“I will. But please”—my voice quivers—“for God’s sake, don’t be a stranger in my life. I need you, Logan. So does, Gage.”
He wraps his arms around me tight. I can feel his skin against mine, and I drink him down and memorize the moment.
“I won’t.” He runs his fingers through my hair. “I’ll never be a stranger to you. No goodbyes.” He presses a tender kiss over my lips. “Until I see you again, Skyla.” Logan starts to disappear, and I blink back into my bedroom in the Landon house, alone.
The picture Logan gifted me is still cradled in my hands.
The three of us together.
We have that again.
Sort of.
***
My bedroom holds the dregs of my youth like a familiar scent, like a song from long ago that bookmarks an era of my life. It encapsulates the memories of Logan and Gage, Marshall, too. I glance over at Emerson as the caged bird, alert at this late hour, watching me. Though evil called my name through the voice of the Counts, the destiny my mother spelled out for me had prospered. I can only hope the future will prove me victorious in doing the things I need to. Gone is the girl, and here lies the woman. It’s time to leave childhood behind and embrace life anew with dignity, resolve, and passion for the Nephilim people. If this past year has taught me anything, it’s to love those around me while I still have them. There’s never a need to be lonely when you have a friend right next door. Life was meant to be shared—not encased in solitude, not with the power-hungry barricades Chloe put up at every turn. That’s where she went wrong. We could have been friends. We could have been closer than sisters, Chloe and me.
The dull light of the moon sprays over the room. There’s no way I’ll ever get to sleep tonight. I may never sleep again until Logan feels comfortable enough to reinstate himself in our lives. My arms fan over the cool sheets, so terribly empty.
Everything in me craves Gage, so I send a quick text.
Would you mind coming over? ~S
Gage blinks next to me on the bed, dipped in a midnight blue. He gives a warm smile, and his face redefines itself in the shadows.
“You know if your mother finds out, she’ll frown on the teleporting.”
“It was sort of an emergency.” I give a little laugh and pull him in. “I think we’re safe for now.”
“What’s the emergency?” He sinks into the pillow with a look of contentment.
“I needed you.”
“I needed you, too.” Gage wraps his arms around me, and we lay there, listening to the sound of one another breathing.
“So what was Marshall telling you last fall at homecoming? You said you’d tell me after graduation.”
“Wow, you’ve got a great memory.” His chest rumbles with a laugh.
“And don’t you forget it.” I touch my finger to his nose.
A moment of silence thumps by as Gage inspects me lovingly under the silver glow of moonlight.
“He said I shouldn’t worry. That Logan would have you briefly but I would have you completely, then—” He bites down hard over his lower lip.
“Then what?” All of those things my mother told me flood to the forefront of my mind and now I’m sorry I ever asked.
His dimples dig in deep as a slow smile spreads across his face.
“Then”—he whispers pulling me in closer—“we do this a lot.” Gage crushes his lips to mine and we indulge in a kiss, potent enough to wash away an entire ocean of sorrow.
This is our time, Gage and me.
Gage rakes his hands over my back and I groan as I press my body to his. The room spins. It gyrates and shakes, and the two of us disappear.
***
In my heart I’m hoping for Ahava, but fully expecting Tenebrous—but not this, not in my wildest dreams am I expecting this.
Far in the distance sits the throne room of God with its emerald rainbow, the explosion of light that is the Master himself, the river of life that flows from under the throne and sails beneath the sapphire floor.
Marshall and my celestial mother are by my side. Her hair blows back, her eyes sparkle a unique shade of lavender, reflecting the sky here in the paradise of God.
“Welcome to your coronation ceremony, Skyla.” She lends a cool kiss over my cheek. “I’ll wait for you by the sword. When you’re ready, come and receive what is rightfully yours, what has been waiting for you all along.”
She strides into the throne room, and the crowd erupts in cheers. Her dress floats back in long, iridescent ribbons, and I admire her confidence, her strength that comes from her assurance in what’s good, and true, and right.
“The shoes.” Marshall holds up a pair of gold heels. “I’ve been working on them ever since I’ve set foot on the island.”
