The Dark Society

95

Paul couldn't fathom Harold Morgan's prophesied return, so he hoped to consolidate his power during the family's prolonged absence. More importantly, he and Leon also aimed to convert Jessica's daughter, knowing that Karen's disdain for Sabrina would prove beneficial to their cause.

However, if the sovereign returned, he would once again govern Saint Anthony's, leaving Paul's practice and his followers' futures uncertain. Yet, with the coven war looming, they believed they had found a workable solution.

Paul disliked soliciting Leon's help, but such a risky ritual made his assistance essential. Adding to that, Paul had also misled the congregation repeatedly and now sought to amend the covenant.

Meanwhile, Paul used his remaining authority to secure aid from several esteemed associates, confident he would eventually regain control. With this in mind, candles blazed as Harold's ledgers lay open on the pulpit. In all probability, Paul could perform the basic spells, but he hadn't yet mastered Harold's healing methods.

The strategies for preventing the coven's upheaval were progressing, and since the sisters were still adolescents, Paul retained an advantage--a certainty he counted on while devising his schemes.

Opening the first journal, Paul and Leon examined Harold's work and discovered that the merger durations and other essential instructions were missing. This would make enacting the magic challenging, leaving their probability of success uncertain. Despite this setback, they weren't deterred by the potential for failure.

Raina had constantly mocked Paul's authority, so he planned to end the coven's rebellion. This was another reason he studied Karen's abilities in preparation for the merger.

Guidelines existed for such invocations, but Paul remained confident in their success. Whatever the cost, a darkness that neither had imagined surged from within this seemingly naive girl.

"She's more powerful than I imagined," Paul declared, looking at Karen's sedated form.

Karen's resilience had grown over time with unusual vitality, making the task of merging their consciousness viable. Nevertheless, Leon had remained isolated while pondering the consequences.

"What about Alex?" Leon asked.

"He'll return to society with no memory of what happened," Paul answered.

Leon stepped into the light. "Luis will try to intervene."

Paul scowled. "Of that, I'm certain. However, when he does, she'll resist him."

Merging Karen's psyche with Nemesis was a gamble because their individual experiences conflicted. Though, with their kinsmen's fates in peril and the Morgans' inevitable return, they had to act.