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I taught my children practical skills as well. No matter where they went, even in my presence, they had to carry a bag. Inside, we packed a change of clothes, a blade of Elvan ore capable of killing an Angel, and seeds. The seeds were for if they were taken captive, and they needed food.

It seemed excessive as I taught my babies these things. We had an army. Why would a ten-year-old, or a five-year-old, or a three-year-old, need to know how to kill?

I didn’t know. Part of me said I was being paranoid. Most of me said that I wasn’t being vigilant enough about their safety.

They never left my side. They even slept in the same room as me and Nix. And it still felt like I wasn’t doing enough.

It wasn’t going to end well. Despite how far we’d come, and how hard we’d trained, I knew it wouldn’t end well.

During that year, we made no attempt to return to the human world. We made crystals from time to time that gave us a glimpse into the world—simply to make sure Lux hadn’t destroyed it like he’d done to Morduaine and Matriaza—but aside from that, we had no idea what had happened in our absence.

Just as we didn’t know what Lux had done.

Many times, we’d considered opening an egress and searching for Lux and Rafael. But every time Nix had gone to start the spell, he looked at me, and terror shined through him.

I wasn’t the only one who was paranoid.

The others made their opinions clear. Until we had a finite plan, until we had more than an army, a foolproof battle strategy, they were staying where they were.

With so many opinions combined, we agreed.

We all were terrified. I wasn’t sure that any of us knew why. An army of two million was plenty to take on the Angels.

Perhaps it was just that we all had that same profound sense of knowing.

This is going to end in flames.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

VÉA

Ahand over my mouth pulled me from my sleep.

I flung forward, but Nix held my face tighter, saying into my mind,We have a problem, do gràs.

Aknock-knocksounded at the door.

Suddenly, I was back in my living room a year and a half ago, Lux’s thumps jarring me from my peaceful evening with my children.

The closer I paid attention, reaching out for the energy signature of a soul, the tighter my chest grew.

Angel. Witch.

Lux was both. So was Rafael, and every other Angel he’d spawned.

You stay with the children. Nix released his hand over my mouth.I’ll handle it.

I sat up and yanked the blankets off.No, I should. You stay with them.

He shook his head.It’s Rafael.

Nix was capable of sensing not only the power of a soul, but who it was. He said souls were as identifiable as faces.

All the more reason I should handle it. I grabbed my robe and wrapped it around me.I can handle Rafael. In case his brothers are nearby, it’s best you stay with the children.

He wouldn’t be working with them.

I doubt so too. All the more reason I should handle it while you sit with the children.