“What?” True asked with dread.

“He thinks there’s strong evidence that the Beast is risen.”

True closed his eyes.

And whispered…

“Fuck.”

136

The Assignments

The Great Coven

Silbury Henge, Argyll Forest

AIREN

In the clearing of the forest, the first flash of light came before the first of the five standing stones.

The light was coral.

The witch Melisse of the Nadirii Sisterhood.

The next flash was green.

Rebecca of Wodell.

And at her side, arms linked, was Queen Farah.

The next light was crimson.

Nandra of Firenze.

And linked to her was Queen Silence.

Then there was marine-blue.

The witch Lena of Mar-el.

And with her came Queen Ha-Lah.

The last flash was bright white.

Fern of Airen.

At her side, with arms linked, was Queen Elena.

Without a word, they moved as one to the slab in the center of the stones.

Touching the stone with her fingertips, Lena stated clearly, “The moon.”

Fern of the Airenzian touched it. “The star.”

Nandra of the Firenz also put fingers to stone. “The blood.”

Rebecca followed suit. “The dirt.”

Melisse hesitated, closed her eyes, breathed deep, took a moment with love, respect and sorrow to remember her sister, her friend, and then said, “The sisterhood.”

Instantly, Elena broke from Fern and declared, “You need to cease your activities in Dunlyn.”

“It is too far gone for that, Your Grace,” Fern replied.

“It is on orders from your Regent,” Elena returned heatedly.

“We have weightier topics to discuss,” Rebecca broke in.

And Nandra of Firenze did not hesitate in doing that.

“We would feel him, would we not?” she asked.

“We felt the disturbance in the veil,” Lena remarked.

“But then…nothing?” Rebecca asked. “How could he ascend after these many millennia and then…nothing?”

“We must seek him in the now,” Fern stated, leaning forward into both her palms on the stone before them. “We must discover if he has surfaced.”

“And then what?” Nandra asked.

“Vanquish him,” Fern replied, pushing back. She then indicated the queens amongst them with a sweep of her arm. “They are at their full powers.”

“Elena must marry,” Melisse stated. “She is the last. This union, their vows, must be felt by the veil. Only then will those prophesied be at their full powers.”

There seemed a general agreement with that, but Melisse did not make verbal note of it.

She continued, “And Ha-Lah, Jorie and Silence must make alliances with the beasts of the seas.”

“Do you think to drive him to the seas again?” Rebecca asked.

“I think we must consider all avenues, regardless if they are used,” Melisse answered.

“But Silence hasn’t even used her fin yet,” Ha-Lah shared.

“Then teach her,” Melisse replied. “And do it swiftly.”

Ha-Lah glanced at Silence.

Silence nodded her head to Ha-Lah.

The Firenz Queen did not appear afraid.

She appeared excited.