The door to our bedroom is wide open with the sound of giggling children echoing down the hallway. Dominic stops just outside, waiting for me to walk in, and I look up. "What is it?" I ask as his expression changes like he's in deep thought."Victoria," he says, glancing down at me. "She is on her way with food.""God bless her," I whisper, walking into the room.Laila is sitting at the table, laptop propped open to a screen full of cartoon jellyfish. Samuel is seated next to her and looks up when he sees us approaching."Mom," he turns to me,."I saw you in my dream the other night.""Oh?" I ask, curious. "What was I doing?" I take a seat beside him."Well, it was really dark, and Deumus was talking to you. You didn't seem very happy.""Yeah," Laila cuts in. "You were reaching out, but we were too far away to touch you.""Hold on," I say, scooting closer to the table as Dominic pulls out a chair next to me. "You two can see me when I dream?""Uh huh," they murmur in unison.

He cocks his head and smiles. "Ouch," he mocks me. "That's unfortunate. I was sure I could sweet talk you into at least, giving me your daughter." He shakes his head. "I suppose I'll just have to take her without giving you a reward.""I'm warning you, stay away from my daughter!" I bite out my words, standing up on the table.He tilts his head. "Come now. You know I can't do that. But I can make you a deal.""I don't make deals with the devil," I say through clenched teeth. His smile deepens and he tosses his head back, laughing. "Compliments, too? I'm flattered. I haven't been called that in years.""Don't believe him, Mama," Laila's voice suddenly echoes in the room. I glance around, searching every inch."Laila! Where are you?" I cry out, trying to keep my emotions in check."I'm here," she says, appearing next to me. She wraps her arms around my waist, and I reach down taking her in my arms, squeezing her in relief."Ah, were your ears burning?" Lucifer says, walking in o

The next morning, Dominic left to check on Rachel, leaving it up to me to decide if the twins should attend school or stay home to recoup for a day. It became immediately apparent that Samuel and Laila weren't staying home-they couldn't wait to tell Riku all about their dream and how they used his martial arts techniques to maneuver and strategize against the demons. I was proud of their bravery to openly talk about the frightening things they saw, not to mention their tenacity for getting back to their normal routine. Dominic's genes are strong in both of them. I'm not so sure I would have been as courageous, especially at their age. Dr. Walsh arrived quickly after the children left by Dominic's request, bowing his head before checking my blood pressure, which was normal. Dr. Bradley came a few minutes after, wheeling in a portable sonogram machine to check on the baby. So far so good, although, Dr. Bradley noticed my amniotic fluid was slightly low and subsequently put me on bed re

I tighten my grip around his waist, relishing the steady beat of a strong, loving heart. This man is the only person that will remain a constant in my life, and I can no longer depend on how our family used to be. I should have thought about it before now, or at least anticipated some kind of change. I blocked it somehow from my mind, deceiving myself that the demons would stay away. But all the signs were there. I'm sure Dominic knew. Maybe he thought I did too? And now, Samuel and Laila will be taken from me, from us, forever..."Hi Mama!" Laila calls out, walking toward me as Zack and Victoria enter the room. They smile, giving me a quick nod as they head toward to the table. Samuel is right behind his sister, more reserved, his face going bright when our eyes meet.I pull away from Dominic and wrap my arms around them both. "Hey you two," I say as Laila tightens her grip around my waist. "Oomph! What's this all about?""We don't like it when you're not feeling well," Laila adm

Samuel straightens up in his chair. "You mean when we're both using them at the same time?""Exactly," Zack answers, tearing off a piece of his garlic bread. "And, from here on out, you will no longer be referred to as, 'the twins.' You are now, the Gemini.""That's weird," Samuel says, taking a drink of milk. "Why would they do that?" "Well, for one thing," Zack pushes his salad plate away, "The Hierarchy Realm places great importance on astronomy," he looks up, "and the stars, especially the symbolism of the Zodiac." His eyes dart back and forth from Laila to Samuel. "And the significance that you were created from a half Seraph Queen and a full Seraph Warrior...""I don't get it," Samuel interrupts, shaking his head.Zack chuckles under his breath. "It's extremely rare. So rare that you and your sister are the first ever twins born in the Angelic Realm. That's symbolic on its own, not to mention your abilities are already beyond what anyone, even the Hierarchy Realm, could hav