I shook my head again. “I haven’t even had the pre ones. That’s probably what this is.” I pushed him aside as a sentinel rushed me. Bringing my hand back, I slammed it upward into the woman’s nose and she tumbled away.

  “Gaby!” Sebastian screamed. I spun seeing him charge at supernatural speed. It felt like the world was moving in slow motion. I could see every step Sebastian made in his race towards me. I didn’t know what had him so panicked. Continuing my turn I caught sight of Michael behind me. His sword was raised in a downward fall. I could sense Benedict coming from where I had just faced. I didn’t know if it was to help or betray me. His help could have all been an elaborate ruse.

  I blinked and time sped back up. Sebastian’s blade met Michael’s just as Benedict’s arms wrapped around me trying to yank me away. Their metal clashed against each other then suddenly it stopped.

  “Michael!” Damien’s voice rebounded off the walls. It was the only thing to distract me from the angelic fight in front of me. I twisted to see my father surrounded by almost one hundred men and women clad in battle attire. Damien himself was shirtless. His black wings stretched out and his silver blade glittered in his hand.

  “Ah, the expectant grandfather has arrived.” Michael yanked his sword away from Sebastian’s who had his own above him pressing upward to prevent Michael from injuring him in a downward blow. I tried to head towards Sebastian, but strong, familiar arms wrapped around me. I realized Grayson had appeared by my side during the chaos.

  “This is a fight you cannot hope to win, Michael,” Damien called out.

  Michael shrugged. “I don’t need to win the fight, Gabriel. I just need to eliminate one soldier.” He aimed his sword to me. Grayson growled behind me in response. Michael, having heard it, smirked.

  “Is your life really something you would risk?” Damien demanded. “Because I can guarantee you won’t make it out alive.”

  Michael grinned in a sickening way, making everyone tense. His gaze locked on me then he disappeared from existence. I scanned the room for him. He blinked back standing in front of me. It all happened so quickly. Michael reared his sword back. All I could do was close my eyes holding my breath and wait for the pain, but it never came. I exhaled the breath I’d been holding. My eyes fluttered open. I sighed seeing Sebastian standing directly in front of me. He’d gotten to me in time. I felt something sharp poke against my chest. I peered down to see the glitter of Michael’s sword just a hair away from cutting me. Following the lines of the blade didn’t make sense. The sword seemed to just be floating there. Blood dripping off the tip of the blade, plopping against the floor, had my brain racing to catch up. Michael still held firm to his sword on the other side of Sebastian. The gold glittered with blood smeared along it. I heard the clatter of metal falling to the ground. Glancing down, Sebastian’s sword lay at his feet.

  “NO!” Damien yelled.

  Michael was stunned. He stood frozen for a moment before withdrawing his sword from Sebastian. It made a sickening sound. My eyes widened watching Sebastian fall to his knees. The air felt like it was sucked from the room. Vampires and werewolves rushed around us, but I ignored it all. I dropped to my knees beside Sebastian. My hand immediately went to his wound trying to stop the bleeding to give it time to heal. I helped him lay back on the ground while a battle seemed to commence around us.

  I pulled my hand away and saw the wound hadn’t healed. I yanked my hair over my shoulder exposing my neck. “You need to feed to heal,” I offered.

  “No,” he whispered.

  I swallowed down the panic I felt rushing up as I struggled to stay strong so I could help him. “Sebastian this is no time to be stubborn. You’re not healing.”

  He let out a pain stricken breath. “And I won’t even with your blood.”

  “Do you need a human?” I glanced up at Grayson expectantly, but he appeared grim. I narrowed my gaze, unsure why he looked that way.

  “Gaby,” Sebastian whispered drawing my attention back to him. “Do you know how much I love you?” He smiled crookedly then coughed.

  “Shut up, Sebastian,” I choked. I could feel my emotions bubbling up. “You’re going to be fine if you drink.” Sebastian locked eyes with Grayson. Nothing was spoken, just a silent exchange. I swallowed hard. “Now feed from me, please.”

