Chapter 25

Holden, Maine

"They're leaving this afternoon," the tallest of the coven said quietly, opening her eyes and coming back to her present place and time. "We finally get to see if we can control her, too."

Wrapping another hex bag and placing it in the basket nearest her, Rhiannon shook her head. "There is no way that we'll be powerful enough to control the Nephilim. If She has any hope of taking control of the Winchesters, She needs to lower Her expectations and just go after The Mark." Rhiannon glanced up at Sasha and sighed. "Ouriel and Dekar both had the right idea. Separated, they're much weaker."

Sasha spun on a heel to stare at her doe-eyed sister. "You realize that if you bring up either of those names around her, she'll kill us both without hesitating." Sasha shook her head, long blonde hair cascading down her back as she cleared up the remainder of her summoning spell. "I'm still not entirely sure how we have lasted as long as we have."

"Oh ye of little faith," Rhiannon scoffed. "She favors us. We do what she needs to be done."

Stacking the spell books behind her, Sasha put her hands on her hips. "Well," she continued, "they're coming either way. We need to be ready for a fight. Get the other women of the covens. Spread the word. We'll need the reinforcements."

Rhiannon stood and walked downstairs, sidestepping the man that was vacantly guarding the stairwell. "Come on, ladies," she called, entering the living room. "Sasha has seen the Winchesters' plan. They leave today."

Smiling around the room at the dozen beautiful and extremely powerful women in her presence, Rhiannon knew that they were finally starting to earn some respect. In the past, the covens of witches across the world had been scorned and constantly tossed to the side, the Powers That Be always seeing them as less important in the world of the supernatural. Demons and angels were naturally more gifted than even her sister, but Rhiannon knew with their new leadership, the witches were finally getting their chance to show off their abilities. Old World Magick would finally get its chance to be in the spotlight, and Sasha and Rhiannon would ensure that She would not be disappointed.

"We need to move reinforcements into place to guard the outer edges of the town. I want the Winchesters coming in, but I do not want them coming out," Rhiannon explained. "Send the Workers into the center of town, but be sure to have them play their parts. We don't need to be giving away too much all at once."

The women got to work immediately, whispering incantations to themselves with their eyes falling closed, concentrating only on their individual tasks. Sasha came down the steps quietly, almost as if she was floating; her hair so blonde that it was almost white, drifting down the steps behind her.

Turning towards her sister, Rhiannon smiled. "They have their assignments. The Contagion Spell was perfectly manufactured. We have well over two thousand."

"Two thousand," Sasha repeated, nodding her approval. "Impressive, sister. Has She been informed?"

Rhiannon nodded once, turning back towards another member of the coven as completed her murmured incantation. "I want a team of Workers guarding Her as well," she said quietly, tucking a strand of curly auburn hair behind her ear. "She might be the most powerful among us, but I still want her to know that we care about her protection."

The witch nodded once, following orders immediately and began whispering again.

Sasha moved to the stained glass window and watched the pathetic non-magical humans below, moving slowly from their homes and to various parts in the surrounding town. The evening sun shone in, streaming through the red-tinted glass, bathing her porcelain skin in a rosy glow. "Mistakes have been made," Sasha murmured, almost to herself. "We will prove we are worth Her attention. We will be the ones She depends on. We will be the most rewarded."

Rhiannon stepped to the window as well, looking out into the crowds of people. "I believe it as well, Sasha," she replied. "There will be no more mistakes. We will separate them, just as we originally planned. He will fall to his deep seeded fears; she will be lost without his power. Then we will move on the children. She says that they are the key."

Sasha's voice was hardly a whisper. "What of the Warrior?" she asked. "Surely, she will fight."

"She is one. We are many."

Nodding slowly, hoping that her sister was correct, Sasha listened to the coven chant, their voices becoming one as they echoed into the cavern of the church. This time, they were organized and most of all, patient. This time, a female mind would infiltrate Heaven and Hell.

This time, they would be victorious and Sasha and Rhiannon would finally reap their rewards.