“Shit. Okay…” I didn’t even know where to start. There was so much information.
Jennifer touched my shoulder gently then slid her fingers down to the gaping wound in my neck. With a light caress, she healed me. “Let me handle this, Daisy.”
I nodded with uncertainty. “Umm… are you sure?”
“Positive,” she said with a smile as the raging battle continued behind us.
Jennifer placed her hand on Alana Catherine’s heart and kissed the top of her head. She then pressed her forehead tomy daughter’s. They were like that for thirty seconds before Jennifer pulled back.
“Do you understand?” she asked Alana Catherine.
“Perfectly,” Alana Catherine answered. “All of it.”
“What just happened here?” I asked, confused.
Jennifer giggled. “Higher Power business.”
“Daisy,” Tim shouted. “Watch out!”
I dove on top of Alana Catherine to protect her. Jennifer hopped to her feet and slammed the cage of the door shut. It wouldn’t keep Uranus out for long, but it might buy some time for the others to stop It.
“YES!” Shitty Ritchie screamed. His voice sounded weird. However, before I could figure out what was off, Uranus’ shriek of rage sent chills down my spine.
“I ate Uranus’ leg! I am the MAN!”
I now knew what was off. The little dude’s mouth was full.
“Mom,” Alana Catherine said, gently pushing me off of her. “I’m good. Let me do what I have to do.”
Her voice was sure. Her color had come back. Her body felt strong and capable. Me? I was still a freaking wreck.
“Maybe you should rest. Take a little nap,” I said. “It will be fine if you stay right here. Your Dad, Candy, Tim and Shitty Ritchie can handle it. You were almost dead not even five minutes ago.” I was very aware that my voice was shrill and that I sounded somewhat insane. It was impossible to mask my fear for my child. It didn’t matter how much I believed. She would always be my baby.
“I’m fine,” she said, cupping my cheek lovingly.
I slowly backed away as the shrieks of Uranus grew louder and more deranged.
“Got an arm!” Shitty Ritchie grunted.
“You’re the fucking man!” Candy Vargo yelled.
Alana Catherine stood up, walked to the door of the cage and opened it. Jennifer followed her. As soon as Shitty Ritchie noticed his partners, he spit out the remains of Uranus’ arm and joined them.
“Everyone, stop,” Alana Catherine said. She didn’t raise her voice. She didn’t have to. Her authority was undeniable.
Everything and everyone in the room froze—including Uranus.
Alana Catherine, Jennifer and Shitty Ritchie approached the one-legged and one-armed monster on the ground. There was no remorse in Uriel. No fear—just pure and unabashed hatred.
“This is not the end,” It snarled. “You will not win. I will kill all of you over and over until you’re permanently dead. I am the only Higher Power.”
Alana Catherine stared at the abomination who’d tried to end her. My daughter’s face was expressionless—very rational, very stoic. Shitty Ritchie’s expression was furious and Jennifer’s displayed sadness at the situation.
They were three parts of a whole. It had never been more obvious. And it was obvious to Uriel.
The horrible being pulled a vial of poison from the pocket of Its robe with the only hand it had left. The hand shook as Uriel ripped the cap off the vile with Its teeth then made an attempt to drink it. It knew It couldn’t win. It no longer had the power to end Its counterpart, so It was going to end Itself. I would have let It, but my daughter had other ideas.
Alana Catherine walked over to what was left of Uriel and removed the vile of poison from Its hand.
