Saraqael tilts his head, considering. “There might be something you can do, child.”
“Don't call me that,” Mike mutters in a way that lets me know it's not the first time. “And what?”
“Bring your mother to us. Then send for Ithuriel.”
I raise my eyebrows in disbelief. “You want to bring Sataniel's daughter-in-law to Hell?”
“I would rather be overly cautious than ill-prepared,” the archangel says simply.
I run my hand through my hair. If Saraqael is worried, the situation is indeed dire.
“Oh, wow,” Mike says, eyes wide. “Dad's going topitch an absolute fit?—”
Saraqael interrupts him. “Go.”
With a wave of the archangel's hand, the young man disappears, presumably to the human world and wherever Syriniana is.
Maalik looks at Daniel. Something passes between them, wordless, poignant. Then he steps aside.
“Come back safe,” he says quietly.
“That's the intention,” Daniel replies.
I gather the ether, focusing on the two vastly different angels and my Lethe home. “Stay close.”
The bedroom feels toosmall the moment we materialize.
Simone is curled on her side, both arms wrapped around her belly, her nightgown stained with blood from hip to knee. Her face is wet from sweat and tears, her lips bitten raw, and her hair sticks to her temples in damp strands.
“Az—”
“I'm here.” I'm at her side before my name fully leaves hermouth, pushing the hair back from her forehead. “I'm here, little fairy. I brought him. I brought help.”
Her eyes find Daniel first, and her expression changes to pure, naked relief.
“Daniel,” she breathes.
“I'm here, Simone.” He kneels beside the bed, his gray robes brushing the floor. “May I?”
Simone nods, sniffling.
Daniel's hand hovers over her belly, not touching yet, though it glows with golden light. When Saraqael joins him, Simone freezes for a moment, eyes wide in shock despite her fear and pain.
I count her heartbeats. They're too fast.
The angels exchange loaded glances.
“What is it?” My voice is rough. “Tell me. Tell us.”
Daniel's brows knit together. “The cord.”
“The cord,” I repeat. “What, Fallen?”
“It is wrapped around the babe's neck,” Saraqael says gravely. “Wound, more than once. The babe began to fail and reached for what it could find.”
Simone's hand flies to her belly. “Reached forwhat?”
“For you, Simone.” Daniel's eyes go to hers, gentle and calming. “For your energy. To sustain itself.”
