Page 83 of Grave Revelations

“Are you sure?” Elizabeth’s voice was some distance away, on the other side of the cavernous space, but in Sophia’s new state, Elizabeth may as well have been standing beside her.

“Yes. Pietro saw her eyes when she left the home. She has unlocked her gift.”

“Excellent! In her new form, I can use her body for the transformation. Round up the witches. We leave tonight.”

Sophia dared a glance around the corner in time to see a dark figure, eyes glowing like her own, dipping his head before he darted away into another of the cave’s tunnels.

She lifted her hands, closed her eyes, and felt for the moisture remaining inside the body in the next room. Curling her fingers into a fist, she let the ice rush up her arm toward her heart as the liquid in Elizabeth’s body began to freeze.

Gasping, Sophia grabbed her wrist as the ice expanded, stretching her veins wide as if she were freezing her own veins instead of Elizabeth’s. The skin on her middle finger split as ice crept over the top of it, and she fell to the floor, clutching her hand.

She let out a silent sob as Helena dropped to her knees beside her. In the silent stillness, a soft white light burst from Helena’s fingers, but Sophia shook her head, a tear streaking down her cheek as she clapped her hands over Helena’s, winking out her light.

“Sophia,” a child’s voice called. “Come here, my little rat. I’ve been looking for you.”

Sophia dropped Helena’s hands, standing. Against her will, her feet marched her into the room. She tried to stop herself, grabbing for the walls on either side of her as she went.

“And bring my healer.”

“Helena, run,” she breathed, even as she doubled back, wrapping Helena’s wrist in a vice-like grip and dragging her along.

Chapter 52

Simon

Simon glared at the back of Valentina’s head as she moved around the apartment, packing things for their trip to the hospital.

She turned, and he met her heavily lined eyes.

“Baby, the stress isn’t good for you,” she said. “Let’s just get through your surgery, and you can have your devices back.”

He crossed his arms over his chest, breaking her stare as he turned his gaze out the window. Even after surgery, he would be in this state for several weeks, if not months. Healing ribs were a nuisance, and the mild concussion he’d suffered still left him with headaches. But his back… that was the real problem.

For the first time in his long life, he wished for Elizabeth to return and make him into the thing he had been for so many years. Although his magic was returning, there were no signs of his healing gift; without it, he was truly at the mercy of this woman.

Valentina crossed the room, setting his bag on the table beside him, and leaned down to plant a kiss on his forehead. “I know the pain is hard to bear, but you’ll feel much better in a few days.”

Simon’s phone buzzed, and his gaze darted to it.

Valentina’s phone buzzed, too, and she picked hers up. “Oh my gosh.” Her hand went to her mouth.

“What is it?”

She brought her phone to him, pressing play on a breaking news announcement. Simon watched slack-jawed as the aerial view of Lake Michigan went on and on. The state of Wisconsin was gone. Where there had once been five great lakes, there were now only four.

“Evacuation efforts are underway along the Mississippi River as water levels continue to surge into the southern states along its path. Those living closest to the river are at greatest risk.”

Simon watched the screen, his mind racing. It was the witches. It had to be. But how? Andwhy?

“With extreme winter conditions in Canada and many of the northern states, the question on everyone’s mind is: What comes next?”

Valentina pressed her phone against her chest. “It’s terrible. All those people.”

Simon’s gaze drifted back to the window and the swirling vortex of snow flurries racing between buildings. They were close enough to one of the Great Lakes that he wondered if they should evacuate. He’d never had to make these sorts of plans before. He had been fast and strong; could have outrun any natural disaster. Now, he would be lucky to survive a blizzard.

Valentina, oblivious to his growing concerns, set another bag beside his on the table and lifted her phone to her ear. “Yes, we’re ready. Perfect. I’ll get his bags and meet you there.”

She rested a hand on Simon’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, baby. No stress, remember? Let’s just get you to the hospital, and everything will be fine.”

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