ELIA
Elia's mouth dropped open.
The Creator stared back at her, smiling, waiting for her to speak. When she didn't, He stroked her hair.
"Who better to talk to about this than the one who gave you the purpose. I can share the burden, Elia. I can ease your heart—and especially your fear. You do not walk out of my hand, even when evil is near. You are never out of my hand. I see the evil near you far clearer than you."
She gaped at Him, but there was nothing within her to argue. As He opened his arms and she fell into his chest—even larger, warmer, and broader than Reth's—He stroked her hair and whispered, "This is a rest, just for a moment. Soon I will send you back and you'll have to face this. But I'm here to tell you, you can do this. I've given you everything you need to do this—and I will not leave you."
"But," she pulled back to meet his beautiful eyes, "the beast… the voices said—"
