A New Normal

DELLA

I’m feeling back to my old self after a few hearty meals. By the time Monday rolls around, I’m ready to face the world again.

The Elders Council found Raziel and Caleb guilty of attempted murder, and Raziel has been sentenced to life in prison, which I learned is a long frigging time since angels can live for centuries.

I have been dismissed regarding Caleb’s death as it was ruled self-defense even though they’re not completely sure how I did it. So far, it appears that no word of my Scion status has been leaked.

Our new demonology professor is a delight. She’s an older Nephilim with a head full of curly red hair. She reminds me of Ms. Frizzle, which is just wonderful. What’s even better is that she’s an excellent teacher. She often invites rare demons to give guest lectures, and the class isn’t exclusive to Nephilim anymore. Sorin has joined the class too.

Sorin hasn’t opened up about his scars yet. I’m not going to pressure him. I’ll be here when he’s ready to talk, whether that’s tomorrow or twenty years from now. It’s his story to tell, and I’m okay with him doing it in his own time.

My visions have been less apocalyptic lately. I’ve even discovered that I can project images into other people’s minds. I probably shouldn’t have this power. I take too much pleasure in sending distracting images to Gavin while he’s assisting with lectures. Kade seems to enjoy it too.

Oz and Hayes are in a good place. They’re so adorable together now that Hayes has gotten his act together.

My parents—my ~real~ parents—visit the asylum every other Sunday for dinner, and we all head over to Gavin’s family’s vineyard on the alternate Sundays.

Today, we’re at the vineyard. Mama Tenn has enlisted my help in preparing a feast. Everyone is coming tonight. ~Everyone.~

“How are you doing, Tesoro?” she asks, stirring a large pot of mouth-watering tomato sauce.

I’ve been tasked with chopping vegetables for salads, the sauce, and bruschetta. “I’m actually doing really well,” I confess. “I’ve been focusing on my classes and learning a lot. I’m probably the most relaxed I’ve ever been.” I chuckle. It’s been a good year.

“That’s good. I’m so glad my boy found you. You’re good for him. Don’t let him give you any nonsense.” She smirks.

“I’m lucky to have him too. You raised a good one.”

“Yes, I did.” She laughs. She begins giving me tips on how to make a ~proper~ caprese salad as Violet and Micha walk into the kitchen.

“There she is!” Violet exclaims, wrapping me in a hug.

“Hey! How was your date last night?” I ask.

“Ugh! I don’t even want to talk about it.”

“Well, now you have to.” I grin as she starts helping me.

“Why do guys always talk to my chest?” she asks.

“That’s a good question,” I admit as Micha plants a kiss on my shoulder and tries to sneak out before the male-bashing segment of the evening gets started.

“Why can’t I meet a guy like any of yours?” she asks, and I snort.

“Honey, you don’t know what you’re asking for. Do you know how I met them?” I ask, laughing as Micha practically sprints from the room.

“Um…no,” she says, looking at where Micha disappeared.

“Okay, so first, there was Gavin and Sorin. They pulled me into an alley, and I ended up with a knife against Sorin’s throat. Micha didn’t like me when he first met me. He thought I looked too young and was too bubbly. Kade was hung up on the whole demon-Nephilim thing at first. He even ignored my offer to shake hands when we met,” I inform her.

“Gavin pulled you into an alley?” Violet gasps, her eyes wide.

“Yep. On Halloween night, too.” I nod.

“Wow. I don’t know what to say about any of that,” she admits. “But they’re so sweet to you.”

“They are. I got very lucky. All I’m saying is to know what you want and go from there.” I shrug. “But also, not everything is love at first sight. Get to know the person.”

“That’s fair. First impressions aren’t always right.”

“Trust your gut, though,” I add, and she nods in agreement.

“So… I heard you have news?” she whispers.

“Shut up!” I hiss. “Can’t tell you anything…,” I mutter.

“Okay, I’m sorry. Aunt Maria, are we ready to set the table?” she asks.

“Yes, please. Get the boys out here to help,” she suggests, not taking her eyes off the pot.

Once the first round has been taken out to the table, Mama Tenn corners me and gives me a once-over with her X-ray eyes. A smile slowly spreads across her face. She just nods and lets me go. She knows! I should have known better than to try to keep a secret from Mama Tenn.

I keep myself busy, and the guys start acting strange around me. They take things out of my hands, give me more kisses as they pass by. Do they know? No, Mama and Violet wouldn’t say anything. They must be up to something. Kade passes by, kissing the top of my head, and I grab his arm.

“What are you guys up to?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at him.

“Up to? I—I don’t know what you’re t-talking about. Why don’t you go sit down and relax,” he stammers.

“Bullshit,” I say, crossing my arms.

“Kade! We need your help!” Papa Tenn shouts. They’re all in cahoots! I watch as Kade scurries away like a scared rabbit.

