Page 4 of Blood of Night (The Thorne Hill)

“The other archangels,” Ruby whispers.

“Yeah,” I say and realize how bad this actually is. The others will know for sure now that Lucifer isn’t in Hell if they blame him for the surge in angel-energy. And if they don’t blame him, will they blame my dad? Uriel is already trying to get everyone against them.

But the alternative isn’t any better. Because it means they’ll know that the nephilim child is alive and well—and powerful.

And now a mother…with a child who has divinity running through her veins as well.

There’s a soft knock at the door and Eliza steps in only a second later. Her usual resting bitch face is strained with worry. Juliet is in her arms, wearing the pajamas Lucas and I dressed her in only hours ago.

“She’s hungry,” Eliza says and silently crosses the room. My heart jumps into my throat the second I take my baby from Eliza’s arms. Juliet turns her head, nuzzling against my breasts. Swallowing hard, I sit back down on the couch and situate Juliet so she can nurse.

I’m going to get him back,I mentally promise our daughter, stroking her wispy dark hair with one hand.No matter what. I will bring your father back to you.

“This is not what you’re going to want to hear,” Tabatha starts, and before she even says anything, she’s right. Unless it’s a battle plan, I don’t want to hear anything. “But there is nothing we can do at the moment. Lucifer seemed…worried. And if something can make the devil anxious, we need to take it seriously. Lucas did what he did so you could live. We both know that.”

I just nod, unable to speak without crying, and I hate that Tabatha is right.

Right now, I have no plan. No idea how to get to the Underworld. I don’t know if I can pull Lucas off the horse or if he can get off willingly.

And I don’t know how much of him is actually in there anymore.

“It’s late. You need rest. And then we’ll regroup in the morning.”

I nod again, looking down at Juliet, our miracle child. Becoming a mother was the absolutely last fucking thing I thought would happen. Even if Lucas was able to procreate like a human, I wouldn’t have planned for this anytime soon. But she’s here and it’s not fair for her to be born into a world that demons are trying to end.

“Her diaper bag is fully stocked and I grabbed you extra clothes,” Eliza tells me.

“Thanks.”

“The same room is set up for you,” Tabatha says. “Are you hungry, darling? I can bring you anything.”

“No, just, uh, maybe some water.”

“Of course.” She kisses the top of my head and goes to the door, motioning for Evander and Ruby to follow. I lean back, grabbing a pillow to put under my arm to help support Juliet.

“I think Julian was right,” Eliza says as soon as the door closes behind Tabatha.

“About what?”

“You’re stronger than Lucifer. You knocked him on his ass, Callie.”

“You saw that?”

“There are windows in the attic.”

“Right. Then you also saw…” I trail off, not able to even bring myself to say it because it sounds so ridiculous.

“Shiny black wings a giant raven would be jealous of?” Eliza’s blue eyes widen and if her face could pale, it would right now. “Yeah. I saw those.” She tips her head, looking me up and down. “They were…fitting for you.”

“I guess I take after my dad more than I thought.”

“I think so too, but your mother’s magic flows strong in your veins as well. Alone, each side of you is bloody powerful, but together, you are a force, Callie. A force strong enough to go to the Underworld and bring back my maker.”

“And then kill the Horsemen once and for all.”

ChapterThree

Iwake with a start, sitting up and gasping for breath. The fact that I actually fell asleep doesn’t surprise me. My body is exhausted and closing my eyes and forgetting about the world is a defense mechanism with my name written all over it.

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