The General sat behind her desk, a glass of wine in her hand. Her blue eyes were focused on the liquid within but her mind was elsewhere. As it often was lately.
Cadet Craven had been de-biddied a few weeks ago and returned to her unit for the start of War College. She had done Alder a great service in sacrificing her years so that she could live, without a second thought. She was impressed—and had been since she met the girl, if she were being honest.
There was something about her. Something more than her Knower abilities, more than the fact she continuously challenged Alder, more than her dedication as a soldier…
Sarah was drawn to her in a way she hadn't felt in all her 300+ years—and that was terrifying. Tally's sacrifice…said without any hesitation and with such conviction…she never expected that from a cadet, let alone Tally who had been questioning her about her motives and disagreeing with her decisions. It was surprising to say the least.
She wasn't totally sure why Tally had made that decision. Why she really made the decision…if the cadet was so against her methods why would she sacrifice her full life to become a biddy. She knew she had changed Tally's mind about her in at least a small way after their private conversation. It was one of the few moments she allowed herself to be vulnerable, even rarer to allow someone to see it. Whatever it was, she felt safe showing it to Tally.
She really didn't want to think about that.
She took a swig of the wine and sighed happily as the flavors exploded on her tongue. She did love a good red.
She needed the wine to take her mind off of things. She could feel their link, buried deep below where Sarah knew it resided but could tuck it away—and hope it would dissipate on its own. Well. Hoped.
Anytime she thought about it disappearing, it pained her greatly. Which was inconvenient and unfortunate for her, considering her present feelings for the young woman. If anyone asked she would deny that she missed her…but truthfully, she did. She had no reason to really visit Tally in the infirmary after the process—but she told herself she just wanted to make sure the young witch was doing well. She also didn't make a habit of visiting companies at the start of War College. In fact, she could barely remember the last time she had. She told herself it was just to boost morale…but that was another lie. She missed Tally Craven, just as much as Tally missed her.
She was certain that the affection Tally was feeling for her was a side effect of the biddy link. Alder had only de-biddied a handful over the years and none of them affected her like this, not even close. The effects of the previous separations were gone within a couple days. The cadet had told her how much she'd missed her, and it had set a warmth in Alder's stomach—only for a cold to wash over her at the thought that it was only because of the remnants of the biddy link. But it still didn't explain why she'd been able to feel Tally's emotions this far along. She'd made the mistake of tapping into the link to soothe her own ache for the girl—feeling herself overcome with a yearning so strong it brought tears to her eyes. Her mind had been so restless since Tally's release.
She went to stand, ready to retire to her room for the night—and froze as a feeling of terror rippled down her body. Her heart began racing as a cold sweat overtook her.
She roused the biddies from their sleep through the link to follow her, not bothering to wait for them as she allowed the tug of terror to pull her feet in the right direction.
She knew it was Work. She could feel it in her blood and on her tongue. It felt ancient…old…primal—it even tasted different.
She didn't dare question it. Whenever a Working that old called upon a witch, one should not ignore it.
She barely registered the sound of the biddies rushing to catch up to her as she pushed open the door to the infirmary.
Raelle and Abigail were trying to rouse Tally from sleep as the girl screamed in terror. She was thrashing against them on the bed; crying out 'General' as she fought back in her sleep.
"Move," Alder growled protectively, startling the two cadets, and moved to Tally.
"General," they said in tandem as they moved away, clearly sharing a look of confusion.
"Tally," Alder said as she reached out to touch her shoulder. As soon as her palm made contact, she felt a calm wash over her and she released a breath she didn't know she was holding.
Tally ceased screaming and her eyes began to flutter rapidly as she woke.
"My stomach," she rasped out, pulling her shirt up and exposing her abdomen to the women in the room.
Horrible, red, painful-looking welts were rising on her skin.
Alder recognized those welts immediately. "Collar."
Raelle nodded as she rushed around the opposite side of the bed and linked with Tally to heal her.
