The Dark Society

53

Hazy blue skies accentuated the day, but neither the sublime weather nor the peaceful setting could ease Anna's burdens. Setting that aside, she had allocated time for a necessary meeting with Jennifer.

"Saint Ann's is no more," she confessed.

"How?" Jennifer questioned.

Anna leaned forward.

"Harold Morgan."

Jennifer stared, seemingly frightened.

"He's alive?"

"And angrier and more powerful than ever."

Jennifer shrugged helplessly.

"He's come for redemption."

Anna squinted.

"Have you found Sam?"

Moving to the counter, she scowled.

"Soon enough."

Anna's expression hardened.

"She needs to know."

Jennifer lamented while peering through the window.

"She'll visit Saint Anthony's first."

"And after?" Anna asked.

She glanced back.

"Then she'll reunite with Sabrina."

Anna's face darkened with grief.

"Like Samantha, she too will feel his presence."

Anna recalled Samantha's ambitions and vowed to shield Jennifer from Harold's renewed rage.

"Sam will come for this," she announced, unveiling a small tin.

The bond between her and a once-loving soul was suffering, so Anna revealed the only item that could provide clarity: Samantha's sacramental emerald.

"I can't believe you kept it!" Jennifer exclaimed, taking the gemstone.

Anna hesitated, remembering.

"When the time is right, it will call to her."

Jennifer observed the jewel intently.

"Furthermore, when--not if--Samantha discovers the truth, she'll feel betrayed," she continued.

"Expectedly."

Anna rose and approached the window.

"After Sam takes possession of this emerald, her ascension will be complete," she confirmed. "But if she confronts Harold first, she'll be powerless to resist."

It was an exchange they'd had many times, but a contingency she had lived with amid her pupils' continuous rebellion.

"Once that happens," Jennifer explained, "she'll stand with him regardless of what anyone does or says."

Anna's life had mirrored Sam and Sabrina's exactly, so the next notion felt inevitable.

"It's her destiny," she suggested, "and Sabrina's."

"Others are coming--you know that," Jennifer stated.

"Yes," she answered while clasping her hands. "However, it's not our place to intervene since it's a conflict to be settled among themselves."

"It's not Harold's fault," she admitted.

Anna offered shelter in her words.

"Of course not."

Jennifer scowled.

"I won't abandon Sam."

"I don't expect you to," Anna retorted. "Though before Harold's summons grows stronger, we must find her."

"What about Sabrina?"

She stepped closer.

"Julia has things under control, but unlike you, she doesn't know about Harold."

"Just the same, she'll sense his and Samantha's presence. They all will."

"In time," Anna replied.

"Sam will resist," Jennifer emphasized.

She nodded.

"Let's hope she's able to," she disclosed while gesturing toward the gemstone.

Sinister spirits had shadowed the sect since the beginning, initiating a conflict within the dark society. For this reason, Saint Anthony's, the Lady of Victories, and many other covens had begun to organize.

The mystery that had enveloped the past seventeen years remained unsolved. In consequence, ecclesiastics had arisen and a new order of shamans was destined to rule, preserving the delicate balance between the righteous and the wicked.