“Find all the men in Pierre’s lineage who have already left the Human Realm and are in Limbo. Bring them to our homeland. Go now. Perhaps you can get a chance to repair some of your soul’s darkness. Also, find the witch, Marie, who you called upon to work your black magic. It is time for her to face her judgment.”
Much to my surprise, Lorraine disappeared without a fight. Claude approached the two of us. “I was sent by Azrael, the Angel of Death, to ask who you need by your side during thefight. I’ve been given permission to go to the Celestial Realm and bring those you need to Normandy.”
I glanced at Keir, who spoke quietly. “Any of the d’Erlie or Dearly family who have gone on to the Celestial Realm, including my father. I thought Azrael was a neutral entity. Why is he involved? Doesn’t that break some cosmic rule?”
Claude chuckled. “This particular situation affects us all. We are prepared to assist. Unlike the underworld, you will have our support.”
“Time to go. Alba Protectorus d’Erlie, thank you for your assist. I’ll see you there.” Jo then wrapped her wings around us again, and we were whisked away.
Everything was a blur, but when we finally landed, Jo pulled back her wings and allowed us to see nothing but miles of beach. “Arromanches-les-Bains. This is near the beach where Scotty died. It’s about ten kilometers fromCourseulles-sur-Merwhere Henri d’Erlie brought the curse upon your family, Keir.”
I stepped closer to Keir, taking his hand. Suddenly, Scotty appeared, his angelic wings splayed behind him. It was as if he walked out of thin air. He was wearing jeans and those huge wings, slowly striding toward us as he stared at the beach, maybe remembering his time there before he was taken from his human life.
Keir gasped as his father came forward, wearing a tracksuit that reminded me of Beelzebub. His smile was nearly identical to that of my beautiful Keir. As we watched, the beach began to fill with people I recognized. My mother and father. My brother Daniel—which was a surprise. I was able to hug them all as the beach continued to fill.
“Look, there’s Corrine Burke. She was a guest just before I met you. I’m not surprised her boyfriend didn’t make the cut.” Keir continued to scan the crowd.
“Oh, Andrea Timm. Albert Picket. Emil Hauge. DJ Langston…” He continued to name off the spirits of those who had been guests at Dearly & Son, who were joining us on the beach to fight for our daughter and all the nameless children who were yet to be born. Nobody wanted the kind of future the promise of Nyx would bring.
Nancy Plum led the group of women she’d been wrongly accused of killing, along with a young boy I didn’t recognize. He walked up to Keir and extended his hand. “I’m Kent White. I’m resting in your memorial behind the funeral home. I’m sorry your home was destroyed, but thank you for assuring us our markers will remain on the premises. I’m finally home.”
He brought tears to my eyes, and I didn’t know who the hell he was. Keir leaned into my ear. “He’s the headless torso the police found. Remember his name so we can try to find his family when this is over.”
Kent smiled. “You’re my family now. I was homeless, and I didn’t know the man who killed me. Just take care of your little girl.” Kent then walked away and joined the others as everyone seemed to be enjoying their time on the beach.
Scotty approached us with a huge smile. “I saw that beautiful little girl of yours. I can’t wait to get to know her better.”
David Dearly hurried over to us and hugged Keir, then me. “Are you able to block out their thoughts? I understand you were given that ability, and I assume it’s so you’ll be able to hear the enemy’s approach.”
People continued streaming onto the beach as I opened my mind, hearing the jumbled sounds of thoughts and voices of the multitudes that kept coming from somewhere. I was sure those we saw on the beach were only a pin drop compared to the population of Limbo, but I’d be grateful for every helping hand.
I made my way over to my brother and parents. “Oh, Dashiell! It’s so good to see ye, but I’ve heard ye’ve taken the side ofthe underworld.” The disappointment on Mom’s face had me embarrassed.
“Siobhan, my love, you didn’t listen. He is the dark to Keir’s light. He will protect the Gatekeeper, and if he’s fighting demons, the only way to beat them is to join them.” My dad smirked at me before he hugged my mother.
It was bittersweet to see them still so in love, knowing our visit would be interrupted by evil. “If we make it through this, I want you to meet our daughter. Daniel, I’m surprised to see you here.”
My brother laughed. “Well, I’m hoping it’ll win me a few brownie points with those upstairs. Plus, little brother, I can’t let you go unprotected.”
We laughed as a screech drowned out the waves hitting the shore. I glanced toward the other end of the beach to see many more spirits joining us, their dark auras dividing the space as though day and night were fighting for control.
This was it. The time had come.
Chapter Fifteen
Keir
The screeching sound silenced all of us as I followed Dash’s line of sight to see the multitudes of dark spirits converging upon us. The one unmistakable fact—Nyx wasn’t among them.
She’s not here!
Dash’s eyes cut to mine, and he nodded in agreement. Those spirits on our side moved toward the darkness as it came closer to us, Scotty in the front. He stopped the first dark spirit he came to, and everything stopped moving. It was the ultimate good versus evil battle.
“Bobby, I should have known you would use this opportunity to hurt me for the last time.” Scotty’s back was stiff, which was asign he was quite upset, as I’d learned by getting to know Scotty when he worked with me.
I glanced at Dash.That’s the former lover, right?
Dash nodded.
