“Kill her now or I swear there will be hell to pay!” Rose cried. “And I mean real hell, like none of you have ever known. Sylous has always protected us! How dare any of you listen to these lies? The demon comes as the light to deceive us.” She glared at Jamie. “Now kill her!”

JAMIE KNEW THAT ROSE WAS RIGHT—EVERY OUNCE of discernment in his bones told him that Grace had been taken over by the devil. Only a devil could do what she’d just done.

The voices in his mind hissed to life.

Can you do what is needed?

Can you save them from her?

Do it, do it, kill her.

Trembling, Jamie lifted the gun. “Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission for sin,” he said, tightening his grip. “Repent now or I have to kill you.”

But Grace didn’t repent. Instead, she walked up to him. Right up to the gun, only a few inches from the barrel, which hovered before her chest. She smiled at him.

She’s the devil. Kill her! Kill her!

“Do you want to die?” Jamie heard himself ask.

“Death is just a shadow, Jamie. I’m not afraid of shadows anymore. You can live with fear if you like, but it only draws more fear. Everything I said is true. All of it.”

Her eyes showed not a hint of concern. Her face seemed to glow. The frightened sister he had always known had become a warrior, he couldn’t deny that. And her new calm unnerved him as much as any Fury might.

But what if she was right?

Grace raised her hand and placed it against his cheek, a forbidden act. Warmth spread from her touch, and he nearly pulled the trigger then. But he hesitated, feeling the heat spread over his face.

“There is another way, Jamie,” she whispered. “You don’t have to be afraid.”

Rose took a step toward them. “Pull that trigger, you coward!”

“I see you, brother,” Grace continued. “You are the light. There is no trouble here. He has already overcome.”

“Shoot her!” Rose screamed.

Who will you be without your protection?

The thought of releasing the laws that Jamie knew kept him safe made his bones groan. She had gone mad!

Do it, do what needs to be done!

Do it!

The warmth on his cheek spread down the side of his neck and onto his shoulder. He couldn’t rip his eyes from hers. They weren’t the same eyes he knew from before. There were certainty and affection in them. How could she love him now after all this? How dare she!

“It’s okay,” Grace whispered. “Let go, Jamie. Let go.”