Page 99 of Grave Revelations

As Sophia slogged over a dry, cracked landscape, the fog grew denser in places. She tried skirting it, but it always herded her back to the river.

On her third pass, she gave up searching for a way around it and plunged in. That same oppressive hopelessness weighed on her, dragging her down until it was an effort to lift a foot.

She sighed heavily, dropping to the ground. Was there a point to this search? She let her chin fall into her hands, staring at nothing. She’d been looking for her sisters, but if she found them, then what? It was hard to remember now, so she didn’t think of anything.

A twinkling light shone through the haze, catching her eye. It scratched at the back of her mind, prodding her to keep going. They needed her. Rebecca needed her. She stood, marching toward the bright spec in the distance.

When she breached the fog, her mind cleared, and she knew where she was.

Adalaide smiled brightly as she approached. “You’ve come back!” She stood, rushing to Sophia, and even her touch gave Sophia hope.

Perhaps their meeting wasn't by chance after all. After she’d convinced Adalaide this wasn’t Heaven, it was almost as if some veil was lifted, and Adalaide began piecing things together all on her own.

Memories buried by the fog—or some other magic—cleared, and visions of her past began rushing back. She’d been trapped in this place when she died but did not know how long ago that was. When she arrived at the river’s edge, Sanura had been waiting. Disoriented, Adalaide had been dragged to this spot and trapped by a dense haze.

When she tried to leave, the fog stole her memories and motivation, and eventually, she found her way back to the spot beside the tree. Tears ran down her cheeks as she remembered all the times she’d searched for anyone to help her, to free her from this prison.

Her voice quavered as she spoke of the times Sanura had visited her, times she had forgotten until now and wished she could forget again.

Sophia wrapped Adalaide in her arms.

Adalaide squeezed tightly, holding on long after the hug should have ended.

When Adalaide’s hold loosened, Sophia released her, stepping back. “Adalaide, have you seen a young girl here?” Sophia asked. “She would be around seven or eight.”

Adalaide swiped her cheeks, vision clearing. “Is the child blond and very fair?”

Sophia nodded.

“She is with Sanura sometimes. Sanura's different with her. She treats her as a daughter. Those visits are the only ones I don’t dread.”

Sophia held out a hand, and Adalaide took it, squeezing.

“I am so sorry for all that’s happened to you. Is there anything I can do to help?”

Adalaide looked down at their clasped hands. “I sacrificed myself to ensure she would never again cross the mortal plane and kill humans. Being trapped in this place with her is my immortal burden. I only hope Gabriel has made peace with it.”

“You know Gabriel?”

Adalaide swallowed, wrapping her arms over her chest. “He is my soulmate.”

Sophia frowned. “Your soulmate? He’s an angel.”

“Yes. Angels have Nephilim soulmates. I am his, though we are eternally parted. When I died, it must have been a great blow for him.”

Sophia bit her lip. Rebecca wouldn’t be happy about this.

Chapter 66

Rebecca

Rebecca reached the bottom of her long staircase and spun in a circle. As soon as she found him, she would give him a piece of her mind.

“Az.”

Silence. Even his thoughts had been suspiciously absent. Since the power-share which had awakened her seraph side, she’d heard most of what he was thinking, even if it was a far calmer monologue than her own frazzled mind.

Tonight, though, she heard nothing. Was he blocking her somehow, or was he simply not thinking?

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