The sisterhood gathered amid Paul's outlandish inquiries about the elders' lineage. On the flip side, the sovereign felt unnerved knowing Harold might've survived, but Paul was eager to see Sabrina regardless of the circumstances.
"What's wrong?" Rachelle whispered.
"I don't know..." Raina replied. "Something's different."
"Should we question it?" Denise inquired.
"No..." she professed. "Though, whatever it is it's serious."
Paul appeared displeased from the outset, so Raina discreetly solicited a retreat. Yet, by doing so she provoked a reaction.
"What's happening?" Denise whispered.
"Again, I'm not sure, so stay together."
The chapel thundered in moments with the echoes of revolving lock cylinders, then as a lone figure entered Michelle stood enthralled.
"Marc!" she exclaimed while embracing her brother.
Everyone felt unified despite Marc's recurrent absences from the coven. Even still, the bond with Michelle had strengthened, but she was yet to stand at her brother's side. This being the case, Paul pondered each interaction as he and Marc accessed the holy gardens.
"Raina didn't appear pleased." he stated.
"Of course not..." Paul answered. "After all, her control over Michelle and the others is weakening."
"Do you still suspect treachery?"
"I do..." the sovereign confessed. "And in light of that, Sabrina and Samantha will act against us."
Marc lamented.
"How do you know this?"
Paul paced while recalling Samantha's displaced anger.
"I felt the enmity and lack of recognition."
"An illusion?"
"I'm not sure, but like her sister she's difficult to read."
"So, what happened?"
"Sam's converting..." he explained. "But, I was surprised she didn't recognize the portrait."
Hearing this, Marc drew close.
"Are you positive she didn't?"
Paul stared.
"Nothing's conclusive..." he retorted. "However, the absences of acknowledgment are especially disturbing."
The likelihood of remembrance was implausible at the time, but it was clear that Samantha and Sabrina had obeyed the summons.
"What about Katherine and Julia?" Marc questioned.
Paul contemplated.
"They'll also heed the calling in time..." he insisted. "But, if they reunite everything changes."
"So, what do we do?"
"Find the day witches and end the connections..." he ordered. "Meanwhile, I'll tend to Raina and the others."
"There's something else..." Marc recalled. "Sabrina has identified Karen Solomon's rise within the London orthodoxy and garnered attention from authorities."
Paul sighed.
"Due to the missing girls?"
"Yes."
Settling on a nearby bench the sovereign groaned.
"It's of no consequence because I can no longer influence Sabrina..." he acknowledged. "Besides, she's completed the bonding ritual and has now embodied the coven's strengths."
"What about the emeralds?"
Paul arose, appearing determined.
"If Sam and Sabrina obtain the medallions their respective ascensions will be complete..." he declared. "That's something that we can't allow."
Marc approached.
"What do you need me to do?"
Paul agonized.
"First, find Jennifer..." he demanded. "The day witch that possesses Samantha's gemstone."
"And then?"
The sovereign glared.
"Do what's necessary to retrieve the stone."
YOU ARE READING
The Dark Society
Mystery / ThrillerA powerful family of occultists unexpectedly disappear and for the next twenty years they live within society like normal people. However, as the eldest daughter reaches her 18th birthday the curse of a forgotten bloodline returns, along with the me...
