The Warlock (BxB)

Chapter 56

Logain didn't know what he was expecting, leaving late at night in search of the clergyman. He wandered around the streets for any sign of him until he reached the church. The warlock stopped before he got too close to the chapel. Knowing that Meredith could be inside made him hesitate. Logain had never been scared of anyone in his life, but the High Priestess terrified him. The thought of death lingered in his mind. This was the first time in his life that he was ever afraid of dying. It never seemed like a possibility until now.

The warlock could feel the divine energy radiating off the church even though he kept his distance. The divinity was strong, but it was unlike Casimir's. He felt the divine light, but there was something else, something darker. If he had to guess, that dark feeling was coming from Meredith. He didn't feel this energy when he met her before, but now that he was near her domain, the presence was strong.

He didn't notice the person approaching him from behind until they put a hand on his shoulder. Logain quickly whipped around, ready to defend himself against whoever grabbed him. He raised a hand to cast one of his spells to force them away from him, but stopped when he saw the young man with long white hair. Amaris still had his hair tied up and was wearing the same clothes as before. Logain didn't know what he had been up to since they separated, but it appeared he never went back to the church.

When Amaris noticed that Logain was prepared to cast a spell, he scoffed. "Do you attack anyone who touches you, or is it just because it's me?"

Logain glared back at him. "How was I supposed to know that it was you? Instead of touching me and taking me by surprise, you could have called my name to get my attention."

"You're a warlock, you should be able to sense my divine magic." Amaris sighed, then glanced at the church. "But I guess Meredith blocked you out. Anyway, I assume you were searching for me. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come here alone."

"How very astute of you to realize. I was looking for you because I know you're the only person who will allow me to help out. Casimir and Tristan are too worried about me, but I need to do something to make a difference. If I don't and I wait for you guys to figure it out, then I will only risk putting myself in danger. So, let me help you. Whatever plan you have, we can do it together," the warlock suggested firmly.

However, Amaris was quick to reject him. "No. If I let you help and something happens to you, then Casimir will never forgive me. I don't want to do anything to upset him."

"I don't want to hurt him either, but I also don't want to sit around and wait for the rest of you to save me. I want to fight back, and you can't deny that having me on your side would be beneficial to you. You and I can face her right now. We both have magic, so let's work together to defeat her," Logain said, not willing to back down. He wasn't the type of person who relied on others to protect him. Besides, without his help, how did they plan on getting the ring from the High Priestess?

Amaris didn't say anything at first as he stared Logain down. The warlock was right. He couldn't deny that having Logain on his side would be helpful, but he also thought about Casimir. The prince would be heartbroken if Logain died, and it would be his fault for allowing him to help. Amaris still cared about Casimir. He didn't want to be the reason his heart shattered. That meant that no matter what, he also needed to keep Logain safe. Yet, when he looked Logain in the eyes, he knew the warlock had no intention of backing down. If Amaris didn't accept his help, then Logain would most likely go into the church by himself. He couldn't allow that to happen.

Eventually, Amaris let out a sigh. "You're stubborn. Fine. Come with me right now, but if there's even a slight sign that Meredith has the upper hand, then we're leaving."

"Wait, we're going right now?" Logain might have wanted to face the High Priestess, but he wasn't expecting Amaris to accept his help right away without coming up with a plan first.

The clergyman was firm as he answered, "Every night at this time, Meredith prays in the chapel by herself. This will be the best time for us to take her off guard."

"But what about the dark energy I feel? There's something else inside with her." The dark force Logain felt was still there. He could feel Meredith, but there was something else that made his skin crawl.

"I know. I can feel it, too, but I can also assure you that she is alone. Whatever that dark energy is, it's something that doesn't belong in this world. Meredith is barely hanging onto it, but this is something that happens every night in the church," Amaris explained.

"Why, though? What's happening in there?" It didn't make sense. Meredith hated warlocks and witches for their use of dark magic, and yet, she was going against everything she believed in.

The clergyman shrugged. "It has to do with her curse. The High Priestess has been doing whatever she can to remove the curse, even if that means resorting to practices that she isn't fond of. If the royal family ever finds out about this, then she could be thrown in prison. The magic she is practicing is much darker than anything a warlock or witch could ever perform."

Hearing that made a shudder run down Logain's spine. If the warlock wanted to, his magic could cause a lot of harm. Maira's corruption was only a small example of what a magic user was capable of. He dreaded what Meredith was up to if Amaris claimed that what she was doing was much worse. After being alive for over two hundred years, he saw many things he wished he hadn't.

To his surprise, Amaris reached out and took his hand. Logain had to stop himself from pulling away from the clergyman, and he was stunned even more when he felt Amaris' energy radiating through him. His divine energy was nowhere near as strong as Casimir's, but it was powerful enough to make Logain feel as though he had control of his magic. Amaris couldn't have known about Logain's ailment.

"It's to keep you safe. I know you have magic, but my divinity will help protect you from whatever is waiting inside. If you're ready, then let's go." Amaris let go of Logain, then led the way to the church.

Logain didn't hesitate to follow him. It was now or never, and he was ready to face whatever was waiting for them inside.