Page 118 of Grave Revelations

The Fallen stumbled, seething as he touched a scorch mark on his shoulder.

Azazel wasted no time lifting again, soaring up into the sky.

Samael unfurled wings of flame and vaulted upward. In two mighty beats, he was high in the sky, his wings setting the night ablaze. Letting the fire run down his arms into poison-tipped claws, he dove for Azazel, sharp tips extended.

Chapter 77

Rebecca

Rebecca spied the lance protruding from a bush and dove for it.

Blond hair darted past her, swiping it up.

Grabbing the girl—Sanura—by the throat, Rebecca called fire into her palm, but Sanura pried her hands free unnaturally fast and dug poison-tipped talons into Rebecca’s shoulders.

Rebecca tugged at the ember in her chest, setting herself ablaze, and Sanura released her, hissing. Tossing her hands to the ground, she commanded roots and vines to her just as she had in her dream and coiled them around the girl.

Sanura screamed, tearing at the branches at her feet, and thrust her free hand into the dirt.

Rebecca lunged forward, but Sanura was too fast, ripping the remaining roots off her and darting away.

The ground shook as headstones toppled, and bony arms and legs dug themselves out of the dirt.

Rebecca froze for a moment, watching the gruesome scene before she spied Sanura skirting the edge of the great gaping hole, still spewing dark creatures from the bowels of Hell, and ran after her.

Rebecca stumbled to a halt as a creature soared out, diving for Sanura. She gasped as her demon father solidified, talons lengthening around the pale throat of his long-dead child.

“Alexander!” Rebecca shouted, lighting both palms in blue flame.

His gaze shifted to her, his horned brow dipping over flaming red eyes. Somehow, he seemed bigger—stronger—than the last time she’d seen him. “Daughter.”

“Planning to finish what you started?” She tilted her head to the still-flailing girl in his grasp.

“This vile creature and her mate tricked me. Used me to get what they wanted. You.” His glowing eyes narrowed on her. “It’s always about you, isn’t it, Rebecca? Even if you are worthless.” The words spilled over his lips like venom, stinging even if she knew they weren’t true.

“It hurts knowing you’ve been used, doesn’t it?” she asked.

He growled, squeezing Sanura’s neck, and her small nails scraped for purchase as the lance bounced to the ground.

Rebecca fought the urge to watch it fall, to draw any attention to it, as she leveled her gaze on the father, who was finally the physical manifestation of the demon he’d always been.

“She’s yours,” Rebecca said. “Do what you want with her.”

His inky lips tipped up. “I don’t need your permission.” He darted into the sky.

Rebecca raced forward, sliding to a stop beside the lance, and scooped it up.

Got it!

A small body hit the ground beside her, and Sanura hopped to her feet, looking dazed.

Rebecca looked up, searching the Stygian sky for Alexander.

Sanura staggered toward her.

Rebecca threw up her arms again, calling roots and vines to wrap around the girl while she was still disoriented from her fall.

Sanura clawed and fought, but Rebecca pressed more of her earth magic into the growing thicket, calling vines and brambles to weave their trap. Something gold glinted in the moonlight around the child’s throat.

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