The moment Athena saw him, whatever fragile control she'd been holding onto shattered. She burst into tears, scrambling to her feet and throwing herself into his arms like he was the only solid thing left in the world.
Theo caught her instantly, his arms wrapped around her. He held her like she might fall apart if he loosened his grip even a little.
"It's okay," he murmured against her hair, one hand cradling the back of her head. "I've got you. You're okay. I'm here."
She sobbed into his chest, her fists clutching his shirt tightly. "He left," she cried. "Theo, he just…he left."
Theo's jaw clenched, anger burning through his veins, but he swallowed it down for her sake. This wasn't the moment for rage. This was the moment to hold her together.
"He didn't leave you," he said firmly, even if part of him wanted to hunt Azrael down himself. "He walked away because he was hurting. That's different."
She shook her head weakly. "It doesn't feel different."
