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Yelling started, several men standing up and calling for the death of the heathens.

“Now, now, calm yourselves. Balor did not leave us to weather the storms on our own. He has spoken of those who would come to our lands and take it for their own.”

Had they? Bryn wished she’d paid more attention when Mallory had dragged her to the chapel as a youth. It never sat well with her, the things she did hear, so she was more than happy to make the choice not to conform, even if it meant walking the night and staying indoors during the day.

“They are coming! This is the sign! Bodies at the gate.”

Bryn felt a cool breeze come over her mortal body and hoped Jace was still watching her.

“I know, my people. It has been written that the enemies of Balor would return from another realm. That the bodies would come, people hoping to assist those who would harm us would be killed and left at our gate as a show that Balor is watching. That he knows the enemy has risen and the witches grow in power.”

“What do we do, Scrios?” a woman holding a baby asked, a small child with bright-blond hair clutching its small fists in her skirts.

“We know the only way for these demons to get to us is through those who sin in our presence. Now, I know we’ve had this come up before, and the governor had stood firm in trials of justice. Unless we have indisputable proof they are a witch, we can do nothing. That whore at the brothel cannot be burned for spreading her legs. Mallory’s witch of a niece has been coy in keeping her craft out of sight, giving us enough to know her evil, but not enough to hang her with.”

A loud crash sounded from someone breaking a chair in the back of the chapel in anger.

“But justice is no longer being upheld in our town if we allow witches to walk our streets!” Arioch yelled as if in response to the violence.

The crowd roared in approval. A mob being created to hunt the monsters of their own imagination.

Bryn’s blood turned to ice as Mallory made her way to the front. Keeping her hands clasped, she looked like the demure and devout person she pretended to be.

“I have been living my life in fear. Fear while in my own home knowing a witch is two doors down from me. I worry for my son, that he would fall prey to her wickedness and join her. I have tried to bring her around, to know Balor, but she refuses.”

The booing was loud enough that Cyerra hopped in agitation, ruffling her feathers as Bryn shushed her in her mind, hoping the crow did not bring attention to herself.

Arioch stepped next to Mallory, readying himself to preach to his people.

“I have offered my hand to Bryndis Kenneally, hoping to make her a good wife, but she refused my suit and chose the darkness instead. Even now, she wakes up to walk the night, spending her time at the devil woman’s brothel, and speaks to black birds in alleyways. Now, we have to take this into our own hands before these witches bring the demons down upon us,” Arioch finished, standing next to Mallory in solidarity.

“Burn the witches!” the crowd chanted over and over again, and all the while, Mallory smiled.

Chapter 35

Comingbackintoherbody, Bryn reeled as she tried to sit up. She felt sluggish as if she had fallen into a deep sleep.

The words she’d heard reverberated through her mind until fear flooded her brain, zapping her nervous system back into gear and waking her body up with adrenaline.

“They are going to burn me at the stake!” she cried out, grabbing Jace’s arms as she pulled herself up.

“No, they wouldn’t...” But as he said the words, he realized they very much would.

“Niamh... I have to warn her!” Pushing away from Jace, she ran at a hobble as her legs were the last of her body to wake up. Jace came up beside her to grab her arm and hold her steady.

The people were still in the chapel, so it had to be now. There was not any time to wait.

“Get the others, please. We have to make a plan and figure out what to do next!”

Not waiting for Jace to respond, Bryn ran before slamming into the doors of the Sanctuary, the music in the main room going as one of Niamh’s girls played the piano. The party had already started for the evening, unknowing of the mob taking up arms just down the road.

“I need Niamh and Danu!” Bryn yelled, knowing someone in the house would find them.

“What in the world is wrong?” Niamh was quick to come from her office, her dress and makeup perfect.

“The church is planning to burn us at the stake!” Bryn yelled, her voice and body shaking. She knew she should be quiet, even if there were only a few patrons in the Sanctuary, but her panic was superseding her logic.

“Do they now?” Niamh looked toward the door with a contemplative look on her face. One that showed very little fear.