Page 137 of The Reaping Rose

Greer must sense it too. She pauses, her back to mine.

“They’re multiplying,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Giving up so soon?” I can hear the smile in her tone.

“Never.” I swing at the first guard who approaches, while more flood in.

But we’re losing steam—losing hope.

Until a crack darkens the sky. Something beyond the realm opens; static in the air has the hair on my arms on its ends. It’s enough to make the guards pause the fight and look up. Lightning doesn’t often strike the forest, but as the air crackles overhead, I sense something brewing.

Greer doesn’t flinch. She shoves her sword to the sky as white light bathes over her. She doesn’t create a storm; she becomes one. A bolt of lightning meets her where she stands, striking the tip and pouring light like water down her body. She drinks the magic others wield, the magic of the realm, and beyond it.

Lightning crackles in her aura, and then she gives me a look. A warning to cast a shell of magic around me the split second before she shoves the blade into the ground. Lightning strikes out from all sides, burning the guards to ash. It kicks against my magic, nearly cracking through the shell as Greer unleashes the storm around us. Until there is nothing but dust floating in the wind.

Her shoulders sag as her sword dulls, and I let my magic fall.

“And here I thought you were a seer?”

Her hands shake as she looks down at her sword, seeming just as surprised at what just happened. “I am. I saw something in the realm, and I grabbed it.”

“I underestimated you.” A voice has her head snapping forward.

The tent flaps part, and out walks Malachi. He’s gaudy, even in the middle of the forest. Decorated in royal blue and gold jewelry. The glowing orb hangs at his neck.

“You could have been more useful than I realized.” He grins at Greer.

She shoots to her feet, and I’m too slow to stop her. She charges for Malachi, clinging to every last fiber of rage as she drives her sword through⁠—

Nothing.

The tip meets air. A swirling illusion.

Malachi grins. “We both know that would have been useless even if I were here.”

“No.” She drops her sword to the ground, falling to her knees.

This entire journey, everything we’ve searched for has led us to nothing. To exactly what he wanted.

“Where are you?” I step forward.

Malachi’s head tilts as he looks at me. “Far enough that you’re safe. I am curious why Wilder chose to send you two on this mission when I already told his mate where I’ll be.”

That catches Greer’s attention.

“Ah, did she not tell you the details of our visit? Interesting. Just like her little trip to the Mortal Realm.”

Malachi knows.

“I know all,” he snaps, reading my thoughts, then glancing down at Greer. “I planned to kill you, but now I might keep you around when this is over. I could use whatever that was.”

“I’ll never help you.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Malachi vanishes, and Greer bends forward, catching her hands on the dirt. The pulse that led us here is gone. Birds stir once more. There’s nothing. We’ve chased a ghost.

Greer drops her chin, and I stand frozen, clutching my mother’s necklace in my palm as Greer’s shoulders start to shake. I stare at the flame carved in the stone, running my thumb over the design my mother etched. A message I’ve spent centuries trying to understand.