“He’s a legend in the witch world.” There were entire covens who worshipped him when he hadn’t walked the Earth plane, when he’d been trapped in his crystal coffin.
“Yes, he is, but we also used to be honest about him,” Lily pointed out. “We knew he was a source of power, but we also knew he had ties to Hell many of us didn’t want. He’s convinced even some Earth witches that he’s the way to save our kind. That this is our time to rule. Like witches were some sort of left-behind creature.”
“I think all of the supernaturals have members who feel that way. For some, it’s true. I mean there are entire populations of werecreatures who died out because the wolves and panthers and tigers ate them.” Our world could be brutal, and the separate factions had been at war from time to time. “But witches had a place at the table with Daniel.”
“And Myrddin offered them the whole table. For some that was intoxicating. They’re not thinking about the balance. There will be a cost, but that’s not important to them now. For all the power they have during these years, they will be serving demons for many more. Forever, since if Myrddin gets his way, there won’t be a Heaven plane to escape to.”
“Do they know what he’s planning?” I asked.
Lily shrugged. “I don’t see how they can’t. They aren’t thinking. They’re caught up in power. I suspect the ones closest to him are also caught in his web. Myrddin has…you would probably call it charm or charisma. It works specifically on witches. Especially younger ones.”
“But it didn’t work on you?”
She shook her head. “No. Because I see him for who he is. I see the face that lies under the mask.”
It was good to know there were some witches his power didn’t work on. “Sarah never fell for his charm either.”
“Because we both spent time on the Hell plane. I suspect that’s why we were immune,” Lily mused. “I often see through demonic guises. Sarah did from time to time, but I suspect being close to Felix healed a lot of her scars. I didn’t have an angelic protector shielding me from the worst of it. It’s funny that now I view that time as a strength. It prepared me for this moment. If I hadn’t gone through what I did, I would likely be in the Council building kissing Myrddin’s feet.”
It was interesting that Myrddin’s charm didn’t work on Sarah or Lily. We might be able to use that in some way. “So do you think they can come back to our side?”
“Some of them, for sure. Some of them are already questioning,” Lily allowed. “But they’re trapped. I think with you back, there might be many who are willing to reconsider their choices. Without you, Myrddin seemed to be the better bet for witches. Though you should understand that there are many who are true believers.”
“Like Olivia Carey?”
Lily nodded silently.
I took a deep breath, feeling sorry for Kelsey and Casey. I knew Casey still felt something for Liv because I’d heard him telling Daniel he thought Myrddin had influence over her. I hated the idea that someone I’d cared about would be on the other side of this war.
“I want you to know that I’m going to do everything I can to help you win this war, Your Highness,” Lily promised. “I know my sister is gone, but I hope you understand that you can look to me if you need me.”
“Is she really gone?” I’d asked the question all day, the answer becoming heartbreakingly clear.
“Yes. I don’t feel her. If my sister was alive, she would make contact. I worked with Neil to try to find her. I don’t think she ever left the building.” Lily’s eyes shone with tears. “I miss her. I miss Mia and Felix, too, but Sarah… I don’t remember a time in my life when she wasn’t there. I know there was, but even my oldest memories have her in them.”
I let the moment sit between us, trying to decide if I could trust her. Lily had power. I needed a witch and magic if I was going fix this timeline. “What if you could get her back?”
Lily sniffled. “I would do anything to see my sister again.”
Lily knew a lot about magic. She wasn’t as talented as Sarah, but then almost no one on the Earth plane was. But she came from the same magical line.
“What do you know about the painting we fell through?”
“Only what Trent and Sasha’s spies have told us.” Lily sat up, wiping her tears. “Your Highness, you went through a slipstream, a magical wormhole of sorts.”
“Is there a way back?”
She seemed to think about it for a moment. “I don’t know. That particular wormhole is closed, but there are time spells. It depends on how you lost that time. What if the years you lost didn’t happen because of the plane you were on? The king mentioned you were on several. Last night he told us some stories about a Vampire plane.”