Page 89 of Grave Revelations

A cool breeze ghosted across Rebecca’s neck. Something was coming, something vile.

And it was coming for her.

She wasn’t sure how she was so certain, but Sophia's words came back to her: The ocean speaks if you know how to listen.

As air magic was her strongest gift, would it tell her things if she listened? She let her senses come to life, taking in her surroundings.

Spinning in a small circle in the snow, she watched all the elements folding together to make up her world. Air danced between physical objects as moisture solidified, drifting to the snowy earth. New life pressed against its weight, testing for places to break through and absorb the sun’s radiant energy. And atop it all, kinetic energy was absorbed and redistributed.

Her breath caught. She bit her lip, honing all her senses on the energy propelling life forward, and thought back to Sophia’s explanation of how time worked. If she could master this skill, she could be useful in the coming fight.

Rebecca raised both arms, pulling at the newly whole ember in her chest. It warmed, prepared to do her bidding.

She lifted her hands, taking in her world, when a pair of black-tipped ears appeared, followed by a long orange snout. A fox spied her moments after darting across her path and froze. She smiled, and the creature continued on. As the energy it expelled fell away, she caught it, wrapping it between her fingers and holding it fast.

In her small bubble of time, she flicked one finger against a frozen tree branch and watched in wonder as the ice coating it bounced once and hung suspended in mid-air. It remained that way for several seconds before it resumed its downward trajectory and landed on her shoe.

It was moments, but she squealed in delight. This was a skill worth mastering.

Chapter 58

Dina

Dina raced the halls of Alaxia, searching for Chamuel. With all that had happened, they would need their general to face the battle to come.

Seven trials would befall the Earth and, in that time, the seraphim were called to fight on the side of good. At their helm, Chamuel would lead. When the final hours were upon them, only faith would decide the outcome.

She stopped at his room, leaning in. “Chamuel, are you there?”

Pierre stood from where he had been huddled in the corner. In a place never devoid of light, Dina blinked as she noticed for the first time that Chamuel’s room held darkness, something unheard of in Alaxia.

“Pierre. Are you well?”

Pierre stumbled forward, letting her catch him as he sobbed into her arms. “He is gone.”

She pulled him up, searching his face. “Gone where? I must find him.”

“Where he’s gone, none may follow.”

Dina swallowed. “What do you mean, Pierre?”

“He has fallen.” His breathing hitched as he said the words and a fresh round of sobs racked him.

Dina gripped his arms tightly. “I am sure you’re mistaken. Chamuel would never side with the Fallen.”

“He has. I felt it.”

Dina released him, letting him sag against the pillar of his door frame. She stepped back into the gilded halls of Alaxia, the world spinning. It couldn’t be. He was their captain. Their holy crusader meant to usher them to victory.

She leaned against the wall for a moment before righting herself and dashing for Raphael’s room.

Chapter 59

Azazel

Azazel landed hard in the throne room, his eyes darting to the fourth seat he’d already known would be there.

“No,” he breathed.

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