Page 34 of Grave Revelations

“What?” both girls said in unison.

“Anyone with seraph blood, even a little, gets bits and pieces of the war at the end of the world. Your so-called prophecy is just part of the story.”

“That's not true,” Sophia said, planting her hands on her hips. “My coven valued my ability to see the future, but I saw the past and present as well.”

“The end began two centuries ago.” Azazel’s wispy wings twitched, a sign of his discomfort. “Your visions could not be of anything prior to or unrelated to the end.”

Sophia’s eyebrows wedged together, bunching between her eyes. Her gaze trailed over Azazel’s wings. She looked unconvinced.

“You’ve known your world would end. What you cannot see is the outcome. None of us knows that.”

“But Sophia’s visions have been about my sacrifice. If Adalaide already sacrificed herself, and I’m here, why do I have to as well?” Rebecca asked.

“Light, you don’t have to sacrifice yourself for anyone.” Azazel stretched his hand out as if to reach for her.

A blur of motion shot past Rebecca, and she blinked, taking in the new scene.

Azazel wrapped his fingers in Sophia’s golden brown mane, pried her from his arm, and tossed her to the ground.

Sophia stared up at them both, horror on her face. “I’m… I’m…” She stood, darting away, leaving Rebecca staring after her.

“She’s hungry,” Azazel grumbled.

“She tried to bite you!” Rebecca’s stomach lurched as she imagined Sophia draining him dry. Could he be drained like a demon? Would he be sent to Primoria? Would it be difficult for him to return?

“I’m not a demon. But she can draw essence from anyone with a soul,” he explained while Rebecca glanced past him, staring into the darkness. “Don’t worry, Light. She’ll be back.”

“How do you know?”

“We are her best chance of saving the others.”

“Willyou help me save them?”

Azazel held out a hand, and Rebecca took it. His touch soothed some of her mounting tension. The ember in her chest flared to life, and she sighed, leaning into him.

His breath ruffled her curls as he whispered along her ear. “Ending the necromancer will keep you safe, and that’s all I care about. But it will free the others, too. Any who are still living, that is.”

She pressed her hands to his chest, pushing away. “You never told me how you knew she was a necromancer. And what happens to the people she’s turned?”

“They die.”

“What?!” Rebecca pushed harder, stepping back to look up into his face. “Sophia is one of them. And so is Simon!”

“Simon was remade. He’s no longer bound by her magic.”

“And Sophia?”

“The creatures are tied to their maker. When I end her, the magic will die with her. They cannot survive it.”

“We can’t kill her! Unless you can do to Sophia whatever you did to Simon.”

“I no longer have that ability.”

Rebecca backed up, stalking away from him. Heat simmered under her skin. It was unfair; it was wrong. She wouldn’t allow it.

“She let you die when she thought it would save the world,” Azazel continued. “She would expect you to do the same.”

“No.” She crossed her arms, turning to face him.

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