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Paden held up a hand to help her cli in the direction of the house

"What’s going on? Where are you guys going?" Juliette hollered as everyone followed the on at the house!" Paden answered

Ree was irritated she wasn’t able toon roots and sticks Her breath was coasps, and the others looked like they were holding back for her sake

"Weylin, Bryce, go ahead and see what’s happening" Paden kept his spot next to Ree, and the other two boys flew ahead of the group

"Where’s Sophie?" Ree asked between breaths "Is she hurt? I think she’s in the house"

"Sophie had an appointuest must have arrived early" Roland didn’t look concerned in the least

"Guest?" Paden repeated, confused

"Yes, I believe the ’disturbance in the force’ was the guest’s arrival"

"You should save the Star Wars jokes for when Weylin is around," Ree snorted

Just through the plants of the last bend she could e of the stone path She came to a stop behind thelow in her chest was radiating out, and the others seemed to sense it because they moved out of her way She stepped forward to see what they were all staring at, but stopped in awe Soently, and she took a few more steps forward

The red-haired wo jeans tucked into tall, tan leather boots, a creareen silk scarf She looked like a model until you met her eyes There was so e to kneel under her gaze This wolow in Ree’s chest becaht that ran the length of her body The others stood where they were, unaffected, but in just as

"Alastriana, I would like to introduce you to Brigid" Roland bowed in the goddess’s direction and, tilting his head, he smiled at Ree

Chapter 20

Not sure what to do or what to say, Ree merely stared at the beautiful wo out and around her body, but there was no way to control it It was aloddess’s presence There was no reining in the energy, because she wasn’t the one directing it

The red-haired beauty walked toward the teenagers Her steps were purposeful and steady, with Sophie following behind her She stopped in front of Ree and s Ree for so deep into her eyes Gently she cupped her cheek and her srew She brushed soo,her attention to Paden Ree realized with a start that Paden was Brigid’s descendant, part of her faoddess’s eyes arm as she looked at him He watched her curiously; suddenly he sround Ree had the ioddess stepped back, looked over her shoulder at Sophie, and disappeared Just like that, she was gone

"Holy cow I need to sit down," Weylin said froroup

The power seelow in her chest She continued standing, but the others took seats on the benches and the edge of the water fountain

"She didn’t speak at all," Ree cooddesses often have motives we do not understand" Sophie put her arm over Ree’s shoulder "Don’t take it personally"

"Why did she come then? What did she need to tell you?" Ree asked She stepped away fros It really bothered her that the gods were asking for her to give up everything and yet couldn’t even speak to her

"There have been more deaths than usual, and she wanted to tell me in person Some of them were people I knew" Sophie said it all very casually, but Ree sensed the hurt under her words

"I’m sorry," Ree said She knew from experience how hard it was to lose people you cared about

"Who was it this tiainst the trunk of a tree

"The Sullivans" Sophie didn’t turn to look at hin It was like they were trying to keep soroup

"All of the in place andto do another run This ti to keep pace with Ree and try soroaned out loud, she couldn’t help it Her legs were already sore fro earlier Sophie smiled and handed her a water bottle "Hydrate, it will help with the craet"

"Why are we practicing running? Are we never going to fight these things?" Bryce had his arm in its usual spot, around Juliette

"The best offense is a good defense" Sophie sht yet So, we learn to run" Leaving noEveryone followed, Ree in the center of the group As they ran, Sophie had the sure to keep her in the middle Occasionally, she would order soap Ree tried to not think what it would really roup and focused on where she was putting her feet By the tiured they had run at least three s felt like rubber, and her chest hurt

"I think I’ over the sides She had long ago pulled her sweatshirt off and tied it around her waist Her hair was plastered to her head, and her heart was beating so hard she kneas going to bust out of her chest at any hed

"Stop being a big baby," Weylin said and threw so hu It’s unnatural," Ree retorted

"Huh, you’re right! I’ to save a ton of od, you are so gross, Weylin," Melanie punched hi the spot

"Watch it! That hurts, now," he whined

"That’s right, no h-fived Juliette "We ht just pick back!"

Ree sat up once her heart had slowed and drank the rest of her water Her stohed