‘You became …’ he couldn’t find the words. ‘This!’ he pointed to my wrists. ‘This was for Lincoln?’
His disappointment stung, but I stayed calm to give him time to process. ‘He would’ve died. I don’t regret my choice, Dad. And now I’m Grigori and that means I’m a warrior.’
‘A warrior against what?’ he barked, incredulous.
I took a deep breath. ‘Angels who exile themselves from their rightful place and take on human form.’
‘Fallen angels?’ he clarified. ‘You fight fallen angels?’
‘Yes. They’re strong and powerful and … evil. They can do things that others can’t and they are intent on taking this world for their own.’
‘Sweetheart, there are no fallen angels walking around in this world.’ He shook his head, as if trying to bring himself back to reality.
‘Yes there are. You even know one.’ I braced myself and bit down on the inside of my cheek. ‘Phoenix is an exiled angel.’
‘Phoenix? That guy that you were hanging out with a while back?’
I nodded. Dad had never liked him.
‘You brought Phoenix into your home?’ Evelyn asked, her tone carrying both disbelief and accusation.
I flashed her a quick smile. I didn’t owe her an explanation.
‘But you just said they were all evil,’ Dad continued.
I nodded again, this time with regret. ‘Phoenix has human blood in him, too, and that means he can seem more human than other exiles. He fooled me.’ I dropped my head, feeling the shame of my choices. ‘Lots of people have paid the price, with their lives.’
‘Violet, what are you talking about?’ Dad asked.
I thought of the Grigori who had died fighting Phoenix’s exiles on Santorini. ‘People are dead, Dad. I just got back from trying to stop Phoenix from opening the gates to Hell. He could’ve killed thousands of people but Grigori came in force from all around the world. We fought, we saved Santorini, but … we failed anyway. He used me to bring something out of Hell that makes nightmares seem like fairy floss. He’s determined to be all-powerful and … he’s the way he is because of me.’
I could see Dad struggling to process my words but there was little point in stopping now, so I ploughed on.
‘Phoenix has gone for now but I don’t think forever and even if it is, there are still more exiles. They’ll keep coming and we’ll keep fighting them. This is the truth that you deserve, Dad. The truth that she–’ I jabbed a finger towards Evelyn, ‘should’ve told you a long time ago – like, before she married you, or before she had a child with you. Definitely before she chose to die and leave us.’ My plan to remain calm had come unstuck.
Dad seemed frozen with shock but somehow he managed to reach over and pull a tissue from the coffee table to pass to me. I dabbed at my eyes but otherwise ignored the fact I’d started to leak.
‘Did you really do that?’ Dad asked, now looking at Evelyn. His voice was even and low.
Evelyn closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them, they were resolute. ‘A few weeks before Violet was born, I started to have dreams. As Grigori we all have strengths. I’m what they call a dream-walker – I can communicate with others in the dreamscape. That always made it easier for angels to contact me. One angel started to visit me before Violet’s birth. He was very powerful. He told me that wars were coming. I was given a choice: exist in a world, knowing my family would ultimately suffer in a reality ruled by exiled angels or give up my life and yes,’ she glanced at me, ‘commit my daughter to a fate where she would become what I am.’ She paused. ‘From what I’ve seen she is a respected warrior.’
I rolled my eyes. ‘Compliments don’t mend bridges. And you forgot the part where in return you got to live happily ever after – until I plucked you out of heaven, that is!’
‘Violet!’ Dad said, abruptly.
I closed my mouth.
‘Wait, what do you mean you “plucked her out of heaven”?’
I pressed my lips together. There was so much to explain, it was hard to know where to start. ‘My angel maker told me she made a deal to give me up to them. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out where she went after she died.’ I forced myself to remain indifferent. ‘Phoenix executed a sacrificial ceremony from an ancient scripture in Santorini and part of my blood ended up in the mix. He got his mother and somehow … I got mine.’
We all sat in silence for a moment, digesting.
‘This is …’ Dad shook his head, but then blurted out, ‘What colour was my underwear on our wedding night?’
Evelyn’s lips curled. ‘You weren’t wearing any.’
I think I’m going to be sick.
‘When we drove out to our honeymoon cottage, what happened halfway there?’ he shot back.
‘You ran out of fuel and made me wait in the car for three hours while you walked to the gas station.’ Her smile widened.
‘What was the last thing you ever said to me?’
Her smile faded. ‘I asked you to name our daughter Violet.’