Page 123 of Claim the Light
I glance at Micah, but I don’t lower my weapon. “Friends of yours?”
His lips press together into a hard line. “They’re allies from Portland. Powerful ones. They fight darkness, but they never bring good news.”
“Easy, Micah,” Aiden says, his hands raised. His palms are still glowing with the flames he absorbed. It makes me wonder how he’d cope against Callan’s fire. Or mine, for that matter. “We’re not here to cause trouble. Ana needs to speak with the Avenging Angel. That’s all.”
Micah shakes his head at Aiden before he gestures to my family. “These supernaturals are my family,” he says. “This is a time of celebration. They don’t need to be part of your war.”
“No, but they have a right to know what’s coming,” Ana says, her silver eyes glinting. “All I ask is the chance to be heard.”
I don’t detect a hint of a lie. She believes what she’s saying and her intentions aren’t malicious.
Behind me, Callan has retracted his wings, revealing the rest of my family, all poised for a fight. All, that is, except for Sophia, who has moved to the edge of the group. There’s a hint of resignation in her expression.
Her response both worries and reassures me. If these people were a threat to me, I have no doubt she would have leaped to my side already, prepared to deal with them.
Assuming she can.
I’m fully aware that her power doesn’t affect beings of old magic, and that thought gives me pause.
I consider the newcomers with even greater caution.
“It’s okay, Micah,” I finally say. “I’ll speak with this woman.”
Ana visibly relaxes, but Micah doesn’t. He steps back toward Sophia, guarding her once more.
“Is there somewhere private we can go?” Ana asks.
“Just in here.” I gesture to the atrium, but I pause to meet Callan’s eyes, silent communication passing rapidly between us.
He will watch over me and protect our daughter with his life.
I don’t miss the way that Ana also sends a silent message to Aiden. There’s a bond between them that feels as strong as the bond between Callan and me.
It helps me relax a little, but not much.
I lower my glaive and lead Ana to the atrium, waiting for her to enter before I firmly close the door.
She keeps her distance from me, watching me carefully. “The first Avenging Angel to be born in hundreds of years,” she says. “The weight on your shoulders must be colossal.”
“Not when I have family to share it with,” I say. A truth I learned along the way.
She inclines her head. “Family you want to protect.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “If you’ve come here to threaten me—”
“Warn,” she says, her hands flying up. “I’m here to warn you.”
Her shoulders slump a little and she gives a heavy exhale. “I think you must already sense that it won’t beourchoices that determine our children’s future.”
My forehead creases when her focus shifts to a point past me. I follow her line of sight into the garden, past Micah, to Callan, who holds Scarlett close.
Ana steps nearer to me, but her focus remains in Callan’s direction. “Which side will she choose?”
I swing back to Ana, my response vehement. “If you mean to imply that my daughter will turn to darkness, she will not.”
Ana’s eyes widen. “Oh, I’m sure she won’t. Your daughter will follow her heart, just as her mother has done. But I’m not speaking of your daughter.”
I stare at Ana with wary confusion.
