We searched everywhere for an angel. We searched the streets, hotels, even houses, and I couldn't sense any anywhere. We finally gave up several hours later and sat down on a park bench. My head was killing me from trying to sense the presence of angels, my wings were hurting again, and I was worn out. Ever since my angel half started to die, I'd been gradually losing my energy. I sighed, and let my head fall into my hands, with my elbows resting on my knees.

"Something the matter?" my father asked me.

"Yes," I said, stating the obvious. "Half of me is dying, I can't walk very far without having to take a break, and I can't sense the presence of any angels." I gasped then, realization hitting me harder than a two ton boulder. "I can't sense any angels..." I mumbled to myself.

"What was that?" my father asked, almost worriedly.

"I can't sense the presence of angels anymore." I waited for him to respond, but he didn't. I continued. "How are we supposed to find an angel to help me if I can't sense them?"

He thought for a moment, then sighed. "I guess we can't, Selena. I'm sorry."

I sat up and gave him a small smile. "It's not your fault, Dad."

"No, it is," he said, turning to face me. "I was supposed to be with you and your mother that day, but I wasn't. I had decided to take care of a few things while you two went out. If I had stayed with you, I could have protected you and your mother and she would still be with us. We would not be searching for an angel, we would not be waiting for a human to arrive, and half of you would not be dying. It is my fault, Selena, and I sincerely apologize."

I was taken aback. I had never heard his side of the story before. I didn't remember the reason he hadn't been with us. Mom's death wasn't his fault. Has he felt this way and kept it hidden from me for the past ten years? I had to change that.

"Dad, none of us knew we were going to be attacked. There was no way for us to know. We knew we were at risk, because we always are. Dad, those hunters were after me. Mom wouldn't have died if I'd just stayed home that day like you'd told me to..."

"You remember that?" he asked, sounding slightly shocked.

"Like it happened yesterday," I answered. "You told me to stay home, where it was safe, and Mom had agreed. I thought I would be safer with you both, and told you that, mainly so that I could tag along and not be all alone in our big house."

Dad gave me a small smile. "You were five, Selena. It was expected you would not want to be home alone. That is not your fault."

"But I fought with you over it. I fought until you agreed to let me go with Mom. I'm sorry. I know it's a little late, but I am. I just-" my voice broke, and I started to sob quietly.

My father embraced me tightly, trying to comfort me. He was a demon, and didn't have many feelings or emotions, but he cared about me a lot, and I could easily tell.

"Your mother and I love you very much. We've never stopped for a second. Her death was not your fault. You were five, and wanted to be with your mother. We should have just stayed home with you instead of going out like we did. Do not blame yourself, and I will not blame myself, either. Alright?"

I nodded, wiping my eyes. Dad was right. It wasn't my fault for being little. I had wanted my mom, just like I do now.

"Glad I got that off my chest," I told him after my sobs had subsided.

"Me too," Dad said with a smile.

A moment passed, then I changed the subject as my mind began to contemplate other things. "Maybe one of us should go pick up Maria, or else she may never get here." Maria had had to ride the lifeboat back to the London docks, and then wait for a new ship to bring her here, which would take quite a long time. Way more time than we had to sit here and wait for her.

"Maybe later," Dad said. "At the moment, we should find somewhere for you to rest."

"I'm alright," I tried to assure him. But, as my luck would have it, I winced in pain as my wings started to change as soon as the words had left my lips.

My father gave me an uneasy look. "I do not believe you should be out in public right now, Selena. We need to get away from all of these humans."

I sighed in defeat. I knew he was right, but I didn't want to go inside. The breeze felt so relaxing as it blew through my long black hair, and the American children's' accents and laughs were heartwarming. Those were angelic signs, right? I was still an angel deep down.

"Can we at least find somewhere with a large window?" I asked him, my eyes closed, head tilted to face the sun's warming rays.

"Of course," he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice.

I opened my eyes and stood on weak legs. I immediately latched onto my father's jacket and let him lead me towards the exit of the park.

"Sebastian!" a familiar voice suddenly shouted out from behind us. "Selena!"

I stopped dead in my tracks and turned at the sound of my name. I tried to find whoever it was that had called out, and when I did, a bright smile lit up my entire face.

It was Maria, running up to me and Dad. And as much as I've grown to love having her around, she wasn't the one who lit up my smile. It was the person sprinting alongside her.

It was Finny.