They watched silently as the welts began to disappear and Tally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Are you alright?" Alder asked immediately. Her eyes searched Tally's warm brown ones.
Tally simply nodded. She wasn't sure what to say. General Alder was here…in the room…with her. She then realized the biddies were all in their night attire while the General was wearing her uniform minus the jacket. She briefly got lost in her thoughts at the sight of Sarah's bare arms. When she snapped out of it, her eyes flickered to Abigail and Raelle, who were staring at her with concern.
"You got the General?" Tally questioned them disbelievingly, blinking the remnants of the nightmare away. She couldn't believe that they would run straight for Alder, but nothing else made sense for why she was here or how she knew.
The two simply shook their heads and looked to the General to explain why she came bursting in at the perfect time.
Alder hadn't noticed their stares. She was focused on Tally's stomach—thoughts racing. How had she gotten those welts? Those were distinctive to an attack by the Camarilla in the jungle. And that was decades ago. And why was the cadet in the infirmary in the first place?
"General?" Tally asked softly, voice still strained from her earlier screaming.
Alder's eyes snapped up to meet Tally's, and her heart clenched painfully. The girl looked exhausted. Her skin was paler than usual, and her eyes seemed heavy with a weight that no one so young should bear.
"Why are you in the infirmary?" Alder asked seriously, her eyes boring into Tally's.
"I haven't been able to sleep…" she trailed off, not wanting to say more.
A stern look from Alder, coupled with a raised eyebrow that said 'there's more to that and you need to explain, now'.
"I've been having nightmares since we severed the link. At first I thought it was just regular nightmares…maybe PTSD? But then they kept happening and you were always there and I realized then that they're your memories," Tally said quickly.
Her eyes saddened at the end and Alder felt like the wind had just been knocked out of her. Tally had been reliving some of Alder's worst memories, and she wasn't sure how to process that.
"We try to wake her up," Raelle finally spoke up, drawing the women's attention. "It's just really hard to get her out of it."
Alder considered her words a moment before she quickly made a decision, and decided to follow her instincts. That magical pull to Tally wasn't a coincidence. She was seeing her memories and suffering physical harm now because of them.
"How much sleep have you been getting?" Alder asked.
"Like two or three hours," Tally answered.
Alder's eyes widened and thoughts ran wild through her head. Why hadn't she been told about this?
"Every other night maybe? Like actual sleep," Tally added, wincing shortly after at the look of pain on Alder's face.
"If it was this serious, why did you not come to me?" Her eyes were soft but her voice was demanding.
Tally looked at her with tired eyes. "You told me that a small part of the bond would always remain…I just thought this was part of it and the last thing I was going to do was run to you about it." The last bit came out a little harsher than she intended.
Alder couldn't help but internally wince at the words. She gave a stiff nod, not wanting to show that the words were hurtful, and making sure she kept her feelings buried. Being near her right now was allowing her to feel Tally's emotions clearly, as it seemed to happen every time they were near each other. Hence the General keeping her distance.
Regardless of her personal feelings, Tally was being injured by her memories and she couldn't sit by and allow the cadet to deal with it on her own.
"With me, Craven," Alder said as she stood.
She held a hand out for Tally to take to help her stand. Not only could she see the surprise and confusion on her face, but she could feel it through the link as well.
"Do you feel okay to walk?" she asked as Tally stood.
"I think—," Tally began only to have her legs give out. She would have crumpled to the ground had Alder not wrapped her arms around her to catch her.
Before Tally could process the amount of contact with Alder's body, the General scooped her up in her arms and carried her toward the door bridal style.
"Go to your beds and get some rest. Craven and I need to talk and I'll monitor her tonight," Alder barked as she left the room, her biddies following diligently behind.
Alder glanced down at Tally to find the girl staring at her wide-eyed. But what grabbed the General's attention was that Tally's skin had returned to their normal shade.
"Your color has returned," General Alder said softly as she strode down the hall.
