Page 122 of Mated By the Alphas
I swing the sword a few more times, then I concentrate. I feel a warmth in my chest, and a name fills my thoughts.
“Thyra,” I whisper. “Show me your strength.”
The warmth spreads, the blade ignites, and I start to transform. Red highlights appear in my hair as I get bigger and stronger. I look up and see a halo over my head for a moment, then it dissipates like smoke.
“I did it!” I say, holding the sword tightly.
“A mighty Viking warrior,” Lucifer says.
“Is this like shifting?” I ask. “Is that what I’m doing when I call her?”
“No, this is the soul inside you, being brought to the surface,” Lucifer replies. “Most Nephilim struggled with this. You have come a long way in a short time.”
I smile from the praise and concentrate again, watching as the fire goes out. I shrink back to normal size, and the red highlights disappear from my hair.
“At least I can use if it I need to,” I say, offering Lucifer the sword.
“Indeed, daughter. Hopefully you never will,” Lucifer replies, taking the sword. He holds it out and it vanishes.
“Can you teach me to do that? Like you did with Storm and his clothes?” I question.
“In time,” he says. “One step at a time. Remember, all of this is inside you. You just have to believe it’s possible in order to harness it. That’s the first step towards mastery. But enough for today.”
I spend another few weeks working with my father. I learn to call Thyra’s soul. I discover a few others inside me, but they’re notas impressive as Thyra. Just passengers latched onto the others. I even try to call Joanna, but she’s peaceful and content. Being apart from Jaxton was the only thing that kept her from being at peace. Healing him gave her everything she needed.
“What do you want to work on first today?” Lucifer asks as we get to the top of the tower. “We could spar, if you want to see what Thyra can really do.”
“Maybe later,” I laugh, taking my seat in the center of the tower. “I’ll work on a little of everything today, starting with this.”
I concentrate and focus on the other Scions. I’m getting so good at it that it doesn’t take much effort to feel them. I might even be able to communicate with them, but I haven’t tried that yet. My reach seems to be unlimited now. I can feel every Scion alive, although it would be impossible to count them all.
“Wait,” I say, focusing a little harder. “I thought you said you were the last angel.”
“I am,” Lucifer says confidently. “The Crimson Templars thought they got me too, but I managed to survive.”
“There’s… there’s another one,” I say hesitantly. “I can sense him, like I can sense you. He’s… he’s weak. Really weak.”
“I would be able to sense him. I cannot sense other Scions, but I can sense angels,” Lucifer says. “It could be a Nephilim. It would be strange for one to have survived this long, but maybe something in their bloodline gave them a longer life.”
“No, it’s not a Nephilim. I don’t sense any others like me,” I say. “This is distinct. Same way I recognize you. It’s definitely an angel. I’m going to try to speak to him.”
“Wait,” Lucifer says, but I’m already establishing the mental link.
“Can you hear me? My name is Ansley,” I say. “I’m Lucifer’s daughter. A Nephilim.”
There’s nothing for a moment, then a whisper. So faint I can barely make it out, but I listen to the message carefully. As soon as I hear it, my eyes fly open and I jump to my feet.
“What is it, daughter?” Lucifer asks. “Is it really an angel.”
“It is,” I say. “Gabriel. He’s being held captive in the Vatican by the Crimson Templars.”
“What?!” Lucifer gasps, shaking his head. “No, you have to be mistaken. I saw Gabriel fall. He did not survive.”
“He did,” I insist, more firmness in his voice. “But that’s not all. They’re not just holding him prisoner. He’s the source of their power.”
“The source?” Lucifer narrows his eyes.
“They’re drinking his blood, just like how my blood gave my mates and Daisy protection from the vampires,” I report. “That’s what makes them so strong. It’s angel blood!”
