Chapter 7 #2
“From what I remember of your trial date, you were placed in Dobro only after your mother petitioned us. Is that correct?” Sera snapped her attention to Chair Thorne, who was giving her a quiet smile.
“That’s correct, ma’am.”
“What skills do you have now as a Dobro witch such that you believe slipping into the underworld and rescuing your sister will end successfully?” Chair Corbin’s gaze cut her to the bone as surely as one of Sera’s keeper’s trowels would.
“Sir, I am knowledgeable about artifacts, magical objects, ruins, and demon history. I also have barrier magic and am resourceful.” Her darkness began to heat in her gut.
So little faith. Sera winced at the phantom voice. What was it? And how?
“The witchling is barely four years out of her trial,” Chair Thorne added, pointing to Sera.
Corbin adjusted his grip on the arms of his throne. “Renata, do you think losing another witch is a good idea?” He leaned over, giving the lead chair a pointed look.
Renata barely moved. She tilted her head, her long blond hair falling from her shoulders.
That heat from her magic snapped through Sera’s veins. She took a deep breath.
“The power Honora carries is not something we can ignore. We do not know what the demon lord will do with her. They could use her against us.” Briar’s shaky voice sounded more frail than minutes before.
“A novice with portal magic already so advanced,” Thorne said, more to herself than the room.
Sera could feel the annoyance radiating off her mother. Lavinia whispered something behind her, but she couldn’t make out what it was. The figure hiding in the shadows seemed to stiffen, but the chairs carried on with their conversation as if Sera weren’t even there.
Sera clenched her fists until her knuckles screamed.
“That is doubtful, Briar,” Chair Blackwell said. “Honora Wildrick has no formal training other than basic schooling. Regardless of her skills, she never received a placement.”
“Blackwell has a point,” Chair Briar said. “The demons have not had consistent access to witches’ or warlocks’ power in two thousand years.”
Sera followed the conversation until Renata’s piercing blue gaze beamed into her. A condescending smile coated her lips. Sera couldn’t look away fast enough.
“Out of everyone, I didn’t expect you to be so naive, Briar.” Chair Corbin curled his lip. “There are those who do not claim the Solarni coven as their home.”
Lavinia stepped to Sera’s side, and the chair holders stopped arguing. The figure in the shadows straightened and moved into the light. Sera couldn’t make out who it was, only that they were outfitted in a Legion uniform.
“Council members, I also wish that my eldest daughter retrieve my youngest. Honora is too talented to be in the enemy’s hands. Seraphina may not be the strongest, but her mind and her bond with her sister make her the most motivated.”
Lavinia sank to her knees, placed her forehead on the mosaic floor, and spread her hands before the Council members in complete submission.
Shock washed through Sera. Her mother never submitted, never backed down from anything.
She was poised and powerful. Many had fallen under her scrutiny, Sera included, and here she was with her face on the floor.
Then she heard it. Her whispers.
“Master Mastria Lavinia Wildrick.” Chair Renata’s voice cut through the air. “We thank you for your input and cannot imagine the devastation you must be feeling, but surely you have thought this through and know you may lose both of your daughters in this task?”
Sera realized this was the first time Renata had spoken.
Her mother stood to answer Renata’s question. “I would ask to go in her stead, but as we agreed earlier, I am unable to leave my post due to the current political climate.”
Of course her mother had already approached them to retrieve Nora. But why hadn’t she shared this information earlier?
“You are more than just a Dobro keeper, aren’t you?” Renata’s gaze pierced Sera. “You know prewar demon customs, do you not?”
“I—I know many, yes.”
“And tell me, are you familiar with the old maps?”
Sera was hesitant to answer. Yes, she had researched and looked at the ancient scrolls containing maps of the continent, the ones that originated from the demon realm.
Renata’s question had to be a trap, for junior keepers weren’t supposed to access those texts.
Not even Galene had access. Sera had used her mother’s influence to read them, along with anything else that might explain this dark magic she held.
“Go on,” Renata said. She pushed her blond hair off her shoulders and readjusted her gray robes.
“Yes, I am familiar with the scrolls you are talking about.”
“Wonderful. Captain Alcott, please bring the scroll.”
