Uncovered

Chapter Two:

(Benajmin's POV)

I paced the sanctuary walls, waiting for someone to show up. Energy pulsed everywhere around me. The kids were hidden.

"Ben, my hands got burned pretty bad. Thank you for getting Jeremiah and everyone. I owe you a lot," Anne's voice echoed through my mind.

"No, you don't owe me anything. How long until your magick is back?"

"Probably a few months. Kimberly is concerned that I won't be able to cast properly."

Her sadness became my own heartache. I focused, making the shield stronger.

"We'll figure something out. I'll start thinking about techniques that could work."

"Come see me once Kimberly is done with my hands."

My head throbbed painfully. Anne got hurt because of me. I shouldn't have come back. Now the other covens had bloodlust for all of us. The shield bubbled as Jeremiah led everyone back. They were grouped around Anne, hiding her from sight. Kimberly nodded her thanks to me before going inside.

"Benjamin, can we talk?" Jeremiah stopped a few feet away.

"Always. What's on your mind?"

"She would've died if you didn't get us. You were my best friend before everything happened. I'm glad you're home," Jeremiah admit quietly.

"It's good being back. I never meant for any of this to happen though," I moved my hands, checking the shield.

Jeremiah added his magic. We moved slowly, letting our energy fuse and grow stronger. Our home needed all the protection it could get now. The other covens would come soon.

"We're going to be fine. This coven has dealt with much worse. You remember the Great War, don't you?" Jeremiah gazed into the trees.

I nodded, "Too much power was lost back then."

"It's not just about power. Our people were killed, even the children. The others will most likely ally against us. They won't succeed," he held my wrist now.

His touch brought back memories.

We were crouching in the crevice. Julie's gold armor glittered as she paced. I was slumped against a boulder, one of the healers were tending to my shoulder.

"Can you move your arm?" she demanded.

"It'll move enough for this fight."

"Don't be an idiot."

I smiled, knowing how bad today could end up being. The healer went over to Julie. They spoke quietly, making sure no one could hear anything. I watched Julie's energy flare. Rocks fell from above our encampment. I flinched as sharp stone cut into my hands.

"Everyone move back. They know we're here. Benjamin, are you alright?" Julie's eyes locked with mine.

"I'm fine. I'm taking Jeremiah and paying them a visit," I went over to the other warlock.

He was a lot younger than me. His eyes weren't haunted by his past yet. I pitied him. Jeremiah would lose that innocence soon enough, if not by tonight. My hands shook as I adjusted my leather armor. Julie perched herself a few feet away, her energy pulsing and flaring with worry. I smiled at her assuredly. Jeremiah was like a son to her.

"I won't let anything happen to him, sweetheart," I kissed her forehead.

Turning on my heel, I signaled for Jeremiah to follow. We quickly scaled the rock walls, groaning and moaning as our body weight slowed us down. Sweat dripped down my arms by the time we reached the top.

Open fields surrounded us. Jeremiah helped pull me onto solid ground. I appreciated him. We quickly threw up a shield, drawing strength from each other's aura. No movement from the trees. It was as if we were the only ones here.

"Someone was just up here. Where'd they go?" Jeremiah synced his steps with mine.

I closed my eyes; the field appeared again, this time hot energy showed. I hurled two fireballs. A body hit the ground with a heavy thud. I grinned, watching the enemy appear one by one. They specialized in camouflaging themselves into the surroundings. We stepped together, our hands growing warm as we threw fire after fireball. More people fell. Some tried countering but our shields were too strong.

"How long can they fight for?" Jeremiah struggled to catch his breath.

"I don't know, brother. Can you rely on yourself without a shield? We need as much energy as possible. Their reinforcements are coming from another field," I gestured to the left.

"I'll be fine. Drop shields in five seconds. Witches are on the ridge behind us."

"Heard."

Our shields dissipated moments later. Arrows whizzed overhead. My gaze blurred as I ran, hurling any magick I could. My knife was in my hand before I knew it. I tackled an archer. His head smacked against the ground as I dragged the blade across his throat. Blood sprayed on my cold arms.

"Retreat!" Jeremiah ran past me.

I followed, throwing a shield up and praying we'd both make it back alive. My arms were covered in scarlet, defining my muscles even more. The ground suddenly disappeared from beneath me. Jeremiah gripped my arm, keeping me from falling to death.

"Thanks, brother," I grappled the closest rock.

"Always. Let's get down to the others. Julie needs us."

He started the long climb, pointing out safe footholds for me. I couldn't focus my gaze. My eyes were burning. More blood ran from my forehead. I didn't remember getting hit. We came back to Julie's lifeless body; her eyes open and frozen, with arrows in her neck. I couldn't breathe. Three other warlocks were dead. I gently pulled the arrows from the witch's body, trying not to cry. I said nothing while closing her eyes a final time. Jeremiah stood protectively at my side.

"You're the coven's leader now," I handed him Julie's necklace.

"No. I can't. These people listen to you, not me," Jeremiah argued quietly.

"Give them a reason to listen then. Julie told me months ago to appoint you if anything happened. Please, stop dishonoring her."

His face paled despite the cold air. I handed him my wife's gold and emerald necklace. Night would be among us soon. I sat with Julie's body, mourning the loss of my best friend. I knew the others would be buried here. We wouldn't be able to bring their bodies to the temple.

Jeremiah's shield glowed around us. I wiped my eyes, unaware I'd been crying. We were still in the forest, protecting our people. I shook my head, trying to ease my heartache. Jeremiah looked at me. The innocence in his eyes was still there, after all these years. I was impressed by his strength.

"I'm sorry," I said quietly after a while.

"It's okay, Ben. I miss her, too. She was like a mother to me. Go inside and get some rest. Check on Anne, too, please," he looked away.

I dropped my shield without arguing and went inside.