Chapter 26
Chapter twenty-six
Dominick
The dawn light streamed through his curtains, bathing sleeping Theo in golden sunlight.
Dominick had begged for forgiveness last night, something he’d never done before. And it’d been worth it. After those winged soldiers, and then dinner, it seemed important they stick together and figure out why the Council was lying to them.
And why were so many Legion soldiers dying? Dominick hoped that the swords on the winged soldiers’ backs were to help coven members, but… he couldn’t help but wonder if something far more sinister was afoot.
He settled further into his pillows, trying very carefully not to disturb Theo, and opened his journal to read Sera’s entry.
Aliato.
Of course Sera would know what they were. There was no one better to find out the origin of a species than Seraphina Wildrick. When they were young, she’d always had her head in some crusty book.
The aliato had spooked the entire coven.
Not that they hadn’t been uneasy already.
He’d checked in with his mother a few times already this week.
She’d been worried, and if he thought she had the ability, he was sure she’d be pulling strings herself to check on his brother.
No word. There had been no word for weeks, and Dom couldn’t stop a pit forming in his stomach.
A blanket of paranoia and rumor had descended on the Citadel, affecting everyone but the Council of Elders, it seemed. The entire situation was fucked.
Theo’s hair was strands of yellow silk across his pillow. He stirred as Dom brushed his fingers along Theo’s brow. A feeling somewhere between fear and longing tumbled through him every time he looked at the warlock, and this moment was no exception. It was unnerving.
Theo inched closer and wrapped an arm around Dom’s bare waist. Dominick smiled before sliding from under the duvet to get dressed.
“What are you doing?” Theo’s groggy voice called to him.
“I’ve got to talk to Lavinia today.”
“We’re off today. Go tomorrow… Come back to bed.”
“I’m going to try and meet her at her house rather than the office. Maybe the element of surprise will get her to tell me something.”
Theo sat up. “Do you want me to go with you?”
“No. Get some more sleep. I’ll be back soon.” Dom kissed Theo’s forehead and left his flat.
He had trouble stopping a smile from creeping across his cheeks as he walked to the Wildrick residence. It was unnatural the way Sera’s mom could be so calm in a scenario where demons had kidnapped one daughter and the other was outside the fortress walls.
The entire situation was fucked. One day, Shadow help him, he would tell Lavinia exactly what he thought. That no mother had the right to treat her daughter that way. It didn’t matter that Seraphina wasn’t as powerful as the rest of them. She was still part of their family. She was his family.
Dom did his best to build a barrier around his mind, walked up the stone steps, and rang the bell.
Lavinia opened the door. Her usual braids were wrapped in a black head scarf, making her look even more regal and somehow more menacing at the same time. Her upturned eyes assessed him.
“Come in,” she said, standing aside.
He hated that she already knew why he was there. He hated that he couldn’t hide his thoughts from her. Sera had taught him once how to put walls in his mind, but he’d never practiced. Until now, he’d had nothing to hide.
Lavinia gave him a disapproving stare. “I see you have been in communication with Seraphina. You know that my daughter is still alive, so what you can tell Sera is this: I am working with the Council to arrange an elite squad to save Honora. I also communicate daily with the master oracle regarding Honora’s lifeline and daily activities as best as the pools will show.
She has not been gravely injured and is still being held captive. ”
Dominick shivered and worked to keep his mind blank. “Thank you. I’ve been very worried.”
“You should be. The destruction these beasts have unleashed on the world is catastrophic.”
Movement over Lavinia’s shoulder caught Dominick’s gaze. One of the warriors. His wings were tucked in tight as he moved at a slight angle down the hallway, careful not to knock into anything. He was massive.
“Everything all right, ma’am?” the aliato asked.
“Everything is fine,” she called back to him. “Oracle Benero was just leaving.”
Dominick nodded and headed to the door.
“They’re called aliato, Dominick. Light-bringers. Be sure to remember that.” Then she closed the door behind him.
This wasn’t working.
Galene.
Sera had instructed him to seek Galene for information on these beings. Instead of going home, he turned toward Darine Hall.
Jedan members were using their magic to clean the bleached white pavers. He did his best to stick to the sides of the street, keeping out of their way as he marched toward the Citadel proper.
After providing Ithar with the initial chest of coin, he’d checked on him once more.
The barkeeper almost kissed him when he’d entered Mystic’s and had assured Dominick that what he’d done was enough.
It didn’t seem enough. Ever since he’d helped Sera, he couldn’t ignore the conditions in Jedan or the divide between the coven’s classes.
Three chimes rang, and Chair Renata’s voice greeted the Citadel fortress.
“Coven members, it is with heavy hearts that we announce the end of the ceasefire. Hostilities with the demon realm have resumed. As of this moment, our coven is back at war. We urge all coven members to remain vigilant and, above all else, trust the Council. There will be further information shared soon in a gathering in the Menage.”
“Fuck.”
The Jedan members around him froze. He could smell the fear coming off them.
They knew the rules. Jedan was the first class to be conscripted, the first to die.
Then Dobro. Daedeth was the last defense against a siege.
They stayed within the walls to protect the Council and the coven’s very way of life.
The most powerful hide behind tall walls.
Dominick rubbed his face. Colton was already at the front. That’s why the Council had moved the Legion.
“They knew,” he whispered. They’d been fucking preparing.
He ran back to his flat in a blur. Sprinted up the stairs and flew through the door.
Theo ran into his arms. Dom pulled him tight to his chest, breathing him in. They were both oracles, protected by their class. But Colton? Nora? Sera?
“This changes everything,” Theo whispered.
“I know, I know,” Dom said. “I’ve got to tell Sera.” He crossed the room, picked up his journal, and scribbled:
WE ARE AT WAR.