Page 4

Audrey

I t looks just like it always has. As if my life hasn’t changed irrevocably since the last time I stood in this exact spot.

I’m not sure if that makes me happy or if it crushes me a little bit more.

“What took you so long, troublemaker?” Wraith asks from where he, Donovan, Cassian, and Lucifer stand on the porch.

I shrug, releasing my hold on my sister and Brenden, walking up to join them. “I just needed a moment.”

Pushing past them, I grab the doorknob and hesitate for a second, wondering if it’s okay to just walk inside. After all, Mom thinks both of us are dead. There shouldn’t be anyone else walking into her home right now. I don’t want to freak her out.

Although, I guess seeing her dead daughters is going to freak her out, regardless.

Fuck it. It’s my home too.

I step inside, listening for any sounds as the others follow me inside. I don’t hear anything, but Mom’s car is parked outside. She should be home.

“Mom?” I call out, forgetting for a moment that she thinks I’m dead.

Well, I guess I’m still dead. Undead? I have no fucking clue.

Footsteps hurry down the stairs, and Mom stops at the bottom of the stairs. Her eyes are wide as they find me and then Wren. Her face pales, and she leans heavily against the wall.

“How? I…” Mom shakes her head, stepping off the stairs and starting toward us, pulling up short when she realizes there are others with us. “What’s going on?”

She’s just as beautiful as I remember, and I don’t know how we never questioned what she was. She hasn’t aged a day since my first memories. Her red hair falls around her shoulders, much like Wren’s. Her face is still unlined, and she probably looks more like our sister than our mom.

We probably should’ve noticed this sooner, but how were we to know she wasn’t what she said she was?

Shaking my head, I force myself to focus on the question she asked. I don’t even know how to begin to explain this to her.

“Ana?” Lucifer steps forward.

Mom’s eyes go even wider when they find him. “Luke?”

“Lucifer, actually,” he says with a shrug.

“I slept with Hades.” Mom snorts. “Wouldn’t Dad be so proud?”

Lucifer hums. “That’s part of the reason we’re here. Is there somewhere we can all talk?”

“First, I’d like to know how my babies—who I buried six months apart—are standing in front of me. Second, I’d like to know who the hell the rest of you are and why you’re here.” Mom straightens, her I’m-taking-no-shit look on her face.

“The quarter of them that’s human died. Their souls were sent to the underworld. Because they were murdered—“

“Excuse the fuck out of me?!?!” Mom cuts off Lucifer without a care in the world.

Lucifer runs a hand over his face. “There’s a lot you need to be caught up on. Why don’t we sit down?”

She looks like she’s going to argue with him, so I step forward and lay my hand on her arm. “Please, Mom? There really is so much to share, and it’ll probably be easier to hear if you’re sitting down.”

“Fine. Yes, of course. We’ll use the dining room table. It’s probably the only place there’s enough seating for all of us. But then I want introductions and an explanation.”

I nod, following her to the dining room, where she sits at the head of the table. I sit on one side of her and Wren takes the other. Lucifer takes the seat opposite Mom and my mates sit beside me and Wren, filling in the remaining chairs.

“This is mine and Wren’s mom, Ana,” I tell the guys, tone flat. “Mom, these are my mates: Wraith, Donovan, Brenden, and Cassian.”

“Don’t forget to tell her about the one who rejected you,” Lucifer snarks, and I feel the anger bubbling up once more.

“If I tell you what happened, will you stop fucking bringing it up?” I ask, voice still completely devoid of emotion. I’d love nothing more for it to hold the bite I felt for a mere second before it was overwhelmed by melancholy.

Lucifer blanches. “I didn’t…I mean…”

Wren snorts. “What’s wrong? You don’t like that she talks back? You should be glad she’s dealing with rejected mate syndrome. If she wasn’t, she’d probably have set you on fire by now.”

“Oh, honey.” Mom takes my hand in hers and squeezes. “I’m sorry you’re going through that. I’ve heard it’s hell.”

I nod slowly. “Both Brenden and I are. Look, it’s a whole long story that I’d rather tell all at once. And I’ll tell it to shut him up, but first, I’d like to know more about the human quarter of me that died.”

“Of course. As I’m sure you’re aware, all supernaturals and humans are mortal.

Every creature can die, but it’s harder to kill demigods because of the godly blood running through their veins.

When they’re killed for the first time, it’s their human-side that dies.

If they choose to stay in the land of the living, it’s their god-side that’s still alive.

It doesn’t make them any easier or harder to kill, but someone who has died once already tends to be a little more wary of their surroundings. ” Lucifer takes a deep breath.

“It’s nearly impossible to kill gods, but we each have our vulnerabilities.

Even though a three-quarters god hasn’t existed before, following this logic, it was your human-side that died.

All reapers are ‘alive’ in a way—that’s something that’s granted to them when they receive the title—but it’s not the same way the two of you are alive. ”

He pauses. “It’s really weird trying to explain this.

A reaper can’t die again because they’re not alive in the same way you are.

You could still be killed again, but I don’t know how easy it would be.

