SPIRIT SIBLINGS: (Empyrean) A chosen pair whose blood and souls are linked. Ritual (Spirit Harmonisation) performed on the child’s first birthday linking them spiritually to another for life protection

BOND BROTHER: (Gehenna) A chosen pair whose blood and souls are linked. Ritual (Blood bath) is performed on the child’s first birthday linking them spiritually to another for life protection

DARK MAGIC: Abilities available to only the Gehenna to perform supernatural acts

COUNCIL: (Empyrean and Gehenna) A group of elders specific to both realms. They rule over all other Empyreans/Gehenna

LINK: The joining of two or more minds for conversing

HATCH: (Gehenna) A conjured gateway using dark magic that allows the Gehenna to move from place to place instantly

SPONSOR: Teacher/mentor

COUPLING: Marriage or to be joined to another

MIRIAM STONES: Otherwise known as The Alpha Stones. Mystic runes that are linked to the creation of the earth, God and Diablo

S
weat stung my eyes, the burn of the sharp liquid blurring my vision. My breaths came in pants, each short, rough inhalation scorching my lungs as I raced along the beach, my bare feet sinking into the dry, soft sand.

I swung my head to the side, urgently scanning for them as they tracked me. I sucked at the cut to my arm, trying to remove my scent from the air. I knew it was futile, but still I tried.

“Run, Willa.”
Tobias’ voice burst into my mind, making me jump and skid on the sand. Although his voice in my mind was familiar, it offered little comfort when he was stating shit I was already doing. I needed direction. They were coming; the chill in the air deemed them close.

“I am.” I linked our minds, allowing him full access as I turned to look again.

“Get to Delilah’s rock. Lincoln is waiting for you.”

I nodded. This was good. Get to Lincoln. I could do that … I could do that. Oh, God. Could I do that? “They’re gaining on me, Tobias.”

“Then run. Run.”

I shivered as a gust of something wisped past me, my hair quivering as a slice of ice branded one side of my arm, each tiny hair snatching tightly.

He was here.

I slammed to a halt. My breathing sped up, threatening hyperventilation as the world swayed under me. My breastbone hurt as fire spread within me.

“Shit, Tobias. I can’t control it.”