"You can't be serious," Tally stated plainly.
She and Raelle were currently in the office of the Imperatrix, on the other side of base. They had gotten called in to discuss their lineage lines. Being that neither of them were particularly desired for their bloodlines, like Abigail was, Tally and Raelle had to have this awkward discussion.
Raelle, an out-cross witch, didn't have a desirable bloodline and wasn't beholden to the rules like the High Atlantic witches were—those with the purest bloodlines dating back to the first coven that served with Alder. Tally's ancestor was one such witch, but her bloodline, while old, wasn't one of the strongest and didn't belong to High Atlantic society.
From the sounds of it, they would be off the hook.
"Miss Craven, I fully expect you to participate in the party and find yourself a match."
It set Tally's blood cold.
"Tally, are you alright?" Sarah asked through the link, having sensed her distress.
She sent the feeling and memory through the bond and could feel Alder's anger simmering just beneath the surface.
"Miss Craven?" the Imperatrix snapped.
"Yes, sorry, I'll attend." Tally grimaced at the thought and had left the room with her head down.
Unbeknownst to either girl, the Imperatrix's eye fell on the braid at the back of Tally's hair. It seemed familiar to her, but she couldn't quite place it.
"Don't worry, Tal, no way is Alder going to be okay with that," Raelle assured.
"I know, but I still really don't want to even go. Rae, please come?" Tally all but begged. "I don't want to do this by myself."
"Abigail is going to be there," Raelle reminded her.
"Yeah and I would like for us to be together. Please?" she requested again, giving her best puppy dog eyes.
"Ugh, fine, I'll go," Raelle conceded, offering her friend a smile.
"At least we will all be with each other and we can just hang together. Abigail has Adil, so I can't see her actually trying to find a husband." Tally sighed and threw her hands up. "This is so stupid. We should be able to pick our own partners and have babies when we want to. Not just pop them out for the sake of witchkind."
"Plus, you're spoken for. I'm sure once you're able to be open about the relationship the Imperatrix will spring off your back so quick," Raelle said with a chuckle.
"I hope so. I don't know if I want Sarah kicking the Imperatrix's ass…well, at least not too badly," Tally told her. She sighed heavily before going to speak—
Then she stopped suddenly, her eyebrows rising to her hairline.
"What is it?" Raelle asked.
"Um…Sarah is on her way?" Tally told her quietly, voice full of confusion.
Raelle looked equally surprised, but smirked at her friend. "Told you she wasn't going to let that happen."
It was not a few more minutes before General Alder rounded the corner, with Petra Bellweather at her side and her biddies behind.
"Craven, Collar," Alder greeted curtly. "Informative discussion with the Imperatrix I presume?"
Tally couldn't help but shiver at the undercurrent of anger in Sarah's emotions—they flowed through her effortlessly this close in proximity.
"Yes, General," Raelle answered, her eyes looking at Petra right after. "General Bellweather."
"Collar," Petra returned, a small smile on her face. Then her eyes turned to Tally. "Craven, are you ready for the party tonight? There are going to be plenty of eligible bachelors."
Tally internally screamed.
"A pointless ceremony," Alder growled under her breath.
Petra rolled her eyes. "You and the Imperatrix have never seen eye to eye, General. I don't believe today will be the day you start." She smirked.
Alder scoffed, her eyes landing on Tally. "Hold out for the best, Craven."
Tally couldn't help but smile at that. "Oh I plan on it, ma'am."
"Good," Alder replied easily before she looked to Raelle. "Collar, I'm getting you out of the party tonight. Meet me out front of the west wing at 1900."
Tally visibly deflated at the information. At least she would have Abigail.
"Yes, General."
"Cadets," Alder said in parting before she turned on her heel and led Petra and her biddies into the office.
When Sarah entered, the room immediately felt cooler. She hated dealing with the Imperatrix. She found the whole concept of pure bloodlines to be complete bullshit. She didn't deny that it was important for their kind to continue to procreate more witches…but to deny them the chance of choosing someone in their own time…it didn't sit right with her.
