Page 16 of Rogue Witch

“He is our Headmaster,” Olympia objects.

“I understand completely.” Domini cuts in. He angles his head Eldione’s way, then says, “Good night, all,” and leaves.

When the door clicks shut behind him, the goddess says, “The nightmares have returned.”

“A Reaping, and nightmares amongst the gods,” Raith murmurs.

A chill winds through me. That’s not all. Just over two weeks ago, Olympia confided that the fallen angel Samayaza—one of the direct Sons of God—visited her after a five- hundred-year absence to warn her that he believed Damien had located his demon bride and is no longer hiding. Damien, ruler of the infernal regions, the upper levels of hell, Shadow mage, and…demigod of Nightmares.

“Samayaza was right,” Olympia says.

“Samayaza?” Eldione repeats.

Even the gods understand the gravity of the situation when an angel of the Most High speaks—even one that has been MIA for centuries.

“What did he say?” Eldione asks.

“That Damien has crawled out from whatever rock he’s been hiding under,” Raith mutters.

I had hoped against hope that Samayaza was wrong. When the war began nearly forty years ago, we suspected Damien had returned, but had no proof. He is The Shadow Mage. When the Atlantean king sent his most powerful assassin to kill Elexea, he had no idea he would be loosing The Shadows into the world—or that when Damien’s sorceress fought the powerful assassin that she would sink Atlantis.

“When did the nightmares begin?” Olympia asks.

“Three weeks ago,” Eldione answers.

Olympia stares. “Three weeks and you are only just now telling us?”

The goddess tosses her head. “We are not obligated to tell humans anything.”

“We are not humans,” Olympia says. “And before you come back with a cheeky retort, remember, Damien’s nightmares have the ability to destroy you.”

“Destroy?” the goddess sneers.

“I suggest you set aside your pride,” Olympia snaps. “Either that, or we leave you gods to your own devices until the nightmares drive you insane and you destroy one another.”

“We will destroy the world in the process,” Eldione hisses.

“But you will still be dead,” Olympia says.

“Might Miriam have caused some sort of disturbance when she practiced Shadow magic?” Raith asks.

“There can be no doubt that she is the catalyst of these calamities,” the Grand Witch says.

I comprehend how a high witch practicing Shadow magic can have far reaching ramifications—this is the reason we forbid the use of magic without training—but a Reaping? That is beyond our all powers.

“A Reaping and the return of the nightmares are strange coincidences,” Ethan says, and I’m struck by the realization that Ciarah returned about three weeks ago. Surely, her connection to her grandmother didn’t ignite some sort of disturbance? No. The Grand Witch is right. These events are connected to Miriam alone.

“You must send one of your Council of Kispu back with me to Olympus to cast a spell to rid us of the nightmares,” Eldione says.

Olympia nods even as muscles in her jaw tighten. She wants to keep secret that the Reaping occurred within her virtual war games, but too many people were involved. The Council of Kispu will find out and demand an investigation.

“Return in two days,” Olympia says. “We will have someone ready.”

Eldione nods. “Until then, try to clean up your mess.”

Olympia opens her mouth to reply, but Eldione vanishes.

Olympia whirls on Raith. “I watched the video of the last moments of the War Games. There is no doubt Chelsea Nightlow tried to kill Leilah Crowe. Why would she do that?”