The High Priestess of Shadows

Chapter 3

They were shackled together and forced into two wagons with about four knights in the back of both and more in front. The setting sun turned the sky a beautiful shade of pink that Lilly would admire if she wasn't too busy worrying about how to get them all out of this mess. The wagons rattled down the street making several turns that Lilly suspected were just meant to confuse them. After hours of driving they reached the edge of a forest and were forced outside.

"From here we walk," the man who had spoken to them earlier, Lilly assumed he was their leader, said. She looked at her friends faces, their

expressions ranged from fear to defiance. She put on her expressionless mask and followed her captors into the forest.

They walked down a well worn trail until the sun had completely disappeared from the sky and only a few rays of light could be seen. There were no animals out which was strange but Lilly was used to the silence after spending the past few days meditating on whether she should accept the title of High Priestess or not. She was beginning to doubt her decision though. Not even a day had passed and most of her Coven was dead and she was a prisoner.

Eventually they reached a huge building in a clearing. It was bigger than the Council building and at least four stories tall. "Welcome to the Center." the blond leader said from in front of them. "I don't expect that any if you will be leaving so enjoy being outside while you can."

They were hearded inside and down several flights of stairs. On the inside it looked like a traditional home of a wealthy person with a large entryway and plush carpets. There were paintings and tapestrys all over and the furniture was luxurious and looked new. Once they got to the lower levels it looked more like a dungeon with stone walls and dimly lit corridors. There were servants running about everywhere and they passed several heavy locked doors.

One by one they were unshackled and led into a cell. None of them tried to resist. This was the Knight's territory they wouldn't survive a fight in here.

Lilly was the last one to be put in a cell. The leader shoved her inside and chained her hands above her head. "I'll send someone in to question you first, High Prietess," he said mockingly bowing. "I hope you're comfortable until then." He walked out laughing and she heard the heavy lock click effectively sealing her in.

She waited until she was sure they were gone before attempting to pick the lock on her chains. They were smart enough to use iron to block her powers so she couldn't unlock herself but Jake had taught her to pick locks years ago she was trying to get free when she heard footsteps approaching her cell.

Lilly froze and made her body go limp like she was unconscious. She heard a key being inserted into the lock and them the door opened. "Lilly?" a familiar voice called.

"Sophie?" her eyes snapped open and looked at the blond girl in front of her. "What are you doing here? When you disappeared we all thought you were dead. What happened?"

"I got caught but I'm fine." Sophie said.

"If you're fine then why didn't you come home?" Lilly asked examining the other girl for injuries.

"I couldn't. They wouldn't let me and I didn't think I would be welcome at home. I spent so long living with the Knights I'm tainted," she looked ashamed, "I actually kind of like it here. You know my father is a Knight so he keeps me safe and I have a brother."

"Are you serious? Of course we would have welcomed you back," Lilly said.

"Sorry, but this is my home now and I'm not leaving. I might be able to help you get out though," she glanced around like she expected someone to appear from thin air. "I know some secret ways that probably won't be guarded. I know I can get you out."

"What about everyone else?"

"I can try to help them but I don't know how many of you can escape before they notice," she kept casting nervous glances at the door as she spoke and played with her long hair.

"Sophie, don't bother getting me out, I'll just get caught again. Get the others out," she said putting as much authority in her voice as she could.

"You're the High Priestess, I can't-"

Lilly cut her off, "That's why you have to get the rest of the Shadows out of here. They might let them go if they still have the High Priestess. If I stay the rest if them can be free."

"Someone's coming!" Sophie said. "I'll try. That's all I can promise." The door swung open and revealed a tall man with curly blond hair, and blue eyes. He looked like the leader she met earlier but younger and his features weren't as harsh. "Will, what are you doing here?" Sophie asked.

"Our father sent me to question the High Priestess. What are you doing here?"

Sophie's brown eyes widened slightly in fear. "I was just checking on the High Priestess. To make sure she couldn't escape."

"That's not your job," he said.

"I know but I had to see for myself. Now if you'll excuse me I have to leave now. Goodbye, brother." The door swung shut behind her leaving Lilly alone with the Knight, Will, who was apparently Sophie's brother and, she suspected, the leaders son.