Damien didn’t even hesitate. “I think it would be wise, but the time it would take…”

  Before he could finish speaking, I was on my phone. “Frank, this is Grayson. Power up the jet and head towards Vegas. I need it there and ready to depart before the sunsets. I’ll call you back with the specifics.” I hung up and turned to Sebastian. “You wanna take a little trip to Vegas first?”

  He smirked. On shaky legs he stood. “You bet I would.”

  Gaby

  I sat on an air mattress locked in a room with a bathroom off to the side. I had tried the window, but I think it was spelled because I couldn’t even break it when I tried to both punch and kick it. I had taken in my surroundings immediately when I arrived for anything that could be used as a weapon, but came up empty.

  After I phoned Grayson, I had nothing to do. I couldn’t use my phone for entertainment because I needed to save the battery.

  I shifted my weight feeling the ache in my side that Doctor B told me were my ligaments stretching. I breathed out rubbing it trying to ease the discomfort.

  When one of the male sentinels arrived with food I was stunned. I didn’t recognize him from the crew who abducted me. He had short brown hair with matching eyes.

  “I thought you all wanted to kill me. Why feed me unless poisoning is the weapon of choice?’

  “I can assure you, we do not wish anything of you. We are simply following orders from the one we serve.”

  “And who is that?”

  “You will meet him soon enough. The others are busy summoning him now. I suggest you eat up. This could very well be your last meal.”

  “Please?” I asked when he turned to leave. He froze. “Tell me who it is that wants me dead. Who do you serve?”

  He glanced at me over his shoulder taking pity on me. “He is the leader of God’s army. The archangel Michael.” With that, he walked from the room. I heard the telltale sound of the lock clicking into place.

  “Michael,” I whispered before gabbing my phone and sending a text to Grayson.

  Me: Tell Damien it’s Michael who is coming for me.

  Grayson

  “Does it make a difference?” I asked Damien after receiving Gaby’s text.

  “It means that we need the Vegas nest and any others we can obtain. Michael would not come into the game ill prepared.”

  “I’ve been on the phone with Shawn. The New York Pack is willing to offer us assistance, under one condition.”

  “What is that?” Damien asked.

  I took a deep breath. I had been shocked when Shawn had mentioned it. “They want a blood oath from you.”

  The vampire’s brow furrowed. “It must be serious to require something so barbaric.”

  I nodded grimly. “They want your word you’ll eliminate the baby if it becomes a threat to the wolves or humans.”

  He tensed and spun to face me. “How can you say this so calmly? It’s your child. My grandchild!”

  “I don’t think the baby will be a threat the way everyone is frightened that it might be. Gaby and I are good people in general. We’ll raise the baby right and the blood oath will never be used, but Damien we need the pack and they have a legitimate fear.”

  He sighed. “You’re right. It will never come to it.”

  I nodded. “They’ll be here before sunset. The Vegas nest is already being mobilized even though it’s day. They’ll be ready to depart at twilight. And will arrive just before midnight.”

  I turned to leave after relaying the news. “Where are you off to now? You’ll need to rest up and feed if you’re going to be of any use to rescuing Gabriella.”

  “I’m fine. I’m heading out with Sebastian to look for her now.”

  “Grayson, Sebastian can handle this task without you. You need to save your strength.”

  “She’s my wife, Damien. I can’t sit around and do nothing. We’ll let you know when we find her.”

  Sebastian was waiting for me in the common area. He handed me weapons I could conceal. I strapped and slid them into place.

  “You ready?” he asked when I was prepared.

  I nodded and we dissipated. When we reappeared we stood in the park. I pulled out a map and showed Sebastian.

  “They couldn’t have gotten far. I pulled it up to twenty minutes in case they got lucky to avoid traffic.”

  He pointed to the Hudson. “There are empty buildings in this area. We can check them first before searching the radius. I don’t think they left the island though.”

  We arrived on the riverbank and walked along it. “There’s too many people,” I stated.

  Sebastian shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. Magic is a wonderful thing. Sentinels would not be worried about noise but privacy. They won’t want to be disturbed.”

  After thirty minutes of searching we decided it was time to search the radius from the park. The sun was beginning to set and we needed to find her before the Vegas nest arrived. “Let’s start at the edge and move our way in. We already know they can’t be that close to the park,” I said.

  Sebastian turned to face me putting his hand on my shoulder stopping me like he just had an epiphany, “But what if they are?”

  “What?”

  “Think about it. They put Gaby in a van and drove her around. She saw nothing of the streets. What if they just drove around for a little while, maybe going in circles.” He pulled out the map. “Look there’s a bakery right there not far from the park. I felt her for ten minutes what if the sever was a spell?”

  My eyes widened. “They let her keep her phone.”

  He nodded. “If she hadn’t called we would have tried searching the area for some clues and might have accidentally found her. By letting her keep her phone, knowing she’d call…”

  “They sent us on a wild goose chase,” I replied grinning having not seen it before. “Let’s go.”

  Gaby

  It was just after midnight when the female sentinel arrived unlocking my door.

  “Are you going to be trouble?”

  I shrugged. “Are you trying to kill my baby?”