  He shook his head. “I can’t do that to you.”

  “It’s my choice.”

  “What I mean is,” he gingerly placed his hand over mine, “it won’t do any good, Gaby. There’s a reason Michael is the leader of God’s army. His blade is lethal.”

  I shook my head. “No, this happened when the demon’s attacked. You fed and were fine.” Even I didn’t believe the words. I knew this was different. I wiped the back of my hand over my eyes, removing the tears I hadn’t even known I was shedding. This couldn’t be happening. I couldn’t lose him.

  “Oh, baby,” he sighed, and I cried harder. “Are these tears for me?” He asked bewildered. His large masculine hand, which seemed impossibly gentle, cupped my face allowing his thumb to stroke away my tears with ease. “You shouldn’t cry this way for me.”

  “What way should I cry, Sebastian? You won’t let me help you.”

  “Deep down, you know there’s nothing that you can do but sit here and hold my hand.” He reached down grabbing my hand that I was using to try and stop his bleeding.

  I shook my head. “You can’t die, Sebastian. I can’t lose you.” An ache in my chest was building at the idea of never seeing him again, of never having him touch me. My chest filled with emotions I couldn’t explain. “I love you,” I whispered.

  He closed his eyes feeling the impact of my words. Words I had never admitted before, not even to myself. “You don’t have to say that.”

  “Yes, I do and not because you’re dying, because I refuse to believe that you are. I’m saying it because it’s true and you have to know that. I’m sorry if I made you believe that you weren’t important to me because you are one of the most important people in my life. So you can’t die. This can’t be it. This can’t be how it ends for us.”

  He smiled with tears in his eyes. “This is the only way it could end. You love him more and that’s okay. I always just hoped you had space enough in your heart for me too, because I love you more than anything else in this world. I would die a thousand deaths for you, Gabriella Carmichael Alexander.”

  I smiled. My vision was blurry from tears trying to escape, there were so many that my eyes were in a constant state of haze. “I’m so sorry.”

  He shook his head gently with a soft grin playing on his lips. “Please don’t be. Just hearing you say it—to know that there was more—is enough.”

  “It was more than just the blood. I love you,” I whispered gripping his hand tighter while stroking his face with my other.

  His eyes fluttered up losing focus on me, catching something directly over my shoulder. “Gaby? Do you see it?” he sighed.

  “See what?” I asked. Glancing briefly where he was staring, not wanting to look away from him.

  “Heaven,” he breathed.

  “Sebastian!” I cried on the verge of hysterics. “Please don’t go! Stay with me, please, Sebastian!” I gripped his hand harder determined that if I held him tight enough he’d have to stay.

  “It’s so beautiful,” he whispered in awe. “I almost forgot how beautiful it is.” He turned and gazed at me with a content smile. “Almost as beautiful as you,” he breathed out and grew still.

  “Sebastian?” I cried shaking his shoulders, but he didn’t move. Not knowing what else to do, I leaned down maneuvering around my large belly. I kissed his forehead, cheeks and lips in rapid succession. When my lips touched his the bond that normally overwhelmed me was gone. I continued kissing his face not caring who saw.

  The room had stilled long ago. I felt dozens of eyes on me, watching the moment I was having with the man who gave his life for me and for a child that wasn’t even his.

  I stared at Sebastian. All life had faded from him leaving behind the empty shell of the man he’d been. The man I loved. The emerald green eyes I had stared into so many times were closed and I was grateful to not have to see the vacant look in them.

  The lips that had kissed mine were parted with blood staining them but showed no sign of his classic smile. Sebastian was no longer there. What made him him, was gone.

  I clutched his shoulders burying my face against his chest for the last time, grieving for the man I loved and I cried for the fact that I could never love him the way he deserved. I cried and screamed before feeling firm hands grip me shoulders. They didn’t pull me away from Sebastian, but offered me comfort.

  “Gaby, baby, he’s gone,” Grayson whispered giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze.

  I shook my head “He can’t be,” I breathed him in. “He deserved so much better.” His scent was still there and his body still held his warmth, which only made me cry harder.