"General Bellweather, thank you for coming by," the Imperatrix greeted before looking up. Once she did, her eyes narrowed. "General Alder—I was under the impression I would be speaking alone with Petra," the Imperatrix commented, a cold look in her eyes. Curious.
"Merely here to assess," General Alder replied easily. Her hands clasped behind her back as she stood in the center of the room.
"Well, Petra, I hope your daughter takes this seriously. Your line is one of my proudest achievements and with Abigail being the last of the line…she has a duty. Fewer witches are being born, and we are facing a new threat."
"Abigail will come around," Petra told her. "It's in her blood. And we have found one new bloodline, we may find more with testing—"
"More out-crossed lines, which I suppose have their place…"
Alder couldn't help but scoff quietly at the level of bullshit. God she hated this woman and what she stood for.
"…but they're no replacement for the power of purity." The Imperatrix flashed a self-satisfied smile.
"Perhaps," General Alder began, her voice taking on an edge, "the Imperative should reflect upon the fact that it lost track of these bloodlines to begin with." Alder straightened her stance.
"Witches are as powerful as they are…"
Alder slowly walked forward, not backing down from this confrontation.
"…because of the Imperative," the Imperatrix rebutted. She remained where she stood, her chin tilted up in an air of superiority that Alder despised. "Your duty—"
"I know my duty," Alder interrupted calmly. "The Imperative serves an important purpose, Matriarch." Her face hardened and a snarl etched itself on her lips. "But know your place."
The Imperatrix blinked. "I will not stand here while you impugn my authority to appease your ego."
Alder tilted her head up and fixed her with a stare that would make anyone under her command shake.
"I don't report to you. Now leave my office."
Petra looked back and forth between them, slightly worried about the standoff between the two women.
Alder maintained eye contact for a few moments before slowly backing up and then turning to lead the group from the room.
Alder and Petra walked side by side as they exited the building. It wasn't until they descended the first few stairs that Alder finally spoke.
"The arrogance of that woman."
Petra smirked. "That's the danger of having no one but yourself to answer to."
Alder fixed the side of her face with a stare. She just couldn't win today.
"How goes our hunt for the Camarilla?" she asked, changing the subject.
They stopped at the bottom of the steps and Petra turned to face her.
A tired sigh left Petra's lips. "I've got operatives in the field, trying to figure out how they got to the rest of my line before we even knew they existed." Petra's face became solemn for a moment.
Alder nodded her agreement.
"Has the Hague gotten back to you on the plague samples we sent?" Petra asked suddenly.
"Not yet. But everybody's being cooperative for once." Alder gave a tight smile.
Petra fixed her with a knowing stare. "You're very good at getting people to see things your way…" she allowed the implication to hang in the air.
Alder's face was a mask of impassiveness, but underneath she was boiling. She was the only one who was truly looking out for their kind. If Petra had her way, or the President had hers, they wouldn't survive long. For as long as she lived, Alder had hoped that over time those that surrounded her would actually hear what she would say, instead of only hearing the surface.
"Good day, General," Petra bid in farewell.
As she walked away, Alder clenched her jaw.
With the busyness of the rest of the day, for both Tally and Sarah, they hadn't gotten to see each other before Tally had to go to that stupid party.
She'd complained to Sarah through the bond earlier, validated that the General shared her sentiment of the whole thing. It felt nice to be on the exact same page as Sarah. The first time in a while.
So Tally waited outside of the party for Abigail, musing over the day and dreading having to participate in this party at all.
Abigail arrived, dressed in her uniform, and clutching a journal to her chest.
"Abs, what the hell?" Tally was exasperated. She was going to have to do this by herself.
"I have something I need to do. I came to let you know…wait, where's Raelle?" Abigail asked.
"She has a thing with the higher ups," Tally answered, still pouting.
"I'm really sorry, Tal. I need to go," Abigail said as she turned around and took a step away, then called. "Don't tell anyone where I'm going. Or what I'm doing!"
