Page 16 of Flames

My blood runs cold.

“Send them to me and let them turn The Phoenix to ash.” Eve twists her hand so her blood flows more freely. The Shadow King snaps his fingers and, instantly, the hounds rush forward. They lap at the floor, drinking Eve’s blood. They turn their mouths to the ceiling and catch the drops falling from her outstretched hand. Then as she takes back her hand, they jump.

One by one, they leave the hall and jump through whatever the fuck that hole is until there are none left. They are all with Eve, scraping the earth outside The Hollow with their large, clawed feet.

Eve stands in front of them, waving her arms as if she’s conducting a choir. Then she looks back at the creature sitting on the throne. “Soon, my King. Soon, you will join us too.”

Slowly, The Shadow King rises from his throne. “Remember to capture her blood,” he growls. “Without it, I cannot cross over.”

Lowering her head, Eve closes her eyes. “You have my solemn promise, my King.”

“Good. Then let it be done.”

In a split second, the portal is gone. Eve is gone. The Hollow is gone. I yell and lurch forward. “Nova!” I scream as if somehow, some way, she might be able to hear me. “Nova!”

The Shadow King returns to his throne.

“Nova!” I drop to my knees, and he watches me as I call for her. I shout until my voice is hoarse and my chest is wracked with pain. All the while, he watches. Then finally he starts to smile.

“Don’t worry, Sam,” he says. “She’ll be here soon.”

12

NOVA

Rev is pouring hot water from the kettle into two large mugs. The drink she gives me smells of cinnamon and lavender. “Are you trying to put me to sleep?” I ask, taking a long sip.

“I’m trying to calm your nerves,” Rev says, “and mine.” She moves from the kitchen to the couch and sits down, tucking her legs up underneath her.

I join her in the living room but take the large navy-blue armchair by the window. I pull a blanket around my shoulders and wrap my hands around the mug.

“The boys will worry when they realize you’re missing,” she says, watching me over the top of her drink.

“I know.”

“You should call them.” She reaches for her phone and offers it to me. “Want to use mine?”

I shake my head. “Maybe in a little while. For now, I just need some quiet.”

Rev nods slowly. She sips her drink without speaking.

“Kole knew,” I say quietly.

“He knew?” Rev fiddles with one of her large, hooped earrings. Her hair is pixie short and adorned with a brightly colored scarf. Despite it being early in the morning, she is ridiculously glamorous.

“He knew what would happen to Sam. He saw it in a vision, but he didn’t stop it.”

Rev closes her eyes for a moment. When she opens them, she says, “It is the way with seers. There are rules we simply can’t break. Especially seers from traditional families like Kole’s.”

“Can’t or won’t?” I reply quickly.

Rev tilts her head from side to side. “A little of both.”

“I hate him for it.” As I speak, my stomach twists violently.

“No, you don’t,” Rev says.

“No,” I reply. “I don’t. But I wish I did.” I glance over to Sarah’s door, then tuck my feet up onto the chair beneath me. “What do you think she’s doing in there? Should I go see if she’s okay?”