  She nodded to someone outside and five others stepped into the room. I stood dusting off my outfit. I rubbed the ache under my rib that twinged from my movement. I wanted to have nothing to distract me from my task. They walked around me forming a circle. When they rushed, I felt arms encircle me. I slammed my head back hearing a noticeable crunch and I was released. I jabbed my elbow making contact with someone’s stomach. I managed three more hits before I was subdued, but I continued thrashing around refusing to make their job any easier. When they tried to make me walk, I threw my weight down forcing them to drag me while I still attempted to hit them.

  There were several metal beams holding up the ceiling throughout the room I was taken to. I was drug to one. I saw strange markings all over it. It looked to be written with permanent marker. My arm was twisted at a painful angle, momentarily stunning me, but it was long enough for them to tie me to the post. When they moved to my legs, I kicked out trying to hit anyone I could.

  “Her hands are enough,” the woman stated. Leaving me standing with my arms behind the post, I tested the restraints but they wouldn’t budge. “The markings,” she gestured above my head. “You can try but you won’t be going anywhere.” She turned and left the room with four other sentinels following her.

  Only the one who had brought my meal earlier was left. When I could no longer hear their departure he turned to me. “Are you all right?” he asked.

  “Do you honestly care?”

  He nodded. “I do. I once served your father before he fell.”

  “You’re that old?” I don’t know why it surprised me. It was hard to remember how long my father and Sebastian had lived for when they both appeared so young.

  He chuckled. “We are immortals too.” He pulled a chair to sit in front of me. I saw blood residue under his nose.

  “Sorry about that.”

  He shrugged. “You wouldn’t be a mother, or your father’s daughter, if you didn’t attempt to save your child’s life.”

  “Are you here to make sure I don’t escape?”

  He shook his head. “I thought you might like some company before he arrives.”

  “An act of kindness in my hour of need,” I muttered.

  “All is not lost. I am sure your father is making arrangements to rescue you.”

  I eyed him curiously. “Why would you say that? I understand you’re just following orders, but I’m sure you know why they want me dead.”

  “Ah, yes. The Prophecy.” He leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees. “I do not believe that some old story should be the reason to kill an expectant mother. If the child showed signs of evil then I could understand stepping in and righting the matter, but this isn’t the way.”

  “Benedict?” The woman with the blonde bob appeared in the doorway summoning the man before me.

  “Please excuse me. I’ll be back before it’s time.”

  I took a deep breath and nodded. Benedict stood and followed the woman out, leaving me alone. I leaned my head back staring at the ceiling. “Grayson, where are you?” I whispered feeling tears threatening to fall.

  I gasped when I felt the tether call to me. My walls were down and it hit me like a force. “Sebastian,” I smiled gawking in the direction I could feel him. He made it. I could sense him approaching. I was breathing heavy with anticipation waiting for him.

  “I believe you’re waiting for me?”

  I inhaled sharply taking in the appearance of the angel before me. His golden hair was cut short but long enough to see the ends curl. His blue eyes were dull glaring at me with resentment. But there was a heavenly glow that flared off of him that I had never seen on the angels I knew.

  “Michael,” I hissed.

  “I’m glad your father hasn’t left you completely ignorant,” he muttered almost to himself. His accent rolled heavily off his tongue making him sound British. “I suppose you were expecting someone else. My brother, perhaps?” His gaze racked over me taking my measure. “You are quite exquisite. I can understand why he’s so taken with you. The pull,” he groaned, “is commanding. The angelic bond will do little to save you from me. I assume you know why I’ve had you brought to me.”

  “The Prophecy,” I whispered.

  He smiled but it gave me no comfort “I’ve been sent here to dispose of you, which I hear is no easy feat. I heard you were quite guarding. Yet here you are,” he waved his arms through the air, “stolen away from your day walking mate, your demon creating father, and your angelic lover.”

  He approached me with a wicked gleam in his eye. I waited for him to get close enough. I shifted my leg readying myself, which drew his attention. He grinned with genuine humor.

  “Is your plan to fight me chained to an enchanted post? To what end Gabrielle?”

  “It’s Gab-ri-el-la,” I articulated.

  “Is it? I find that rather curious,” he stalked around me.

  “You find what curious?” I spat.

  He shrugged. “Simply that your father would give you his name.” Now I was confused. Seeing the expression Michael clarified. “You didn’t think his real name is Damien, did you? Your father is Gabriel, the true angel of death.” My face knitted. “You didn’t know that you’re the daughter of not just the first vampire but of an archangel? They really are keeping you in the dark.” His nose scrunched. “What is that I smell on you?” He leaned closer breathing me in. “Poison?” his eyes scanned me before settling on my side. He tugged my shirt up revealing my injury and he smiled. “I have to tell you, taking your life was not something I was looking forward to. You have done nothing and now it seems God has granted me a solution. My brother must have been awfully kind to allow you to feed from him. All we have to do is wait this out and let the poison do it’s job. I imagine it will be extremely agonizing, but you’ll survive. It’s either that or I take your life.”

