Page 39 of Grave Revelations

Rising to her feet, Rebecca dusted her knees off and sucked in a breath, releasing it slowly. “How does it work?”

Sophia searched her face before nodding and dipping low. “Put your backpack on and climb up.”

Rebecca slipped the straps over her shoulders and pulled her gloves from her pocket, sliding them on. She stood behind Sophia, wrapping her arms around the girl’s shoulders.

“Wrap your legs around my waist.”

Rebecca tucked her legs under Sophia’s waiting arms and squeezed.

Sophia stood, lifting them both off the ground and shot down the stairs leading to the beach. They flew along the winding road so fast the world blurred.

Rebecca’s stomach somersaulted, and she closed her eyes. Icy wind whipped at her cheeks, and she buried her face in Sophia’s hair. A few times, bright light flared against her eyelids, but she kept her eyes shut, afraid she might throw up all over Sophia’s hair if she opened them again.

It was nothing like flying with Azazel, even though she knew he moved fast, too. As exhilarating as it was, she didn’t feel safe the way she had when he held her to his chest, flying over land and sea.

They crashed to a halt, and Rebecca had to squeeze for dear life to keep from flying off.

“Rebecca. When I tell you, run, okay?”

Rebecca darted a glance over Sophia’s shoulder, her brain struggling to catch up as the world came into focus. She gasped.

They were in a heavily wooded forest, moonlight filtering through the trees, illuminating a heavy dusting of snow on bowed branches. Two yellow-eyed creatures blocked their path, standing unnaturally still as they appraised the girls.

Sophia said something. It might’ve been Italian, but Rebecca wasn’t sure. The creatures stalked forward in response, stopping a few feet in front of her. They were men not much older than she was—or theyhadbeen, but theireyes gave them away. They spoke to Sophia, one of them tossing his head in her direction. She replied, and they eyed each other.

“Get ready,” Sophia whispered, setting her down. Rebecca grabbed the straps of her backpack. “Go.”

Sophia darted forward, tearing the head off the first man so fast that the other was unprepared.

Rebecca stood, forgetting to move as her mouth fell slack.

Sophia spun, reaching the second man in moments, and sunk her teeth into his neck. She tore like a beast and tossed his head into the bushes beside her. Turning, she wiped her mouth on the back of her arm.

“I told you to run,” she demanded, stalking toward Rebecca.

Rebecca stumbled back. She’d seen Simon kill his kind to protect her, but it had never been so brutal. Something in Sophia’s eyes was wild, and it frightened her.

“Rebecca.”

She took another step, and Rebecca threw up her hands.

Blue flame sparked to life along her fingers, stealing her focus. “Oh my gosh!” She ripped off her glove, opened her palm, and spread her hands wide. A ball of blue fire burst to life. She smothered it quickly, assessing her strength.

He’d said it wouldn’t kill her, but some part of her doubted his words.

Sophia studied her for a moment. “Did you lose it? After…”

Rebecca swallowed. “I was afraid. To die.”

Sophia gripped her bare arms.

Rebecca’s gaze tracked the movement as Sophia rubbed her fingers up and down. “Are you still able to shield yourself from the weather?”

Sophia looked down. “I don’t need to. When my magic changed, ice replaced the liquid in my veins. The cold doesn’t affect me anymore.” She took another hesitant step forward. “We need to keep going.”

Rebecca nodded and slid her gloves over trembling fingers.

Sophia dipped down, and Rebecca wrapped her arms and legs around her, gripping Sophia’s arms to stop their shaking. Then they were running again. The world slid by, and she squeezed her eyes shut.

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