Page 2 of Secrets in the Shadow

Soon, youngling. Soon you and I will play for endless hours. He pushed the thought into his son’s head, hoping the boy would speak to him telepathically, even though he knew Ethan was too young.

After glancing over his shoulder to make sure Killian wasn’t watching, Raziel reached out, wanting so badly to caress his son’s cheek, to pull Ethan into his arms.

Instead, he touched the stuffed animal lying next to his amoretto, a faint, blue glow emanating from his finger. The bear’s soft fabric warmed beneath his touch, and he imagined for a moment it might hold the same comfort for Ethan as it did for Raziel’s aching heart.

Keep your bear with you always—Raziel caught himself before he called him son. It will keep you safe and your whereabouts hidden from the bad men.

It was the best he could offer. To transfer a small portion of his remaining power to the toy.

He didn’t dare touch Ethan. Their bond would instantly resonate on earth and in heaven, alerting every angel that a Nephilim existed.

Then the hunt would begin.

Ethan grabbed the bear lying on the rug and clutched it to his chest, giving Raziel a single nod.

Good boy.

“Badass,” Ethan whispered, smiling so brightly his dimples carved deeper into his cheeks.

Raziel suppressed a laugh. Yes, you are. More than you know.

As much as he wanted to stay, to simply sit there and watch his son, it was time to go.

He had been wrong. The worst pain imaginable was not being able to kiss his child’s forehead, not being able to touch him at all. It was a soul-crushing ache that tore at his heart and suffocated him with despair.

“No go!” Ethan’s breath hitched, reaching for him, his tiny arm outstretched.

Raziel quickly backed away, the lump in his throat intensifying, causing him to blink back hot tears.

You will know me, son, Raziel vowed silently as he tore himself away. Even if it’s the last thing I do.

The sound of Ethan’s cries ripped through him like shrapnel. One moment he was there, and the next, he was gone, carrying with him a surge of emotions too tangled and foreign to fully grasp.

Stumbling, he gripped a tree to steady himself, pressing a hand against his chest. He couldn’t breathe. I can’t…breathe. Ethan belongs with me! A boy needed his father, regardless of whether he was considered blasphemy.

When he’d discovered Ethan, Raziel had wondered why he wasn’t with his mother. But as hard as he’d tried, he wasn’t able to detect Carol’s soul.

Which meant she was dead.

Raziel slid down to his ass and pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes, the onslaught of emotions hitting him from all sides. Bashar had taken so much from him. If he hadn’t thrown Raziel into a cell like some animal, he could have been there for the birth of his son.

He could have stopped whatever had taken Carol’s life.

He could have stopped Ethan from using his mind as a bridge between the shadows. That was how Raziel had felt him, how he’d known he had a son.

Ethan had taken Ryker into his mind to rescue a demon.

A demon for fuck’s sake.

Raziel lifted his head when he heard the crunch of snow and felt a presence growing closer. Jerking to his feet, he quickly pulled out his flask then drained the contents, the concoction instantly refilling.

Yuk! The stuff tasted like foul mop water, and not even the hella ton of bourbon he mixed in to try and dilute the nastiness helped. It was like putting deodorant on musty pits, but Raziel had to drink the shit to mask his location.

Because if Bashar caught up to him, the angel would make good on his promise to behead him.

Since Raziel didn’t feel the familiar electrical current in the air to indicate another angel was present, he relaxed.

A human drew closer, in full winter gear, a backpack strapped to his back. He was muttering under his breath, slapping his cellphone against his hand.

---