Page 297 of Oracle Returns: Time will Stop

God.

She wanted her to save them all.

As she reached in again, she began pulling an emaciated Wynter from the hole. Tori could see her in her death state, and how she was fighting to get out of the darkness.

PLEASE! Don’t leave me in there!

Tori heard the voice, and it registered.

It was their friend.

I’ve got you. Cross. Don’t wait. As soon as I pull you free, cross! You can’t stay. You have to go!

Tori could see in her mind’s eye that there was a battle going on. She couldn’t explain how the woman was doing it, but she was doing it.

Her and Julian had been wrong.

Oracle was very strong.

Yeah, Tori took back all she’d said about Oracle not being what she expected.

The woman was in the trenches doing battle for the souls he’d stolen.

She was doing her job, and Tori respected it.

Avalon Carter, Oracle, was shepherding spirits out of that darkness to safety.

As she was pulling Wynter out, Tori could see the dark, inky tendrils wrapped around Wynter’s legs. It was playing a sick game of tug-o-war to get the woman back into the hole.

That’s when Tori felt it.

There was another hand on her back, and she could smell a very familiar cologne.

Lucian was there.

Tori watched him grab Avalon and Wynter and pull with all he had. The inky tendril snapped, and they slid across the floor, but Wynter was free.

Take care of him. Love him like he deserves. Tell him I’m sorry, Wynter whispered into Tori’s mind.

Then, she was gone.

As the chaos went on, Wynter disappeared, crossing over.

Not far from there, the hole shook, and there was wailing. It was clear that he’d figured out that she’d gotten souls free.

Break the connection!

Tori heard Lucian say it, and seconds after, it felt like she was being ripped upward and out of the static.

When she opened her eyes, she was lying on her back on the floor, with Julian holding her. He looked scared shitless at what he’s seen.

Welcome to the club.

Beside her, Avalon was breathing heavily, as her husband was kneeling beside her. Not far away, Lucian was also there, on his knees.

“What was that?” Julian asked.

Their witches wanted to know too. Seconds ago, it felt like a barrage of negative energy had slammed into the side of the building, shaking it at the foundation.