CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The Coven delegation arrived three days later.
They came in a convoy of armoured vehicles—black, unmarked, humming with energy that made Olivia's teeth ache.
There were twelve of them, robed in deep purple, their faces hidden behind masks of carved wood.
Each mask was different: animals, plants, abstract shapes that seemed to move when viewed from the corner of the eye.
Their leader was called the Archon. She wore a mask of a phoenix, painted in gold and crimson, and moved with a grace that suggested she wasn't entirely human. Her voice was layered, like multiple people speaking in imperfect unison.
"Commander Sable. We come in peace, bearing knowledge and alliance."
"Archon." Sable's tone was carefully neutral. "Your people are welcome in Compound Seven, per our agreement. The Key of Echoes awaits your inspection."
The Archon's mask turned slowly, scanning the compound. Olivia felt those hidden eyes linger on her for a moment longer than everyone else.
"Interesting," the Archon murmured. "A small warrior in a large war."
"She's one of our best," Lucas said, stepping forward.
"Is she?" The Archon's voice carried something—amusement? Recognition? "We shall see."
The inspection of the Key took hours. The Covens set up a ritual space in the armoury, drawing symbols in chalk that Olivia couldn't read, burning incense that smelled of graves and gardens. They chanted in a language that seemed to bypass her ears and resonate directly in her bones.
Lucas was present, as the Key's resonant partner. He stood at the centre of their circle, rigid, his eyes closed, while the Covens probed his connection to the artifact.
Olivia watched from the doorway, her hand on her new spear—standard issue, less beautiful than her broken one but just as deadly. She didn't trust the Covens. She didn't trust their masks, their voices, their absolute certainty that they knew what was best.
"You're worried," said a voice beside her.
She turned. One of the Coven members had approached silently—a shorter figure in a mask of a fox, painted white with red details.
"He's my partner," Olivia said. "I'm always worried."
"Partner. Not lover?"
"Both. Neither. It's complicated."
The fox-masked figure laughed—a young woman's laugh, bright and unexpected. "I like you. Most people fear us too much to be honest."
"Should I fear you?"
"Probably. But not today." The woman leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"Your Lucas is strong. Stronger than he knows.
The Key recognizes something in him—ancient blood, old power.
But the Archon isn't telling everything.
The Key doesn't just open doors. It also...
connects. To minds. To memories. To things that want in. "
"What things?"
"The things that broke the Veil. They're not random, little warrior. They're organized. Led. And they're looking for vessels. For ways to anchor themselves in your world."
Olivia's blood ran cold. "You think they're using Lucas."
"I think they're using everyone. The Vanguard.
The Covens. The survivors. This war is older than you know, and the real enemy has been planning it for eons.
" The fox-masked woman straightened. "My name is Vesper.
If you need truth, find me. The Archon speaks for the Coven's interests. I speak for... other things."
She walked away, rejoining the ritual before Olivia could ask more questions.
The ritual ended an hour later. Lucas collapsed, caught by Sable before he hit the floor. The Archon pronounced the connection "viable" and the Key "operational within the week."
Olivia rushed to Lucas's side. His eyes were open but unfocused, his skin clammy.
"Lucas? Lucas, look at me."
"Olivia?" His voice was slurred. "I saw... I saw things. Cities in the sky. Creatures with a thousand eyes. And something else. Something that knew my name."
"It's okay. You're here. You're safe."
"It said... it said I was chosen. That my blood was the key to everything." His eyes focused on her, suddenly desperate. "Olivia, I don't want to be chosen. I just want to protect you."
"Then we'll figure this out together." She helped him sit up, holding him close. "No more rituals alone. If they need you, I'm there. Every time."
Sable watched them with an expression Olivia couldn't read. "The mission is scheduled for seven days. We'll use the Key to open a pathway to the Veil's origin realm. A small team. Lucas to operate the Key. Guards to protect him. And—" She paused. "—you, Thornwood. If you're willing."
"I'm willing."
"You don't know what you're agreeing to."
"I never do. I just say yes and figure it out later." Olivia helped Lucas to his feet. "When do we leave?"
"Seven days. Train hard. Rest when you can." Sable turned to leave, then stopped. "And Thornwood? The Archon was right. You are interesting. I hope you survive long enough to show me why."