Page 152 of Grave Revelations

“I’m worried about them,” Helena said.

“Me too,” Vassi agreed.

Sophia stared between her sister’s concerned faces, wishing she had words of comfort to offer, but her fears mirrored their own. There was no way of knowing what they would return to tonight.

They stopped beside a trio of lion creatures standing atop a hill, gazing out at a sea of souls lounging in a field of lavender. Souls tipped their heads back, soaking in the energy radiating from the strange light in the sky, seeming utterly content.

Simon appeared beside them from nowhere, making Sophia jump.

“Where’s Rebecca?” she asked.

Simon only offered up a ripe apple in response.

“No thanks,” Sophia said, glancing down at the shining fruit. “I need to talk to Rebecca.”

He dropped the apple, frowning at her. “She’s moved on.”

“What does he mean?” Vassi asked.

Sophia glanced at her sister and back to Simon. “To Alaxia?” Was she imagining it, or was there something different about him from the last time she’d seen him? An aura?

“Yes, Sophia. Where else?”

Her heart swelled, even as her stomach dropped. If Rebecca was gone, what did it mean for Sheol and the souls here? Still, she was happy her friend had found her way back to her mate.

“Have any new souls come through?” Sophia asked.

“No,” Simon answered. “Not since Rebecca left.”

Sophia paced away from him. Souls had stopped coming to Sheol. Was it because Rebecca was gone or because no one had died? She had no idea how many humans were left. Perhaps their small settlement was the last of them.

Maria broke her contemplative silence. “Pythia. Would you be upset with me if I moved on?”

Sophia spun, facing Maria.

Maria flinched under her stare. “It's only that... I’m tired of fighting. I miss my sisters. I know some live, but Phoebe, Yai-Yai, my mother…” her voice broke over the last words. “And… It's not as if I’m alive. I wish to be with them. I don’t know if I’m ready for whatever comes next, and I’d like to be at peace with my sisters for a little while.”

A pit settled in Sophia’s stomach. Maria didn’t think they would win. Maria had given up.

Simon stepped forward, shocking Sophia when he held out a hand to Maria. “I know a place where you can rest.” His Greek was nearly perfect.

Sophia bristled as Maria took his hand.

“Maria, our sisters need us.”

Maria ignored her, letting Simon lead her away. Helena and Vassi crowded closer to Sophia, watching their sister disappear over the hilltop with Simon by her side.

“What’s going on here?” Sophia asked no one in particular as she moved through fields of lavender, eyeing the souls who seemed unaware of her presence.

Vassi waved a hand in front of a man’s face. He plucked a stem of lavender and lifted it to his nose, inhaling as though no one in this realm existed but him.

“Whatthe hellis going on here?”

Chapter 103

Gabriel

Gabriel met Phanuel, Raphael, and Camael on the mortal plane, gazing at the mound of human bodies piled atop one another.

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