The Dark Society

92

                                                                              June 24th, 2007

A day that changed many lives and vanquished an ancestry--an unforeseen calamity thought forgotten until now. In the years since, Harold and Katherine's fates have remained unknown, but with Sabrina and Samantha's inevitable reunion, the mystery will finally end.

Meanwhile, Anna and Julia had been chosen to preserve the children's identities, but following the infiltration and subsequent destruction of Saint Ann's, Harold discovered the truth.

It was an inevitable tragedy that neither the witches nor Katherine could prevent. Even so, Sabrina and Samantha remain hidden amid the threats of their father's return.

Given this danger, Tim believed that unveiling the truth of the family's legacy would be overwhelming, despite Sabrina's eagerness to know. Drawing on years of secrecy, Julia prepared to unveil the intricate narratives of a dynasty afflicted by an irreparable curse.

"I recognize this," Sabrina whispered while observing a copy of a familiar portrait.

Julia seized her wrist and pointed to the page.

"Katherine and Harold Morgan--your natural parents," she admitted. "And their children: Samantha, and her younger sister, Sabrina."

Sabrina stood and recoiled.

"She left this," she revealed, presenting a statuette of Hecate. "First at Saint Anthony's, then again in this house."

Grasping the sculpture, Julia was instantly overcome with trepidation and swiftly discarded the figurine.

"A strong and undeniable aura," she declared. "Much like your father's."

Sabrina's anger flared as she realized that Tim and Julia weren't her biological parents. So, she looked upon them with vacant eyes, as though she no longer existed.

"Like Samantha, you're an elder of Saint Anthony's," Julia confessed. "Except, due to your father's choices, our family and coven are divided."

"I can't believe this!" Sabrina exclaimed. "What happened?"

Julia hesitated.

"Due to the dark spiritual influences that pervaded Saint Anthony's, Harold aimed to rebaptize your mother."

Sabrina's eyes widened.

"But as one might expect, she resisted, and he pursued you and Samantha."

"Then what?"

"Katherine learned of this and retaliated. Then, she took her daughters and fled Strong City."

"Does Sam know?" Sabrina questioned.

"Like you, she has no memory of any of this due to Katherine's intervention," Julia answered. "Though with Jennifer's guidance, she's found her way."

Sabrina had always suspected Jennifer's connection to Samantha, so the admission wasn't surprising.

"Jennifer recognized our mark on the plane and knew I was a witch. How?"

Julia shifted uncomfortably.

"Like Anna, she's a day witch and guardian of tormented souls," she explained. "Not only that, but as you now know, she and Samantha have been linked for years. Ergo, when Jennifer noticed the mark, it was obvious she'd recognize the inscription."

"This is impossible!" Sabrina protested. "This can't be happening!"

"Sabrina," Julia countered, "Jennifer knew beforehand that you were Sam's sister! That's exactly why she did what was necessary to bring you together!"

Hearing the truth was unnerving, but it justified everything she'd experienced so far.

"Why did Samantha tour Saint Anthony's?"

Julia's gaze grew distant.

"For the same reason you did--Harold's beckoning. Secondly, Paul knows your true identities and wants to invoke the family's power."

Something unique had existed within Sabrina and Sam since childhood--something others had failed to grasp. Whatever the cost, they'd be reunited, and Sabrina intended to save her sister.

"Regardless, I have to bring Samantha home," Sabrina insisted. "She's my sister and needs her family."

Julia offered a sad smile.

"That's not a good idea."

Sabrina's face fell.

"I won't leave her wandering the world alone."

"Sabrina," Julia pleaded, "if you're together, it'll be effortless for Harold to find you. Plus, you could risk her life as well as your own."

Sabrina considered this.

"I never knew if I was destined for something greater--but I do now."

"What about Luis?" Julia asked. "He needs to know the truth because Harold will exploit every advantage."

Sabrina shivered, but Julia was right--he wasn't one of them and never would be. Moreover, their relationship was complicated regardless of their mutual understanding. As for the rest, Sabrina remained curious though she continued to doubt the reality of it all.

"Can Harold's soul be redeemed?" she asked.

"If Saint Anthony's falls, his curse will be lifted," Julia revealed.

"And the coven?"

"They'll stand with you," she stated, "even despite the spiritual entanglements."

Sabrina's gaze lifted.

"It's already begun."

Julia turned sharply.

"What do you mean?"

Sabrina stared into the distance.

"A temple in London--the Lady of Victories. Governed by an Archbishop and fortified with a vast consortium of powerful witches."

"My God," Julia murmured.

Sabrina suddenly recalled several past encounters.

"I didn't understand what Paul meant by 'a war of the ages,'" she admitted. "But one girl always stood out among her peers--Karen Solomon."

"What about her?"

"The closer Luis and I became, the more interested she grew," Sabrina explained. "She suspected what I was, so there's considerable animosity there."

"Were she and Luis involved?"

"At one time," Sabrina added. "And though their relationship ended long before I arrived, she resented our connection."

Julia relaxed slightly and fell into thought.

"What is it?" Sabrina probed.

"Harold's psalms describe the rise of an eastern coalition," she disclosed. "A prophecy Katherine and I believe in."

Sabrina tensed.

"What's at the mortuary?"

Julia paused.

"After your mother's exile, she staged everyone's deaths and erected a burial plot within the Abbey at Forest Hill. To this day, she isn't sure if your father survived, but she wanted him to believe the family perished."

"He and Samantha will go there," Sabrina concluded.

"I assume so," Julia confirmed. "They'll want to see the crypt for themselves."

Sabrina's emotions threatened to overwhelm her.

"I don't know what to believe," she confessed. "I've experienced so much, but I never thought I'd discover this."

Luis returned just as Sabrina moved toward the door.

"Where are you going?" he pleaded.

"To find my sister."

He sighed and looked to Julia for answers.

"What sister?"