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“Let’s do this,” St John demanded. His shoulders twitched as if he was uneasy.
“Hold hands. We four will do the rest,” Hillary said as they moved into a circle. Lucian, Maggie, and Mariah watched as they formed.
“No matter what happens, don’t let go. Should you release someone, Vemis will escape, and hundreds of deaths will be on our heads,” Prudence warned.
“No pressure!” Emile muttered as she took her place.
“Here, use this to bind us,” Henrietta said and pulled out a reel of ribbon.
“Good idea,” Rose-Marie commented.
“She does have them sometimes!” St John taunted. Henrietta sent him a glare that promised punishment, and St John blanched. Those not in the circle bound everyone’s hands together before stepping back.
“We need to cast now!” Rose-Marie said with a worried stare at the inn.
Edith began chanting, and Prudence, Hillary, and Rose-Marie joined in. Mariah wasn’t sure what to expect, but a white light formed in the middle before streaking over St John’s shoulder and hitting the inn. A cry of relief echoed from inside as the sparks coming off the walls stopped, and a whitish-blue barrier appeared. St John cursed and jumped, but luckily, his bound hands didn’t break the circle.
“Lucian, now,” Edith commanded.
“I will bring him back,” Lucian promised and strode towards the inn.
Mariah nodded, heart in her mouth as she watched.
“Benedict!” Lucian bellowed and waited outside. A flurry of movement came from the inside, and Benedict appeared in the doorway. His face was different, wild and out of control. She didn’t believe he’d drank Klaus’s blood, and a weight lifted off her shoulders.
“Lucian!” Benedict hissed and stepped back in shock.
“Alive and well, brother. As can you be when you contain your lust and destroy Vemis!”
“There’ll be no destroying him tonight. One God’s Scourge wasn’t enough, and it’s doubtful two will be,” a voice said, and a figure stepped up behind Benedict.
“Oh, no!” Mariah cried. “He drank Klaus’s blood. He was a withered mummy when I saw him!”
Behind Benedict stood a man. He didn’t seem right; his skin was tight and almost parchment-like. But he’d vastly improved on the decayed mummy he’d been when he awoke.
“Come forth, God’s Scourge, and take your place beside your brother. Two Nortons under my power will make me invincible,” Vemis crowed.
“You wicked bitch!” Benedict cursed, laying his gaze on Mariah.
Mariah stepped back in horror and shock at the hate that whirled in Benedict’s eyes.
“I swore a blood oath not to tell! That was before I fell in love with you!” Mariah cried.
“Liar! All women are liars. You will die for your untruths and falsehoods!” Benedict raged.
“Enough! No Norton should speak to a lady thusly! Benedict, recall yourself!” Lucian roared, shocked at his brother’s words.
“The fool I was giving her my heart. And she hid all the while you were alive, returned to life, hale and hearty brother. You expect me to handle such a treacherous wench gently?” Benedict stormed.
“How long do you think your magic will hold fools? Your throats will be the first I drink from, and I’ll be a glutton. Leave now, and I’ll spare your lives,” Vemis shouted.
“Benedict, focus. Do you love me as I love you, brother?” Lucian called.
“Of course!” Benedict snapped his eyes to Mariah.
“Let me enter, and we’ll rid the world of Vemis together. Two Nortons riding into battle again!” Lucian cajoled, and Benedict stepped back. But his gaze never left Mariah. Lucian hesitated, seeing the focus on which Benedict levelled at her.
“Lucian, don’t! Benedict’s planning a trap,” Mariah shrieked and received a look of pure hate.