They were nearly at her private quarters and she nodded to her biddies as they branched off to their room. Alder sang a soft seed that opened the door to her office so she could pass through without putting Tally down.
Her boot kicked the door backwards—shutting it with a thud.
Tally thought that they would be sitting in Alder's office, so she was surprised—delighted but surprised—to find that they were heading for Alder's personal room. She was feeling much better than when she had awoken, and being in Alder's arms wasn't hurting at all. She'd missed her desperately. Alder had told her that their bond would always be there…but that it would fade. It wasn't at all. If anything, it was intensifying. Being in the General's arms was all Tally really wanted and it soothed the ache that was created when she had been de-biddied.
She wasn't entirely sure why the General came to see her…or how she even knew she was having a nightmare. Her thoughts were racing, as were her emotions. She only broke her reverie when her body touched the bed—Alder's bed.
"So. You've been seeing my memories," Alder stated quietly.
Tally nodded.
Alder's shoulders sagged as a heavy sigh escaped her. Her memories weren't for the faint of heart.
"Tell me everything about what happened," Alder requested as she moved away and toward her dresser.
Tally swallowed and scooted up to rest against the headboard. She began to recount the nightmare, watching Alder's every move as she spoke. She had grabbed her night attire and disappeared into the bathroom, leaving the door open a bit. Enough that Tally could sort of see in.
It was immensely distracting and Tally tripped over her words as a wave of desire flowed through her at the brief sight of the General's back muscles. She glanced around the room as she spoke, taking in the simplicity of it all. Everything was standard issue, aside from a very old, handmade quilt at the foot of the bed.
"Um…" she trailed off, shaking her head as the General finished dressing. "Then I woke up and…"
Alder strode back to the bed, worrying her lip between her teeth. She knew that they were still connected after the de-biddying. She had told Tally as much—that the bond they shared would endure in some small way. But this? This was not small. If Tally would get seriously hurt in the memory…the thought made her feel sick.
"Why do you feel sick?" Tally questioned suddenly.
Alder's eyes snapped to meet hers. "How did you know?"
Tally looked confused as she thought on it. "I felt it." Her eyes closed so she could focus. "You're…worried…frightened…not for you but for me…" she trailed off as her eyes opened to stare in wonder at the General.
Goddess had Tally missed her. She'd been craving the mere presence of the General since they separated. She couldn't remember ever wanting something so badly. She knew the feeling was different than that of the biddy connection. The biddy connection was deep on a level but this…whatever she was feeling through the connection was much deeper. She knew it. Despite whatever Alder told her, she knew otherwise.
Alder released a shaky breath as she climbed on top of the bed, pulling the covers down so that she and Tally could slide under. At Tally's questioning glance, she nodded for her to join her.
Tally temporarily forgot how to breathe at the implication.
They settled on their backs, staring up at the ceiling.
"How did you know I was having a nightmare?" Tally broached quietly. Laying in Alder's bed with her…she was excited but nervous as hell—and was trying her best to not fidget.
"I felt it through our connection," came the soft reply.
Tally couldn't help but smile at that. Alder could feel it just like Tally could and it made her heart sing. Then it hit her. "Why didn't you tell me you could feel it too?"
Her voice sounded so small and vulnerable when she asked.
"I…" Alder trailed off. "Honestly, I thought it was a usual side effect. I've had a handful of biddies be de-biddied over the centuries but the bond faded quickly after. I assumed it would be the same. This time is different though," she told her.
Tally could understand that. "Why did you bring me here?"
"I don't want you out of my sight tonight," Alder replied easily, eyes still on the ceiling.
"Why?"
She could feel Tally's eyes on her face, searching.
"Because you've been through my memories…that is not something I wish for anyone to experience. You were also injured in the memory and that is not something to be ignored," Alder explained honestly. She finally looked over to meet Tally's gaze.
The girl had rolled onto her side so that she could look at her better, and Alder soon found herself mirroring the position.