I take them in with their six-inch heels in the shape of angels. Their expansive wings cover the heels, clear to the ankle. A braid of gold lays over the tip, and it looks magnificent.
“They’re breathtaking. They won’t slip off, will they?”
“Not with these.” Marshall holds up three feet worth of gold laces, thin as spaghetti.
“I’ll need something appropriate to wear.” I look up at him coyly.
“Good thing I brought this.” He produces something from behind his back, a short dress, with glassy looking feathers that burn every color of fire. Each glowing tongue reflects blue, amber, and crimson. I can’t help but note that the hues are the exact color of three familiar pairs of eyes. Logan’s amber-gold, cobalt like that of Gage, and blood red crimson like the lenses of the Sector that stands before me now.
“It’s alive,” I whisper as I take it from him, and in an instant, gone are sweats, my West T-shirt with Cerberus’s effigy, replaced with the flames of Marshall’s love. “It’s perfect.”
Marshall gets down on one knee and helps me step into the golden slippers. He crisscrosses the laces and ties them off at my knees.
“Well, Ms. Messenger.” He stands and pats my shoulders. “You are ‘hotter than hell’ if I don’t say so myself.”
A wild peal of thunder detonates overhead, and I give a little laugh.
“We’d better get going.” I pull him in by his heavenly face and offer a kiss to his cheek. Thank you, Marshall.
I’ll always be here for you, Skyla. I will wait patiently for our love to bloom. He touches my cheek with the back of his hand. Be brave. Be strong. Heaven waits for you.
“One day”—I trace out his features with my finger—“we’ll have dominion—you and me, Marshall. Everything Delphinius prophesied will come true. My mother gave me the affirmation.”
“And you approve?” His cheek cinches already amused by my answer.
“I most definitely approve.” I lean up with a kiss just shy of his lips and linger. I Love you, Marshall Dudley. I really, truly do.
And I love you, Skyla. More than you’ll ever know.
Marshall hooks his arm in mine, and we enter the mouth of the glory of God.
Angels fill the assembly, floating all the way up to the unknowable heights like a tornado, like the rings of Saturn, the golden spiral—a never-ending circle of love. But it’s the faces that line the pathway to the throne of God, himself, that I recognize—from Paragon, from the war. Arson Kragger, Morley Harrison, Olivia—Ellis’s mother, Dr. Booth, Barron and Emma, a doppelganger of Logan who I can only assume to be Liam, his parents Jack and Julia, who I met once on a light drive, his grandmother Jean, and Rothello next to her, Ezrina in her new skin, Nevermore, Lexy, Nat and Kate, Brielle, Drake, Ethan, Mia, Melissa, Stella, Mom and Demetri. Not Tad, but I’m not surprised. He never did believe in any of this anyway, and the lack of faith in things unseen is perhaps the greatest ignorance, the greatest danger.
“It’s time.” Marshall bows into me. Wings explode from his back, wide and tall as he is.
A sense of resolve fills me, and I take a breath, then my first step with Marshall right behind me.
The crowd explodes—it detonates with approval like t
he roar of the most ferocious lion. I set one foot in front of the other and walk with a confidence all my own as the dress lights up in delicate flames. With my shoulders back, my chin tucked high, I stride toward what is rightfully mine, still embedded in that jasper stone—the sword of the Master. I can hear my earthly mother cheering me on, the voice of my sister—Mia.
I walk the long sapphire highway past the familiar faces of Paragon, past the faces of those long since dead—those I’ve met from a different time, Flynn, Cooper, Laken, Wesley, and beside him, Chloe in her new infernal state. She gives an evil growl that rises through the air like the rumble from a furnace in the deepest part of hell. It says, It’s on in so many wicked ways, and I know it is, but this time I’m ready.
