Page 103 of Grave Revelations (Prophecies of Angels and Demons #3)

Chapter 102

Sophia

Sophia herded the humans into a cave they’d found near their new camp. Helena and Vassi raced among them, helping them settle in for the day. Soon, they would be back in Sheol, and they would be defenseless against whatever came next.

“Sophia.”

Her mother’s voice made her spin around. She darted forward, embracing Angeliki.

“The humans will need you today,” Sophia said. “Without our help and with the angels gone hunting for demons, if anything or anyone comes, they’ll only have you.” She stepped back, releasing her mother and looking her over.

Angeliki nodded, creases lining the corners of her tired eyes.

Sophia worried her mother couldn’t take many more days like this, but in this new landscape, she saw no end to it. Grabbing her mother’s hands, Sophia sent a bit of magic surging up her arms.

“You’re the strongest witch here,” she said. “You have the power to keep them safe.”

Angeliki pulled her hands free, shaking out her wrists. “We cannot power-share any longer, Pythia. Your gift is tainted. ”

Sophia grimaced as the line of ice receded from her mother’s fingers. “I’m so sorry, Mama.”

Angeliki shook her head. “We’re strong together, but we each have our role to play, and there’s plenty of fight left in us. Don’t worry, child. Tell Rebecca we appreciate everything she has done for us.” She rested a hand against Sophia’s cheek. “And tell Simon he’s welcome to return to his coven when he’s ready.”

Sophia nodded, glancing beyond her mother to the humans, witches, and night-beings working together to find their way at the end of the world.

“Together,” Angeliki said.

“Together,” Sophia agreed, wrapping her mother in a tight hug.

The sun dipped behind the horizon, and Sophia felt herself melt into her mother’s arms.

She woke in a verdant landscape of lush green grass and blooming trees. Maria, Helena, and Vassi landed several feet away and strode toward her.

“I’m worried about them,” Helena said.

“Me too,” Vassi agreed.

Sophia stared between her sister’s concerned faces, wishing she had words of comfort to offer, but her fears mirrored their own. There was no way of knowing what they would return to tonight.

They stopped beside a trio of lion creatures standing atop a hill, gazing out at a sea of souls lounging in a field of lavender. Souls tipped their heads back, soaking in the energy radiating from the strange light in the sky, seeming utterly content.

Simon appeared beside them from nowhere, making Sophia jump.

“Where’s Rebecca?” she asked.

Simon only offered up a ripe apple in response.

“No thanks,” Sophia said, glancing down at the shining fruit. “I need to talk to Rebecca.”

He dropped the apple, frowning at her. “She’s moved on.”

“What does he mean?” Vassi asked.

Sophia glanced at her sister and back to Simon. “To Alaxia?” Was she imagining it, or was there something different about him from the last time she’d seen him? An aura ?

“Yes, Sophia. Where else?”

Her heart swelled, even as her stomach dropped. If Rebecca was gone, what did it mean for Sheol and the souls here? Still, she was happy her friend had found her way back to her mate.

“Have any new souls come through?” Sophia asked.

“No,” Simon answered. “Not since Rebecca left.”

Sophia paced away from him. Souls had stopped coming to Sheol. Was it because Rebecca was gone or because no one had died? She had no idea how many humans were left. Perhaps their small settlement was the last of them.

Maria broke her contemplative silence. “Pythia. Would you be upset with me if I moved on?”

Sophia spun, facing Maria.

Maria flinched under her stare. “It's only that... I’m tired of fighting. I miss my sisters. I know some live, but Phoebe, Yai-Yai, my mother…” her voice broke over the last words. “And… It's not as if I’m alive. I wish to be with them. I don’t know if I’m ready for whatever comes next, and I’d like to be at peace with my sisters for a little while.”

A pit settled in Sophia’s stomach. Maria didn’t think they would win. Maria had given up.

Simon stepped forward, shocking Sophia when he held out a hand to Maria. “I know a place where you can rest.” His Greek was nearly perfect.

Sophia bristled as Maria took his hand.

“Maria, our sisters need us.”

Maria ignored her, letting Simon lead her away. Helena and Vassi crowded closer to Sophia, watching their sister disappear over the hilltop with Simon by her side.

“What’s going on here?” Sophia asked no one in particular as she moved through fields of lavender, eyeing the souls who seemed unaware of her presence.

Vassi waved a hand in front of a man’s face. He plucked a stem of lavender and lifted it to his nose, inhaling as though no one in this realm existed but him.

“What the hell is going on here?”