"If you experience another one while you sleep, I want to be here to pull you from it before you can be injured," she added.
Tally nodded, then asked, "But why are we sharing a bed?"
Alder couldn't help but smirk. Tally's eyes were bright—so much different than their worn appearance earlier.
"Craven, are you seriously looking a gift horse in the mouth?"
Tally blushed furiously and spluttered out some sort of response.
Alder simply chuckled and reached out to take one of Tally's hand in her own before she could even think on it. "We are sharing a bed because I want to try something while you sleep. I want to see if I can actively be present as myself here, there."
Tally nodded.
Alder didn't mention that it was also because it felt easier to breathe with her around.
"Sleep," Alder commanded softly before she began the seed her mother would sing to help her drift off.
Tally's eyes grew heavy as she began to feel the pull of slumber. "Goodnight, General."
Then she was out.
Alder continued for another moment before stopping. She took a second to take Tally in. Her eyes gazed over her relaxed face. She seemed so at peace here, clinging to Alder's hand still—as if she might remove it at any moment.
She wouldn't. Not tonight. Tonight, she needed to keep Tally safe.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, singing a seed and effortlessly falling into a deep sleep.
Tally knew she was dreaming when she opened her eyes. She was definitely somewhere in the 1600's if it was anything to go by. She was in a small village, and as she walked she realized that she was in Salem.
She walked around, taking in the single church in the center, as well as the men and women working while the children ran and played. It was all so simple. Just a small community working to benefit each other—she suddenly felt a pang of sadness as these same people would turn on Sarah and her family.
"It worked."
Tally turned and couldn't help but smile at the sight of the General. She was in the shorts and tank top she had changed into for bed.
Tally couldn't help but stare. Alder was fit. She couldn't help the thought of how she would look above her—how her back muscles would look with red nail lines running down them.
What Tally didn't realize, was that the General was able to suddenly feel the emotions running through her.
Sarah sucked in a breath, hoping that Tally didn't notice. She didn't understand why their connection was intensifying instead of dissipating. She didn't want to question Izadora's skill on the matter as she was certain it wasn't her fault.
She recalled the Work she felt when it had pulled her…No, this is something else, she reminded herself. She could try and rationalize it all she wanted, but she knew in the pit of her stomach this was different.
She cleared her throat, "I was hoping that if I was here with you, I'd be able to join you and possibly control what you see."
Tally smiled softly. "That is very generous of you, but you can't do this every night. I recall you don't sleep much, and I know you have other things—more important things to deal with than—"
"Craven," Alder interjected with a slight smile but a serious gaze. "Until we find an explanation for why you are getting injured, we will do this every night."
Disbelief covered Tally's face. "Are you sure this isn't just about you keeping more secrets?" She couldn't help but ask.
She was trying hard to remember that despite her attraction to the General, she had done things that Tally couldn't unsee and un-know.
Alder looked at her questioningly, her eyes hardening. "What are you implying, cadet?"
"I'm implying that you don't want me to see your memories because you have something to hide. Just like you did with those civilians. Like you did about puppeting the President."
"You still feel that my actions are unjust," Alder stated, her voice flat. She was frustrated at Tally's disbelief. Everything she had ever done was to keep their kind from being hunted and killed. She did whatever was necessary to keep them safe.
Tally merely nodded.
The pang of disappointment hit Sarah hard. She wanted Tally to believe in her, to try and understand. That in itself was irritating. She didn't need anyone's approval…but she wanted Tally's.
"We weren't ready. We weren't ready for that. You made us into murderers," Tally said woefully.
"I made you into soldiers." Alder took a step closer. "Nothing ever really prepares you for the things you have to do in battle. War College doesn't prepare you for the blood on your hands. You're never really ready."
Tally looked away, finding Alder's gaze too intense for her.
"What would you have had me do?" Alder pressed.
Tally whipped her head to look back at the General—she was stunned and thought a moment before realizing the General was not joking. "You're serious?"