  Grayson gently peeled me away. I launched myself in his arms as the sobs wretched through me. “He can’t be dead. He can’t be. They couldn’t have been right. Did I do this?” I mumbled into his chest. The dream that had haunted me so vividly had come to pass.

  “You didn’t do this. Who said that?” he asked.

  “Anton and Clive. They told me to choose and I always choose you.” Grayson held me all the while never saying a word. His fingers gently strummed up and down my back as my tears soaked his shirt.

  A sharp stabbing pain shoot through my stomach. “Ah,” I gasped clutching my baby bump.

  “It’s been happening since she arrived,” Ben stepped forward. “I believe she’s in labor.”

  “Gaby, we have to get you to Doctor B.”

  I shook my head. “I can’t leave him here,” I looked at Grayson with a tear stained face. He glanced at someone across the way silently pleading with them.

  Damien stepped forward. “I won’t leave him, Gabriella. He’s coming home with us. Now go see to yourself. Sebastian would be angry if you risked the baby due to your grief.”

  I bit my lip and nodded. Sebastian had given his blood and his life to make sure my child was brought safely into this world. I couldn’t dishonor him that way. Grayson lifted me in his arms. I buried my face in his neck while he carried me to a car.

  When we arrived at the nest, I was convinced Ben was right. I was in labor. The pain had been easy to ignore when I had other things to contend with. Now there was nothing left to occupy me.

  Doctor B walked into the room. She took in my bloodstained appearance, but said nothing. She hooked a monitor to my stomach that immediately began charting my contractions.

  “Well Gaby, it looks like this little angel wants to come early. I hope you’re ready.” I was handed a gown as she left the room to give me some privacy.

  I stripped down, but leaned over clutching the bed, consumed by not only pain, but also grief and guilt.

  Grayson stepped behind me to rub circles on my lower back. “Does that help?”

  I nodded. Once it passed, I slipped the gown on and crawled into the bed.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered feeling the tears come back.

  Grayson moved to sit on the edge of the bed. “You shouldn’t be. I knew you loved him, even if you didn’t.”

  “And you stayed with me?”

  His brow knitted. “Did your love for him make your love for me any less?” I shook my head. “Then why would I leave you? You love me. You want to be with me. You weren’t cheating on me.”

  “I kissed him,” I whispered, barely a sound.

  “I know,” he sighed.

  “Not just tonight,” I could feel his eyes on me. “He kissed me a few weeks ago and I slapped him.”

  Grayson chuckled. “Well that’s all I can expect you to do when someone else kisses you.”

  I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “I can’t believe he’s gone.”

  “I know, baby,” Grayson took me in his arms. “I know.”

  Grayson

  It was around four in the morning when Doctor B told Gaby it was time to push. I had never seen her in such agony. Not only was she grieving a broken heart, but now her body was being split in two. I held her leg on one side, Persephone held the other, while Gaby did the hard apart of bringing our child into the world.

  She fell back against the bed drenched in sweat. “I can’t do this,” she cried.

  “Yes, you can.” I stated. “You are the strongest, most determined person I know.”

  “It’s almost over, Gaby,” Doctor B added. “You’re doing wonderfully. Here comes another one. I want you to bear down and push.”

  I wrapped my arm around her back helping her sit. Gaby screamed, but gave it her all.

  “Heads out,” Doctor B announced. I couldn’t help but look. It didn’t look much like a baby yet, but I figured it would.

  “Can you see?” she asked hopeful.

  “I did, baby,” I smiled and kissed her damp brow.

  “One more, Gaby and we get to meet your baby.”

  Gaby nodded. Swallowing hard, when the contraction came, she pushed and then relaxed in my arms. Doctor B shoved up Gaby’s gown, laid the baby on her stomach and began cleaning him.

  “A boy,” I said through teary eyes.

  “A boy,” Gaby beamed, laughing through her tears before turning somber. “Sebastian was right.” She caressed the top of out son’s head. “It’s a boy.” Odds had been against him, but he was right. She cried holding our son to her chest in a mixture of both happy and sad tears.

