Page 18

CALLIOPE

The Abyss had changed in the ten years since I first arrived, but not as much as I had.

Watching the storm clouds gather over the distant mountains, I stood at the window of our private quarters. My hand rested on the curve of my belly, feeling the gentle flutter of life within. Our baby was due in a couple of months, and the thought filled me with awe.

Adan approached from behind, wrapping his arms around me. His touch was warm and grounding.

“You're up early,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple.

“I couldn’t sleep,” I admitted. “Too much energy in the air.”

He chuckled softly. “The Festival of Midnight tends to have that effect.”

I hadn’t been thrilled when he told me that we’d been tasked to host a once-in-a-century celebration when the veil between realms was at its thinnest. But as I planned the event with Lyra’s help—and input from Abaddon and Typhon, of all demons—I’d quickly warmed to the idea.

The celebration was a time of magic, connection, and reflection. Tonight, The Abyss would host beings from across the supernatural spectrum, all gathering to honor the convergence.

Adan’s palms moved to my belly, fingers splaying gently.

“Are you sure you're up for this?” he asked, concern evident in his voice.

I turned to face him, placing my hands over his. “I’m fine, and so is the baby. Besides, we have plenty of help.”

As if on cue, a knock sounded at the door.

“Enter,” Adan called.

The door opened to reveal Typhon, his presence as commanding as ever. His storm-kissed eyes met mine, softening as they landed on my belly.

“You’re glowing,” he remarked as he stepped into the room.

“Must be the pregnancy,” I replied with a smile, though it felt deeper than that. There was a joy inside me that had nothing to do with hormones.

He approached, placing a hand on my shoulder.

“I’ve reinforced the wards around The Abyss,” he said. “Nobody who hasn’t been invited will get through tonight.”

“Thank you.”

Adan nodded in agreement. “We appreciate it.”

Typhon's gaze shifted to Adan, a hint of amusement in his eyes. Their relationship was another thing that had changed over time, but only after my father proved himself to my mate.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice your nervousness,” he teased.

Adan rolled his eyes. “Just being cautious.”

Typhon clapped him on the back. “As you should be. But rest assured, nothing will harm your mate or my grandchild under my watch.”

“My child,” Adan growled, disliking the possessive way my father spoke of our baby.

Another knock interrupted the moment, and Abaddon entered, his imposing figure filling the doorway.

“Am I interrupting a family moment?” he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Just discussing security,” Adan replied, his frustration with Typhon fading under Abaddon’s more ominous presence.

Abaddon nodded. “Good. Because I won’t let anything through the gate that intends to harm my daughter-in-law or grandchild.”

Even as Adan sighed over the fact that neither of our fathers ever referred to the baby as just ours but their grandchild, the mention of the gate brought a chill to the room. Hidden deep within The Abyss, the gate to hell was a constant reminder of the balance we maintained. It was the very place where I had once triggered a curse, unaware of the power I held.

Now, that power was honed. Controlled. I had become a guardian, weaving storm magic into the fabric of The Abyss’s defenses.

As the day wore on, preparations for the festival took shape. The grand hall was transformed, adorned with shimmering lights and ethereal decorations. Vases with flowers from the conservatory were placed throughout the space, mostly deep purple lilies since they were the first bloom Adan had ever given me.

Guests began to arrive, their varied forms and energies filling the space with a palpable buzz. I moved through the crowd, greeting old friends and new faces alike. The baby kicked, as if sensing the pulse of magic and celebration around us. I smiled, sharing a knowing glance with Adan across the room.

As the evening wore on, the energy in the room shifted. The realms were drawing close, the divide between them wearing thin. The air grew charged with anticipation.

From my vantage point, I noticed Kastiel standing at the edge of the gathering, his eyes fixed on a woman cloaked in shadows. Her aura crackled with a mysterious energy, and she seemed equally intrigued by him.

Adan appeared beside me, following my gaze.

“I’ve never seen Kastiel so intrigued by a woman,” he remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

I leaned against his side. “Maybe he’s finally met his fated mate.”

He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. “Perhaps.”

As the clock struck midnight, a hush fell over the crowd. The veil was at its thinnest, and for a moment, the realms aligned. I felt a surge of power, of connection, and I knew that our child would be born into a world where love, magic, and unity prevailed.

As the festival bloomed around us, I held on to that hope of a world forged by love and magic, prepared to embrace whatever the future had in store.

Kastiel will get his story in Hellbent & Heartless !