Alex felt tormented knowing he betrayed Karen's trust by consulting the elders. Driven by guilt and desperation, he searched Karen's belongings, seeking a private journal. A ledger revealing Karen's recent thoughts and experiences. However, Jessica and Jordan soon arrived, furious and distraught.
"Where is she?" Jessica demanded, bursting through the door.
"Gone," Alex answered.
Jessica ran her fingers through her dark red hair and scowled.
"To the islands?"
Alex paused, realizing only Karen knew for certain.
"I suspect America, but she's... different now."
Jordan stepped closer.
"What do you mean?"
"By the elders admission," Alex clarified. "Karen invoked the spirit."
"That's impossible!" Jessica protested. "Besides, the ascension isn't complete."
Unbeknownst to anyone, Karen acquired specific spells to strengthen the spirit. With this discovery, Alex felt ashamed. He'd acted against their will and furthered Karen's diabolical cause. Likewise, Jessica's resentment intensified, knowing she bore equal responsibility. Regardless of blame, finding her daughter mattered most. And if memory served, she knew where to look.
"Stay out of this," Jessica insisted as she and Jordan prepared to leave. "We'll handle it."
"I've never understood any of this," Alex stated, "but I understand Karen."
Jessica glared at him.
"And if assumptions are correct," he continued, "and you intend to save her, you'll need this."
Alex unveiled a ruby satin case containing Karen's inherited gemstone.
"Where did you get that?" she demanded.
"That's not important," Alex replied, offering the ancient stone. "What matters is saving your daughter."
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...