Sera froze. Alistair Alcott marched forward with the scroll clenched in one hand, but he didn’t turn his gaze to her. He was bigger now, so much bigger than she remembered. She hadn’t seen him since he and Colton left for the Legion. But she’d remember that dark hair and smug look anywhere.
She’d kill him for the way he was handling the artifact. It might have been protected by a preservation spell, but it was still ancient. At least he was wearing gloves.
Renata commanded the scroll to unroll, and Sera saw a crudely outlined drawing of the continent.
North of the Lanac mountain range lay the human territories, sectioned off into their respective kingdoms. Dense forests had taken over the eastern side of the continent, though there were more now than there must have been when this map was made.
And along the eastern coast were the Deadlands.
“Can you point to me where the Citadel is?”
On a peninsula spearing the ocean on the southwest shore was their fortress. As Sera moved forward to indicate it, her arm brushed against Alistair’s. A fluttering went through her as he worked the muscle in his jaw.
Sera raised her shaking hand and pointed to the Citadel.
“What other landmarks are you aware of?” Renata continued. Some of the other chairs murmured and grumbled.
“Here”—she pointed—“is the Emerald Glade. Here is the Lanac mountain range. Then over here are the Deadlands.” The map clearly depicted the barren scorched earth. Gehenna was entrenched deep below the surface, making the land above uninhabitable.
“Renata, why are we playing this game? Can we continue with our deliberation? I have more important things to worry about.”
“I am trying to make a point, Blackwell. Do not rush the witch.” Renata didn’t even look at Blackwell—no, she kept her gaze glued on Sera. “What cities do you know of that are occupied by demon rulers?”
Sera swallowed. Her darkness swirled inside her. “Ceasefall is located here.” She pointed to a spot directly in the center of the Deadlands. “Then here is Port Sidnah.”
Her mother let out a sigh of relief.
“I propose we allow Seraphina Wildrick to assist the captain with retrieving our oracle. If she is as resilient and knowledgeable as Lavinia claims, she could also help find the doorways into Gehenna.” Sera shivered under Renata’s piercing blue gaze.
The scroll rolled itself up, and the Council elder handed it back to Alistair.
“If you complete this task, we will provide you with a team of elite Legion warriors to accompany you to extract Honora Wildrick.”
None of this was making sense. Find doorways? For what? Sera needed to get to Nora. She could be hurt. Demons could be torturing her sister right now. “But, Chair, no one has ever—”
“She will do it,” Lavinia said from behind her.
Renata’s smile was triumphant.
“Captain Alcott, would you be able to bring Witch Wildrick with you and still succeed in your mission?”
“If that is what the Council wishes, then it will be so,” he said matter-of-factly.
The baritone in his voice gave her an involuntary shiver.
His blue Legion uniform accentuated his biceps and tapered waist. Standing at ease with his feet shoulder-width apart, he was almost a full head taller than her. Heat rose from her neck to her cheeks.
“Then I call for a vote,” Chair Renata said. “All in favor of allowing Seraphina Wildrick to accompany Captain Alcott on his quest to find the oracle, say aye.”
She held her breath. Three months ago, she’d thought the destruction of Feybury would be the event that got her killed.
She’d been expecting Legion soldiers at her door, but that never came.
But now, as the chairs were about to seal her fate, she couldn’t help but think she’d never see the Citadel again.
She’d never see Dom or Nora or her mother ever again.
“Aye.” Blackwell.
“Nay.” Corbin.
“Nay.” Thorne.
“Aye.” Briar.
“With my vote of aye, the motion is approved. Seraphina Wildrick, you will report directly to the barracks within twenty-four hours to Captain Alcott. Please ensure your affairs are in order. Your occupational mentor will be alerted,” Chair Renata announced.
That was it.
“Meeting adjourned.” Chair Blackwell stood from his throne.
Her mother turned on her heel and exited the chamber, not sparing Sera a second glance. She’d gotten what she wanted.
“Thank you for allowing me to save my sister,” Sera said, and bowed to the chairs. She glanced at Alistair. He kept his face forward, his chin high, not even a hint of acknowledgment.
Seraphina bowed once more and left.