Page 5 of Magic & Secrets
Nearby, Enya challenged Vica. The Witch’s magic brushed aside my sister’s sword and sent her flying against a tree. Mina heard Enya’s cries and rushed forward.
“Too emotional,” Vica cursed before her magic tossed Mina into the wind.
The Gathering claimed their New Armgard warriors were weaker than those who'd come before us. I had long suspected they created us this way. A mighty weapon was no good to its master if it had the power to rebel.
We might not be as powerful as Von Ehlinger’s warriors. However, we could handle a Witch like Vica. Unleashed, we might be capable of laying siege to the world.
Of course, Vica knew we would never harm her. She was the closest thing we had to a mother. My earliest memories were of her singing old hymns about the fallen first generation of Armgard.
Despite my fondness for Vica, I charged toward her. My boots barely touched the ground. Moving like a gale within a brewing storm, I hurried to protect my sisters.
Vica’s magic reached out for me. Rather than dodge it or fall under its power, I sailed through its blazing heat.
Solme Divige’s power awakened inside me. I leapt into a tree and jumped over Vica. In my mind, Solme Divige showed me how easily my sword could slide through the Witch’s flesh.
The ancient magic tingled at my fingertips, aching to break free. I was spawned by a species with no concept of defeat or submission. The New Armgard were designed to conquer. Restraining my power against Vica felt like a betrayal of Solme Divige.
Roque’s face flashed in my mind. I could almost feel his fingers across my skin. The magic inside me fizzled out. Icouldn’t focus on Vica. My mind lost track of Solme Divige. The Bane Shifter wielded the power to rip away everything in the world, leaving me in a void with only him.
Vica took advantage of my distracted mind and wrapped me in her magic. Stunned by Roque’s hypnotic gaze, I could only submit and fall to my knees before the Witch.
My gaze met Mina’s and then Enya’s. This submission was our lot in life. The Gathering demanded power over our magic.
“The ancient gods would destroy this world out of boredom,” Gregory once explained. “You are not the ancient gods. You are the welcomers of a glorious future. We will bring peace to the Territories one day.”
The Gathering weren’t like Von Ehlinger. They had no intention of overthrowing the Murade and claiming the seven Territories for their personal kingdom. The Gathering viewed themselves as peacekeepers within the very best species of Lavinia.
“We will bring freedom for magic folk and humans alike,” Gregory insisted during one of the Gathering’s rallies.
To claim freedom, they would use us, the New Armgard, whose only true enemy were the retired Bane Shifters.
The sounding horn severed my thoughts of Roque. I walked with my sisters and Vica toward the Citadel’s main meeting hall. Hundreds of other Armgard left their training and followed the sound. Though the horn’s melody was no different than usual, I sensed the world had changed. In my mind, I saw the Bane Shifters rallying for war.
Gregory stood upon a stage in front of several other members of the Gathering. The Warlock’s presence was always quiet yet commanding. His silver hair flowed past his shoulders in silken waves. His face bore the fine lines of age, but his fair gray eyes remained strikingly youthful. He wore an indigo robe marked with the symbols of his coven.
“An alliance of blood and barbarity has been forged,” Gregory announced. “A new coalition of Shifters, Vampyres, and magic wielders has attacked the peaceful Haven Junction in Hallehian Territory. These monsters left none of the failed experiments alive. The Bane Shifters will soon leave their mountain seeking vengeance. War is coming to the Territories. We will commune with the Sagesse before selecting our next action. The New Armgard should prepare for battle.”
Standing between my sisters, I recalled the sorrow behind the Bane Shifters’ howls. Never had they waged war for their own sake. They were simply weapons controlled by others, much like my kind.
As the Gathering spoke to each other on the stage, I felt Roque’s presence again.Would the beautiful creature leave his mountain to face war?
“We must go,” Enya insisted, tugging me toward the door as my mind clung to the Shifter meant to destroy me. My sister’s green eyes shone with worry. “It’s not safe here.”
“No, stay,” Severine whispered as the Wraith circled us. Her icy fingers tugged at my golden hair, seeking entry into my thoughts. “You three hold secrets.”
Wavering between this world and the next, Severine owned a cold aura and unnaturally white hair. Her eyes were shiny black and haunted as if she had witnessed unspeakable horrors and enjoyed the view.
The Wraith dismissed the other New Armgard warriors from the hall. As they filed past us outside, I felt their concern. Our kind had already shown signs of rebellion. Several had gone missing. The Gathering claimed the warriors were killed on missions. Yet, their surviving sisters would whisper of the missing warriors visiting them in their dreams and begging them to rebel against the Gathering.
“Always my kind,” Mina had muttered only weeks ago. “Always the bearers of dusk and night rebel. They give us too much power.”
As I knelt between my sisters, I considered the lies so easily told by the Gathering.Were our overseers true to their lofty goals of freedom for all?
“Show me what you’ve seen,” Severine insisted as several members of the Gathering approached us.
My mind opened for the Wraith, revealing the attack on Haven Junction and the Bane Shifters’ call for war. However, I refused to offer anything about Roque. Severine hissed when she felt me shove her out of my mind. I nearly smiled at her anger before lowering my gaze submissively.
“What can the Bane Shifters do without their master?” Digne Vampyre Hassel asked dismissively while hiding under an onyx cloak in the shadows.
