Chapter 9: Ascension and Reckoning

A strange sense of déjà vu swept over me.

"That’s Demon Queen Lilith, who died in that war. Back then, the angelic leader Gabriel, Michael’s mentor, also died sealing the demon king’s descendant."

Olivia’s words snapped me out of it, and I jerked my hand from the mural.

Suddenly, two eerie green lights flickered deeper in the cave. A giant claw slashed my shoulder.

"Autumn!"

Olivia rushed in, sword flashing, and whisked me away.

"The isle’s dangerous. We need to go!"

I nodded, wincing from the pain.

Back at the spirit ferry, we found the hull full of holes and a few Luminara feathers scattered on the shore.

They called us inhumane, but look what they did!

My shoulder was still bleeding, my face pale.

Olivia frowned, suddenly sliced her palm, and pressed it to my wound before her blood could drip.

"Olivia, what are you doing?"

"Autumn, this is my only secret." She was dead serious.

Her blood seeped into my wound, and within seconds, the pain faded and the skin began to knit back together.

I stared, stunned. Olivia’s blood could heal wounds—like, actually regenerate flesh!

"Who else knows?"

"No one but you and Michael." Olivia shook her head.

"You can’t tell a soul!" I warned, tearing off a strip of my skirt to bandage her hand. "If the others find out, you’ll be in real danger!"

"I know." Olivia nodded. "It’s only because it was you and Michael."

She always admired Michael, but unconsciously, she put me on the same level.

How lucky am I?

Three days later, St. Gabriel’s disciples found us.

At least the Celestial Bluegrass wasn’t lost.

But when I found out it was for Christine Williams, I almost wished it had been!

That afternoon, Christine came to see me.

"Thank you, Miss Reeves, for getting the grass for me."