“Correct,” I reply.
She nods. “I understand your decision,” she says. “I would have done the same.”
Alisha reaches out and takes my hand. “I understand it, too,” she says. “But I’m scared now. What does all this mean?”
Before I answer, I look over at Scarlett, and she folds her arms across her chest and shakes her head.
“I may understand why this was done,” she says hoarsely. “But it doesn’t mean I agree.”
“We could destroy him, for good. Today, right now,” I reply firmly. “Hundreds of years of bloodshed, either committed by him or done in his name—and a potential future of hell on earth—and it could all be over today.”
“Wait, hold up,” Alisha says. “What’s this about hell on earth?”
“If Sakesh manages to manifest, he will cover the world in fire. Almost everything would die, and whatever was left to feed him would suffer horribly every moment of its life,” I answer.
“Okay, I’m sold,” Sara says. “I’ve spent my life soaking up generational fear of this thing, so I might be biased, but I’m here to do whatever it takes.”
“And me,” Alisha says.
“And me,” Scarlett echoes. “I’m not happy about the circumstances, but I will help to stop him if I can. I’ll want words with you, Grace, when we’re done.”
“If we’re alive, you can have as many words as you like,” I say.
“So, what do we do?” Sara asks. “Does your coven have a plan?”
Ah, the awkwardness. We had hundreds of years, but somehow the military is more prepared than we are.
“Well…”
“Oh, fucking perfect!” Scarlett curses. “Are you kidding me right now?”
“Sakesh has been in all our heads,” I say. “We’re connected to him—to this final act. If we know too much, so does he. It’s too important to screw up.”
“But your coven, they’re going to be there, right?” Alisha asks.
“Of course,” I say, realizing I’m not even sure. “They’ve planned this event for a long time, and I have it on good authority that everything is going as planned.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” Scarlett says. “I’m so glad that I know absolutely nothing. Really comforting.”
“I’m sorry,” I say. “Really.”
“Seriously, though,” Sara says. “What do we do?”
I close my eyes for a moment, feeling the swaying of the truck, the heat in the air, and the massive, malevolent presence of Sakesh nearby and drawing closer.
Behind all of that, a soft glow emanates from within me. It’s a soft white light, very small but utterly pure. I sense reassurance, and I know that when the time comes, I’ll know exactly what to do.
Alisha was pregnant, too, when she was in the circle. And Scarlett was there with her son…
I look over at Sara, wondering if the link also applies to her, but it’s not something I have time to figure out right now.
She had a child with Shawn. She could be pregnant again right now.
“Grace?” Alisha asks. “Do you want to tell me what that look on your face is about?”
“Nothing,” I answer, resisting the urge to put my hand on my belly.
Every single one of them will know what that means, and I don’t need to make this any more complicated.