Alder nodded. "The information I had going into that mission was that two trucks stocked with Spree work were heading to the nearest international airport. There they would be able to spread the work farther and wider than before, and wrack up mass casualties." Alder had begun pacing back and forth, her hands clasped behind her back. "Your unit…and while unfortunate that you weren't mentally and emotionally ready…your unit was the only one that could make it in time. What I knew was that we had two very dangerous trucks heading to cause mass casualties…who knows how many lives could have perished if your unit hadn't been there. The civilians were…" she trailed off.
Tally held her breath and waited. She hated that what Alder said made sense.
"It was heartbreaking," she said finally as she settled on the word. Her eyes met Tally's again. "Innocent people were involved by no choice of their own…but had I not made that call, who knows what could have happened…how many more civilians would die or how many more witches." Alder took a step closer to Tally. "So tell me, Craven, what would you have done if you had that information…"
Tally was silent. She ran through scenarios in her head, forgetting for a moment that before she had realized there were civilians Alder had made a sound call. Then she thought as logically as she could about the civilians—the Camarilla are civilians who hate witches and want them hunted…who was to say that there wasn't a hostage who shared those sentiments. If they had allowed the truck to go because of the risk…there was no idea how many more innocents could die on both sides. She couldn't unfeel their terror at the thought of dying, though. The two contradicted each other—the epitome of the mind versus the heart. It was a necessary call, but that didn't make it right. She was resigned to that fact.
General Alder watched as the thoughts flew through Tally's mind. She could feel it through their connection and she was satisfied that she at least made her think about the tough decisions she makes every day.
She took a deep breath and walked past Tally onto the small dirt road that led outside of the town. Her eyes stayed focused on the forest ahead, unworried that her companion wouldn't follow her. She knew Tally was just behind.
She paused on the edge of the forest and let out a shaky breath before continuing on another path that wove in between the trees.
Tally hurried her steps to catch up to the General. She couldn't help the lump that had appeared in her throat after she questioned her and thought through the scenario presented to her. She had felt a slight pang of disappointment when she had agreed with Alder's assessment—not her own though. Tally knew then it had come from the General, and it made Tally's heart clench unpleasantly. More importantly, she could feel that Alder wanted her to understand, and Tally couldn't help but feel honored that Alder cared about what she thought at all.
They came upon a wooden cottage and Tally was torn away from her internal musings. She took the cottage in; a large garden rested off to the side, as well as a small animal pen on the other. Smoke was wafting from the chimney, coiling up into the trees like silk.
"Sarah, cut it out!" a small voice shrieked before letting out a large laugh.
A young girl, probably around twelve if Tally had to guess, appeared from the trees—laughing loudly and coming to rest just before them.
"What is wrong, sister?"
Tally couldn't help the smile that blossomed across her face as she heard a young Sarah. She appeared then, leaping from the thicket of brush—her black hair a tad wild around her face. Twigs clung to her dress and her hair, and there was even some dirt smeared on her face; an indication of her rambunctious play.
"You're adorable," Tally chuckled without glancing at the General.
Sarah's eyes widened, and she turned her head to gaze at her companion.
"You are just telling me to stop because you are too slow," little Sarah said as she crossed her arms. That air of defiance was there, but it was behind shining bright blue eyes and a smile.
Tally felt her heart soar at the sight. She looked so carefree and happy. It suddenly made Tally very sad when she realized that before long both of the girls' lives would change drastically—for one an end, and for the other hundreds of years of service and fighting.
Tally had to admit, seeing Sarah as a young carefree girl simply playing with her sister made her realize just how much she had sacrificed over the years after watching her sister be killed next to her.
"What's her name?" Tally asked, her head turning to look at the witch next to her.
"Elizabeth," Sarah replied, voice tight with emotion. She could feel the tears beginning to well up in her eyes.
