Chapter Ten

The compound lay up ahead and Agnes had no idea what kind of reception she would get. They might ignore her and keep her out, or they might try to kill her. She needed the chance to explain first.

Heading to the side of the stone wall that surrounded the compound, she looked for another way in. It would be better to talk face to face with Helen, explain everything while she could. If she could convince her to listen, Agnes was certain she would come around to the idea.

Standing on her tiptoes, she tried to look over the wall, but it was too high. They chose this location for a reason, because it was almost impossible to get inside.

If I could get into her office, she will probably be in there now.

A strange sensation overwhelmed Agnes, her body felt like sparks were coursing through it. The next thing she knew, she was standing in Helen’s office.

Helen looked up and screamed. Jumping back, she summoned a fireball. “Be gone, demon.”

“No, Helen wait!” Agnes cried.

Surprisingly, Helen hesitated. Probably because she knew the fireball wouldn’t have much effect on a demon. That was another issue when they possessed a person, they offered them added protection from witch magic.

“I know what this looks like, but I can explain.” Agnes showed Helen her arm.

“What is that?” Helen asked.

“A sigil to give me control over the demon.”

“Impossible,” Helen hissed. She pulled back her arm.

“No, I swear I’m in control. It tried to break me down, but I carved the sigil and now I can control the demon…and its powers.”

“That’s how you got in here,” Helen said.

Agnes nodded. “I think so. I didn’t know I could do that. Please, Helen, this may be the answer we are looking for. A way to kill all the demons.”

Helen sneered at her. “You broke the rules, put us all in danger. Why should I listen to you?”

“Because I know you, Helen. You want to know more. You haven’t taken your eyes off this sigil.”

Helen forced her gaze back to Agnes. No matter how much she tried to hide it, Helen would do anything to win, no matter the cost. Agnes knew that. She would even listen to her insane idea.

With a sigh, Helen extinguished the fireball. “Fine, start talking.”

Agnes laid out her plan, everything she had done and could do with more time to research. They were already united against the demons, why not make them into a formidable army?

Helen summoned the others to the main hall. When Agnes entered with her, there were gasps of surprise. A few of the woman summoned fire and energy balls.

“Stop,” Helen said. “She isn’t a threat. Agnes has found a way to control the demon inside.”

“That is impossible,” one witch said.

“I would have agreed had I not seen it for myself,” Helen said.

“How do we know she is not corrupting you?” another woman yelled.

Helen gave her a dark look. “If she was, you would all be dead by now. No, ladies, what we have here is an opportunity to finally strike back against the demons. A way to fight them on equal footing.”

“How?” someone asked.

The crowd parted and Gretchen hobbled forward. She looked weak, but she was alive.

“Gretchen,” Agnes said with a smile.

The girl didn’t return it. She didn’t blame her; it would take time to trust her. For all of them to trust her.

“By controlling a demon and using its powers. We can channel it and kill the ones that walk amongst us in their true guise.”

Some of them looked intrigued.

“But we would have to possessed?” Gretchen asked.

“No,” Agnes said. She would never let that happen to her again.

Helen stepped forward. “A select few would be chosen, those without family, willing to fight. Your body would be prepared beforehand, marked with the sigils. No demon would ever have control. From the very start, it would be under your control.”

They looked nervous. Agnes didn’t know how many willing volunteers they would get, but she was prepared to lead the way. She could show them how to use the powers for good.

I will find a way to get this body back. It is only a matter of time.

You can try, but we’re an army now. Soon demons will be extinct.

The story will continue in 2024 with Book 1 in The Shadow Witch Covenant Series.