Sins of the Son: The Grigori Legacy

Most people think of writing as a solitary endeavor, but the truth is, it’s kind of like raising a child…It truly takes a village. While a story certainly begins with me, turning it into a book that I can put into the hands of you, the reader, is very much a group effort. Here, then, are some of the inhabitants of my village who deserve special mention:

My husband, who acts as my sounding board, my police procedural encyclopedia, and my head cheerleader—
and
who uncomplainingly picks up the slack around the house when I’m facing a deadline.

My daughters, whose belief in me carries me through my not-infrequent moments of self-doubt—and who, for the most part, don’t complain too much about the lack of groceries in the house when I become a little too wrapped up in a story.

My many friends who have patiently endured the ups and downs of my becoming a published author, and who share so generously and enthusiastically in my excitement.

My editor, Michelle Vega, who has provided a calm, steady guidance through the whole publishing process and is as excited about my story as I am.

My agent, Becca Stumpf, whose perfectionism rivals my own and keeps me honest to myself, my story, and my readers.

Prologue

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-one

Twenty-two

Twenty-three

Twenty-four

Twenty-five

Twenty-six

Twenty-seven

Twenty-eight

Twenty-nine

Thirty

Thirty-one

Thirty-two

Thirty-three

Thirty-four

Thirty-five

Thirty-six

Thirty-seven

Thirty-eight

Thirty-nine

Forty

Forty-one

Forty-two

Forty-three

Forty-four

Forty-five

Forty-six

Forty-seven

Forty-eight

Epilogue

Five thousand years ago

“D
o we have an agreement?” the One asked.

“You’re serious.” Lucifer turned from the window, a scowl etched between his brows, eyes clouded with suspicion. “You would do this to your own son, burden him with this destiny.”

“
We
would do this to
our
son,” the One corrected, “because we have run out of other options. We both know the pact between us won’t last forever. There are too many variables. And if we go to war again, it will never end. Think of it, Lucifer: you wish the annihilation of the mortals, I wish their survival. When the peace now between us comes to an end, let our son decide which of our wishes will be granted. Seth is equal parts each of us. Who better to decide who is right about the mortal race?”

“How do I know I can trust you? How do I know you’ll abide by the agreement if he chooses against you?”

“Because I am the One,” she said simply. She met her former helpmeet’s gaze with an unflinching one of her own. His mouth drew almost imperceptibly tighter. She felt her heartbeat catch. For a moment, she wondered if he might
have guessed at her secret. Then, deep within him, she sensed his desire to accept her words, his longing to believe her. She offered him a small smile.

Lucifer’s gaze flicked to the wall and then returned to her. He rocked back on his heels, hands tucked into his pockets.

“You’ve always said my mortal children are worthless,” she pressed. “That there was no point to their existence. If you truly believe that, if you’re certain you’re right, then this is your chance to redeem your views. Our son, reborn into the mortal world to live as one of them, raised by them, growing to adulthood—and then, by his own choices, deciding their fate. If he chooses to live a life of good, to live up to his potential by mortal standards, then you acknowledge the inherent worth of all humans and withdraw fully from their realm. If he chooses otherwise, then I accept defeat. And if either of us does anything to interfere with him once the contract is signed, we forfeit. Do we have an agreement?”

“Forfeit how?”

“We accept defeat according to the terms.”

Nostrils flaring and jaw tight, Lucifer stared at her, hovering on the edge of decision. “And us?” he asked at last. “What of us?”

The One hesitated. She had anticipated this question and agonized over it for days before coming up with a response that would satisfy Lucifer without being a lie. Vague as the words were, however, they still proved difficult to utter. She straightened, finding resolve in the certainty that she did what was right. That it was the only way.

Without meeting his eyes, she recited the words she had rehearsed. “One way or the other, my mortal children will no longer stand in our way.”

“That’s not much of an answer.”

“It is the best I can give. A great deal of betrayal has passed between us.”

“Betrayal on both sides.” Bitterness edged Lucifer’s words.

The One inclined her head, acknowledging his perspective without commenting on its truth—or lack thereof.

Lucifer’s jaw hardened. “What is to stop me from breaking the pact now and triggering this agreement you propose? If the decision will be that final, perhaps we should just get it over with.”

“We could. But with an equal chance that Seth might take my path, are you willing to take the risk before you must? I don’t propose this as an alternative, Lucifer, but as a last possible resort.”

He stared at her for a long moment without speaking. Then, suddenly, hostility fell away to reveal raw agony shining from his eyes. “Is there any hope?” he asked. “Can you ever love me again?”

The One stared at him, her most beautiful of all creations, wrought from desire and longing and her own infinite capacity for love. She had not laid eyes on him since his departure from Heaven more than a thousand years before, had refused even to call his image to mind, and so allowed herself a moment now to study him. To remember all he had been…see all he still was.

He stood before her, tall and fair, his eyes the pure, crystalline color of amethyst, his magnificent wings pulsing with a glow that had faded only slightly in the years apart from her. The One’s heart contracted in a spasm of pain a hundred thousand times greater than his would ever be.
Could
ever be. Even now, even after all he had done, all he had become, it seemed light itself originated within him.

Lucifer, her Light-Bearer, stared back at her, waiting.

She answered with the truth. “I never stopped.”