  “Or perhaps you could just let her go?” My heart soared just as my muscles tensed from my position. Standing was causing some serious discomfort to occur, but I didn’t care at the moment because Sebastian walked in. His white wings were spread wide while he held a silver sword in his hand that glittered even in the darkness. He rolled it in his grasp as he moved towards me. A smiling Michael took a few steps away giving Sebastian space to approach me. He advanced on me and cupped my face. I couldn’t help but lean into his hand, feeling grateful he was there. “Are you alright?”

  I sighed. “They haven’t hurt me.”

  He studied me before nodding. Turning back to Michael his expression hardened. “Let her go, brother. She is no concern of yours.”

  Michael let out a heavy breath before his face morphed into a wicked smirk. He began unbuttoning his shirt “That’s where you’re wrong, brother. The spawn she carries is quite my concern.” He slid the material off of his shoulders. I had expected him to be built more like Sebastian, hard and muscular, but Michael’s body was leaner. He was thinner but still toned and yet still something to behold.

  “You’re not here by father’s will,” Sebastian announced stalking towards Michael, keeping himself between the archangel and me. “He has the capability of ending the child’s life should he so wish it.”

  “I protect mankind, Sebastian.” Michael tried circling him, but Sebastian refused to budge. He wouldn’t let Michael get any closer to me than he was. “You use to understand that. Perhaps if you weren’t enamored with the individual carrying the creature then you might see that.”

  Sebastian nodded. “I do love her, but that doesn’t mean that you’re right brother.”

  “I do not wish to fight you, Sebastian.” Michael tilted his chin down just slightly. His eyes darkened devilishly. “But I will if you stand in the way of my mission.” He stretched out his wings looking every bit the warrior for God he was. His wingspan was larger than Sebastian’s. I didn’t know if it was because he was an archangel and Sebastian wasn’t.

  “I will gladly stand in your way if it means keeping both her and the child safe.” He shifted in front of me blocking my view of Michael.

  “So be it then.” Michael let loose a battle cry and charged. Sebastian met him and the sound of metal clashing resounded throughout the room. White wings blocked my view of the fight, never wavering in keeping me out of sight.

  A palm wrapped around my mouth and I screamed but no noise escaped.

  “Shush… It’s me.” Grayson whispered before releasing me. “I’m here to get you out.”

  I shook my head. “You can’t. The markings.”

  Smirking he held up a marker. “I came prepared.”

  There were five separate sigils on the post I was connected to. Grayson made quick work of four of them when the sentinels entered the room. It was only a small group of three. I didn’t think they came in to battle, more to see what the noise was about. When the female leader saw Grayson attempting to help me escape, she rushed towards us. I saw him hesitate for a moment. I think fighting a woman was against his creed as a man. His brief hesitation was all she needed. Her fist connected with his jaw. He staggered back behind me where I could no longer see him, but the sound of the marker dropping rang even over the fight. It clattered to the floor and rolled off to the side. I tried tracking it, but it shifted out of sight.

  The other two male sentinels were charging at me. One I didn’t recognize. The other was Benedict. Sebastian saw them and sliced his blade across the unknown man who crumbled to the ground a moment later. Michael seized the opportunity. He was upon Sebastian before he had a chance at Benedict.

  My eyes were glued on the sentinel, watching him advance on me. I was breathing heavy, frightened not only for myself but the men in my life. He grabbed the marker and my source for freedom.

  “Please,” I begged with wide eyes.

  He eyed the marker then back to me. A firm decision grew evident on his face. He stepped towards me and I began to panic, but then he marked the final sigil.

  I groaned feeling my muscles in my stomach constrict.

  “Are you alright? Can you break free?” The sentinel asked. Squeezing my eyes tight fighting the discomfort, I shook my head. I glanced up and saw Grayson standing behind him.

  “No!” I called out to Grayson. He paused mid move. “He’s helping.”

  Benedict turned and was shocked to see Grayson. Not just from his sudden appearance but more from his very existence. “It’s true. Another day walker.”

  Grayson studied him for a moment, but the sound of feet pounding against the floor distracted him. “Can you get her free?” Grayson asked. There was still a battle raging on around us. More sentinels began rushing into the room.

  He nodded. “A knife.”

  “What?” Grayson growled clearly not wanting to give a weapon to his perceived enemy.

  Benedict pointed to the chain that held me. “There’s a sigil on the chain. I need to scratch it.”

  Grayson glared at me and I nodded. Groaning, he tossed Benedict the knife. “I’ll kill you if you hurt her,” he hissed just as two sentinels rushed him.

  Benedict stepped behind me. “I’m trusting you Ben,” I declared.

  “Ben?” he questioned. “I like Ben. No one has called me that before.”

  “Really?” I asked feeling him pull on the chain that bound my arms. I hissed feeling the pressure again.

  “Really,” he stated. “Try now.” I yanked my arms away from the post and the chains fell away. I hunched over gripping my side. “Are you in pain?” He came to stand in front of me supporting my shoulder.

  I shook my head with a groan. “Just some pressure.”

  “How far along are you, Gabriella?”

  “Thirty-eight weeks,” I breathed out feeling the ache subside.

  He eyed me knowingly. “These could be contractions.”