My heart started to race. “Elias?”

“Don’t be afraid,” the voice said softly. “I’m here.”

Tears burned in my eyes. “No… no, you’re gone. I saw you die.”

“Death isn’t always the end,” he whispered. “Sometimes it’s a doorway.”

I shook my head, holding the ring tighter. “This isn’t real.”

But the feeling deepened, spreading up my arm, into my chest. My breath hitched.

“Rory, listen to me,” Elias said. “You were never meant to bear ...