There is one pinpoint of time where it all shakes out, and that is where we must go. The window is quickly closing to prove to Gage that all he believes is fiction. It’s here upon us, and if I fail now, I fail forever. I don’t just fail Gage but my people, our people.
The horses drum against the sands of time until we find ourselves on the sparkling shores of Ahava. The scent of lilacs dusts the air, the scent of my mother’s skin. I see the Falls of Virtue, the lake as blue and clear as my mother’s eyes. The white water hits the glacier blue pools below, and cobalt blue butterflies bigger than my hand flutter in and out of its mist. In the distance the verdant Elysian Field looks soft, like the fur of an exotic animal, so very resplendent as it goes on for miles. Soft explosions of light bloom over the lawn as loved ones come to greet those entering paradise for the very first time, and it’s a sight to behold. A reunion of the ages.
And then I see him from afar, tall and stately, gorgeous as a sunrise, Marshall.
My heart warms, and I feel safe as if in some way I needed his assurance.
I’m here, Marshall. I made it. And you helped me get here. Now tell me what to do—where to go. Show me how to save Gage. Give me a hint in the least.
The surly Sector doesn’t acknowledge me. Can he see me? I suppose that’s not for me to know.
Marshall looks in this general direction, shining in all of his celestial glory before turning his head and nodding to his right.
Gage and I plod steadily in that direction, and with every step closer, our bodies along with the steeds that have transported us, grow as transparent as glass.
A laugh bubbles through me. Surely there are no secrets in paradise, and then it hits me. This is my doing, my secret, my invasion, my mission, and it will most certainly be my success.
The horses slow as we hit a field just shy of an empty amphitheater, and there we find them. My mother and the devil himself, Demetri. Nearby a horse whinnies, and it’s a horse I know well. Shaddai, that silver steed that has both frightened and confounded me on occasions. It’s the horse my mother was riding when she miscarried with Rory. It was the horse that Rory had with her on Paragon the first time I saw her.
My mother is glorious in her infernal beauty, her hair of spun gold, her eyes the lightest sapphires. And Demetri—he looks comely, a far more sharpened and refined version than the one we’re treated to on Paragon. If my mother were here—Lizbeth, she would fall down and worship him. A part of me wishes she were here to experience the real him, the one without the smiling mask.
I slide off the magnificent beast who transported me to this heavenly plane, and Gage does the same. I take his hand, looking up at this glassy version of him, clear and malleable as water. We shine like silver, and I can’t help but smile. I nod to him as I lead us into their midst.
My mother says something to Demetri and he winces. Their voices grow heated.
“You’re no fool.” My mother glowers at him. “I take that back. You are very much a fool.”
Every last part of me wants to applaud her. Instead, I give Gage’s hand a squeeze and look over at him while biting down a smile.
He nods my way.All right, Skyla. I’ll give it to you. This is quite a show you’ve got for us. Come on.He navigates us closer still.I don’t want to miss a minute.
Trust me,I say.You will never forget this.
I hope.
Demetri’s expression grows serious. “That I am. I let you slip through my fingers, and now look where we are. Warring for people neither of us cares for.”
Gage’s fingers cinched over mine as he said it. I was hoping there would be explosive revelations, but to have them so soon in our visit is spectacular.
“I care for them,” my mother quickly corrects. “They belong to me. God has his armies, and now I have charges of my own. It’s a privilege to serve the Master, and with an entire league at my distribution.”
Demetri nods. He looks cold, angry even. “Those in the celestial high seat will govern the land, and I with you as their celestial cohort.”
My mother doesn’t look impressed. “We both know it will be Sector Marshall by my side.”
Demetri kicks a rock and it lands clear over into the lake. “What is this fascination you have with Dudley? I can no more stand to hear his name than I can see you groveling for his affection.”
Gage huffs a laugh that dies in his chest.I can relate.
My mother laughs loud and sharp. “Oh my dear Demetri. I’m not groveling for anyone’s affection. Perhaps you’re conveying your own actions as of late?” A delicious smile curves her lips. “Nonetheless, he is a specimen. Perhaps I shall gift him to my sweet daughter,” she sings the words like a song. “I know I shall.” That smile on her face says so many things, but mostly it saysget ready for the zinger. “My daughter shall bear children with a nearly perfect Celestra, with a perfect Sector as well. She will create a new form of Nephilim, a sublime creation that will surpass the powers, the authority gifted to that unwarranted breed.”
Demetri growls out a laugh. “Then perhaps I shall arrange a Fem for her to have children with as well? Someone handsome, irresistible, the very one I choose to rule over my people.”
I look to Gage, but he’s staring intently over at them, his face stern and studious, his emotions beginning to percolate. I sense a rage building so I don’t say a word.
My mother sighs with exasperation. “Demetri.” She closes her eyes a good long while. “We’ve fallen so far so fast and it’s all your wicked doing.”
He reaches over and caresses her cheek. “We could have it all back. Just say the word and we will end this futile game now. I will rule with you. The Counts will form the government of the domain given to you. And Celestra will watch over the souls of those still living.”