She hadn't meant for this to happen when she decided on showing Tally this memory. She wanted to show her what she was like before all the death and destruction, before the wars and bloodshed. She desperately wanted to feel like she was understood, but aside from her biddies she didn't really have anyone in her corner. She was okay with that…for a time. But after meeting Tally Craven…
Sarah chuckled to herself darkly. Tally Craven was changing everything and she didn't even realize.
"Hey, hey," Tally said softly. She turned to face Alder fully and reached out, hands grabbing her waist and pulling her into a hug without thinking it through.
A small gasp escaped her when she felt her body respond. She was filled with energy as well as a feeling of wholeness. She felt like home.
Sarah felt her tears slide down her face as she turned her head inward to press against red locks and a pale neck, similarly affected. Breathing Tally in calmed her considerably, but the pain she was feeling at seeing her sister again was just so much.
It shouldn't still feel like it just happened, Sarah thought ruefully.
Soft hands drew her from her brooding when they passed up and down her back. She sighed at the calming motion and began to feel her control returning. She knew she should be embarrassed for losing her composure in front of a cadet, but she couldn't bring herself to care. She had endured so much, the least she could do was allow herself some comfort, especially in the privacy of their minds.
Sarah pulled back and wiped at her tears. "Thank you."
"I'm happy to help," Tally replied honestly as she reached up and brushed another stray tear from the General's face. "General—"
"Sarah," Alder interjected. She nearly laughed at Tally's surprise. "Call me Sarah. When we are alone like this, it's Sarah."
"Sarah," Tally repeated with a giddy smile.
Sarah found it infectious, and returned it.
"So, Sarah, why this memory?" Tally asked as they turned to face the continuing memory of Sarah and Elizabeth chasing each other around the house.
"I wanted to revisit my home," she answered honestly. "I also wanted to show you what my life was like before everything had happened."
"Why?" Tally questioned.
Sarah couldn't help but smile. "So many questions, Craven."
"Tally," she corrected, flashing a pleased grin.
Sarah leaned in closer to the witch's ear. "So many questions, Tally," her voice practically a purr.
Tally felt a rush of desire flood her and she couldn't help but gasp audibly as it hit her.
Sarah wondered for a second what had caused such a reaction when she felt it through the connection.
Oh.
Tally wanted her. Sarah had to close the connection off a little to ease the intensity of the feelings. She also didn't want to embarrass Tally that she felt it so strongly…or that her own was bubbling in response.
"Is there anywhere you'd like to see?" Sarah asked, changing the subject quickly. She did however reach down and take Tally's hand in her own.
"Oh, um," Tally stuttered out. "I'd like to see the rest of Liberia…"
Sarah considered her a moment before she closed her eyes and willed the memory forth. When she opened her eyes again, they were back in the jungles in combat attire.
"Up here," Sarah directed, pulling Tally through the group of witches to her position in the front.
She had only ever witnessed herself from this viewpoint a few times prior, and it was just as strange as the other times. But, they stopped next to her…and a woman that Tally was staring at intensely.
"Who is she?" Tally asked, pointing to the soldier.
"Nicte Batan," she replied.
"She's the redacted soldier," Tally murmured. "Why was she redacted from the history books, Sarah?"
She took a deep breath and brought another memory to the surface, one that would explain all to Tally and she prayed to the Goddess that she wouldn't think of her as a monster.
They stood outside of the church, just the two Sarahs and Tally.
In the General's hands was a glass bottle that she was staring at, a conflicted look on her face. Her hands shook for a moment, but only just. She took a deep breath, exhaled, and then threw the bottle in through the window.
Tally could faintly hear the manipulated seed from outside—and she watched, in horror, as the screams began from inside, as well as the fire.
Tears were shining in General Alder's eyes as she watched the scene.
"What did you do?!" Nicte screamed as she ran toward the church.
"Batan!" Alder called out, voice catching in her throat.
Nicte rounded on her. "You killed them all!"
