The Dark Society

108

Alex arrived at the Lady of Victories by daybreak eager to confront the cult. Tapers shone along each passage at first glance while the shutters and corridors were sealed. Not only that, many shelves of ancient volumes sat prominently in the foreground. Observing this, his heart raced knowing the sect also embodied Karen's abilities.

More importantly, Alex believed that they'd stand against him to protect the temple. With this mentality, he entered a place Karen described, but one he never thought to see: the main throne room.

Radiant sunlight illuminated the colorful stained-glass windows on the surface while full-length valances adorned every wall. Lastly, a vast collection of ancient relics filled several adjacent shelves.

Crafted from pure porcelain each depicted a particular goddess. A narrative Karen had also defined, but one Alex now understood. Without realizing it, he'd ventured into a world of the supernatural where imagination was fulfilled.

"We've been expecting you." Sienna whispered while stepping forth.

Alex looked instantly astonished as she and Lesley approached. However, as Dena neared she displayed a rage unlike anything he'd ever seen. She'd always been cordial and outgoing since childhood, but recently, she, like Karen desired absolute power. One way or another, he'd come seeking and expecting to find common ground.

"I need help." he pleaded.

Lesley retrieved a ledger, placed it on the desk and opened it.

"Come."

Alex loomed as Sienna and Dena observed.

"What's this?" he inquired.

"The spells required to perform an exorcism." Sienna explained while scouring the text.

"An exorcism...?" he questioned. "Do you mean to expel a demonic spirit?"

Alex's insight into magic was limited to his regret, so the sisters aimed to clarify hoping he'd understand.

"Yes..." Dena confessed. "Yet, once the spirit escapes the host dies."

In saying that, Alex appeared fearful knowing the situation. More significantly, he wasn't a practitioner -- nor knew what an exorcism was or the reasons for its use.

"Impossible, I can't believe it." He stated before turning to the door.

"The woman you love is gone, as is our sister...!" Dena shouted. "Forever merged with the soul of a demon!"

Alex turned, appearing angered.

"What...!?" he exclaimed. "How!?"

She advanced.

"Bishop Luen and Sovereign Steele."

Having said that, he pondered Karen's rivalry with the church and the animosity between them.

"What about them?"

"They used Sovereign Morgan's psalms to invoke the spirit of Nemesis..." Sienna conferred. "Although, the experiment failed and now Karen's condemned to death."

Alex scoffed and turned away.

"The truth isn't easy, but necessary..." she continued. "And you have to accept it before emotions dictate actions. Besides, if Karen follows through she'll be no match for the Morgans."

"Morgans...?" he questioned. "I thought they were a myth and Sabrina was an only child."

"No..." Lesley interjected. "She's the second generation and younger sister of elder Samantha Morgan."

Alex drew closer.

"She never spoke of a sister."

"Exactly..." Dena answered. "Because, for almost twenty years they were separated and due to their mother's magic neither remembered."

He again grew angered.

"What else?"

"Each represents a powerful coven..." Lesley proclaimed. "So, the conflicts between them were expected. But despite that, we didn't understand Sabrina's lineage nor exploit it in time."

"So?"

Sienna gravitated.

"Sad to say, Trina and Jasmine did and they were killed..." She avowed. "Now, Tatum Cotour and Lyndsey Graham have gone missing."

"You're certain?"

Dena scowled.

"No one's heard from them in weeks..." she declared. "And all attempts to contact them have failed."

Alex again felt shocked because he knew about Trina and Jasmine, but not Tatum and Lyndsey. Albeit, unlike Trina and Jasmine there wasn't any proof substantiating claims, so this time he silenced suspicions.

"Regardless, Karen's gone to America..." he told. "And if she intends to confront Sabrina I'll stop her."

Dena showed sympathy at the time, but knew he'd fail. Nevertheless, she pleaded with him one last time.

"It's beyond you and any efforts will prove futile."

Alex groaned.

"It's like she always told me: everyone has a destiny..." he stated. "And, if it's mine to save her then that's what I'll do because I made a promise and intend to keep it."

On that note, Lesley gathered a small container from behind the altar.

"What's this?" he asked.

"A rare emerald..." she answered after opening a box. "Every witch has one, and it holds the origin of a sorceress's vitality."

Alex admired the sister's gems.

"This was Karen's..." Sienna added while presenting the gem. "If you truly want to save her, place this stone around her neck."

"Can she be saved?"

"If placed by one of her own it's possible..." Dena testified. "However, such a revival has never succeeded, so I can't promise anything."

"One of her own?"

"Yes..." she verified. "Either Jessica or Jordan, no one else."

The sisters admired his dedication all along, but Alex wasn't one of them nor had their gifts. Nevertheless, he left the temple needing to find Karen's parents. In the end, the sect's future felt shadowed, so it became imperative for the coven to safeguard the church.

Meanwhile, Bishop Luen and Sovereign Steele had unknowingly exiled following Karen's invocation. (A ceremony, if discovered, held dire consequences). As a result, Dena had succeeded Luen and with that those once thought forgotten had returned.

"Everything's in order." Kyle reported.

Dena embraced him as Logan, Lesley, and Sienna gathered. As it stands, Karen's strength was unknown, but Jessica's influence was infamous. But still, the coven wars loomed and a conflict with Saint Anthony's was inevitable.