“What does it look like?” Marcus asked warily.
“It’s a literal hellscape,” Lucas said gravely. “When we left, the entire city was in shambles. There were cracks in the earth, and massive black tar pits had popped up all over the city to suck people to their death. The dark gods and The Mission destroyed the town. It was nearly uninhabitable.”
“After everything you did to fulfill your prophecy and save it, now it’s gone,” Marcus nearly wept.
“He ain’t the only one, kid,” Liam grumbled. “Kinpago’s destroyed for what has to be the millionth time. I’m starting to get used to it being on fire.”
“We can get our cities back,” Lucas said firmly. “This war isn’t over, and everything isn’t completely gone. We can rebuild once we win. The true heart of a community isn’t the place; it’s the people. We’re still surviving, so they haven’t beat us yet.”
“Dad’s right,” Erica cut in. “We don’t stop being a community just because we lost our home. Witches are still going through with their Evoking Ceremonies to awaken their powers, and they’re still brewing potions, casting spells, and surviving no matter what. We don’t stop being witches because there arepeople out there who want to take us down. No matter where we are on this planet, we’re going to continue being who we are.”
“You need to stay out of this, Erica,” Marcus said. “You’re too young. You can’t fight yet.”
“Actually, my birthday was last week, and my powers awakened,” Erica stated matter-of-factly.
Marcus’ features paled. “How long have we been on the run? What day is it?”
“It’s July fifteenth,” Lucas told him.
Marcus blew a breath of disbelief. “I didn’t realize how much time had passed since we left the Institute. I’m sorry I missed your birthday, sis, and your Evoking Ceremony.”
Erica nudged him. “It’s fine. It’s not like I expected my fugitive brother to break out of prison to show up for my birthday. But look— here you are. Just a couple days late.”
Marcus choked back tears. He obviously really missed his family.
“Of course I’d break out of prison for you,” he whimpered.
After all the complaining Marcus did about how perfect his sister was, I was surprised to see they had a good relationship. Clearly he’d just been talking out his ass.
“Can I see it?” he asked her.
I wasn’t sure what he meant, but Erica obviously understood. She pulled down her shirt collar to show a tattoo of a skull across her collarbone.
“Mortana,” Marcus said with a nod. “You got the powers of a Death Witch. What’s your specialty? Necromancy? Can you control dead bodies like zombies?”
“Nah, it’s not as cool as your powers, bro,” she teased. “I’m a Reaper’s Apprentice, just like Dad.”
Marcus gasped and clutched his heart, until he nearly fell over. “Reaper’s Apprentice? That’s a super rare gift.”
“The coven needs more reapers.” Erica dropped her gaze. “I’ve already heard more voices in the last few days than Dad did in his first year. It’s tough out there.”
“Voices? What do you mean?” I asked. “What exactly is a Reaper’s Apprentice?”
“I have the powers of a reaper,” Erica explained. “In Miriamic culture, reapers are specialized spirits who greet witches at death and help them cross over to the afterlife. I hear the last thoughts of the coven’s dead, and I carry them with me to the afterlife, to help make their transition easier. As a Reaper’s Apprentice, I’m studying under Dad to learn my abilities, so that one day I can help the souls of the coven reach our spiritual realm.”
“Did Kellen make it out of town?” Marcus blurted. “Is he here with you?”
Kellen had been Marcus’ mentee before he came to the Institute. His older sister was Anya— Marcus’ former girlfriend, who he’d accidentally killed years ago.
“I’m sorry, Marcus,” Erica said gently. “I saw him get captured by The Mission before we left Octavia Falls. Neither me nor Dad have heard his last thought, which means he’s still alive. We believe he’s being held at the Main Facility.”
“Then we need to get him out. The minute we find out where the Main Facility is, I’m going in there,” Marcus pledged.
He turned his attention to two people standing near Kallie. “Let’s get to work. Who arethesepeople?”
He’d asked that question rather rudely. One of them had to be Kallie’s twin, because they appeared to be very alike. Kazim didn’t look much like a king, more like a scholar. He was scrawny and wore glasses that were slightly askew, his blond hair a mess on top of his head.
Nobody answered Marcus’ question, because the twins were staring each other down.
