Sacrifice by Jennifer Quintenz

Author:Jennifer Quintenz [Quintenz, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Secret Tree Press
Published: 2014-01-30T07:00:00+00:00

“Well, at least now we know what they’re planning.” Hale’s face was tight, drawn with concern.

I sank back into the Guard’s couch, exhausted. I’d just finished telling Hale, Dad, Gretchen, Matt, Thane, and Ian everything I’d witnessed, with Cassie filling in some of the sparser parts of my report. She’d wrapped a thick bandage tightly around her wounded palm, but already spots of red were starting to show through.

“That’s not really possible, though, is it?” Cassie glanced around the room. “They can’t—I mean, The Lilith?”

“Let’s not wait to find out,” said Thane.

“What do you suggest?” Ian eyed Thane uneasily.

“Clearly we must strike now.”

“And whom do you suggest we attack?” Ian’s eyebrows hiked up.

“Idris. The Lilitu working with her.” Thane’s expression was hard, merciless. “To stop Lilith from returning, we must stop those trying to aid her in her return.”

“You assume the only Lilitu working with Idris are the ones we’ve seen at the meetings. What if there are more? Eliminating Idris and her attendants now would only put the others on alert.” Ian gestured to Cassie. “And what about the acolytes? They’ve been initiated by a blood rite we do not yet understand. Moving on the cult could jeopardize these young women—who I assume we can all agree are merely victims in this?”

Cassie blanched; I don’t think she’d fully accepted her own peril before this moment. Hale and Dad traded a worried look.

Thane’s eyes narrowed. “You propose we do nothing?”

“I propose we move carefully, Thane.” Ian glanced around the room. “Yes, we must act. But we must act intelligently. Keep in mind, we have some time until winter solstice arrives.”

“Why is it always winter solstice?” Royal groaned.

“It’s the longest night of the year.” Lucas glanced at Ian, but the old archivist gestured for him to explain. “It’s a night of power for the Lilitu.”

“I thought every night was a night of power for the Lilitu,” Cassie mumbled.

Gretchen gave her a wry smile, and then eyed the bandage wrapped tightly around Cassie’s palm. “I think you’re going to need stitches for that. Come on. I’ll drive you to urgent care.”

“I’ll keep you company,” Matt said, stepping back to give Cassie room to stand.

Cassie stood, cradling her hand gingerly. She glanced back at the archivists, deeply concerned. “Do we even know what Idris needs to do to prepare for Lilith’s return?”

“Would it be some kind of ritual?” I glanced at Ian. He considered me thoughtfully. “Or maybe it relies on some kind of supernatural artifact, like the vessel Seth needed to open the Seal. Have you guys ever read about anything like that?”

Thane and Ian exchanged a look.

“I have not. Have you?” Ian asked.

“A how-to for waking up the mother of demons?” Thane’s lips twisted, as though he’d just bitten into a lemon expecting something sweet. “No.”

“Perhaps a lesser text includes some mention of the particulars.” Ian stood. “We can start with the compendium.”

Thane grimaced. “I do not like this, Hale. We are playing with fire. Inaction, however prudent it may seem, is still inaction.

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