“An eye for an eye, Eli! I demand it!” Michael said, his fists balled at his sides.

“MICHAEL!” Samuel boomed. The earth trembled when he spoke, and my hands flew to my ears.

Eli watched the interaction between Samuel and Michael for a moment, and then spoke. “Okay. All right. I’ve heard enough from each side. Only one argument remains.”

We all looked to one another, wondering who was left.

“My apologies,” a warm voice spoke. It was a voice I hadn’t heard in a long time. A voice from my childhood.

Jared’s hand was still in mine, and the moment the voice could be heard, his hand went limp. “Dad?” he said.

I turned, seeing Gabe Ryel at the top of the chapel’s rock steps. He looked exactly as I remembered him: tall, his blond hair and piercing, ice-blue eyes glowing even from several feet away. A flash broke from the crowd and up the steps, and in the next moment, Claire was in her father’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. She pressed her cheek against his chest, whispering something I couldn’t understand. Gabe bowed his head, spoke something back, and then he kissed his daughter’s forehead. They descended the stairs together, and approached Bex.

Gabe offered a small smile to his youngest son, who fell against him with a clap.

My mouth fell open, and I immediately searched Jared’s face for a reaction. There was none.

Gabe’s expression turned remorseful. “I’m sorry for your son, Michael. You and I are in unique positions…to know love for a child. You and I agree that if we could change the outcome, we would make it so.”

Eli reached out to Gabe. “It’s important to remember that it is in the height of adversary that we must come together. Michael, you’ve lost your son. Your widow has now lost her husband and her son. It is unfortunate.”

Michael bowed his head.

Gabe approached Michael, pulling him into his arms. “We need you on our side, Brother.”

Michael shrugged out of his grasp.

“Eli?” Michael pleaded.

Eli offered a small, comforting smile. “You already know the answer.”

Michael shot an accusing glare at Jared.

Jared’s brows pulled in. “I didn’t want Isaac to die, Michael. I swear to you, I wish it hadn’t happened.

“Very well, then.” He gestured to the cloaked angels, and they all disappeared into the darkness.

Eli clapped his hands together, lacing his fingers together. “Impeccable timing, as always, Gabriel.”

Gabe nodded. His eyes paused on me for a moment before fixing on Jared. “This isn’t your fault, Jared.”

Jared didn’t speak. His face tense, his dark eyes meeting the eyes of his father, he was paralyzed. The scene brought back memories of the moment I saw my father for the last time, and I ached for Jared. He would have to say goodbye a second time.