Page 151 of Grave Revelations

She took his hands, meeting his gaze. Her eyes sparkled like sapphires, glinting in the opalescent light of Alaxia, and Gabriel longed to fall to his knees and beg her to forgive every mistake he’d ever made, to allow him to spend eternity attempting to make it up to her.

“Then?” she asked aloud.

Then we bow our heads and touch, promising to share every piece of ourselves from now until the end.

Rebecca swallowed and leaned her head forward.I promise,she whispered into his mind.Forever.

Gabriel’s head dipped until his forehead met hers.I am yours, body and soul, from this day until the end. Forever.

He closed his eyes, a single tear sliding down his cheek as their soul joined in holy bliss, washing through them until they two were one, and every memory, every dark thought and secret was laid bare, and each knew one another as they knew themselves.

His eyes slid open, and he gasped as a faint glowing outline formed above her head.

“What is it?” she asked.

“You have a halo.”

She released his hands, tapping the top of her head.

He chuckled. “A halo isn’t felt there.” He touched her breastbone. “You feel it here.”

“I do feel… different.”

He nodded, and they said together:Complete.

Chapter 102

Sophia

Sophia herded the humans into a cave they’d found near their new camp. Helena and Vassi raced among them, helping them settle in for the day. Soon, they would be back in Sheol, and they would be defenseless against whatever came next.

“Sophia.”

Her mother’s voice made her spin around. She darted forward, embracing Angeliki.

“The humans will need you today,” Sophia said. “Without our help and with the angels gone hunting for demons, if anything or anyone comes, they’ll only have you.” She stepped back, releasing her mother and looking her over.

Angeliki nodded, creases lining the corners of her tired eyes.

Sophia worried her mother couldn’t take many more days like this, but in this new landscape, she saw no end to it. Grabbing her mother’s hands, Sophia sent a bit of magic surging up her arms.

“You’re the strongest witch here,” she said. “You have the power to keep them safe.”

Angeliki pulled her hands free, shaking out her wrists. “We cannot power-share any longer, Pythia. Your gift is tainted.”

Sophia grimaced as the line of ice receded from her mother’s fingers. “I’m so sorry, Mama.”

Angeliki shook her head. “We’re strong together, but we each have our role to play, and there’s plenty of fight left in us. Don’t worry, child. Tell Rebecca we appreciate everything she has done for us.” She rested a hand against Sophia’s cheek. “And tell Simon he’s welcome to return to his coven when he’s ready.”

Sophia nodded, glancing beyond her mother to the humans, witches, and night-beings working together to find their way at the end of the world.

“Together,” Angeliki said.

“Together,” Sophia agreed, wrapping her mother in a tight hug.

The sun dipped behind the horizon, and Sophia felt herself melt into her mother’s arms.

She woke in a verdant landscape of lush green grass and blooming trees. Maria, Helena, and Vassi landed several feet away and strode toward her.

---