  Being a vampire meant that Gaby was well enough to go home shortly after giving birth. Doctor B gave her approval and told us to call if we needed anything. It was the afternoon when Damien showed up, shortly after we arrived home, with a gift in hand.

  “It’s a bassinet,” he explained when I looked at it quizzically. “A crib is much too big and parent’s enjoy keeping the little ones near them during the first few months.”

  “I was curious why it was already together? It must have been hell getting it here.”

  Damien frowned and I worried I had offended him. “It was a gift from Sebastian. I assume he meant to dissipate it in.” I glanced back at the bedroom where I could hear Gaby in the shower crying and wasn’t sure how well she’d handle the news. Doctor B said her grief would be rough considering that the hormones from having the baby would add to it.

  “Would you like to meet your grandson?” I offered. The frown morphed into a grin and he nodded.

  “What’s his name?” Damien asked, as I picked my son up from the swing where he sat before placing him in his grandfather’s arms.

  “Ian,” I replied. Damien looked at me curiously so I explained. “We wanted something with meaning. It’s for the two men that sacrificed so much for him to be here. Ian from Damien and Sebastian.”

  Damien appeared touched when a sad smile tugged at his lips. “I think that is a perfect name.”

  Gaby

  I was jolted awake reliving Sebastian’s death. I blinked away the sleep trying to focus my eyes. In my haze between sleep and awake I saw a man standing at the bassinet next to my bed. I thought nothing of it until I felt Grayson roll over next to me. I flipped on the lamp, grabbed the closest item, which happened to be a shoe, and spun to face the man standing over my son.

  “No need for that, Gaby. I’m not here to hurt him.”

  My knees gave out recognizing the voice. It was familiar, but it wasn’t possible. I stumbled back landing on the bed. “Sebastian?” He grinned at me over his shoulder before turning his attention back to my son who cooed at the angel before him. “I’m dreaming,” I stated.

  “Does it matter as long as you’re happy?”

  “You’re dead. How can I be happy?” Familiar tears filled my eyes. They’d been my constant companions since the day Michael appeared.

  He smiled sympathetically. “Let’s see if we can change that.” He held his hand out to me. I hesitated worried that if I touched him, I’d wake. He reached for my hand when he saw me waver. The moment his skin touched me I inhaled and closed my eyes relishing in the feel of him. Tugging me to my feet, I stood next to my son who was staring up at Sebastian. “He’s amazing, Gaby.” He wrapped his arm around my waist tugging me into his side. I sighed contently leaning my head against his shoulder. This dream felt so real. He started leading me from the bedroom, but I tensed glancing back at my son. “He’ll be fine. I promise. We’re just going to the living room.”

  With a heavy breath I nodded. We sat on the couch facing each other. I eyed the man before me. He appeared real. I grabbed his hand and felt my blood hum. His skin felt warm to the touch. I scooted closer taking his face between my palms, my fingers scanning him like I was blind.

  “Gaby,” he sighed covering my hands with his. “Your husband is in the next room,” he teased.

  “You feel so real.”

  “I am,” he whispered pulling my hands from his face, but held them in his.

  I shook my head. “I watched you die.”

  “Yes, you did,” he breathed. “I scarified myself for you, Gaby. A completely selfless deed and I was forgiven.”

  “Forgiven?”

  He nodded. “God forgave me for what I did to Damien and welcomed me back into the fold. He…he made me an angel again.”

  For the first time I noticed the soft glow that was illuminating from him. An angelic glow that I had never seen him have before. The only time I’d ever seen such a glow was on Michael. I tensed.

  “The baby?” I flinched away like he burned me. Was he here to complete Michael’s task.

  He shook his head seeing the unease I held. “I will never harm him. No angel will. Michael was not sanctioned by heaven to come after you. Everything that happens is part of God’s plan including the new race your son will create. Your child will be guarded.”

  “He’s safe?” I asked wanting to have it stated as bluntly as possible. I wanted no miscommunication where he was concerned.