“Anna, I believe you are that Nephilim.” What? A chill of trepidation trickled down my spine. “There is grave danger in the task ahead of you. Danger from which we are all helpless to protect you.”

Understanding racked my being to the core. This was my life’s task and it was huge. Monumental.

Focus. I had to think. This was a good thing. I wanted nothing more than to rid the earth of the despicable demons. But fear of the unknown threatened to smother me. Where would I start? How would I accomplish this?

“I need to understand exactly what it means,” I said. And then silently I asked, “Can I speak freely?”

“You may. There are no Dukes nearby, and I spied no spirits when I arrived.”

I cleared my throat. “So . . . I’m supposed to cast the demons from earth?”

Patti went as rigid as a mannequin next to me. “Should you be saying this out loud?” she whispered. We’d become so accustomed to being careful. I nodded to her that it was okay.

“I believe ridding the earth of dark ones will be done through you. It is the belief of my family that this Nephilim will be the bridge that provides the fallen angels with a second chance. They have been allowed to come to earth to influence the humans, but not for eternity. Their time will come to an end very soon now that you are here.”

“Sister Ruth, I’m honored. . . .” But I was also overcome with a dire sense of urgency. I needed to find out as much as possible and she would be gone forever at any moment. I felt so small in comparison to the undertaking I’d been destined to perform. “What should I do?”

“What you do now is a matter for your own discernment. All the tools you need have been provided, and you must seek them. You may find that trustworthy allies can help you along your path, but that is at your discretion. Be careful whom you trust. Have you retrieved the box I left to you at the convent?”

“Yes, Sister. The hilt?”

“You must keep it hidden and carry it with you always. It is the flaming sword of Leilaf used in the war of the heavens.” Just as Kaidan had guessed. I pushed down feelings of panic that came whenever I thought of having to wield the spiritual sword. I couldn’t fathom such a treasure being left in my care.

Sister Ruth’s form began to shimmer and lift higher. I reached out a hand, desperate.

“Sister, wait!” With effort, she driftd back down. It was purely selfish of me to keep her here longer, but I didn’t want her to go yet. She was my only link. “How did you survive the Nephilim purge?”

“Mm, yes. The desperate years. I was in utero during that time and they did not know about me. My mother was warned by an angel from heaven that they were coming for her. She was my Nephilim parent, but she told my human father everything. She was lucky to have found a devout man she could trust with our secrets. She went into hiding underground in the basement of a church. Demons avoid the Holy Spirit, so they won’t breach areas where two or more are gathered together in prayer. I spent my life in churches and convents.”

Her voice was getting softer. I had to let her go.

“Thank you for finding me, Sister. Thank you for everything.”

“Yes,” Patti said. “Thank you.”

Sister Ruth looked down upon Patti and laid a hand on her head. “I knew you were the right woman to raise her from the moment I saw you.” And then she turned to me. “Have faith, dear one. And do not despair.”

Her spirit glided up, disappearing through the ceiling, emanating pure joy as she ascended home. I stood there, trying to process all I’d just learned. I tried to imagine the earth without demons. What would this mean for humans? For Neph?

“She’s gone,” Patti whispered. “I can feel that she’s gone.”

By the time I’d told her all the details she was in tears and my hands were trembling with the shock of it.

“Do you know what this means for all of you?” She reached up and touched my cheek. “For the world? I knew you were destined for something big, baby girl.”

Her eyes were filled with parental joy, but the half smile showed her underlying fear.

My thoughts went to Kaidan, able to live a free life, and a noise slipped from my throat. Patti pulled me in and hugged me hard.

“It’s all gonna be okay,” she whispered. And when she said it, I believed it. She let go and swiped her fingers under her eyes.

In that moment I thought about my biological mother, the angel Mariantha. I wondered if she was watching me, and if she knew she could get her soul mate back soon.

“Oh, my gosh,” I said. “I need to call Dad.”

I pulled my phone from my pocket and scrolled through the contacts.

With a shaking hand, I typed the emergency code he’s taught me, “A911,” and hit Send.

CHAPTER FOUR

FOR NOW

I couldn’t sleep that night after the revelation. Patti and I stayed up late discussing everything, rejoicing at the thought of no more demons on earth. We never mentioned the obvious fear—that I could die in the process of attempting this feat. She tucked me in after midnight and kissed my forehead like she did when I was little. My head had been hurting after I saw Kaidan, and it throbbed worse now with the weight of the prophecy.

Dad had called after I texted, and told me he’d be here to talk in person as soon as possible.

At three in the morning I still lay awake.

Thinking of Kaidan.

I was burning with the urge to call him. Or jump in my car and drive until I found him. Because he needed to know about this. Like, now.