Blood of Heaven

Lily had spent her whole life trying to make herself smaller.

Quieter.

Less noticeable.

It never worked.

Tonight, as she stood between Luke and Luna in the frozen forest clearing, she felt more seen than ever — like something ancient was looking through her skin instead of at it.

Luna stood twenty feet away, moonlight wrapping around her like a cloak. Her blonde hair was braided tight against her skull, practical for battle. Her blue eyes were steady. Controlled.

Unfeeling.

Or pretending to be.

“You disobeyed me,” Luna said.

Her voice wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be. The forest seemed to lean closer to hear her.

Lily forced herself not to look away. “You don’t get to order me anymore.”

A flash of something crossed Luna’s face. Pain. Gone so fast Lily almost imagined it.

Behind Lily, Luke coughed — wet, ragged. Blood hit the leaves.

Lily’s chest tightened.

She turned slightly. He was trying to stand again, golden eyes burning stubbornly despite the blood soaking his armor. Up close, she could see how badly he was hurt — ribs probably cracked, shoulder nearly split open, magic burns crawling across his skin like dark lightning.

And still… he looked dangerous.

Still… he looked at her like she was the only solid thing in the world.

“You shouldn’t have come,” he muttered.

“You were dying,” she said.

“I’ve been dying for years.”

Her throat tightened.

“Step away from him, Lily.”

Luna again. Closer now.

Lily turned back.

“No.”

The word surprised even her.

Wind moved through the trees, sharp and cold.

Luna’s gaze shifted to Luke, and the air seemed to drop ten degrees.

“The war dog lives,” Luna said.

Luke gave a weak, humorless smile. “Princess.”

“I am not a princess.”

“No,” he said. “You’re worse.”

Magic sparked between them — invisible, but heavy. Old hatred. Old war.

Lily felt it pressing against her ribs.

“Stop,” she said, louder. “Both of you.”

Neither moved.

Luna took another step forward.

“Lily, you don’t understand what he is.”

“Then tell me!”

Silence stretched.

Finally, Luna spoke — quieter now. Almost tired.

“He is what Father created when heaven needed a weapon.”

Lily’s stomach twisted.

She turned slightly toward Luke.

He didn’t deny it.

Didn’t confirm it.

Just watched her, waiting.

“And you,” Luna said, voice cracking for the first time, “are what Father created when he needed hope.”

The words hit harder than any weapon.

“What does that even mean?” Lily whispered.

“It means,” Luna said, “that if they find you… the war starts again.”

The ground beneath Lily’s feet pulsed.

Once.

Twice.

Like a heartbeat that didn’t belong to her.

Blue light flickered along her hands. She gasped, staring as thin threads of glowing power crawled across her skin, slipping between her fingers like living starlight.

Luke went still behind her.

“Lily,” he said quietly. “Breathe.”

“I don’t— I don’t know how to stop it—”

Luna’s expression changed instantly. Fear. Real fear.

“Lily, listen to me,” Luna said, stepping forward faster now. “You have to leave. Now.”

“Why?”

“Because they will feel this.”

The forest lights flared bright blue.

Wind screamed.

High above, hidden behind clouds and stars, something ancient turned its attention toward the earth.

Toward her.

Lily felt it — a presence so massive it made her knees weak.

Watching.

Recognizing.

Claiming.

Luna grabbed her shoulders.

For a moment, they were just sisters again. Same blonde hair. Same blue eyes. Same blood.

“I am trying to save you,” Luna whispered.

Lily searched her face. “Then stop hunting me.”

Luna closed her eyes.

“I never was.”

A horn sounded in the distance.

Not human.

Not animal.

Something older.

Luke cursed under his breath. “They’re early.”

Lily’s heart pounded. “Who is they?”

Luna and Luke answered at the same time.

“Angels.”