The Dark Society

111

Luis had spent most of the day with Sabrina's family as murky darkness settled over Cottonwood Falls. The gloom seemed symbolic of their troubled times, and everyone's thoughts dwelt on Samantha. Alas, she had left for Saint Anthony's determined to find her father--another impulsive decision with potentially dire consequences.

Meanwhile, everyone watched as Sabrina gravitated toward the famed oak tree, ready to unearth the canister.

"What's happening?" Luis asked as Julia caressed his face.

"She's ascending."

Sabrina had doubted her abilities from the beginning, but now she realized their importance. On a similar note, the reality of what she and Samantha would become was inescapable--they would be forever cursed to exist under an undeniable shroud of evil.

Yet there remained a human element and the possibility of eternal peace, a concept that had eluded her father and left her sister uncertain. Either way, the future she had imagined was no longer viable, and despite their mutual empathy, this was a world Luis didn't understand.

More than that, his love for Karen was something he would never relinquish, nor would she ask him to. Sabrina knelt, touched the blades of grass, and finally accepted her fate. But the looming abyss held surprises.

Sabrina stood and stared into the adjacent forest, knowing who hid within its shadows and why. Detective Stern had been relentless in his pursuit of the truth, so much so that he had traveled halfway around the world to find it.

"They're here," Luis announced, noting the subtle movements in the trees.

Tim seized his arm and glared. "Don't interfere."

Sabrina emerged from the shed with a rustic shovel and began excavating the canister. Watching her, Daniel recalled Marc's analogy about her potential and, as a precaution, restrained his men.

There was no evidence linking Sabrina to Trina and Jasmine's murders or Saint Anthony's cult, but he couldn't walk away without knowing for sure. Then again, Sabrina was a minor with rights under the law, and no matter how much Shultz and Landry pushed the issue, Daniel resisted.

Sabrina unfastened the lid, and a rush of dry air enveloped her face. The gemstone's radiance was everything she remembered, though the consequences of invoking its power far exceeded reality. Yet it was Katherine's inherited gift, and like Samantha before her, it was time.

"We need you," she whispered, thinking of her mother. "Please, come home."

Sabrina clasped the gemstone around her neck and collapsed. In a panic, everyone rushed from the house as Luis took her into his arms.

"What do we do?" he pleaded, brushing the hair from her eyes.

Julia's expression hardened. "Take her inside!"

Luis carried Sabrina into the house without a word as multiple agents surrounded the perimeter. Surprisingly, Daniel and Sean were reluctant to proceed.

"What are you doing?" Sergeant Schultz exclaimed. "She's right there--why are you waiting?"

Detective Landry scowled as Daniel's forces allowed Sabrina to escape, while Sergeant Schultz remained determined to apprehend her.

Tim and Julia had anticipated this moment, so they retreated indoors to prepare. They had never used their skills collectively in public, but no sacrifice was too great to save Sabrina.

Lifetimes of memories existed in various places, so Luis gathered several relics, intent on preserving the clan's heritage. Meanwhile, the commotion outside intensified as Schultz's squad advanced.

Witnessing this, Luis felt panicked as Sabrina rose and approached the window, seemingly unafraid. Forgetting the past would be difficult, but the family's survival was all that mattered.

Time and again, Julia had chronicled the horrors of Harold's affliction and the drastic measures Katherine had taken to end his rampage--defensible examples of what she had done to protect her children. This was why Sabrina had recognized Samantha's rage and resolved to stand with her sister. Now, she appreciated family even more and craved Samantha's presence in her life.

But, she also recognized that most of Luis's feelings had been provoked by Aphrodite--a part of life she couldn't disregard. Thus, any involvement had to end, and though it broke Sabrina's heart, there were others to consider.

At last, they moved into the altar room, where Luis dreaded the worst, knowing that Sabrina embodied her family's curse. Even so, he supported her cause regardless of the potential consequences. After, she drew close, conflicted but determined.

"Do you remember what I've always told you?" she asked.

Peering into her eyes, Luis sighed.