“Weapons out,”Angel orders through the link. Harvey’s sword materializes in his hand while Seiji loops one whip to secure August against his chest and holds the other at his side,ready for whatever comes next.
Before Angel can devise a plan, Hazel whispers shakily, “Anxo… the portal.”
I glance behind me, and my stomach sinks at what I’m seeing. The portal is glitching, slowly fading away. Our only escape is vanishing right in front of me.
I didn’t even know portals could disappear like that.
Angel peeks over his shoulder, and the color drains from his face. His alarm only confirms that whatever is happening with the portal isn’t supposed to happen.
I squeeze his hand and tap into the link.“You need to get August out of here before it’s too late. This thing is following my every move. I think I can lure it away so you can get everyone out.”
Angel’s head snaps toward me like he can’t believe the words that came out of my mouth. His jaw is clenched tight as he checks back on the fading portal, probably trying to come up with a better solution.
With a determined nod, Angel links everyone.“We don’t have time to debate this, so listen and follow for once. Nevaeh and I will distract this thing. The moment you see an opening, run straight for the portal.”
Everyone starts arguing at once.Predictable.
I understand they don’t want to leave us, but this might be our only chance to get backup. It won’t help anyone if we’re all stuck here.
Harvey is not even a part of the discussion. He takes his eyes off Anisha long enough to beg Grace to follow Angel’s plan, then goes back to watching the body snatcher like a hawk. Hazel doesn’t even consider the alternative. She just turns her back to me, refusing to leave.
I turn to Seiji and grip his arm. He tears his eyes from the undead woman, and I can see he’s shaken up, but it’s now or never. We can’t lose this window.
“When Angel drops the barrier on your side, take August and Grace and run.”
Grace and August are the most vulnerable among us, andthere’s no way I can let them stay here.
“No, Nevaeh, I can’t just leave you—”
I shake my head, not letting him argue.“I can’t move without putting everyone in danger, and Angel’s shield is the only thing between me and that thing. Harvey is not thinking straight, and Hazel is being stubborn. I need you to do what I can’t… protect my son. Get him through that portal safely, then come back with help. Alright?”
Helplessness pools in his eyes, but Seiji nods, promising to keep my little Monkey safe.
Angel and I keep our eyes on Anisha or what’s left of her as we drop the barrier behind Seiji in sync.
“Run!”
Seiji bolts the instant the barrier falls, one arm held protectively over August, the other pulling Grace with him. Angel holds up the dome while I send my Divine to keep them safe until they cross the portal.
Visha’s undead doll catches the movement, but before she can lunge after Seiji, the portal collapses behind them, vanishing like it never existed.
“Portals don’t glitch. And they definitely don’t disappear like that. Something’s not adding up, Conquer.” Hazel says what everyone is thinking.
Anisha stops searching for the ones who escaped when Harvey edges closer to her and places his palm on the protective shield.
“Anisha,” Harvey’s voice seizes her attention. She lifts a hand, those vacant eyes beckoning him closer.
Harvey steps forward, but I catch his arm before he can even think about stepping out of the protective circle. He turns to me, eyes filled with unshed tears, begging me to let him go to her, but I can’t do that.
He doesn’t know who—orwhatshe is.
“Nevaeh, that’s Anisha. She’s—”
“Dead.” I force the bile down my throat and tighten my grip on Harvey’s arm.
The horror in his eyes cuts through me because I know he saw her as a friend, a kindred spirit trapped in her own worst nightmare.
We rarely had the chance to make friends with the other prisoners, but we met Anisha while doing chores around the coven. She was older than us and had survived more than anyone her age should have.
