The Dark Society

39

Alex regarded Karen's reflection as she readied for the day. Favorably, the past few weeks had introduced many heartfelt conversations. And with newfound insight, they sheltered away in a lavish estate on Osea Island.

"I'm surprised that you remembered this place,"

"How could I forget?" she replied.

Karen's smile meant everything to him, and after ages of ambiguity, they were together. However, Luis still occupied a place in her heart—a reality Alex had accepted. However, despite a complicated history, his continuous assistance had proved beneficial. (a characteristic she now understands.) All the same, their philosophical dialogue went on.

"You seem preoccupied," he observed.

She looked at him.

"Do I?"

He picked up a photograph of Trina, Jasmine, and Sabrina from the vanity while Karen sat fixated and watchful.

"What's on your mind?" she asked.

"How can someone be missing and no one knows anything?"

Alex felt unsettled but remained vigilant. Besides, he knew Trina and Jasmine well, so their continued absence troubled him. Karen, however, exhibited a more relaxed manner despite the circumstances.

"You're being melodramatic," she said.

He pulled back.

"I'm worried about you."

She smiled.

"Don't assume the worst until we know more. In the meantime, we have more important matters to handle."

Alex appeared disturbed by Karen's severed reply. Unfortunately, something was changing within her as her loyalty to the synagogue and the desire for control escalated. On a similar note, protecting Karen's well-being had proved challenging, but Alex had remained patient and supportive.

"Such as?" he asked.

Her eyes lifted, knowing that more was at stake than their relationship. With this in mind, she never mentioned the synagogue, regardless of the complex implications. All the same, Karen was always a woman of few words.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine."

Something was out of place, and Alex wasn't the only one who'd noticed. On the other hand, Karen's compulsion with being the best at everything remained a vast part of her nature. Nevertheless, there were rules that were expected to be followed. However, Karen's mother, Jessica, held a seat within the council of grand elders. An asset that Karen was using to her advantage.

"Forgive me, but your confidence is overwhelming, despite what we're facing."

Karen appeared agitated as her eyes squinted tighter with each step.

"The keywords in that statement are what we're facing." She replied. "Besides, you seem to forget that you and your family have as much to lose as mine."

Alex scowled.

"That's not fair."

Karen grinned.

"The truth never is."

Alex reflected on the account, but he knew Karen was right. Nevertheless, he'd again denounced her way of thinking, only to be negated. In a strange way, Karen was unknowingly priming him to be a powerful and shrewd leader. Still, chains of authority existed within the respective covens. And despite Karen's status, such a title had to be bestowed.

Meanwhile, Karen's infatuation with Sabrina continued, and she resolved to discover the truth. After all, the past winter festival remained a seeing event. First, Karen had unmistakably perceived Sabrina's ethereal aura, while her stake in Luis was unmistakable. Sadly, Karen was giving up emotional control and allowing her enmity to govern every action. However, there was something about Sabrina; something more evil than she could have ever imagined.

Karen's consciousness was being overcome by more than the obvious. For instance, Jessica had anesthetized Karen for years, afraid of what her daughter would become. Then, there was the Lady of Victories and Dena's sinister yearning for arbitrary rule. A probability that Dena didn't know Karen was mindful of. All the same, since Sabrina's arrival, Karen's priorities had varied. No longer did she appear troubled with the coven's preservation or security. After all, this was a stature that was better suited for Lesley and Sienna.

Speaking of which, Sienna and Lesley had paid related attention to the coven's inner operations. Meaning, Jessica's unceasing suppression of Karen's skills, together with Dena's growing appetites, hadn't gone unnoticed. For these reasons, they stand mindful of everyone's plans and long-term targets—including their own. Over and above, securing the coven was necessary, and the sisters hadn't forgotten that.