Book 2: Chapter 69
Heidi
“Lady Theophania was the one who asked my mate to do this sir.” Said John, putting a hand on my shoulder, helping me to bow with him.
“Forgive the boy Master. He is not within the circle; he knows not our ways.” Said Lady Theophania on hands and knees.
“Silence.” He snarled. Everyone except us dropped as low as they could, but for some reason I couldn’t move if I wanted to… “Continue John.” He gestured with a small wave of his hand and crossed his arms again.
“They said they tried summoning you, and begging your forgiveness, but you would not hear their pleas.” Said John.
“Oh, I heard them.” He growled a rumble you could feel in your soul…. I’d never seen him upset. I’d never felt his true aura… I wanted to vomit.
“Their children are born without ability Master. Many who summon a demon successfully have a high chance of being returned to you.” Said Hag’dahrraam. He stood with his hands behind his back as a soldier, proud and unafraid.
“It is because of these disobedient children that many of my vessels were born in other covens. All have been returned, save this one. Many lesser gods believe I have done this thing on purpose, and many lines have been eliminated by their own patrons because of their actions.” He motioned me. “Stand. Have audience with your god.” He commanded, and my body moved on its own.
“Um… I humbly ask you to remove the curse off this coven… they didn’t know High Crone Ezabi would do that… they didn’t know until today that she mistreated me… and I don’t blame them… My hope is that you forgive them.”
“Why should I?” He said with his arms still crossed. “Disobedient children get punished. They do not deserve my power if they wish to give it to those I have not chosen. They have directly gone against my wishes, and now they drag you into this again. It was bad enough you were forced to live there until I intervened.” He growled proper, and the torches flared to life.
I shook, but feeling John’s touch on my shoulder helped me compose myself. “…. I don’t think they’ll do it again…. They have been punished for close to two decades now…” I said quietly and he cracked the smallest smile.
“I suppose.” He scratched the base of his horns. He turned his attention to Lady Tiffany. “Speak.” He growled.
“Master I swear this will never happen again… I give my secrets to your chosen vessel as an offering….” She said still fully kneeled.
He scratched his chin. “She is too young to protect such knowledge; I reject it.” He said now looking at the table. It held his attention a long time, though his lips were pursed.
“Then please… accept our offering.” She looked desperately at the table, but he shook his head.
“Rejected.” He sneered.
“…Then I offer myself…” She mumbled, stuttering. His presence could be nearly tasted… but if it had a flavor, it would be dread.
“You, who broke my law. You and Hag’dahrraam will come with me. I will punish you for a short time, but you will walk this earth again.” He said firmly, and she offered no resistance. “Your next of kin will take your place, and I will bestow my blessings and protection upon this land once again.” He waved his hand. “Next black moon summon me, and I will restore you all.”
“Master may we give you another sacrifice instead?” I asked, and he looked at me with a gentle smile.
“Your innocence is refreshing, but no. I do not want those things. Sacrifice is not store bought cake or convenient mortals too stupid to see they were being lured into a trap. I accepted your treats last time because though they were not made by you, they were made from the heart. You gave it from the heart… and it pleased me to have light conversation with you. I have worship. I have power, praise, authority. I can strip this world down and remake this realm or create a new one entirely. It’s actually more taxing not to behave my true nature… I won’t for my mate’s sake…. It would break her heart. Your original summoning reminded me of those things, small vessel…. I do not like that you think you need to change either.” He said turning to the High Crone.
He shared no more words. He disappeared with them both body and all…. And there was a small shiver down my spine. It was silent a long time…. no tears, no talking, not even a hushed whisper.
“I, High Mother…. I Hellinia… I lay claim to High Crone…. Until mother returns… however and whoever she may be… My Master please be merciful… his realm is a place of punishment.” She whispered.
“He will be fair….” I mumbled.
“He has given you this time to reflect.” Said Rahrraam. “He will give what you are owed and not a stone more.”
“…Still… It is rushed, but we must complete the Wheel Turning… I offer no resistance to my elder sister’s claim.” Said Grenadinia. “Though now we have no maid… everyone else in our coven is powerless…. It’s why mother was so tired all the time. She emitted the barrier… Oh NO the barrier!” She yelled, and she ran up the stairs. We broke the circle, running after her. The door was stuck, but I think it was a magical protection…. It felt like Lady Theophania, but she was gone.
“Is that why Baba Maggi was trying to get in?” I asked, and they seemed to hesitate on telling me.
“The door is warded against demon intervention.” Said Rahrraam.
“She hated mother because she was a good witch. She came to these lands thinking we would teach her darkness… and we gave her nothing. She began eating witches… finding out that even though many of our coven don’t have powers, that it’s still the meat of a pureblood… there’s even more energy in those vessels because it’s never used…. And it changed her…” Said Hellinia.
“Well… I’m not going to be any use like this.” Said John. “Everyone stand back and keep the Omegas in here and three who can fight stay inside.” He commanded like an Alpha, but they were confused.
“The Omegas are the witches who can’t cast.” I clarified.
They moved and he shifted, barely fitting in the spiraled stairs, and I swear I saw a small red glow from his face, but his back was turned, so I would have to wait to inspect it. He pounded the door with a force that exploded it off its hinges, and the demons, Grenadinia, along with myself charged to fight the witch of the wood.
She looked like the witch you’d see on TV created by human imagination. Her hair was wispy, white and greasy… She was covered in warts with sagging gnarled hands that held claw like fingers…. This was no spell like when someone acted their station as a representative of age… this was how she looked. This was what happened to witches who ate other witches… my dear god.
“Such a fine stock Theophania has left behind. I felt her passing…. I hope you don’t mind joining her.” She cackled. Her voice was leathery… It sounded as if she was a heavy smoker. Her scent was off too. It was as if she had been dead a while.
John shifted so he could speak. “Begone, and no harm will come to you.” He snarled, and it echoed off the walls.
“Wolf I have no desire to tear the flesh from your bones. You will give me no nourishment.” She growled. “Leave the halfling though… she isn’t pure, but her flesh is magic enough.” She grinned.
He shifted, stepping in front of me growling, and the witches’ hands who could cast glowed a dull red. I thought of what the sisters told me, and I summoned all my might. I was determined to help my mate, and Babba Maggi laughed at us. Four large familiars walked into the room. They were animals. One was a bear, the other a giant owl, and the third was a snake. The demons worked together, lunging at the familiars taking their fight outside, but she still didn’t seem too impressed.
“This is all you have?” She cackled, and two other witches came through the front door. They looked as haggard as she did. “You may as well put yourselves on a platter for me.”
“I don’t think so.” Said John, shifting, and lunging at Babba Maggie, but she waved her hand, throwing the glass table at him. He barely dodged it, and glass exploded all over the wall behind us.
“When you ascend, you aren’t a witch any more… you’re a hag. I am the definition of High Crone power!” She threw a chair with her magic, and I felt like I did before I would make explosions, but I had to control it somehow. The other witches flung fire while others put it out with their magic. It left the walls burned but the house intact. I could also assume some of the wards were still in place…
John snarled in wolf language, lunging at her again managing to bite her before she backslapped him with a flaming hand. Thankfully he didn’t get burned, but the impact still hurt.
“I won’t let you summon whatever it is you’re doing!” She yelled, shooting lightning at me.
I heard John yelp, as he jumped in front of me, he stood there taking the brunt of it, and I snarled.
“I won’t let you kill my mate!” I screamed. I didn’t know where this rage came from… but I would use it.
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