front line in that fight. Charlie is allergic, too. I’m doing this for her and for every Nephilim out there who doesn’t stand a chance otherwise.”
Wes closes his eyes. “Dude, I get it. But if you keel over, Laken is going to be pissed. And anything that pisses her off, pisses me off. Includingyouif you’re dead.”
Coop shakes his head. “You put on a good show. We all know you’re rooting for the Reaper.”
Wes looks him in the eye, not a single sign of glee within him.
“No, Coop, I’m not,” Wes says. “I’m being truthful. You don’t belong in a casket under a mound of dirt. You have a family.”
