Chapter 344: Demons Are Harder To Kill Than Wolves

Lilith felt something cold settle in her stomach. "And if I choose to give up my magic? To burn it all out to break the curse?"

Victoria’s expression shuttered. "Then all this power....all this potential dies with the sacrifice. The Morvaine legacy ends. And you become just another human in a world full of predators."

"You say that like it’s the worst possible outcome."

"Isn’t it?" Victoria challenged. "You have the ability to reshape supernatural politics, Lilith. To heal bonds that are broken. To create connections that could bring peace between species that have been at war for centuries.

That’s what the Morvaine gift is meant for. And you’re talking about throwing it away to save three wolves who...."

"Who I love," Lilith interrupted. "I know you don’t understand that. I know you think the bonds are manipulating me. But Aunt Victoria....even if the bonds disappeared tomorrow, I would still love them. I would still want to save them."

Victoria looked at her for a long moment. Then she sighed. "I know. That’s what terrifies me. Because love makes us do stupid things. Makes us sacrifice ourselves for people who might not be worth it."

"They’re worth it," Lilith said quietly.

"Are they?" Victoria asked. "Or are you just telling yourself that because you can’t bear the alternative?"

Before Lilith could answer, the sound of running feet made them both turn.

Sera appeared at the entrance to the training grounds, her face pale and her breathing labored like she had just sprinted across the entire estate.

"Lilith," Sera gasped. "Victoria. You need to come to the war room. Now. Callum found something."

***

*War Room*

The war room was a converted study on the second floor, large enough to hold two dozen people, with maps of the territory spread across a central table and defensive plans covering every available wall.

When Nicholas arrived with Callum, he found Sebastian and Lucian already there along with Finn and Eli. The two Betas were standing around the table looking at something that made all of them tense.

"What is it?" Nicholas asked.

Eli looked up, his expression grim. "We sent scouts into the surrounding territories last night. Standard reconnaissance to see if Thalia was gathering forces nearby."

"And?"

"And they found this." Eli placed a small object on the table.

Nicholas moved closer and felt his blood run cold.

It was a summoning token, a piece of black obsidian carved with symbols that predated most supernatural languages. The kind of token used to call demons from the spaces between worlds.

"Where did you find this?" Nicholas demanded.

"Eastern woods," Finn said. "About five miles from our border. There were seven of them arranged in a ritual circle. Someone’s been summoning."

"Demons," Sebastian said, and his voice was flat with dread. "Thalia’s bringing demons."

"Not just demons," Callum said. He placed another object on the table....a scrap of fabric covered in dark stains that smelled of rot and old blood. "We found this near the summoning site. It’s pack colors. From the Shadowcrest pack in the eastern territories."

Nicholas felt ice slide down his spine. "Shadowcrest went rogue three years ago. They were exiled for practicing blood magic."

"Exactly," Callum said. "And now it looks like Thalia’s recruited them. Rogue wolves. Demons. Who knows what else."

The door opened and Victoria entered with Lilith and Sera. Victoria took one look at the objects on the table and her expression went murderous.

"Summoning tokens," she said. "That’s how she’s planning to breach our defenses. She’s going to open portals directly onto the grounds."

"Can she do that?" Sebastian asked. "Bypass the wards entirely?"

"If she has enough power and enough sacrifices, yes," Victoria said grimly.

She moved to the table and examined the token without touching it. "These have been used recently. Within the past day. Which means Thalia’s already begun the summoning process."

"How long until they arrive?" Nicholas asked.

Victoria’s jaw tightened. "Hours. Maybe less."

The war room went very quiet.

"We’re not ready," Eli said. "The wards aren’t complete. We don’t have enough people trained in combined defensive techniques. If Thalia attacks now..."

"Then we fight with what we have," Nicholas interrupted. "Callum, get every warrior to defensive positions. Finn, coordinate with Victoria’s people on ward reinforcement. Eli, I want scouts on every approach to the estate. The moment you see anything....anything....you report immediately."

All three Betas nodded and moved to follow orders.

Nicholas looked at Victoria. "Can you stop the demons once they’re through?"

"I can try," Victoria said. "But demons that have been properly summoned are bound to their summoner. They’ll follow Thalia’s orders until they’re killed or she releases them."

"Then we kill them," Lucian said simply.

"Easier said than done," Victoria said. "Demons are harder to kill than wolves. They don’t die from normal injuries. You need blessed weapons or magic powerful enough to destroy their essence entirely."

"We have blessed silver," Nicholas said. "And we have you."

"And we have me," Lilith said quietly.

Everyone turned to look at her.

"Lilith, no...." Victoria started.

"I can help," Lilith interrupted. "You just said I’m one of the most powerful witches alive right now. And Thalia wants me alive. Which means she won’t risk killing me. That makes me the safest person to face her directly."

"Absolutely not," Nicholas said immediately.

"He’s right," Sebastian agreed. "You’re not going anywhere near Thalia."

"You can’t stop me," Lilith said, and there was steel in her voice. "This is my fight as much as yours. Thalia wants to use me. The curse is inside me. My power is the thing feeding it. I have more reason to stop her than any of you."

"You also have the most to lose," Victoria said. "If Thalia captures you...."

"She won’t," Lilith said. "Because I won’t let her. I’m done being protected.

Done being kept safe while everyone else fights for me. If Thalia wants me, she’s going to have to go through me first."

Nicholas wanted to argue. Wanted to lock Lilith in the safest room in the estate and refuse to let her anywhere near the coming battle.

But he could see the determination in her eyes. Could feel through the bond that she had already made up her mind.

"Fine," he said finally. "But you stay with me. You don’t engage Thalia alone. And if things go wrong, if it looks like she’s going to capture you....you run. Understood?"

Lilith nodded. "Understood."

The door burst open and Magdalene ran in, her ancient face pale with alarm.

"They’re coming," she gasped. "The demons. I felt them breach the veil.

They’ll be here within the hour."

"Get everyone to positions," Nicholas commanded. "NOW."