Page 22

Lilith

Nine Days Later

E very waking moment for the last nine days has been spent with Dad and Leli training. Others would come and assist Leli with some of the more advanced offensive spells.

Dad is slowly helping me learn how to tap into that energy. I am beginning to feel that it’s there. I feel this well inside of me that I couldn’t before. It is just far enough away that I can’t reach it yet. Each time I practice, I get just a little bit closer. He explained that when I finally tap into it, I will instantly recognize its unmistakable warmth. There are obvious risks, like letting too much energy out too quickly, but as long as I start slowly, I won’t burn myself. If all that energy rushes out of me at once, it will kill me. Until I have mastered it, I shouldn’t be attempting to use too much of that reserve at a time.

Some of the elders have taught me advanced spells, like how to throw fireballs and put up ice shields. I was also taught how to put up a shield of light to protect myself. Overall, they have been teaching me how to hurt others and how to prevent others from hurting me.

After we speak to the council and the witches who will be helping when the time comes, we will take the portal home. I am slightly nervous about what we could find on the other side, but the only way to find out is to go and see for myself.

Dad and I are standing in front of a crowd of people. Daemon, Kael, and Callum are standing behind us with the rest of my family. “When I get done talking to them, I want you to talk to them. They need to hear from the person that will be leading them.”

“What?” I ask. “Why would I be leading them?”

“That is the job of the High Witch,” he says. “You may not have acquired all of your powers yet, but they will still look to you for direction, no matter what anyone else has to say about it. This is why it is vital that you lean on us for support. We are all here for a reason. Us advising you and taking on some of the responsibilities will ensure that you do not get bogged down or overwhelmed. Delegate when you need to and we will ensure that things go smoothly.”

“Okay, as long as no one is expecting me to do well right out of the gate,” I say, and he smiles.

“You are already doing far better than you give yourself credit for,” he says.

“Yeah, I guess. Let’s do this so we can see if we still have a house.” Dad smiles at me before turning to the crowd. When he puts his hand up, everyone instantly quiets down.

“My fellow Voldarians, the time we have been preparing for is near. It has been so long, as many of you can recall, that we have been home. I know you have felt it. The winds of change are upon us. It is with the greatest honor that I present to you, my daughter, our High Witch, Lilith Deverell,” he says. Everyone cheers and claps, but a hush falls over them when I look away from Dad and at them.

“I want to thank everyone who has dedicated their life to this… to me. I know that I am leading you all into this, so it is important to me that I am completely honest with all of you. This will be a hard fight. It’s going to take every bit of our strength to restore balance to the world, but I know that together we can accomplish greatness. My power means nothing if I do not have you all by my side, so please know that I appreciate your presence.

“I never asked for this, and I’m sure that none of you truly wish to risk your lives, but you are just as dedicated to this cause as my father has been since he lost me and my mom,” I say, clearing my throat. “I don’t know what it means to be a High Witch when I barely know how to be a witch to begin with, but I do know injustice. I have seen firsthand the horrors that the witches and the fox shifters have endured my entire life. I have endured every bit of that injustice for as long as I can remember. I know that it’s going to be a tough fight, and not everyone will make it. My promise to you now is that I will do my best to make sure that I get as many of you as I can back to your families. I promise that I will never take for granted the sacrifices you have made and are making for me right now. Together we will restore the balance and move forward as a society.”

When I stop talking, the thundering of applause and cheers grows louder. The feelings of happiness and pride swell in my chest as I look and see how happy they are to be here with me. “Beautifully said,” Dad says as he hugs me. “Are you ready?”

“Uhm… Yeah… So, is Volis staying here?”

“You tell me,” he says with a smirk.

“Shit… Right… So, Volis has the most experience with physical combat, so he will be better used at the southern border. The ones going with him are also more experienced in physical combat, so the others will come through portals to the property. They will be helping us get the remaining witches in Grimitara to us, as well as the fox shifters. We are confident that we will have the support of the dragons, bears, and panthers… We just need to call on them. I have no idea where the hellhounds will fall, but it shouldn’t make a difference.”

“You’re doing great, Lilith. You know how to contact me,” Volis says as he hugs me. “Keep them safe.”

“I’ll try,” I laugh.

“We will try to hold back as long as we can, but once the lands join, we may not have much of a choice but to push forward to keep them out of here.”

“Just try to give us warning when you move,” I say. “I suspect that things are going to get chaotic quickly, so I will let you know if we need assistance before the lands join.”

“See? You’re a natural leader,” Volis says as he ruffles my hair.

“Mhmm,” I say. “Please be careful, Volis.”

“You too, little sis,” he says sweetly.

Everyone says their goodbyes to Volis before Grandma lets go of Sylvie’s hand. She sprints to Striker, and he catches her in a hug. He holds onto her tightly as a wave of fear sweeps over him. I know he is struggling to keep his emotions in check as he holds onto his daughter, but tears still slip down his cheeks.

“I’m gonna miss you, Daddy,” she says in a sweet voice.

“I’m gonna miss you too, Sylvie. You be a good girl for Grandma and Auntie, okay?”

“I will. I promise,” she says with a nod before getting quiet. “You are coming home, right?”

“Yeah,” he says with his voice breaking. “I’m gonna come home.” He hugs her again before Aunt Sana comes over. Striker sets her down and kisses the top of her head.

“I’ve got her,” Aunt Sana says as she hugs him.

“If anything…”

“Don’t,” she says. “You’ll be fine. She’ll be fine. If you let that negativity in, it will break you.”

“Just… Don’t teach her bad habits, please,” he says, trying to lighten the mood.

“Oh… I will teach her a few things,” Aunt Sana says with a smile.

“We need to go,” I say softly. I don’t want to rush him away from his daughter, but we need to get back soon.

“Yeah,” he says with a sigh. “I love you, Sylvie.”

“I love you too, Daddy,” she says happily as she holds Aunt Sana’s hand.

We turn and walk back to the house in silence. No one wants to verbalize their fear, but we all feel it. We all know how chaotic and devastating this is about to be. We get to the brick room and stand in front of the portal.

“Ready when you are,” Dad says to me. I nod and take a deep breath.

This is it. This is where the prophecy has led us. My mom’s sacrifice was to ensure I would be able to lead everyone into this civil war and hopefully come out of the other side alive.

I let go of Kael and Callum’s hands as I step through the portal.