Chapter 22 : Run While You Can, Mr Witch-Hunter

The world swims back into focus like I'm emerging from murky water; sounds first, muffled and distant, then sharp pain in my throat, and finally my vision clearing to reveal Jay's worried face hovering over mine.

"Olivia! Can you hear me?" His voice cracks with panic, his hands cradling my head.

I jolt upright, gasping as memories flood back - Ephraim's fingers crushing my windpipe, the sanctuary under attack, Evelyn appearing from nowhere. The sudden movement sends sparks of pain shooting through my skull, but I push through it, scanning our surroundings.

"Where is he?" I rasp, my voice barely recognizable.

"Still here," comes a voice that makes my blood run cold.

I turn to see Ephraim standing twenty feet away, looking considerably worse for wear than when I last saw him. His immaculate coat is torn and singed at the edges, a thin line of red tracing from his temple down his cheek.