"I did what I had to do!" Alder screamed, tears shining but her jaw firm. "I do what I always must do to keep us all safe. This kind of work, Nicte, it is wrong. I can't allow you and them to destroy everything I have built for us!"
"You're forcing us to participate in wars that we don't want to fight in! They surrendered! You didn't have to kill them! "
"The moment we no longer become useful to the government is the moment we will be persecuted, again! Having to fight wars for this country is how we stay safe!" General Alder raged back. "Would they have really surrendered, Nicte? This was not something we can just take their word for!"
Tally could feel the waves of anguish, guilt, determination…hope…that flowed through the connection.
She didn't agree with what Alder did—not by a longshot. The method was wrong…but the sentiment was there. She could see the panic in Alder's eyes. She never saw the woman so afraid.
"Your heart is black, Sarah," Nicte spit angrily before she ran off.
Tally's heart broke for Sarah. The anguish at those words were clear as day in her expression, and Tally watched mournfully as Sarah fell to her knees and sobbed.
"Take me to the moment after they hung your sister," Tally requested softly, her eyes still trained on the sight of Alder sobbing in the dirt. "I don't want you to watch her death again, but if you could send just me—"
"No," Sarah replied, shaking her head. She turned Tally to face her and took her hands in her own, closing her eyes.
The scene abruptly shifted when Tally blinked. They were now standing in a crowd of villagers, calling for death.
Tally looked on, terrified, as she saw that Elizabeth was still alive. They had just placed the noose around her neck. She turned quickly to Alder.
"If you want to see everything to know…you need to see it," Sarah whispered.
Tally squeezed Alder's hand and stood shoulder to shoulder with her. She knew this wasn't going to be pleasant for either of them…but especially for Sarah.
The crowd called out horrible things to Elizabeth. Accused her of horrible crimes. Threw rotten vegetables here and there as she stood sobbing with the noose around her neck.
Sarah looked away as the reverend kicked the stool out from under her—and Tally wrapped her arm around her, pulling her close and giving her no option but to take refuge there.
Her hand ran up and down Sarah's back as she watched the crowd cheer loudly for the death of her sister.
"Sarah Alder!" the reverend yelled.
Sarah looked up from where she had rested her head. She was ashamed for being unable to watch after all these years, but she was grateful that Tally wasn't thinking her weak for it.
Tally took a sharp breath as she saw familiar eyes shining with tears behind a scold's bridle. Her clothing was ripped and dirty, no doubt from being dragged.
The reverend began reading her accusations, but Tally wasn't paying the words any mind. Instead, she looked around at the faces of everyone there. There was such malice in their eyes and fury on their lips; this was true hatred.
"Did you know all of them?" Tally asked.
Sarah looked away from her younger self to the crowd around them. "Yes." She nodded to a woman near them. "Mary Cobbs, I helped my mother deliver her daughter." Her eyes shifted. "I regularly dropped off medicine for the reverend's wife. I helped my mother and sister tend to any injury or illness as well. I worked on all of them at some point. The local merchant and his family, I played with his children in my youth. Those are his sons there."
Tally looked at Sarah's eyeline and watched as the boys—about Sarah's age—yelling atrocious things about her—lying about her.
And Tally suddenly got it.
Hundreds of years. Three hundred plus years General Alder led the army and watched out for their kind. Tally suddenly understood the weight Alder had been carrying. People in the village that she knew her whole life had turned on her family in an instant. Tally was well aware of what others say about Sarah—that through the hundreds of years she's lived, she didn't retain her humanity; that it is impossible to be human still when you have outlived everyone you've ever known; that it is impossible to still feel empathy after numerous wars and battles.
That was proven wrong the moment Sarah cried at the memory of her sister. Tally knew then that despite the hard outer layer Sarah had, she was still just as human as the rest of them…and she was still going.
Then the reverend was removing the bridle with the whole crowd encouraging her to speak up for her crimes.
And Sarah roared.
