Jeremy's alive.
Ryan was relieved. Jeremy must have been with the brothers. If he's fine, they are fine.
He started toward Jeremy.
A voice cut through the courtyard. Loud and full of vigour.
"THE END TIMES ARE UPON US! THE OMENS HAVE SPOKEN!"
Ryan stopped.
Marcus stood on a small mound that elevated him above everyone in the grounds, his arms were raised to the sky. A small crowd had gathered around him—maybe a dozen people. Some standing and some kneeling.
Ryan's face drooped.
They're listening to him.
"THE BLOOD MOON! THE EARTHQUAKES! THE FIRE THAT CONSUMED THE CITY!" Marcus's voice rang out. "ALL OF IT WAS PROPHESIED! ALL OF IT FORETOLD!"
A woman in the crowd nodded. Murmured something Ryan couldn't hear.
"AND THE ARTIFACT!" Marcus shouted. "THE CURSED BRACELET! I TRIED TO DESTROY IT! I TRIED TO SAVE YOU ALL! BUT IT CALLS TO THE DARKNESS! IT FEEDS ON DEATH!"
Ryan's blood went cold.
He pushed through the crowd. Eleanor followed.