For demigods, better known as angels, they couldn’t have been killed in the way you were—or how I’m assuming you died in order for your souls to be sent to the academy. ”

“I was burned alive, and Wren was stabbed—both by Michael.”

Mom’s hand tightens on mine almost painfully. “I’m sorry. Did you just say that Wren’s husband killed both of you?”

“That’s the start of the story,” I say before filling her in on what’s happened since I died.

When I reach the part about the Fates, I can see both Mom’s and Lucifer’s attention eyes wander over my four mates.

I choose to ignore that for now, telling them the rest of the story until the only thing left is Nex.

I lean back in my chair, looking at Mom. “Before I continue, there are some things we need to have you answer. Lucifer glossed over it, but you mentioned your dad. You’re an angel? A demigod?”

“I am.”

“Then why did you tell us you were a fire witch? That we were fire witches?” Wren asks, and without looking up, I can tell she’s fighting tears.

All we had growing up was Mom, and we looked up to her. Finding out that she lied to us about something so important hurts—not that I can really feel it right now. Not with the rejected bond pressing down on me.

Mom grabs Wren’s hand and sighs. “When Olympus was being locked down, I snuck away. My dad, Hephaestus—your grandfather—had already been put to sleep. Neither he nor I are well-liked in Olympus, so I left while I could. And you’re sure Michael is Hercules?

I never had much to do with him because my family was frowned upon. ”

“Being the daughter of Hephaestus makes sense with how you were able to pass as a fire witch. As far as Michael, the only one who would be able to escape Olympus with it being locked down would be one of the archangels,” Lucifer admits.

“The others wouldn’t have the power to do so.

I still don’t know how he managed it. Or why. But I’ll figure it out.”

Mom’s eyes drift to me, and I know she wants to ask about my missing mate, but she won’t push me. Not on this, at least.

She always had a way of getting us to open up to her without trying. She would just sit there, quietly supporting us until it came spilling out of us.

“My fifth mate’s name is Nex. He’s an incubus, who my father apparently cursed to never be happy in his love life or something.

He sought vengeance over his sister being killed by murdering those who attacked the village where she was killed.

” I shrug. “He said he tried to stay away from us—for our protection or whatever bullshit he seems to believe—but that didn’t last long.

He seemed like he was giving in. The three of us slept together, and in the morning, he was gone. He left us a note. ”

Lucifer scowls. “I can see why you didn’t want to hear about my sex life.

This is disturbing, but more than that, your mate is a stupid, stupid demon.

His only punishment was to work for the horsemen for a thousand years.

He’s the one who stayed and continues his punishment.

The curse was a joke. I didn’t think he would take me seriously. ”

All I can do is blink at him.

Did he just admit that not only there wasn’t a curse, but it was all a joke?

This is what ruined my life? My relationship?

Tears prickle at my eyes, and I almost feel relieved to know I can still cry, but they never actually come.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Wren roars, surprising me as she jumps to her feet and stabs a finger in Lucifer’s direction. “You jokingly told someone that their love life was cursed? Someone who turned out to be your daughter’s mate? Who the hell does that?”

Look at my non-confrontational sister standing up for me.

Another time I wish I could feel something more than bone tired because I’m so fucking proud of her. Although, it would be better if she learned to stand up for herself. At least she is standing up for something.

“I’m not a fortune teller, Wren. There was no way I could know that Nex would be Audrey’s mate. Or that I would even have daughters.” He sighs. “But I am sorry for the pain it caused you, Audrey. Don’t worry, I’ll make it right.”

I don’t think I like the sound of that. “There’s nothing to make right.”

“But there is,” he assures me before straight up disappearing.

What. The. Actual. Fuck?

“Are there any other secrets that need to be shared? Anything else that’s going to throw us for a loop when it’s revealed?” I ask, ready for a nap.

I’m glad I was able to see my mom, but like most things right now, being here is weighing on me. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this tired before. Where it hurts to move. Where even the smallest tasks feel like they’re insurmountable.

“None on my part. I really am sorry, girls. I’m not supposed to be earth-side, so I needed to find a way to be able to pass in the supernatural community.

The two of you were unexpected—the best surprise of my life, might I add—so all I could think to do was to perpetuate the lie to keep us all safe.

” She sighs, burying her face in her hands.

“Maybe it was the wrong choice—I don’t know.

I just did what I thought was best. I know I’m not perfect, but it wasn’t done to hurt you intentionally. I never thought it would even come up.”

“It’s fine, Mom.” I stand up and pull her into a hug. “I love you, and I’m sorry if it sounded like I was berating you or anything. Nothing feels like it should right now. Nothing comes out sounding like it’s supposed to. Just know I love you.”

Mom sobs as she clings to me, waving her free hand at Wren, who quickly joins us. Mom pulls her into our hug as the two of them cry. I pat their backs, wishing there was more that I could do, but even that leaves me exhausted.

“I’m just so glad you’re both okay,” Mom says once she’s calmed down. “Losing the two of you was devastating, and I didn’t know what to do with myself.”

Before either of us can respond, there’s a thump that has us breaking apart and staring at Lucifer, who has just reappeared, but he’s no longer alone.