Page 5 of Grave Revelations

She huffed, tearing her hand free from his. “One thing hasn’t changed. Short answers that mean nothing to me.”

He reached for her again, wrapping large hands around hers. “My brother, the Fallen, renamed me.”

Rebecca tugged uselessly against his grip. Although gentle, his touch would have been akin to pulling her hand from concrete. What was it about this creature that calmed her flaming temper, soothed her breaking heart? Simon was gone,possibly dead, and the others might be too, but a sense of calm settled over her when he touched her.

“So you’re a demon now? Like the devil?”

Wispy wings twitched as he pulled her forward, wrapping an arm around her waist. She tried to back up to give them space, but it was useless. He was immovable.

“I’m not like him,” he breathed against her hair, ruffling her curls. “He cares for no one but himself.”

Rebecca’s breathing hitched, her heart galloping in her chest as he pressed his mouth to her ear.

“And he doesn’t have you.”

Chapter 3

Sophia

Sophia sucked in a breath, gaze darting over the sea of souls drifting left and right. She marched away from foul-smelling water, sliding between listless forms as she trekked over rocky terrain and stopped in front of a small girl drawing in the dirt.

“Elizabeth,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

The girl looked up, blue eyes wide and innocent. “Sophia!”

Sophia might have believed the excitement in her voice had she not died by her hand. “Drop the act, Elizabeth. You killed me.”

A crack sounded, drawing Sophia’s eyes to the girl’s hand holding the now broken stick.

Her pale lashes blinked rapidly as tears spilled down her cheeks. “I didn’t. I told you yesterday. I found you in the river and brought you here, just like her other creatures.” The girl’s face flamed, and she darted glances left and right.

Sophia uncrossed her arms, kneeling down. “Cut the bullshit. You ripped my heart from my chest and let me bleed out on the floor like some sacrificial lamb. Don’t pretend that you’re just a seven-year-old girl with me.”

Elizabeth’s lower lip trembled, her eyes widening further before she let out a gut-wrenching wail. Her cheeks and neck were mottled red as she continued to squeal.

Sophia stumbled back, landing on her butt in the dirt.

Elizabeth squeezed her eyes shut, crying louder. The ground shook as feet thundered over the earth. Sophia looked up in time to see a troop of beings trampling a path toward them. Without thinking, she scooped up the girl and darted into the caves, plunging them into darkness.

Chapter 4

Rebecca

Rebecca wrenched her hand from Azazel’s, shoving with all her might.

He released her, and she staggered back.

“What game are you playing? You don’thaveme. I’m not Allie. I won’t beg for your attention in the absence of a father. Whatever silly feelings she had aren’t mine. You took advantage of a dying girl, and now you’re claiming I’m one of you? Or something like you were? I’m a witch.”

Azazel crossed his arms over his chest. “And what do you think a witch is?”

She swallowed. “Are you saying all witches are Nephilim?”

He scoffed, shaking his head. “Don’t be ridiculous. You are the last of your kind.”

Rebecca stomped her foot. “For once in your life, give me a straight answer. Why did you come for me? What do you want from me?”

“Rebecca, you’re my analogous umbra. My other half.”

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