Kiran's P.O.V. Auggie was a month old now and Zerena told me it was time for him to make his contract with the shadows. She'd apparently kept that information from me when we discovered the hidden room. Her parents, her, Topher, myself and Auggie were staring at the book in the hidden room. We had closed the hidden entrance, needing it dark for this process.  Shay took the book out of the glass case, holding it in front of Auggie. The book flipped pages on its own until it reached one with a crescent shape in the center.  "That shall be his page. You need to prick his foot and use his blood to draw the same symbol mirrored in front of it. The shadow that chooses will merge the symbol and the blood to seal the contract." Shay explained to us.  

A week had passed by now and Ares was doing well. I spent most of my time at the hospital. I'd take Augie with me to visit Ares. When I wasn't at the hospital, Percy was there. We never left him alone, not for one minute.  I only ever left him to see Auggie. Kiran has Auggie anytime I don't, so I know I'm not leaving him without a parent either. I hate not having them together in the same place for long. The doctor is hopeful that I'll be able to take Ares home next week. Time seems to be passing by so slowly right now. Maybe because hospitals are so boring. Perhaps because I just want to be home with him already.  "He's getting stronger. He's so beautiful, Zerena." Percy told me as he looked into the incubator, like Ares was an angel sent from above. I held the same admiration, so I don't have room to tease. 

Percy’s P.O.V. 6 months later My Ares, I write you this letter in hopes you will one day find it. To answer the question I know you will be asking, yes, I knew it was going to happen. I know you will probably hate me for making this decision. Please know that I had no other choice. I saw the many ways it could have played out. The best way for it to end was for me to die. My death catalyzes your mother’s rise to her true power. It was the only way we were going to beat Alester. It was the only way to keep you safe. If I didn’t sacrifice myself, it would have ended with you and your brother being captured. It would have ended in the death of your Aunt Tally’s unborn child, or with the deaths of Emerson and Kellan. Your mother would have lost her heart that day as well. She would have spiraled out of control trying to get you two back. Eventually, she would have succumbed to her darkness, and joined Alester, just to be by your side. I love you, my son. You are my everything and I

Percy’s P.O.V. Dearest Ares,  I know you’re going through a hard time right now. It’s hard to be in love with someone who doesn’t feel the same way as you. I felt this way about your mother for the longest time. I know it is difficult, especially to watch them be happy with someone else. I promise you, it will get better. You will find your mate soon, and the pain you are feeling will be a distant memory.  Stay by her side, fight through the pain, my son. She will need you when your brother inevitably breaks her heart. It will hurt, but you’ll have to help fix them in order to find your own happiness. I know you have a great heart. I can already see how morally grounded you are. You will make the right decision. I have faith in you.&nb

Percy's P.O.V. Zae had made her announcement to everyone. I thought it was sweet of her to go along with Topher's plan to have an announcement party. This is how it should have gone. A baby with only the person she chose and not because some crazy bastard gave her a sea witch's potion. I watched as everyone congratulated her. She actually accepted the hugs. God, I hope she continues to open up after I'm gone. I wrote her a letter too. I put it where I knew she'd find it after my funeral. I hope she takes the advice I wrote for her. Everyone was having fun. I watched as Zae's people all intermingled. It was like watching the many parts of Zea's life come together beautifully. Eventually, the party had started to whine down. The first to leave was group 1, followed by Zea's parents, and then Tate and Alara with her twin, Alexis, plus Maple left. Kellan had decided to stay a while longer to talk to Dex about water portalling. Rain and her mate, Nate, left as well. The only ones he