Chapter 179: Gathering Storm

Fear hung in the evening air as Reika strolled along the rock wall of the coven stronghold, her eyes on the darkening horizon thickening into an impenetrable veil. The war with Ariadne had sown in her soul a burning fear churning like embers in the belly pit. War was no longer a fear of remote possibilities—it was flesh and blood now. Lleus stood behind her, silent but firm. Since she and he had rekindled their bond, she could sense his feelings flowing through her—determination, fear, and something else. something primal. "We don't have much time," he finally spoke. Reika nodded tightly, her fingers wrapped around the stone railing. "She won't wait. Ariadne will strike soon." Elira and Kael emerged from behind them, their faces grave. "We have to take the initiative," Kael pressed, a note of desperation creeping into his voice. "If we don't, Ariadne'll be in charge." Reika glanced at Elira, wishing to see there answers. "What do we know of her army?" Elira scrunched up her face in aggravation. "She's recruiting more followers—werewolf exiles, black sorcerers, and even some vampires. She's assembling an army big enough to totally destroy us all." Lleus's fists tightened. "Then we'll make our own." Kael crossed his arms. "Do we even have any friends left?" Heavy silence hung between them. "We have to at least try it," Reika insisted, her voice unshaken. "The Desert Wolves, the other witch clans, even vampires who aren't claimed by Ariadne. We can't do it alone." Elira faltered. "And what of the Army of Death?" She spoke with a silence that covered the group. Lleus's eyes became foggy. "That is a dangerous road, Elira." "But it is an important one," she said. "They are the only ones powerful enough to hold off Ariadne's growing army." Kael groaned a harsh breath. "The Army of Death does not take up arms for nothing. They exact a price." Reika swallowed thickly. She well knew what that price was—a soul. "Then I'll be paying it," she said obediently enough. Lleus's head jerked back around to her, his blue eyes blazing with anger. "Absolutely not!" Reika straightened to her full height. "If that's the cost of preventing Ariadne from destroying the world, I'll do whatever it takes." Lleus's hands on her shoulders clenched. "I just rescued you. I'm not losing you to them." Reika unclenched, placing his hand beneath hers. "We don't have to make a decision yet. But we need as much aid as we can find." Elira nodded. "I will spread the word among the other factions. We will see who will join with us." Kael placed his hand on the sword at his waist. "Then we'll start mobilizing the coven for war. We have no clue when she'll attack." Reika spoke to her mate. "Lleus, make the call to the Desert Wolves. If they're still having reservations, we have to convince them of the facts." Lleus's face hardened. "I'll try it. I don't know if they will listen, however." "Then we force the issue," Reika said simply. Lleus considered it for a moment before assenting. "I'll leave at dawn." A Promise in the Darkness Reika sat next to the fire in her quarters that night, observing the flames. Lleus sat across from her, his expression a mask. "You were going to sell your soul, weren't you?" he finally said. She gave him a dirty glare. "If it would keep the people I care about safe." Lleus took a harsh breath, smoothing his hair. "Reika, you can't keep putting yourself in danger." She placed herself between them, cradling his hand in her own. "We've already lost too much. I will not lose any more to Ariadne." Lleus brought their entwined hands to his mouth, kissing her softly on the knuckles. "Then we fight together. No more senseless sacrifices. I want you to swear it." Reika's hesitation lasted only a moment before she nodded. "I swear it." But deep down, she knew—some promises were made to be broken. The First Betrayal The following day, the coven was frantic. Pledges had been dispatched to the potential allies, swords being forged and molded into existence, defenses being strengthened. Lleus had defected to Viktor and Alfonso, to the Desert Wolves. Reika, on the other hand, spent her days strengthening the coven. Elira burst into the corridor where Reika was with Kael, her face white as a ghost. "We have a problem," she panted. Reika bristled. "What is it?" Elira swallowed hard. "One of our scouts reported something along the northern border." Kael's eyes narrowed. "What did they see?" Elira didn't want to say. "A spy." Reika's blood went cold. "Ariadne's?" Elira nodded. "They were concealed just beyond our defense wards, probably attempting to select an entry point." Reika's fists clenched. "Where are they now?" "In the dungeons," Elira said. "Alive." Kael grinned. "Great. Let's go give them a little visit." A Spy's Warning Dungeons were cold and damp, the air thick and heavy with the stench of mold. The spy prisoner was secured to the wall of stone, his black eyes flashing defiance. Reika stepped forward, her magic thrumming just under her skin. "Who sent you?" The spy smiled. "You know already." Kael crossed his arms. "Ariadne." The spy smiled more broadly. "She comes. Closer than you think." Reika frowned. "When?" The spy smiled. "Wouldn't you like to know?" Reika raised her hand, calling on a small ball of white fire. "I'm not playing games." The spy winced but stood up hastily. "It won't matter. Even if I told you something, you'd be powerless to prevent her." Kael drew his sword. "Maybe not. But we can make sure that you never get the chance." The spy's expression faltered for the first time. "Murdering me won't save her. She is already detained." There was a strangling silence. Reika's heart pounded. "What are you saying?" The spy's teeth flashed, catching the dim light. "Ariadne has agents in your coven. She already knows everything you do every step of the way." The Betrayer Among Them Reika stormed open the dungeon doors, Kael and Elira following. "If he's lying, we have a traitor," Kael growled. Elira arched an eyebrow. "But who? The witches in our coven have been Reika's for years." Reika's head reeled. Who was the traitor? Who was supplying Ariadne with information? She clenched her fists on her knees. "We need to find them. Before it's too late." Kael's eyes narrowed. "And when we do?" Reika's expression set. "We make an example of them." A Final Omen As night fell over the coven, Reika stood alone in the courtyard, weighed down with thoughts. A strong gust of wind blew by, sending her shivering. And then, a sound—quiet as a breath. "She is closer than you think." Reika spun round, seeking the noise. Nothing. Just the wind. But deep down within her heart, she knew. Ariadne wasn't coming close. She was already here.