“I’m Mathias,” the man introduced himself.
“We tried reasoning with her, but she’s intent on her killing spree of innocent people,” Jericho said.“Women and children included.”
Mathias studied the High Priestess.“Is what they said true?”
“The only good shifter is a dead one,” the woman snarled.
“You killed children?”
“If I did, then good.They’ll only grow up into murdering shifters.The Earth will be a better place with them gone.”
“Did these particular shifters kill anyone?”
“Probably,” she replied disdainfully.
“Probably for them, but definitely for you.Correct?”
“Get away from me, necromancer.You’re nothing but an abomination.As soon as I deal with them, I’ll deal with you.”
He shook his head.“You do like digging your own grave, don’t you?Threatening a necromancer isn’t that bright of an idea.I’ll give you one more chance.Will you go home and never bother another shifter again?”
“When all of them are dead, no one will even miss them.”
Mathias stepped forward and started an incantation.All sound ceased as he locked eyes with the High Priestess.The woman was spitting mad, trying to summon her power, but it was locked within the runes.
“Are you willing to leave this pack alone?”Elspeth asked.
“I will burn every shifter to the ground,” she threated.“You’re a traitor to witches.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way.”She looked at the other coven members.“Are you okay killing innocent people?”
No one said anything, and it was clear they were a little uneasy.
“So be it,” Elspeth said.“Continue, Mathias.”
The chanting escalated.Each layer spoken faster and faster.From the High Priestess rose her soul, lifting out of the body, lifeless as it fell to the ground.With his hand, he moved Elspeth across the barrier and set her into the now empty vessel.Gasps were heard from the other witches as their leader’s ghost had exchanged places.Then Mathias waved his hand, and the High Priestess’s spirit disappeared.
“She’s been moved on to the abyss of souls,” he reported.
“How did you do that?”Niall asked.“I didn’t know necromancers worked on living people.”
“I’m ...unique.”
Savannah stomped one more time and the runes disappeared.
The witches were freed and Elspeth glanced down at her new body with wide eyes.She patted herself before she turned to address the rest of the coven.
“If you agree with her, you can leave.”
None of the women moved.
“I am now the High Priestess,” Elspeth said.“We will be a coven of light and acceptance.Not vengeance.Those who harmed us have been dealt with.This pack is innocent and we will vow never to use bioweapons again.So mote it be.”
“So mote it be,” they repeated.
Elspeth turned back to Niall, Mathias, Savannah, and Jericho.“Thank you for sparing my coven.And thank you for giving me a second chance to live.It’s going to take some time to get used to this new body.”
“Thank you,” Jericho said.“You saved my people.If you ever need me, I’ll be there.”
