Page 72 of Leafpoint Lighthouse

“Yes. Without doubt or hesitation. Give us back our son, if possible, please,” I begged.

“Well, brother, you were right!”

“Remy, I usually am,” Luc answered. Although I couldn’t see his face, I knew he was watching me.

“Uriel, do the honours,” Sela said.

I straightened. “Uriel is an angel. What are you? You’re not spirits,” I demanded. I rose and shoved Lyra behind me.

Luc held out his hands, and beneath them a form began taking shape. It became that of a small boy, and a lump rose in my throat. Our son.

“What will you exchange for Avery?” Luc asked as Avery stared at me.

“My existence, and that offer you made me. Give everything to Avery,” I replied. I turned to Lyra, her eyes brimming with tears. “Look after him, give Avery the life he deserves. Teach him to love as you do. No matter where I go, I’ll wait for you,” I promised.

Lyra clasped my face and kissed me before nodding. Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Give me my son,” she whispered.

“Lucifer,” Uriel hissed.

“William passed my test,” Lucifer replied. Lucifer, as in the devil? What was happening here?

“Avery, these are your parents. Love them well; you’re going to have a wonderful life,” Lucifer said, crouching to stare into Avery’s eyes.

“Will I be a real boy?”

Lyra’s breath hitched behind me.

“Yes, because you always were. You sacrificed your soul to protect your mother. That’s genuine love, Avery, and should be rewarded. You are destined to live a blessed life,” Lucifer answered him and kissed his forehead.

There was a blinding light, and then Avery flung himself into my arms. He was solid, and I felt his heart beating against me.

“Oh my God,” Lyra gasped as she joined our huddle. We stayed together. Tears streamed down our faces as we both felt the life in Avery. A smile broke across my lips. Avery would get a chance that had once been stolen from him.

“Get on with it,” Lucifer said abruptly.

“Luc, you’re so impatient. William Trelawny, for being pure of heart, I return that to you,” Uriel stated. Suddenly my heart beat. I looked down as Lyra placed her hand on my chest.

“You’ve a heartbeat!” she gasped.

“Selaphiel, your turn,” Lucifer urged.

“I grant you wisdom and temperance. Knowing when to battle and when to refrain,” Selaphiel remarked. “Remiel?”

“I give you joy and happiness and strength,” Remiel replied.

“William Trelawny, you’ve been offered mighty gifts but lack the main one. Life. Your self-sacrifice for Avery today showed the man you are. This will be painful, but it must be, for it to be worth the gift,” Lucifer said.

I struck the ground, screaming. Pain flooded through me, and there wasn’t a part that didn’t hurt.

“Stop hurting my dad!” Avery screeched, running forward, even as the ache began to fade. Lyra snatched him back. God forbid I experience pain like that again. I lay on my back, sweating, and wondered what the hell I’d been hit with.

“Rise, William Trelawny. You’ll learn that life comes with numerous gifts. You’ve a history, a past and a backstory, I believe it’s called,” Lucifer said.

“Luc is always the overachiever,” Uriel complained.

Lucifer snorted. “Certainly, brother.”

Lyra crouched down beside me and touched me with wonder. She placed Avery next to my feet and raced over to the glowing figures.