Sacrifice. Perfect, Miss Sophia said, giving her intricate knots a firm tag. You
planned all this. Luce realized, aghast. Miss Sophia grinned as sweetly as she had
the very first day luce had stumbled into the library. If would say it is nothing
personal, Lucinda, But actually, it is, she cackled. I have been waiting a long time
for this moment alone with you. Why? Luce asked, what do you want from me?
You, I just want eliminated, Miss Sophia said. Daniel I want freed up. She left luce
on the after and moved to a lectern near luce's feet. She hoisted the Grigori book
onto the lectern and began rapidly flipping through the pages. Luce thought back to
the moment shied opened it and seen her face next to Daniel’s for the first time.
How it had finally hit her that he was an angel. Shied known next to nothing then,
and yet shied felt certain that the photograph meant she and Danel could be
together. Now that felt impossible. You have just sitting there swooning over him,
aren't you? Miss Sophia asked, She smacked the book closed and banged her first
on its cover. This is precisely the problem. What's wrong with you? Luce strained
against the ropes binding her to the altar. What do you care about what Daniel and
I feel for each other, or who either one of us dates in the first place? This psycho
had nothing to do with them. I should like to have a word with whoever thought
putting the fate of all of our eternal souls in the hands of one lovesick pair of
infants was so brilliant an idea. She raised a shaking fist high in the air. They want
the balance to be tipped? I’ll show them tipping the balance. The point of her
dagger gleamed in the candlelight. Luce drew her eyes away from the blade.
You've crazy. If wanting to bring to a final head the longest, greatest battle ever
fought means I'm crazy to Miss Sophia’s tone implied that Luce was dense for not
knowing all this already to be it. The idea that Miss Sophia could have any say in
ending the battle didn't add up in Lucie's mind. Daniel was fighting the battle
outside. What was going on in beer couldn't compare to that, Regardless of
whether Miss Sophia had crossed over to the other side. They said it would be Hell
on earth. Luce whispered. The end of days. Miss Sophia started laughing. It would
seem that way to you now. Is it such a surprise that I'm one of the good guys,
Lucinda? If you're on the good side, luce spat, it doesn't sound like a war worth
fighting. Miss Sophia smiled, as if shied expected luce to say those very words.
Your death may be just the push Daniel needs. A little push in the right direction.
Luce squirmed on the altar. You to you wouldn't hurt me. Miss Sophia crossed
back toward her, and brought her face close. The artificial baby-powder old lady
scent filled Luce noise, making her gag. Of course I would, Miss Sophia said,
bobbing the wild silver fizz of her unkempt hair. you're the human equivalent of a
migraine. But I'll just come back. Daniel told me. Luce gulped. In seventeen years.