Page 77 of Grave Revelations

“I’m ready. Wake me up.”

Chapter 47

Sophia

Sophia took a running jump and lurched across the divide. She landed just at the edge of the precipice as rocks slipped underfoot and rolled into the gaping hole in the earth. These strange fissures had been popping up all around the caves. It must be the witches with earth magic testing their new twisted gifts.

She’d found a place to hide for the day, hoping against hope that day walkers wouldn’t find her body while she was away.

In Sheol, the river had been dotted with fewer souls than the day before, and the ever-present fog was thicker, making it difficult to tell what other changes were taking place in the realm. She’d trudged away from the river, choosing a new path for the first time. Nothing good awaited her in the cave, and she was desperate to find her coven.

Stepping into the oppressive fog, Sophia felt its weight envelope her. With each step, her will to continue waned. It was quickly becoming clear she would find nothing and no one on this side of the river, but she couldn’t fathom a reason to turn back. She sat, wrapping her arms around her knees, and let the cool fog caress her cheeks. It was a good place to rest, just for a moment.

Sophia woke in the caves, and her mind was clear once more.

Tonight, the caves were suspiciously quiet, much as they had been the times she’d woken to find herself trapped by Elizabeth. Signs of their presence were all around, but she hadn’t seen any of her coven or the others yet.

The faintest sound ahead caught her ear, and she froze, pressing into the shadows along the wall. It was quiet, only a hum, but she recognized it: her sisters.

Stopping just outside the mouth of an ornately carved cave, she closed her eyes and called on her gift. Two dense clusters of moisture stood together. Only two. Good odds.

She rounded the corner and froze.

Helena stood in the center of the room, hands pressed to either side of her mother’s temples as she hummed low in her throat, a steady white light radiating from her fingers.

As Sophia crept forward, Helena’s clear green eyes snapped to her.

“Don’t come any closer,” she hissed.

Sophia raised her hands in a placating gesture. “Helena, it’s me. I’m not compelled.”

Helena’s shoulders sagged, but her wary stare never left Sophia’s. “I saw you. You fed on Rebecca.”

Guilt twisted Sophia’s gut, making her wince. She took a step forward, hands still raised. “I didn’t mean to. I was just so hungry…” Her words trailed away as Helena’s eyes widened further.

“You weren’t compelled?”

Another stab of shame hit her. “I have trouble… controlling it.”

Helena blinked, apprehension sliding off her face. Her hands fell to her sides, and Angeliki slumped down.

Sophia darted forward, catching her mother and pulling her to a wall in the corner of the room. She slid down with her, letting her mother’s head rest in her lap, and ran one hand over her cheek. Angeliki’s eyes were closed, but life thrummed under her skin, giving Sophia hope.

“Mama?”

“She can’t hear you,” Helena said, sitting beside her against the wall. “Yesterday, when she collapsed, they brought her to me. Her body is here, but her mind is elsewhere.”

“How are you not changed?” Sophia asked, glancing at the healer.

“The healers have not been changed. Our gift is too valuable.”

“Why stay?”

“For my sisters.”

Sophia nodded, brows pinching. “What will happen when you’re drained?”

Helena smiled tightly. “When they have no use for us, they get rid of us.”

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