Page 151 of Song of Her Siren

My knees threatened to buckle beneath me. “Thousands?”

Geoffrey scratched the back of his head, his brow drawn in confusion. “Heading toward our shore with no souls on any of the decks.”

“No souls?” Steffan blurted. “That can’t be right.”

“They hide in the shadows,” Teddy said, “and many of them fly.”

“They can fly?” I clutched Steffan’s arm as icy fear pumped through my veins. “Goddess, save us.”

“When will they get here?” Steffan asked.

“They’re almost upon our shores.” Geoffrey nodded in the direction of the beach. “We must evacuate.”

Tears filled my eyes, and dread rose in my chest as I rubbed my trembling son’s back, for I already knew what we’d have to do. If the demons could fly, Geoffrey wouldn’t be able to outpace him while carrying the weight of his entire family.

Steffan squared his shoulders, his limp wings twitching behind him. “Geoffrey, take our mate and son to safety. I’m staying.”

“Steffan, no!” Geoffrey bellowed, his face flushing crimson.

My legs felt like deadweights, my heart slowing to a dull thud as I stared at the fog that slowly changed color from pale mist to a dark gray.

My mates’ voices grew louder, their arguing only delaying the inevitable.

“You won’t get far carrying the three of us,” Steffan said to Geoffrey. “The demons will overtake us.”

He grabbed his brother’s shoulder, tears welling in his eyes. “I’m not leaving you alone.”

“He won’t be alone,” I blurted while clinging to my son, relishing the feel of his warm body tucked against mine, committing to memory the sweet, pure smell of his skin and hair. I turned up my chin, looking defiantly at Geoffrey. “I’m staying with him.”

“No!” Geoffrey’s eyes flared with rage.

“Geoffrey, take Teddy to Thebes.” My cousin might have been a heartless bitch, but Shirina wouldn’t let her turn our boy away. I kissed Teddy one last time, my lips lingering on his forehead before shoving him into Geoffrey’s arms. Teddy didn’t want to let go. I had to bite down on my lip to keep from crying out while untangling his hands from my hair. “Be a good boy for Mommy,” I whispered, my heart shattering when he let go with a whimper.

“Nooo!” Geoffrey clung to Teddy, gaping at me as if I’d just carved out his heart. “I can’t leave you too.”

I motioned toward the shore behind us. Even the sound of the crashing waves had been muted. “If these demons can fly, they’ll overtake us before we reach safety. I’m the only one who can slow them down.” Stepping away from Geoffrey, I pressed into Steffan. “I’m staying here.”

Geoffrey looked at us as if we were already dead. “You can’t hold them back forever.”

“I know.” I gritted my teeth. “I just need to hold them back long enough to ensure that Teddy will live.”

“Felicity.” Geoffrey’s voice broke on a plea that shattered my heart again and again.

“Geoffrey, it’s the only way. Do this, my love,” I pleaded. “Do it for our son.”

Thunderclouds darkened Geoffrey’s eyes. “I can’t leave you!”

Steffan draped an injured wing over my shoulder, an act that I knew pained him. “She won’t be alone, brother.”

“Teddy, darling boy.” I reached toward him as if he was a flickering flame just out of reach, mourning the future we’d never have together while hoping he understood my sacrifice was the greatest act of love I could give him. “I wish I had more time to love you.” I bit down on my knuckles to stifle a sob. “Please be brave for Papa.”

“Mama!” Teddy cried, holding out his arms to me. “Mama!”

Steffan’s voice went cold as he pointed toward a legion of winged shadows flying toward us. “Felicity, they’re here.”

“Go, Geoffrey!” I screamed at my mate while summoning my wind. “Go!”

As Geoffrey jumped into the sky with a howl, I didn’t dare look back, lest I lose my nerve and beg him to return for me. I turned to Steffan, my expression pleading. “I need your love, darling. This storm will take every drop of my magic.”

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