Miriam staggered forward, calling for her mother as the few remaining Puritys collapsed, hugging each other and staring at their fallen leader.
Both fallen leaders. Our coven mourned immediately, though I held out hope. I hadn't felt her die, no lifting of her spirit from her body. And, as Miriam bent over her mother, the thin, filthy soul of Naudia Purity rose and flashed out in the heavy, moisture-laden air as a flash of lighting lit the sky.
I heard the soft exhale of Ethpeal's breath just as the answering rumble of thunder died out, relief taking me as I supported the unconscious witch with all the power I could muster.
"Mother." Miriam's whisper sent a tremor through Ethpeal and, in that glorious moment when our leader's eyes opened, I thought we had won.
A split-second she was wi
