Distorted Affliction

Chapter Twenty

I was starting to see a recurring theme in my life, waking up in strange places. It was also becoming routine that I would never really get the recovery I needed, but part of me was getting used to that. While my body wasn't completely healed, the majority of my wounds were mending on track, and even though it still made me light headed to stand too quickly, there didn't seem to be any time to waste. We had the upper hand once more, something that we were quickly losing with every passing moment, and we needed a substantial plan to ensure Lazarus didn't catch up in the time it took us to recoup.

I hadn't gone into too much detail about the events after my capture with anyone, Sin included, though it seemed to be clear that he understood all too well. He held a ferocity in his gaze, a deep displeasure that told me whatever he was planning to do with Lazarus was personal. Only he and Vanessa, a sister from my coven, had seen the extent of the wounds when they found me in the woods, though neither seemed willing to speak about them.

Lucas was missing, though no one seemed willing to speak about that either, at least not to me. When asked, the tension in the room seemed to grow, and a knot formed in the pit of my stomach at the idea that something bad had happened to him. I felt guilty knowing that he was only in this mess because of me, despite whatever kind words he had wanted to give me before about being willing to help at whatever cost.

I was dying to ask Sin about Demidicus, though there didn't seem to be much time between the frantic circles everyone was doing. Part of my coven was still in hiding, a new safe house further away from where Lazarus and his Mouri were posted, and the idea frustrated me endlessly. It seemed like every time I thought I would be reunited with Silas, the witches decided it wasn't a good time, and I did my best to maintain a neutral attitude about it. I knew that he would be in danger until Lazarus was no longer a threat, but I had missed out on months of important development in his life, and I wanted the comfort of seeing him once more.

"The biggest problem," Cyrene was saying when I slipped into the small living room of the apartment we were hiding out in. "Is that we just don't have the numbers to fight him alone. Our coven is divided; half of our magic is going to protect Silas, and the other half to fight Lazarus. From what August described, his army is already too large to fight head on. We'd be overpowered in an instant."

"There's another coven in Wyoming," Vanessa offered, her sharp green eyes narrowing in thought. "Outside of Sheridan if I remember correctly. It might not be the numbers we need, but any reinforcement is welcome at this point."

I remained silent, allowing the others to discuss a course of action. There were only four of us in the room, but every one of my companions held the fire of war inside of them. They understood the risks, they knew what needed to be done, and they all seemed willing to lay their lives on the line to protect our world. Even beyond protecting Silas, if Lazarus got his hands on the ability to create Mouri at will and destroy our magic, it was only the start to what would ultimately be the end of times for every creature walking the earth.

Leaning against the wall, I glanced out the small window to my right where the sun was gleaming off the windshields of passing cars along the busy street. I thought back to what Demidicus had said, that this was about Lazarus being better than his big brother, about proving himself. What lengths would he go to? Spite, I had learned, led people to do unspeakable things. Once he destroyed our magic, it wouldn't end there. He would create an army, a legion of Mouri, and they would need to feed.

Mouri were notoriously hard to manage, their ego and pride leading them instead of their ability to survive. Lazarus wouldn't be able to maintain an army that size, even if he held status among them. Eventually, they would get exhausted with being held back, and they would more than likely overpower him. By that point, there would be too many for even the witches to stop. We had to stop him well before he got to that point.