Kaidan’s chest rose and fell faster as he looked down at the girl in his lap.
And then Zania signed to us, She came to us from another orphanage that shut down because of sexual abuse.
Kaidan looked at me with big eyes, and I knew the same appalling feelings coursed through us both. What had this poor girl been through? I watched Kaidan’s jaw clench, just thinking about it.
Kopano spoke to her again in Chichewa. I heard him say Kaidan’s name.
“He tells her Kaidan is his friend and wants to know why she calls him father,” Z whispered.
The girl answered, causing Kope and Z to go still.
“What did she say?” I asked. Kaidan was looking a little green, like he’d rather not know at this point.
Kope cleared his throat. “She says, ‘In my dream, he was my daddy.’”
Goose bumps broke out across my skin.
Kaidan’s eyes met mine and we stared.
And then something happened that I thought I’d never see. Kaidan and I had been through so much together, but one thing he’d never, ever done was cry.
At that moment, as he looked down at Alile, and his arms circled her, pulling her closer, I watched the first tear streak down Kaidan’s cheek, followed by another. His face grew serious and his entire demeanor surrounding Alile shouted fierce protectiveness.
No daughters, Kaidan had told me so many years ago. Over the years I learned that having a girl would force him to face down his invisible demons who whispered of inadequacy. But I knew at that moment that Alile would be our daughter, and Kai would beat his fears. Nobody would ever hurt this little girl again and get away with it. Because she had a daddy now.
I reached out for Kaidan’s hand and he took it, holding it tight.
Life could be so cruel, so ugly. And then, in the midst of all the madness, a precious gift would be placed in your lap.
Because life could also be so sweet.
DUKE NAMES AND JOB
DESCRIPTIONS INDEX
Duke Name: Job Description: Their Children (Neph we meet)
Pharzuph (Far-zuf), Lust: craving for carnal pleasures of the body; sexual desire outside of marriage : Kaidan (Ky-den) Rahab (Rā-hab), Pride: excessive belief in one’s own abilities; vanity; the sin from which others arise Melchom (Mel-kom), Envy: desire for others’ traits, status, abilities, or situations; jealousy; coveting: Blake Mammon, Greed: desire for earthly material gain; avarice; selfish ambition: Flynn (deceased) Alocer (Al-ō-sehr), Wrath: spurning love, opting for destruction; quick to anger; unforgiving: Kopano (Kō-pah-nō) Kobal (Kō-bal), Gluttony: consumption of more than one’s body needs. Sloth: avoidance of physical or spiritual work; laziness; apathy: Gerlinda (deceased) Astaroth, Adultery: breaking marriage vows; cheating on one’s spouse: Ginger and Marna Jezebet, Lies: being dishonest or deceptive: Caterina
Thamuz (Thā-muz), Murder: taking the life of another person: Andre and Ramón Shax, Theft: stealing: Marek
Belial (Beh-leel), Substance Abuse: physical addictions; primarily drugs and alcohol: Anna Sonellion, Hatred: promotes prejudices; ill will toward others; hostility: Zania
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I can’t believe it’s over.
I first want to thank my readers, my “sweeties,” who push me daily to do my best—whether you Sigh for Kai, Hope for Kope, or Ache for Blake—I thank you for the constant stream of encouraging messages. I read every single one and soak in the love, though I cannot always respond. Your enthusiasm is much needed and appreciated. I heart you something fierce.
Thank you to my loving and supportive family, near and far, for sharing me with the Nephilim world these past four years, and being interested in every detail of my journey. I could not have done it without you. I mean that. My husband, Nathan. Our kids, Autumn and Cayden. Our parents, Nancy and Dave Parry, Jim and Ilka Hornback, and Bill and Jane Higgins. Our siblings, Frank Hornback, Dan Parry, Jeff Parry, Lucy Hornback, Bryan Higgins, Andrew Higgins, and all of their wonderful spouses.
Thank you to Manassas Baptist Church and Preschool for allowing me to use their facilities to write while the little guy was in class.
A huge cup of overflowing gratitude to my hardworking agent, Jill Corcoran.
Thank you so much to my team at Harper! I must say, I am in serious awe of my editors. A huge thanks to my lovely editor, Alyson Day, and those amazing behind-the-scenes copy editors who polish the story into something so much worthier. Lastly, a big hug to Alana Whitman for always going above and beyond to make me smile.