My father aligns himself by the stone with a tear in his eye as he waits for me. Behind him stand three of the most beautiful creatures that have ever lived, Logan, Gage and Ellis. Behind Logan looms a tall winged creature with the face of a lion—but its majesty is eclipsed by Logan, himself. Logan is both ferocious and majestic, and there is no match for his nobility, not in heaven, not on earth. Another winged creature stands next to him, an eagle the size of a man, wings spread wide like a shelter that could house all the beasts of the earth—a safe haven for all who are weary. Gage is a shelter, a guardian, a hero, and I long to make him mine in every single way. Then there is Ellis, the ox with wings hovers behind him, oafish and proud—and Ellis with his I’ve-got-your-back attitude, his shoulders wide with assurance. I can always count on Ellis. He’s a friend in the truest sense, ready to help, ready to sacrifice in the name of all that is right.
Logan and Gage step forward as I approach the stone—Marshall comes in, and we four create a circle around the mound of jasper as it ignites in a ball of fire. The sword illuminates an ethereal blue, and I don’t hesitate, I reach forward and pluck it out in one clean motion, holding it high in the air like a victory.
The light that is the Master rises, and the throne room fills with his glory.
“Well done, my good and faithful servant.” He thunders out the words, sending vibrations of love radiating throughout the vicinity so strong, so undeniably perfect and beautiful it wipes away all of the fear, every last tear.
I raise the sword higher still for my Nephilim brothers and sisters, for Logan, Gage, and Marshall, for Celestra—for the Master himself.
Victory and destiny met today. It was as welcome as springtime in the desert, a rose bush blooming from the heart of a boulder. This victory, this sword proves that nothing is impossible. I know this now. Love conquers all, and with that unprecedented love comes the strength I’ll need to close the tunnels, to crush the Counts under my heel like a serpent.
High up above, the Ark of the Covenant gleams, as the Seraphim, the Cherubim, the Sectors and one dark-haired Fem in particular cheer in triumph.
Logan and Gage hoist me over their shoulders, and I pierce the air even higher with the illuminated blade.
All is right.
The conquest belongs to Celestra.
46
The End is just the Beginning
In the morning, I get dressed and head downstairs. Gage is picking me up for our date on Host where we’ll explore the school we plan on closing out our scholastic endeavors in.
“That was pretty wild last night,” Mom whispers as she pours herself a cup of coffee.
“It was.” I wrap my arms around her. “I’m so glad you were there.”
“I’m glad, too.” She sniffs hard into my hair before wiping away her tears. Mom pulls back, biting down on her lower lip until she’s about to draw blood. “I’m so envious for all that lies ahead for you and Gage.”
“I’m pretty excited myself.”
Mia and Melissa stroll into the family room with their hair up in matching ponytails, matching West T-shirts and barely-there shorts.
Tad stutters and balks at the two of them. “Where do you think you’re going dressed like that?”
“Relax, Dad,” Melissa snipes. “We’re trying out for cheer. Besides, we’re in high school now, this is how we’re supposed to dress.”
“Lizbeth, I highly recommend homeschooling. Especially now that you’ll be doing nothing but watching TV all day with Beau and Misty.”
Mom waves off his ludicrous remark.
“Skyla, can I talk to you a moment?” Mia walks over by the fridge, and I follow. “You were beautiful last night.” Her features soften as if the memory were about to reduce her to tears. “You were powerful. You shined like a jewel.”
“Oh, Mia.” I pull her in and squeeze tight. My sister, my own flesh—the one who wears my face like a mask. I plan on helping both her and Melissa navigate West like the twisted highway it is. I don’t want them to get hurt by other people, to get burned by boys with ill-intentions. “This pearl you think you see? It was born of sand and the painful gritting of time. This is beauty from ashes, Mia. The oil of joy for mourning, and a part of me is still very much mourning.” I sweep the floor with my gaze. “Anyway, I just want you to know that I’m here for you. Anytime you want to talk, my door is always open.”
“About anything?” Her face pinches up a moment.
“About anything.” God, if I thought Mia was boy crazy in junior high, I have a feeling high school is going to be slut city if I don’t intercede. She needs something to occupy her time other than testosterone. “Hey, I was thinking”—I bite over my lip—“why don’t you move Snowball into your room?”
“Really?” Her entire face lights up.
