Rising Heroes Book Four: The Sands of Ouroboros

Chapter Two: Heaven Sent

Disclaimer: I don't own HOO or VE

Chapter Two: Heaven Sent

Lily had grown up hearing stories about her mother; how strong she was, how fast she was, how she had defeated Lilith and Sammael. When she was old enough to train, and see her mother in action, she understood. Her mother was the best Grigori ever known, the only one of the Sole. 

Until her.

Now she was on her way to see her parents for the first time in three and a half months, pregnant, and with the son of her mother's once-enemy. Roc had been silent the whole way there, driving stoically, his feathers tucked into an oversize trenchcoat.

Roc had been there for her when no one else had. He took her to doctor's appointments, flew her over the city on her worst nights and laughed with her on her best. He helped her hunt exiles, got a job so she could take online classes for a GED, and set up arrangements to move city to city when her parents got too close. They had shared a few chaste kisses, but their relationship was so much more. It was dancing to tunes on the radio, playing games on stormy nights, singing songs for the baby. When they visited doctors he said he was the father, and when he told her he would never leave her she believed him.

The night before Skye called her, they had been making out on the couch when Roc stopped. "What is it?" Lily asked.

Roc ran a hand down her face. "I want to wait," he said. "Until marriage."

"Do you really see that with me?" Lily had asked.

Roc nodded.

So now, on their way to visit her parents, she had to find some comfort that he was with her. She had heard how her mother hid her pregnancy right up until she gave birth, but already Lily was showing. She had popped early, even though she had already confirmed that she was only having one baby.

They were steps away from the front door when her parents burst through, pulling her into a tight hug. "Lily!" her brothers cried out from the door. Griffin appeared and ushered them inside.

"You've caught us in the middle of a strategy meeting," her mother said. Then her eyes fell to Lily's stomach. 

"I know," Lily said. "Can we talk inside?" 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lily sat on the couch, sipping the tea her mother had made. Roc sat beside her, Griffin on her other side. Spence and Chloe were seated on the floor, Lincoln and Violet on barstools. Lincoln was glaring daggers at Roc.

"We read your letter," Violet said, placing her hand on Lincoln's arm. "Honey... I've been through the exact same thing. I tried to run away, but it didn't solve anything. I'm sorry we made you feel like you had to do that."

"Now, hold on," Lincoln said, raising a hand. "Lily, you scared all of us. We have a right to take care of you. You're still a child, for Christ's sake!"

"I'm a Grigori," Lily said. "And I'm sorry I left, but try to understand- you were scared of me! I had just killed my friend, and I had no where to go. I thought everyone hated me."

"Gray's death wasn't your fault," Griffin spoke up for the first time. "We've debriefed everyone multiple times, and that's the thing we can all agree on."

"Well, things are going to change from here on out," Lincoln said. He pointed at Roc. "You are no longer welcome in my home, Nephilim. And Lily, as soon as that baby is born, you're going to New York and you're going to train with James.

"No!" Lily said, but Spence stood up instead.

"You can't kick Roc out," he said, looking at Lincoln, his adopted brother. "Roc is... well, I'm assuming he's the father. He clearly cares about your daughter. Separating them would only cause her to rebel. Trust me, I know."

"Why not have them both move in?" Chloe suggested. "They can finish high school here, and when the baby is old enough, take it to New York with them. Or leave the baby with you two."

Violet glanced at her daughter. "What do you want?" she asked Lily.

Lily looked at Roc. "I like Chloe's idea," she said softly. "I don't want to run anymore. But first..." she pulled a vial of blue goo out of her pocket. "We need to stop Leviathan."

Lincoln huffed, but Violet put a hand on his arm. "Do you want to lose your daughter again?" she asked.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Spence stood, pulling the door open to reveal Dustin, Maverick, Carmen, Evan, and Reid. "What are you doing here?" Lily asked, standing.

"Who are you?" Griffin asked at the same time.

"They're demigods," Roc said. Lincoln and Violet shared a glance. 

"How did you find us?" Lily asked as they walked inside, plopping down on the couch. Spence shut the door, but he didn't look confused, and it occurred to her that her parents must have explained about demigods to the group.

"You're safe here," Violet said when the demigods looked hesitant to speak. "Griffin, Lincoln, and Lily's friends have explained to everyone about demigods. We had to, after Santorini." she looked at Lily, who nodded her approval. 

"Ok," Dustin took a deep breath. "In that case, we need your help."

"What do you need?" Roc asked.

"We think we found a way to relive what happened the night everyone disappeared," Maverick said. At Lily's look of confusion his face dropped. "You have no idea what happened, do you?"

"No, I don't," Lily shook her head. "What do you mean, disappeared? And where is Skye?"

"They're gone," Maverick said. "All of the demigods who were with us trying to save our parents. My sister, Skye, Adrian..." he took a deep, shuddering breath. "They all disappeared, and we have absolutely no idea where they could have gone."