The Dark Society

28

Tainted skies mirrored the afflictions of recent times, but the balance between light and dark remained constant. Anna sat in contemplation, admiring portraits of the many persecuted individuals she had defended from an unforgiving society.

Saint Ann's served as a sanctuary for vilified occultists, though Anna never expected the devil she had fled to resurface. Barring this in mind, she approached a bookcase and carefully selected a single photograph.

She had enriched Sam's life, and in return, had matured under the influence of the day witches, and become a source of strength the other depended upon.

However, Jennifer's decision to leave the sanctuary had rekindled a rage within Samantha that she could barely contain. Plus, the burden of keeping secrets weighed heavily, so once again she considered abandoning her vows.

Later that night, as the residents slept, Anna wrapped herself in a cloak and stepped into the courtyard. Time seemed frozen, just as it had on that fateful night seventeen years before--the night that forever changed Wicca culture. Even still, she remained composed despite her churning emotions and the deteriorating circumstances.

Anna searched the chapel thoroughly, examining each passageway. The dormitories were quiet while sporadic embers flickered, and an effigy of Christ cast shadows with her every step.

Suddenly, Anna gasped in horror as an inverted crucifix emerged from Jesus' brow. Terrified, she rushed toward the rear exit, but instead of grasping the handle, she turned back to stare at the altar.

"Impossible," she whispered, trembling.

From the shadows emerged the eerie silhouette of a long forgotten enigma. And though Anna doubted her eyes, she instantly recognized Harold Morgan. Yet, at first glance, he appeared stern and battered, but eager to inflict suffering. Nevertheless, Saint Anthony's dark sovereign had returned against all odds, his divine power now enslaved to darkness.

"You're alive," she stated.

"Surprised?" he muttered, drawing closer.

Anna tensed.

"I don't know where they are."

Harold cornered her between two massive stone pillars.

"We'll see."

When Anna awakened, she was greeted by fire, acrid smoke, and the sound of splintering timber as the remains of her sanctuary smoldered in the distance. Harold was gone, but tragically, so were Saint Ann's inhabitants.

Whether they had been killed or captured, she couldn't tell, but Katherine had been right--evil had consumed his soul. Anna trudged through the ruins, searching for two sacred torches, the key of eternal pathways, and a ledger of spells--relics essential to Sam's practice and the Goddess she embodied.

Before disappearing into the dawn, she surveyed the destruction, now certain that Katherine and her children were in grave danger.