36. Chapter Thirty-Six #2
Syrelle looked over at the seer briefly before her eyes returned to Greya, reluctant acquiescence on her face. She took several steps forward and reached out, taking the box with the amulet from Greya’s hands. “Mel has told me all about the unbinding, and the part you played in it.”
Greya steeled herself for retribution—for anger. For one Coven to do this without the knowledge or blessing of the other two was a violation—just as Northe had said. But it never came. Instead, her tone was filled with begrudging respect.
“Occidens has wanted it broken for centuries,” Syrelle said as she studied the amulet, then closed the lid on it. “And while I do not condone the spell being done behind our backs, I know that the way that it occurred was inevitable, given that Mel had seen it that way.”
Okay, so far, this was going better than she’d hoped. Maybe there was a path forward here for an alliance shift.
“Thank you for your understanding, Syrelle.” This was certainly not what she’d planned—she’d wanted to present herself, formally, to Syrelle tomorrow—not be discovered in the dead of night like a bandit.
But this was what she had to work with, so she decided to do her best. “Please, can we sit? Now that I have shown you we are here in good faith, I have something else of grave importance to discuss with you.”
Syrelle looked at her suspiciously, no doubt assessing her with her Knowing, before nodding to the others. She and the rest of the witches came around the fire, joining them in its chaotic light.
“Say what you must,” Syrelle offered. “I will at least hear it before I decide how to proceed.”
Greya took a deep breath, then she began. “As you know, the bond to Iblis has been broken, and as such, there is a shift in the relations between witches and daemons.”
Syrelle nodded. “Yes, we have not been immune to the increased activity by daemons. It seems almost reckless, the way they interfere without retribution.”
“I agree,” Greya conceded. “But, in working with daemons to break the bond, as was Gaia’s will, it has become apparent that not all daemons wish for relations to be this way. Some want something different. And I’ve brought one here to tell you himself.”
Greya looked over at Steig, who had been dead silent as he watched them converse.
The witches around them murmured, but they didn’t seem scared like Northe had. Occidens had always had a different perspective on daemons.
Greya made eye contact with him, and nodded. They would take a different tack this time—let Steig explain in his own words.
“It’s true,” he said, drawing Syrelle’s and the others’ attention to him.
“Now that we have access to Gaia, there are many in the Underworld who want a choice about whom we serve and when, like me and the other two daemons who assisted in retrieving the amulet—apologies for that, by the way,” he added as an afterthought, not seeming very sorry at all.
“Our king, however, operates solely on vendettas against Gaia and the witches for what was done to our people. There is no hope for better relations until he is removed from the throne, and replaced with a more…witch-friendly daemon.”
Syrelle’s eyebrows raised. “And you have a certain daemon in mind for this coup, do you?”
This was tricky. Greya had no way to know what Ty was thinking, but Steig seemed to think he was the obvious choice so…she went with her gut.
“Yes, they do. Ty, the son of an Occidens witch, and half-daemon, would be installed as the new King of the Underworld,” she offered.
Syrelle raised her finger, correcting her. “Former Occidens witch, I think you mean. She was banished for her allegiances with daemons.”
“Yes, true,” Greya admitted. “But still, Ty is half witch, and married to one as well. He holds sympathy for our kind, and with him as king, new agreements can be made between our peoples. Agreements for trade, and peace. Together, we can start a new era for witches and daemons.”
Syrelle was quiet for a moment as she absorbed this information. “It sounds ideal,” she conceded. “But what do you need Occidens for?”
“Support, both political, and…logistical, if need be,” Greya said, dancing around the worst of what could be required.
“Witches do not condone violence,” Syrelle said, reading through the lines. “Not unless we, or our livelihoods, are under attack. You know this.”
“I would not ask Occidens witches to fight, nor Auster or Aquilo. Merely to support the change of power, and join us in discussions when it is time to show the Underworld what a new world could look like.”
Syrelle was quiet as she contemplated this, then silently, she looked over at Mel. “What have you seen of this, Mel?” she asked the seer.
“I’m afraid I’ve seen nothing,” Mel said. “I do not know how this will go.”
Syrelle was quiet once more, before she spoke again.
“It was never meant to be this way, I believe that. Witches and daemons are two sides of the same card, and it is only because of what witches did that we were forced to shun daemons in the first place. So I am…open to a new way, and I believe my Coven will be as well.”
Greya smiled, despite herself, feeling all at once like an alliance had shifted between the two Covens. The rivalry that had shaped the last two centuries was dead, and in its place, a new friendship had been born.
“Thank you,” she said, nodding in gratitude.
“You can send word when we are needed, and I will take this chance for a better future,” Syrelle added, nodding in return.
“But until then, please leave the area by sunrise. The treaty is still in effect. At least until…other arrangements can be made,” Syrelle added as she stood up, the rest of the Occidens witches following suit.
Greya stood up as they departed, placing her hand over her heart in hope. “Of course. Blessed be, Syrelle,” she said.
“Blessed be, Greya,” Syrelle echoed.
“Wait—one more thing, before you go,” Steig chimed in.
Greya turned to look at him, wondering what the fuck he was doing.
“There are two daemons currently in Attax, sent there by the king. I do not know what they are planning, but, in the name of good faith…you should keep an eye on them,” Steig offered.
Greya smiled lightly to herself. “In the name of good faith,” yes, but also Steig’s self-interest. If Syrelle and the Occidens witches decided to capture or delay the daemons…that would keep them out of Steig’s way and stop them from reporting his missing whereabouts to Cole.
“Thank you,” Syrelle said sincerely. “We will do what we must.”
And then the witches disappeared once more into the dark of the night.