Page 137 of Grave Revelations

Souls splashed into the stream, trickling in as she watched them appear from nowhere, and one by one, they formed a line, preparing for the boat's arrival.

As the sphinxes patrolled the water's edge, pushing stragglers into the water to usher them on their way, Rebecca thought ofhim.

It was efficient here, a ship that ran itself, and she saw no need to stay, wondering if she could step into the river and move on. She spied the boat on the horizon and splashed into the water. Her mind remained clear, her thoughts her own. Could she board the ship and escape? Would they welcome her in Alaxia?

“Rebecca!”

She turned, spying Sophia flanked by Helena, Vassi, and one of the Marias as they landed. It must be morning. This would be her method for counting then. At least she would have these moments with Sophia and the others until the battle was won. Then, they, too, would move on, leaving her behind.

“Rebecca,” Sophia said again, running toward her. She grabbed her wrists, spinning her in a circle. “He’s not dead. Gabriel’s not dead.”

Elation shot through Rebecca, but it crashed against the walls of doubt she’d erected. She had seen him die. Her fragile heart couldn’t handle that loss again. “How do you know?”

“He’s on Earth. He asked me to bring you back.”

Rebecca bit down hard on her lip, her vision blurring. Her chest heaved, emotion threatening to consume her. Could it be true? Could he be alive? She looked down as desolation threatened to drag her back down into that dark place she’d lived in since the light left his eyes.

“I can’t,” she said.

“I know. Your body’s missing, but we thought you could use another one.” Sophia explained. “Someone who moved on. There are plenty to choose from.”

“No, Sophia. Elizabeth is in Alaxia.”

Color drained from Sophia’s tanned cheeks as she paled. “Why would you let her go?”

“She didn’t deserve to remain trapped here forever. A prisoner. She deserved to move on. To be at peace.” Rebecca bit back her sob. Her heart was breaking all over again, but she had no right to be sad. He was alive. Whatever it cost her,she would pay a thousand times to know his beautiful smile still existed on some plane.

Sophia shook her head, but she understood. Rebecca saw it in her too-keen gaze. No one deserved this fate, least of all a child.

“There must be another way,” Sophia said. “He needs you. Rebecca, he’s a mess.”

All the fear and anguish Rebecca had been holding back—locked away inside her—broke free in a rush, and she sobbed, wrapping Sophia in a tight embrace as she wailed. The shattered bits of her heart begged for a reunion, but it was hopeless. She had no way of reaching him.

She wanted nothing more than to rush to him, wrap her arms around him, and tell him she remembered. Theirs was a love that transcended time and spanned centuries; it had lived inside her all along.

Now that she knew he was alive, she could breathe again. And even if he was out of reach, he was safe. It seemed she had one more sacrifice to make.

Rebecca would guard the lance in Sheol and protect his eternity.

Chapter 91

Gabriel

Gabriel spun around, sensing the creature’s return to her body. He raced to her side.

“Did you give her the message?” he asked. “Where is she?”

Sophia sat up, holding a hand up. “I need a second.”

He paced away from her, spinning to face her once more.

She grimaced, and all the hope building in his chest went flat. “She’s stuck there.”

Sophia nodded slowly. “Elizabeth moved on. She’s no longer in Sheol. But Rebecca is safe. Gabriel, I’m sorry. I have to go help my sisters.”

He waved a hand dismissively.

Rebecca was alive, yet not alive, but her soul existed. Some part of him knew it, though his death had severed their bond, just as hers had that first time. It hadn’t felt like her half of their soul was gone, merely wrenched apart.

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