Page 49 of Salvation
The doctor looked as defeated as the rest of them as she stood and wiped her hands. “I took a vow…”
“And you have upheld that vow admirably, but it is time for you to go.” Evangeline’s voice was filled with softness and caring.
“Aurora, please take my son from the room.” His voice cracked as he begged his mate to take his son from his birth mother.
“Of course.” His mate reached in and with such great care removed Azrael from Luna’s grasp. Hugging the baby to her chest, she left the room, and everyone followed. The only ones left were Luna, himself and the angel.
“This is my fault. If I had not touched her, she would still be alive.”
Eva moved next to him. “I know it’s hard to understand, but this was her fate.” The monitor flatlined, and his heart broke in two.
Wolfe leaned down and kissed Luna on the lips. “I am so sorry, but I vow our son will know how wonderful and vibrant you were.” He looked at the angel through tear-filled eyes. “I don’t understand this world. What is the point of all of this?”
She palmed his cheek, the touch as light as a feather. “Only the strong can survive. Evolution is constantly adapting to the changes. Luna would not have survived what is yet to come. It is best that Azrael be protected by vampire parents.”
“What’s coming next?” He rolled his fingers into his palms to help ease the tension that raged through his body like an electrical current.
“I cannot see the future, but this world has not finished cleansing itself. If you haven’t noticed, new species are springing forth. Some born like your son, some transformed like the mates of vampires. Humanity, as you once knew it may fade away altogether one day.”
“Are you saying humans will become extinct?”
“I cannot say for certain. It will depend on the choices they make.” She reached over and took Luna’s hand. “We must go now. Your son will play an important role in this world’s future one day. Raise him well.”
Then she was gone, and he was left standing there with the screaming monitors. Taking one step at a time, he walked from the room, his entire body so heavy he could hardly move. He met the doctor’s gaze.
“You can declare her death now.”
Numb, he moved to his mate, who held their son. She was now Azrael’s mother, and he wondered how she felt about all of this.
“Linda declared Azrael healthy, but we need to feed him. The problem is, we’re not sure what he needs?”
He wrapped his arms around them both. “I love you and I’m so sorry to put you in this position.”
“What position? To raise Azrael?” She looked down at the sleeping bundle in her arms. “I love him already, as if I birthed him myself. He is a miracle.” She met his gaze.
“But he will know his true mother and how brave she was. I will make certain of that.”
“Are we clear to take Azrael home?”
“You are. I will pay a visit later to see how he’s doing,” Emma said. “Jag is here and can open a portal for you.”
“Thank you.” He just wanted to go home and crawl into bed with the two most precious gifts in his world.
* * *
It had beena week since Luna’s death. They had cremated her and scattered her ashes in the wind. Aurora hoped she was happy wherever she was now and wanted to believe she was looking down on them and her son.
Azrael was such a good baby. She and Wolfe had finally discovered the ideal formula for him was blood mixed with goat's milk at the suggestion of Lilith. Linda had declared the mixture a success since the baby had already gained two pounds and checked out healthy.
“I can’t believe I created him,” Wolfe said as the two of them stood over the crib they had found and placed in the small room next to theirs. They had filled his room with things Luna had brought with her. A small teddy bear she had found and had wanted to give to him was tucked into the corner of his crib.
“He is a handsome boy. He has your eyes, but I think he has Luna’s nose.”
He laughed and pulled her into his arms. “You two are the most important things in my life.”
It was her turn to laugh. “That’s not true. You care about everyone here.”
“I would walk away from this place today if I had to choose between them and the two of you.” He shook his head. “There is no contest. You and Azrael will win my love and protection every single time.”
