“She’s not.” Allison’s voice cut through the tension in the room. “She’s a half-blood.”
Everything seemed to freeze as I stared at Allison. Half-blood was a term we often used to refer to those who were half demon, half human. But the knowledge that Maggie had a demonic parent wasn’t as shocking as the fact that Allison had called her a half-blood like she was no stranger to the terminology angels used.
I shot a quick glance behind me at Maggie and Scott. There was no shock or surprise in either of their auras. Like Allison, their primary emotions seemed to be resolution and acceptance. It was like they were finally facing a reality they’d always known was coming.
My gaze moved to Robert—who was pale and surrounded by a cloud of fear, but again no real surprise—and then to Miles, who was frowning at his mother and sister. When he noticed my attention, he gave me a wink and a small smile. It wasn’t exactly the reaction I’d expected, but I wasn’t going to complain. At least he wasn’t mad at me or having some kind of panic attack at the sight of the wings I’d randomly sprouted.
I was still trying to work up the nerve to look at Hayden when Micah stepped into the middle of the room. “All right. Everyone is going to cool it. There will be no attacking anyone. Understand?” His indigo eyes meteach of ours, promising we wouldn’t like the outcome if he was disobeyed.
There were a lot of curt nods, but Nate didn’t relax or put his knife away, so I left my wings out too.
“Danielle?” Micah said, his gaze settling on me. “Now would be a good time for you to tell us whatever it is you brought us all here to say.”
I swallowed hard. This was it. I couldn’t put it off any longer. “About two years ago, while I was working the night shift at the hospital, a young man came in carrying Hayden in his arms after the car accident. He knew my name and demanded I heal Hayden. So I did. I took away all the injuries that were life-threatening, mended all the broken bones.” I couldn’t look at Hayden as I spoke. I kept my eyes on Micah’s impassive expression. If I saw anyone else’s, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to finish.
“Go on,” Micah said, his voice as soft as it was firm.
“It wasn’t until afterward that I learned the man who’d brought him in was a grand prince of Hell… when he showed me his wings.” I shuddered at the memory of Beelzebub’s fingers around my neck and the sight of his leathery wings spreading from his back.
I felt my words hit everyone in the room, the tension rising and mixing with a hint of fear. Micah was still eerily calm though, his eyes on me.
“What happened then?”
“He wanted me to heal for him whenever he asked me to and keep the Blake family from learning that angels and demons live on Earth. If I failed or told anyone about the deal, he said he’d send demons after the secret order.”
Micah held up a hand when both Nate and Sam started to move. “And why are you telling us now?”
“Because I can’t keep the secret anymore. I thought I was protecting everyone, but I should have admitted that I was in trouble years ago and just told you. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” I finally looked to Hayden. He was standing perfectly still, his expression blank, his aura a swirl of so many emotions it was impossible to tell what he was thinking. My heart ached, and I wanted to touch him, to feel him wrap me in his arms and promise that everything was going to be okay. Even if it wasn’t.
“Besides healing Hayden, what have you done for him?” Micah asked, bringing my attention back to him.
“I healed Scott last month. That’s it.”
Someone gasped behind me, but I didn’t turn to look.
“All I ever wanted was to belong to this family,” I said, holding Micah’s gaze. “I couldn’t stand the idea of being the reason anyone got hurt. He can do it, Micah. I’ve been reading everything I could find on the grand princes. He has legions upon legions of demons at his command. If he sends them against you…”
“It wouldn’t be the first time,” one of my brothers muttered.
“The real question,” Micah said, glancing past me, “is why a grand prince of Hell chose to blackmail you in the first place.”
“Because of me,” Allison said.
My head moved so fast I was surprised I didn’t sprain my neck in the process. I stared at my mother-in-law with open-mouthed shock, not really comprehending what she was saying.
She held Micah’s gaze with a hint of defiance. “He made the deal with Danielle to protect my family, just like he promised me he always would.”
Beelzebub’s words from the hospital rushed back to me.
We all have people we would do anything for, cross any line to protect. I would become my very worst if that’s what it takes to keep the ones I care about safe.
I looked over my shoulder at Maggie. Scott stood at her back, one arm wrapped around her protectively. She was the spitting image of Allison. Except for her eyes. They were a brilliant shade of electric blue… the exact same color as Beelzebub’s. Maggie wasn’t just any half-demon.
“You’re his daughter,” I whispered.
TWENTY-NINE
Hayden
