The Seraph stands before the immense trunk, flapping his wings. ‘Open your eyes, One Hunahpu. I want you to gaze upon the face of your beloved soul mate as I violate her before your God!’

The being punches Dominique across the back of her shoulder blades, the crushing blow dropping her to the ground.

She feels the Seraph’s talons shred the remains of her environmental suit down the back, then screams through her regulator as he pulls her pants down, exposing her bare buttocks.

She gags as powerful hands lift her hips to his naked groin.

‘Unseal the portal, One Hunahpu, or I swear to Lucifer, I’ll rape and torture her every minute of eternity!’

Two pinpoints of aqua blue appear in the gooey white sap, the outline of a face revealing itself just beneath the surface of the calabash bark.

Ripples appear on the lake, and the surface begins undulating, as if something large is disturbing the depths.

Devlin stares at the exotic liquid. It’s happening. The portal’s opening!

Jacob opens his eyes.

The subterranean ceiling is alive with flames that leap away from the broiling embers like solar flares. He attempts to sit up but finds a great weight pressing against his throat, more resistance binding his upper torso and limbs to the ground.

He hears his mother’s cries. Feels his father’s presence.

Closing his eyes, he slips into the nexus.

Jacob Gabriel’s mind enters the frigid white mist and he is afraid.

It’s been an eternity, my love. Have you missed me?

The haunting whisper tickles his ear. He can smell the jasmine, then he sees her eyes, radiating a bright Hunahpu blue.

The lithe form moves out from the mist, her swollen breasts pressing against the sheer fabric of a vermilion-colored negligee.

Her gaze is drawn to his right arm, which is still raw and bleeding from the last attack. Come closer, cousin. Let me lick your wounds.

Jacob backs away.

Still frightened?

Devlin … is the monster my son?

He is Lucifer’s son.

It didn’t have to be like this, Lilith.

Ah, but it did. Her irises simmer violet in the supernatural light. I was born into Hell and I’ll die here, not as its victim but as its conqueror. Abandoned by God, I turned to the only ones left who would embrace me, those of the lesser lights.

They weren’t real, Lilith. They were voices in your head.

You were a voice in my head, but I still loved you! And what did you do? You abandoned me in my hour of need, first when we were teens, then when you left on the Balam. You helped sow the seeds of my corruption, now you can reap the harvest of your selfishness!