Page 25 of Grave Revelations (Prophecies of Angels and Demons #3)

Chapter 24

Rebecca

“If only we had a map or a phone,” Rebecca grumbled as she pulled the collar of her coat up to cover her neck, suddenly thankful she’d been letting her hair grow out. Sophia had apologized a dozen times and promised it would never happen again, but leaving herself exposed seemed like it was inviting trouble.

“There are only so many underground cities. Think of the places she’s been. First Bermuda, then Ibiza, the Aeolians, and now Crete. She’s making her way to Turkey,” Sophia said.

“How can you be so sure?”

Sophia held up a hand, twisting her wrist, and snow whipped from nearby tree branches, floating lazily to the ground to form a map of their part of the Earth. She searched around them for a stick. “She was here,” she stabbed her stick into the ground, “then here.” She trailed her stick through the snow, connecting the locations. “Greece is over here, but she didn’t go that way. She went right past the Greek Islands to Crete.”

“What about all these islands?” Rebecca pointed to a dusting of circles above Crete.

“Yes, but there are no underground cave systems on those islands. Every time I woke, it was in a cave. ”

Rebecca wrinkled her nose. “Why can’t we just go back to the last place you were?”

“They moved on from that place. Everyone was already gone when I woke.” Sophia’s stomach grumbled loudly.

“Are you hungry? I have power bars.” Rebecca dug into her bag, pulling out a pile of them in various flavors. “I don’t have any cash or credit cards, so we’ve been stealing what we eat.”

Her chest gave a sharp twinge of pain at the word we . Would Azazel return? Certainly, he would try; he wouldn’t leave her unless he had no choice. Damn Jophiel. When she saw the angel, she would give her a piece of her mind.

Sophia picked up two bars and peeled them open, biting into the first one. Talking around a mouthful, she said: “Okay, we’re here in Tropea. If we go by land to Roccella Ionica, we can steal a boat and sail to Greece. From there, we continue to Athens, where we will meet up with my family. Whoever is left.” Her brows dipped.

Rebecca grabbed Sophia’s hand, squeezing. “We’ll find them. They’ll be there. But I’m not sure I should leave yet. Azazel won’t know where we are.”

Sophia looked dubious. “You want to wait for the demon? Our sisters could be dying.”

“He’s not a demon.”

Sophia said nothing, chewing her power bar.

“But, you’re right. I have no idea how long it will take him to return.” The tiny ember at the center of her chest pulsed, giving her some reassurance he was okay, even if he was in Hell. “Do you have any money? If not, it’s going to be a long trek.”

“Elizabeth’s creatures took all our belongings when she captured us, but we don’t need money. You’ll ride on my back.”

Rebecca looked up, swallowing.

Sophia’s yellow eyes glowed in the inky darkness, reminding her painfully of Simon. But unlike Simon, Sophia had bitten her. Goosebumps ran down her arms, and she rubbed her coat sleeves. Her heart thrummed. She’d seen Simon desperately hungry more than once—knew how wild it had made him—but she’d never feared him.

“Rebecca, I’m so sorry about before,” Sophia began for at least the tenth time.

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 they had been, but their eyes 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 .

The warmth in her chest buzzed to life.

“Azazel?” she whispered into the wind.

No one answered.

They stopped beside a marina where Rebecca climbed down. Ducking behind a building, the pair watched people come and go along the boat dock.

“Look. Someone left keys on the counter,” Sophia whispered.

“You won’t need a boat.” A deep voice rolled through Rebecca, and she looked up and up at the tall creature standing behind them.

She turned, flinging her arms around Azazel. “You’re okay!” Remembering herself, she released him, backing up. “What happened? How were you able to leave Primoria?”

“It’s a long story, and I don’t have time to tell it,” he said. “Come.”

Rebecca glanced at Sophia. “We’re going to Athens. To meet up with the other witches.”

“We’re going to Patmos.” His gaze never wavered from Rebecca’s, and her face burned beneath his scrutiny. He grinned, a dimple creasing his cheek. “I missed you, too.”

She smothered a half smile, turning to her friend. “Sophia,”

“I’m going to Athens. To my coven.” Sophia’s piercing stare told her the girl wasn’t backing down. She pivoted on her toes, turning toward swirling red and black eyes still watching her.

“What if we take her to Athens, then go to Patmos? It wouldn’t be too far out of the way, would it?”

Azazel’s gaze slid past Rebecca to the girl behind her. “No.”

Gone for a few hours, and he was already back to those broody one-word answers.

He reached for her hand, squeezing, as words jolted through her: Anything she wants .

Okay, Rebecca wasn’t imagining it. She’d heard him.

Can you hear me?

“Yes,” she breathed. “I can.”

The grin that stole over his face was the widest she’d ever seen .

Rebecca released his hand, turning to Sophia. “Come on, Sophia, we can fly with Az.”

Sophia glanced between the two of them. “Rebecca,” she said, raising her eyebrows to impart some silent meaning.

Rebecca’s nose crinkled. “What?”

Sophia jerked her chin at Azazel. “He’s a…” she mouthed the word demon .

Rebecca crossed her arms. “He’s not a demon.”

“He looks like one.”

Heat stained Rebecca’s cheeks. Azazel was right behind her, listening to every word, saying nothing to defend himself. “I’m going with him. It would be faster for you if you came too. But it’s your choice.”

Sophia stood, movements jerky as she came closer.

Rebecca turned, looking into Azazel’s stern face. She wanted to hug him and tell him he wasn’t something to fear, but his mouth was flattened into a grim line that made even her a little nervous.

“What?” she asked hesitantly.

“My mind is silent to you once more.”

She bit her lip. “Come on, let's discuss it on the way. Are you sure you can carry us both?”

Azazel straightened to his full height. “Two puny creatures such as you?” He held out a hand to Sophia, who took it grudgingly. “Wrap your arms around my neck,” he instructed. She did, sitting in the crook of his arm. Rebecca climbed into his other arm, doing the same on his opposite side and settling against him.

He must be very strong to hold them both while flying.

I am.

She startled. “I heard that.”

Did you? And this?

Her eyes widened. This time, Rebecca answered in her mind: Yes!

Your warm, slender thigh cupped in my palm is the most delicious…

Okay. Yes. I heard you.

Azazel chuckled, and it reverberated through her.

Sophia darted a glance across his chest at Rebecca and raised an eyebrow, giving her a quizzical look.

Rebecca shrugged. She wasn’t sure she wanted to tell Sophia of this new gift only she and Azazel shared. It was something private between the two of them.

Ours. Yours and mine.

A thrill shot through her. Stop that.

It’s only fair, he said. I’ve had a front-row seat to your inner monologue your whole life. When I was close enough, that is.

Her cheeks flamed, warmth spreading down her neck to her collarbone. She’d had a lot of thoughts in her life—her lives .

Mmhhmm, he interrupted.

That’s not fair.

It was exciting and terrifying to know she’d been so exposed to him all this time and had never known it.

You don’t ever have to hide anything from me.

Sophia thumped her wrist hard.

“Ow! What was that for?” she grumbled.

“Your face is on fire. Are you afraid of flying?” Sophia asked.

Rebecca ducked her head, a fresh round of heat climbing up her neck. She groaned. If she didn’t stop listening to his thoughts, she would be a tomato by the time they arrived.