Covenant by Sabrina Benulis Read Free Book Online Page A

alive, and all of Heaven and Hell and the Realms in between wait for you, the Archon, to open me and make your ultimate choice. Just because we haven’t found how to do so, either Lock or Key—that doesn’t mean it isn’t important anymore. There is no hiding, Angela. If Heaven doesn’t find you time and again, Hell will. There is no escape from any of it—ever.”
    Angela held Sophia’s dainty hands. “I’ve already made my decision. No matter what Lucifel does to me, no matter what Kim said, I refuse to be the Ruin and rule over a new Hell. So now, all we have to figure out is how to open you, the Book of Raziel, and prevent Lucifel from destroying everything. I won’t let you die.”
    Sophia’s eyes were downcast. “I have no fear for myself,” she said, sounding oddly distant. “Besides, I did tell you I would always be by your side. I suppose we both have promises to keep.”
    â€œExactly.” Angela tried to ignore Sophia’s uncertain tone. “So it’s settled then.”
    â€œNot at all.” Sophia shook her head. “I think you should talk to Stephanie, Angela. She was possessed by Lucifel, remember. Perhaps she can help you to stay one step ahead. I think it’s crucial that you stay alert considering what has happened. Not everyone is on the Archon’s side. Think about it—who left that note for you? An enemy, of course. And obviously that enemy could have been anyone in this room tonight. The Devil’s reach goes far . . .”
    â€œEither way, I don’t care.” Angela’s hand burned, and the Grail throbbed beneath her glove. “I’ll go through any door if that means you won’t die. The only difficulty now is finding it.”
    Sophia wouldn’t look her in the eye. “Sometimes, it’s not that easy.”
    â€œWhat do you mean? It seems pretty straightforward to me.”
    â€œSometimes, it takes more than decisiveness to turn back the wheel of fate. You say you will go through this door, but—perhaps I don’t want you to. Perhaps you shouldn’t.”
    â€œYou won’t die,” Angela hissed. “ I’m not letting that happen. ”
    Sophia opened her mouth and then seemed to decide on something else to say. “Angela, I am quite capable of taking care of myself. I did exist in Hell for a few millennia, after all, even if that was against my will. Whether a dark talisman or not, that snake was alive when I found it. So—as usual—I took matters into my own hands. If that’s what it takes for me to be by your side and keep my own promise, then that’s what I’ll do. I’ll try to get rid of the snakes in our path. The only problem is that they won’t ever stop coming. Until you—the Archon—end this madness, it will only get worse.”
    Angela didn’t have to ask exactly what had happened. Sophia was capable of all kinds of things she couldn’t quite understand. That snake—magical or not—hadn’t stood a chance.
    This is it, Angela said to herself ominously, staring down at the ash. This is the beginning. But of what? If only I could change everything, keep this moment, and never let it go.
    They were on the verge of something terrible, and Angela didn’t quite know what it was. Is that what the door symbolized? Or was it something worse? And if it was a real door, and it led to somewhere awful, how long had Angela and Sophia been approaching it? Hopefully, Stephanie would know.
    Enter the door or Sophia will die? That wasn’t fair for anyone. And why couldn’t they just tell Angela where to find the door in the first place? Maybe Sophia was right. Maybe—it was some kind of trap. But . . . Angela couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.
    Sophia took the paper back and perused it, a storm brewing behind her narrowed eyes.
    â€œAnyway, I want to know who left