Tally could feel the power in her seed as it sprang from her lips, cascading over everyone before thunder and lightning began to crack in the sky. She watched as the villagers changed their tune, urging the reverend to reconsider because they could utilize her power.
She saw firsthand what their fear would do…and how the villagers wanted to use her powers…embracing witches to use them. How quickly they changed their opinion…
But it also had been saving them. Until the Spree began attacking and making the witches look dangerous to civilians…and the Camarilla coming back.
So much sacrifice.
Tally rounded on Sarah. "Wake us up."
"Tally…" Sarah began, thoroughly confused.
"Sarah," Tally uttered with a smile. "Wake us up."
Sarah closed her eyes, opening them and finding her and Tally in her bed. Her eyes flickered to the clock on her nightstand.
04:00
She sighed and reached out to shake Tally awake.
"Tally," Sarah said softly.
The red-haired witch woke slowly, her eyes blinking the remnants of sleep from her eyes.
"Sarah," Tally murmured before wiping her eyes and waking up fully. She sat up in the bed and turned to look at the older woman, who was still laying under the covers with a worried gaze.
"I understand now," Tally supplied with a soft smile. "You've spent your whole life…sacrificing everything to keep witchkind safe. I don't agree with your methods or the things you've done, but I understand." Tally reached out, thrilled when Alder reached back so that they could entwine their hands. She didn't dwell on how easy it was. "You saw how easily we could be turned on…seen so many wars…watched the Spree aid in making us look evil to civilians…helped them hate us more. The Camarilla…Goddess, I'm sorry."
Sarah sat up, tears threatening to break free. She couldn't remember when she last cried this much in a day. But these tears were different, these were relief and happiness.
"You gave us a place in the world," Tally pressed on as she started to cry. The emotion from witnessing everything had shaken her, and Sarah's emotions were only enhancing Tally's. "Centuries of hard work and sacrifice and the Spree an-and Camarilla could u-undo it a—" her breath caught in her throat as she began to worry.
Sarah was there in an instant, pulling Tally to her to practically sit in her lap. "I will do everything in my power to keep them from succeeding."
Tally pulled back with a watery smile. "I know you will."
Sarah felt as if the sun had just burst from her chest. Tally seemed to have that effect on her, and it was growing faster. It felt as if her emotions were on a high speed train, and she could do nothing to stop it. She let her head rest against Tally's.
"It is still early, and you have had anything but a restful night," Sarah murmured against Tally's forehead before placing a soft kiss there. The action made her lips tingle and she could feel Tally's breath catch. "We can talk more later if you have more questions…which I'm sure you do."
"The memories haven't all been bad," Tally admitted.
Sarah could sense there was more to that, so she softly spoke, "I believe you have more than earned the right to speak freely."
"It was nice feeling close to you, even if it was just a memory."
She softly smiled against her forehead. "Will you rest now?"
Tally nodded and Alder could feel Tally's elation through the link.
She was already indulging in this too much. She had allowed her to see her memories. Memories that were some of the most painful moments in her life, without a moment's hesitation…because Tally asked. With their connection intensifying, she knew she needed to find an explanation soon so that they could prepare. If Tally would continue to get hurt, she would need to find a way to sever the connection.
At the thought, it felt as though her body screamed 'no'. From the depths of her being, everything in her revolted against the idea of no longer being connected to the young witch.
"Will you sleep?" Tally asked, her words already slurring a little as she nuzzled in closer to Sarah, shivering slightly.
It was enough to pull Sarah from her dark thoughts, and she leaned backward carefully to lower them both on the bed—grabbing the old quilt at the bottom and pulling it with her. Tally adjusted her position, a leg thrown over Sarah's; her left arm laying protectively across her chest; her nose nuzzling against Sarah's neck.
Sarah shivered at the contact. It was addicting.
"I will try. But fret not, I will be here when you wake." She kissed her forehead once more, unable to resist, and tucked the quilt around Tally.
It wasn't long before she was out too.
