“Jamie said he went beyond the perimeter many times without encountering the Fury at all. How is that possible?”

“He did encounter them. Just not when expected. The Fury are far more clever than you might guess.”

She hesitated, daring to ask what had been bothering her all day, though he undoubtedly already knew. “Is it possible the Fury have already penetrated the perimeter?”

He studied her as if trying to decide how much to tell her. She knew from previous discussions that he couldn’t control the Fury beyond the valley, but he surely knew the situation within their perimeter.

“Obey the law and you will be safe,” he said.

Why no direct answer? Was he withholding something?

His brow arched. “If I told you all I know, you would melt with fear,” he said. “Trust me.”

“Then it’s possible that the wolf in sheep’s clothing is already among us?” she pressed.

“It’s always been possible. Like I said, they are clever.”

His words did nothing to calm her fear.

“How will we know?”

“Evil cannot remain hidden for long. It will be plain to me if not to you.”

Sylous slowly lowered his hand from her face and she felt his power withdraw. She longed for him to touch her longer, be with her longer, stay with her always.

“And now Haven Valley needs to become more vigilant than ever,” he said.

Nothing was clearer to her now than this. They could not waver.

She looked into his eyes. “Jamie speaks of something imminent. Something coming.”

“He lived to tell a tale, so let him tell it,” Sylous said.

He bent forward and gently placed a kiss on her forehead. She closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of his lips wash over her head and shoulders.

“You are so beautiful to me,” he said.

Rose knew he was gone without needing to open her eyes. The familiar song of the sacred communication they shared whispered through her as she stood alone.

Fear me alone, and I will always protect you from evil.

I will never stop fearing you.

Need my truth alone, and I will always watch over you.

I will never stop needing you.

Listen to me, and I will always guide you.

I will listen.

Rose opened her eyes and stared at the empty basement, filled with new resolve. The end was near. So very near.

Chapter
Thirteen

MY STOMACH WAS IN KNOTS AS I KNOCKED ON THE front door of the Pierce home the next day. I watched over the three young Pierce children four days each week, a privilege for which I had always been deeply grateful. Rose had relieved me of my duties yesterday but said nothing more than that. So I’d come, hoping I wasn’t overstepping. But what if I was wrong?