“Yeah, really. You’re right. She’s not that into me. I have a feeling she’d be much happier with you.”
“Awesome!” Mia throws her arms around my neck and jumps up and down.
Melissa comes over with a dark, hollow look in her eye, one that lets me know she’s not as taken with me as Mia, not by a long shot.
“Well, I’ll see you guys later,” I say. “I’ll be hanging out with Gage all day. The future waits. Nothing can stop me now.”
Melissa gives a dark, rumbling laugh. “Wouldn’t it be ironic if someone were to take you down?” She spears me with a look before leaning in and landing a kiss over my cheek. “But good luck, Skyla. Rumor has it you’ll be needing a little more than that for what waits for you in this world.” There’s something familiar in her tone, in that intrepid wickedness that coats her like a patina. Dear God—could it be Melissa? Is she the Count who was prophesied to achieve great works for the Countenance? My own family will betray me. And here she’s sealed the threat with a kiss. The Judas in the making was right under my nose all along, breaking bread with me, sleeping in the room next door. Melissa Landon.
The doorbell rings, and Tad belches out, “The linebacker’s here!”
“On that note,” I whisper, trying to downplay the fact I’m onto her. “I’ll catch you guys later.”
Gage strides up and flashes that insane smile of his, and I detonate a kiss right over his lips.
He spins me. Gage holds the scent of a fresh shower, and his kisses taste like peppermint.
“I can get used to this,” I say, gazing into his smiling eyes.
“I’m glad.” He dips in with another kiss. “Because it only gets better.”
We say goodbye to my family and head out the door to begin the first day of the rest of our lives.
***
Gage and I drive down to the dock in peace, just in time to make the morning ferry.
We watch from the deck as Paragon pulls away with its dark, rocky crags. Devil’s Peak looks like a skull from this distal vantage point, and I marvel at the grim detail. I don’t know why this surprises me, but it does. Then I see her. Standing on the precarious edge of the cliff is Chloe Bishop with her demonic cloak blowing wild in the wind. Standing by her side is a dark-haired boy, a man—Demetri’s son, and my spirit knows full well they’ve aligned against me, against, Celestra.
Gage secures his grip over me and presses a tender kiss just next to my ear. I’m
ready for the battles, for the new war—starting with the one I’ll wage to free those souls in the tunnels.
“Look.” Gage spins me. He sinks his chin over my shoulder as we watch Host draw near with its colorful banners that line the harbor. The sun shines over it as if it broke through just for the two of us. “Here we are—ready to conquer the world.”
“You know what this reminds me of?” I ask as I take in the glittering turquoise sea. “A beautiful poem I memorized.” I hold back a smile. “The silent veil of tomorrow has slowly been revealed. No more can the truth of life be ever so concealed. In days to come we’ll sail the ocean in search of Heaven’s sunny shore. Your arms in mine, our lives entwined, we’ll be lonely never more.”
“You did memorize it.” His chest rumbles in soft waves. “We’re touching eternity, Skyla. You and me.”
“I’ll love you forever, Gage Oliver.” I seal the sentiment with a kiss. It’s true. I will always love Gage. “I want to be where you are. I want every moment we share to be lived in full. For all of my days and beyond, I will love you.”
“Skyla,” he whispers. Gage gives a slow blink. His chest expands with relief as if he had waited a lifetime to hear just those words. “You’re the girl of my dreams, Skyla Messenger.” His dimples dig in deep.
A small laugh bubbles out of me. “Well then, I plan on making every one of those dreams come true.”
The ferry docks, and we make our way off the boat and down to the city streets filled with throngs of girls in gauzy dresses while guys with muscle shirts zip by on skateboards.
A bright yellow sign catches our attention with an arrow pointing left, Logan’s Way.
We don’t hesitate. We walk along the street, hand in hand, until it dead-ends near a municipal building with a dark metal plaque that reads, Host County Courthouse.
Gage bears down on me with a knowing look. Those cobalt eyes have the sky crying out with envy. His dimples dig in deep as he gives a loving smile. Gage dips down and offers me a kiss that sets the two of us on fire.
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