Page 78 of Grave Revelations

Sophia swallowed, dropping her gaze to her mother’s still form in her lap. “We must save them.”

“If you have any ideas, Pythia, share them. I’m at your disposal.”

Sophia brushed a strand of hair—the same honey brown as her own—back from her mother’s face. “We must end Elizabeth. It’s the only way.”

Helena dipped her chin, confirmation and respect. She would follow Sophia’s order, no matter the outcome.

“I have a plan.”

Chapter 48

Simon

Simon’s sleep was fitful, full of visions of Gabriel and Rebecca wrapped together in each other’s arms. He woke, letting his senses take in his surroundings. Some habits were hard to break.

The scent of perfume hung in the air, cloying and strong, burning his nostrils. A voice spoke, reporting on current events in the next room, and the chill sucking the life from every living thing crept insidiously along his extremities.

His lids lifted, and he blinked several times. Yesterday, he hadn't felt the magic. He’d thought it was gone forever. Now, he sensed the surrounding life. It was weak, a fraction of his former ability, but it was in the plant drooping beside him and the tiny insect scurrying under the counter. A steady heartbeat, strong and healthy, thrummed in the room next door.

Valentina.

Hesitantly, he stretched out his hand, touching the edges of wilting, yellowed leaves. He watched, hardly daring to breathe as green bled along the broad surface of the nearest leaf, darkening into a healthy shade. Buds formed along its stem, slowly expanding until tiny pink petals stretched toward him.

Elation shot through him. If his gifts were returning, he would soon be able to heal himself. He would be free of this bed and Valentina’s suffocating presence.He could return to Rebecca and stop her from making a horrible mistake before it was too late.

Before he lost her forever to the demon.

Simon cupped both hands in his lap, willing the soft white glow to form between his fingers. Cursing quietly, he whispered the words that had come so naturally before, fumbling to put them in the correct order. Nothing.

The heart rate in the next room sped up just the slightest bit, and Valentina stepped through the door, her face lighting up when she found him awake.

Her too-sharp gaze darted to the plant beside him. “Baby! Your gifts are back!”

He let his hands relax, folding his right hand over his left to still their nervous fidgeting. He’d never told her he was a healer. Never told anyone about that gift until Rebecca and the coven.

He’d thought it was a shame he would carry forever. The dark, perverted magic meant to give life, but for him, it had only ever taken life—until he became a reash.

Valentina reached his side, resting a hand on his forehead. “Your fever is down. That’s a good sign.”

Her hand lingered on his face a beat longer than necessary, and Simon worked to stop the cringe her touch caused. Once, he’d cared for her, craved her doting, affectionate nature. Now, he wished for nothing more than to be free of her for good.

“I need to check my email.”

Her lips turned down, but she strode away from him to the dining room table where she’d set his laptop down the night before. It had been intentional, leaving it out of his reach. He was at her mercy, and she took pains to remind him of it.

“Your surgery is not until three, but the doctors want you back at the hospital by twelve to prep.” She set the computer gently across his lap, pressing a button beside his head to raise him slightly. “Nothing to eat or drink before surgery, but I promise to buy you whatever you want when you’re back home.”

Home.She said the word as if she had any idea what it meant. Her cold, colorless apartment was nothing like the Graves Estate, the place he’d shared with Rebecca and all her incarnations.

“I just need to do a few things before we go. It will be an hour, tops.” He silently chafed at having to ask permission.

She eyed him thoughtfully. “Have you seen the news?”

He shook his head, lifting the laptop screen and pressing the power button.

“Strange things are happening.”

“Like what?” he asked, eyeing the screen as it powered to life.

---