Gabe gave a quick nod. “You have the book?”

“Yes,” Jared said.

“Now that you have it, it’s safe to say that it would behoove you to help the Pollocks replace it. One less thing to worry about, wouldn’t you agree?”

Jared frowned. “But…if it puts us in danger, why did you take it from the Pollocks to begin with?”

“Answers. Jack knew the moment she was born she was in danger of being the woman in the prophecy. When you fell in love with her, Son, we knew it was a matter of when, not if. We were fighting time and fate…an impossible task. Still, Jack loved his daughter, and he wanted to do everything in his power to try to keep her from that path. We knew there was a chance the book could help us find a loophole, so we took it.”

In frustration, Jared shifted his weight. “But…by the time you came to Nina in the dreams, you knew there was no loophole. Why did you put her through that? Why the theatrics? Do you have any idea what she’s been through? What I went through?”

“To get your attention. We were desperate to find a way to stop you from commencing the prophecy.”

“By then it was too late,” Bex inserted.

“Obviously,” Claire grumbled.

Gabe shook his head. “Not quite. She still had time.”

I looked around the room. “Where is Samuel?”

Claire shoved her hands into her jacket pockets. She wore sweats, her gathered gray pants pushed up to just below her knees, and a matching hooded jacket over a ratty white tank top. She had been summoned unexpectedly. “Babysitting Ryan until I get back. Now that the trial is over, he’s vulnerable.”

“Is he okay?” I asked.

She nodded. “Kim goes home tomorrow. Father Francis is in stable condition, but he will be in traction for a while.”

Bex frowned. “That should have never happened. Clergy should have more protection than that.”

“Father Francis’ guardian is an Arch, Bex. His hands were tied when Donovan attacked him,” Claire explained.

“So what now?” Jared asked Gabe.

“Shax still wants his book. Hell doesn’t want the child to be born. Things are stacking against you, Jared,” Gabe said. “One thing at a time.”

“One thing at a time,” Jared repeated, letting his father’s advice sink in.

Gabe hugged his children one more time, and then made his way toward the door. “It’s a long time between now and the time she delivers the baby, Jared. We’ll keep an ear to the ground, but be on alert. Heaven won’t step in until you give them a reason.”

“You mean start a war,” Jared said.

“Figure out a reason, Son.” In that instant, Gabriel was gone.

“Huh,” Bex puffed. “Weird.”

Claire’s shoulders dropped. “He’s never coming back, is he?”

“Probably not,” Jared said with a small, apologetic smile on his face.