“What about them?” Mum asked.
Echo had filled her in last night, while Race was out on patrol, about their shared ancestry, the Watchers’ fall, and their dark prophecy. More, it had blown Ash’s mind to see the angelic runes Echo had inherited imprinted on her.
“It seems the Watchers’ leader, Zarias, set a prophecy into being before he was slain. Their mortal descendants—women—would be born carrying fragments of their immense powers. Proof of what heaven tried to erase. And, it looks like I’m one of them.”
Her parents’ eyes widened as if she had just told them she intended to fly solo to discover unknown planets.
Then Mum shook her head. “This is rather far-fetched, darling.”
Something tight twisted in Ash’s chest. She jerked to her feet. “You both go to church! So I don’t understand why this is so hard to believe?—”
“Ash.” Race rose and gently grasped her arms, and warmth threaded through their bond, quiet and soothing. “Look at me.”
“Darling—” Mum’s gaze darted upward, a little frantic. “You must calm down.”
Ash’s gaze followed hers to the ceiling, to the churning cloud above their heads, heavy and swollen.Damn it.She clenched her tingling fingers and forced herself to take deep breaths.
“I suppose you believe this Watcher tale, too?” her father asked Race.
“I think it’s best to let Ash finish,” Race said evenly.
“I’m sorry.” Ash rubbed her hot face as the cloud thinned and dissipated.
“It’s all right, darling,” Mum murmured, her gaze troubled.
Her father remained silent, his expression a lot like the dark cloud she’d unintentionally summoned.
Sighing, Ash gripped the back of her chair. “It seems I possess one of those angels’ powers?—”
“Calenai,” Race supplied. “That was his name, and you also have his eyes.”
Ash nodded, then her gaze rushed back to her parents. They looked as if they might get up and walk right out.
Christ. “Mum, Dad, you can’t tell anyone about this. There are protections in place, and if it spreads…things get taken out of human hands. I don’t want that for you.”
Their expressions turned grim.
She pushed on. “Being who I am, I need protection?—”
“Enough!” Her father shot to his feet. “Is this some cult you’ve gotten mixed up in, Ashaya?” he demanded. “Only they would demand secrecy to hide their own madness.”
God.She glanced helplessly at Race.
How did this end up being such a disaster?
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
Ash’s heart sank.“Dad, that’s not true. You know me better than that.”
“If it makes you feel better,” Race said, voice calm, “you are welcome to visit New York. It’s where the Guardians live.”
“What Guardians?”
“That’s what Race is, Dad.” Ash exhaled wearily, collapsing on the chair again. “They’re… They’re immortal warriors, sworn to protect humans.”
“Protect humans? Why?” her mother asked, confusion replacing disbelief, completely missing what Ash had just revealed—while her father’s eyes narrowed.