I stew in my frustration as everyone arrives, and I grow even more suspicious. Everyone is hugging me and wishing me happiness. Mom, Dad, and Oz show up, and I almost lose my cool. What is going on?! Sure, I have my own plans, but I didn’t invite everyone in our lives here for the announcement. My news was going to be private. Family only. Mom and Dad already know—they were with me when I found out.

We all sit down to dinner, and I feel like I’m going to explode. What is going on? The guys keep shifting in their seats. All the men. Not just my men. I’m surprised that I’m not the one who breaks first.

“What is going on with you all? You’re all squirming like you need to use the restroom!” Mama Tenn exclaims, making me snort.

“Sorry, Mama. We… We have some news,” Gavin says, standing up. Sorin, Micha, and Kade stand too. “Della, we have some news.”

“Oh no, you’re pregnant!” I say with a laugh as Violet spits her drink across the table.

“Ha-ha, no. We… We’ve been working on something for you.” Sorin gives a lopsided grin, handing me a rolled-up piece of paper tied with a royal blue ribbon. Even though my hair is back to its natural strawberry blonde, my guys still love that shade of blue. Truth be told, so do I.

I take the roll of paper and slowly unravel it. My brow furrows as I read it. A deed?

“I don’t understand,” I admit, looking up at the guys.

“We bought a home for us.” Micha grins, his eyes soft and knowing. A home?

“What?” I feel tears welling up. I had been saving up for an apartment, but a house? A home? “Are you serious?”

“Yep.” Kade beams. “It’s ready to move in when you are, babe.”

“Oh my God!” My tears are coming full force now, and my guys come over and hold me. I’ve never really had a home before. The asylum had become our temporary home, but…it can’t last forever like that. And I don’t want it to.

“Thank you all so much!” I sob.

“We were glad to do it. And it has lots of rooms so we can have Oz over on the weekends.” Gavin smiles.

“Or kids.” I beam up at them, holding my stomach.

“What?” All four pairs of eyes go wide. I distantly hear Mama and Papa Tenn celebrating.

“Yep. I found out last week. I wanted to tell the whole family at once,” I admit, suddenly feeling nervous. But my fears are squashed when I’m suddenly lifted into Kade’s arms as his lips crash against mine. I don’t stay on the ground long after he puts me down before Gavin is kissing me too. Sorin and Micha are beaming, tears streaming down their faces, Gavin releases me, and Micha kisses me while Sorin is on his knees hugging my stomach.

“Thank you, Della. Thank you so much!”

***

We arrive at our new house, and I can’t keep my jaw off the ground. It’s enormous!

“It used to be a private mental hospital,” Sorin says with a smirk. Of course it was. “The Tenns and your mom and dad helped do a lot of work on it.”

“It’s beautiful!” I breathe. It’s a large Victorian house—red brick with a white wrap-around porch. I climb the wooden steps and see the stained-glass door. The door itself is royal blue, but what makes my heart stop is what’s hanging off the doorknocker. I whip around to see my guys on their knees. I look back at the ring with four stones on it hanging from the door and back at them again.

“Oh my God!” I launch myself at them, crying yet again. I’m wrapped up in the loves of my life.

“Is that a yes?” Gavin chuckles.

“Of course it is!” I cry, kissing each of them.

The end of Della’s story… for now.

***

Epilogue

UNKNOWN

“A Scion has been found,” the aide reads from the latest correspondence.

“Gods above,” gasps Elder Schopps, a wizened old mage bred for his position by a long line of other wizened old mages. “I never thought I’d live to see the day.”

“Sir?” the aide asks with obvious concern.

“A Scion. One of the most powerful beings in creation. Who is he? We shall facilitate a position at once.” Elder Grimsby grins.

The poor aide looks hesitant. “Her name is Delaney Hearst.”

Shocked and appalled mutterings fill the room. I can’t believe it myself. A female Scion? The last known female Scion didn’t live long. She was imprisoned by a group of mages in the seventeenth century and used like a battery to build a magic school. It was most horrific to read about.

It seems, however, that I have landed myself in a room of like-minded brutes.

“We must find her! That kind of power can bring down realities. Imagine what we could do,” Elder Ming schemes with hungry eyes.

“Imagine what kind of children she could bring into the world. They could be a new race of powerful beings.” Elder Grimsby claps delightedly.

Bile climbs up my throat at the thought of that poor girl being subjected to any of this. “How old is she?” I ask.

“Twenty-two, sir,” the aide states, looking pale.

“Old enough, eh?” Elder Schopps chuckles, elbowing me in good cheer.

“That means she is at full maturity for her powers,” I inform them.

They all instantly pale.

That’s what I thought. Cowards and scumbags. I once thought them heroes, then fellow colleagues. But I’ve been an Elder for too long to pretend they are anything but what they are—monsters.

This girl needs protection.

End of Book 1