She disappeared and Tally threw her hands up and huffed. "Don't worry because you didn't tell me!"
She turned and headed into the party, a grimace on her face.
This was the last fucking thing she wanted to be doing.
She walked in and stopped, glancing around the room. All the girls were pairing off with the boys and mingling. Then, much to Tally's relief, Gregorio approached with a drink. He handed her the glass and she accepted it gratefully.
"No Abigail or Raelle?" Gregorio asked as he and Tally surveyed the party.
"Nope," Tally replied, emphasizing her 'p'. "Raelle has something important going on, and Abigail blew me off because she's doing, something, of which I have no clue."
"That sucks, but luckily for you, your buddy Gregorio is here to help you pick the best bachelors."
Tally grimaced and Gregorio arched an eyebrow. "No?"
"I…I'm sort of involved with someone," Tally admitted to him. They had walked off and leaned against the nearest wall. Still watching the party and sipping their drinks as they talked.
"Well, well," Gregorio mused proudly, "Tally Craven has herself a boyfriend."
Tally blushed. "Um…they aren't a boy."
Gregorio's eyebrows could not possibly rise higher. "Oh my god…Raelle?"
"No!" Tally exclaimed with a laugh.
"I was going to say, I thought she was hung up on that Scylla chick," Gregorio spoke. He hummed. "Well, then yeah I can see why you aren't interested. As I also like women, I completely understand. Men suck."
Tally couldn't help but laugh. "Thank you, Gregorio. You're a good friend."
"I try."
"So," Tally began, "any ladies here tonight that you have your eye on?"
Gregorio shook his head. "Nah. I was dreading even coming to this thing tonight to be honest." He looked as if he suddenly realized something. "Hey why is Abigail so pissed at me?"
Tally chuckled. "She's not pissed at you. She's pissed because of what you represent. The Imperatrix has her eye on you two as a match."
Gregorio's mouth dropped. "Oh that makes so much sense now."
Tally nodded and finished her drink. "Want another? I figure we can keep each other company since we both aren't looking."
"Absolutely," Gregorio readily agreed.
They walked together toward the table, chatting happily until Tally abruptly stopped.
"Tally?" Gregorio questioned, concerned at her sudden halt. His eyes looked over her face, her eyes seemed like they were glazed—like she was seeing something else.
Then Tally's eyes welled as she muttered 'no no, not again'.
"Tally," Gregorio said again.
But Tally was still staring ahead, and she slowly fell to the floor as sobs sprang from her mouth.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to look at her, wondering what was going on.
She was seeing it again…that memory of Alder's discovery of her slain coven. Her grief hit Tally full force once more and she dropped to her knees next to Sarah as she sang her seed.
General Alder was already seated in the back of the truck. Her biddies were in the truck behind them, along with a small squad of witches just in case. The back door opened to show Raelle, a look of surprise on her face at seeing her seated in the truck.
"Collar," Alder greeted as the blonde hopped in and closed the door.
Sarah smacked her hand against the cabin of the truck.
They began to move out, but Raelle remained silent, her eyes avoiding the General's. She was fidgeting with something on her jacket, and it was then that Sarah realized what it was.
"I haven't seen a combat charm like that in a while," Sarah's voice was soft. "Was it your mother's?"
"Yes, ma'am. She left it for me when she deployed for the last time. It's a silly superstition but uh…I guess I'm just nervous," Raelle told her honestly.
"Nerves can be good," Alder assured. "They keep you on edge. But you're not heading into battle tonight, Cadet."
"With all due respect, I'm not sure what I'm heading into."
"With any luck, the history books," Alder answered.
Raelle remained silent, still playing with her charm.
Alder sighed. "I want you to show them what you can do, Raelle," she told her.
The use of Raelle's first name immediately got her attention.
"General Bellweather, General Sharma, and the President will be in attendance for the demonstration. Just as you have done before. But in a much safer area," Alder said with a smirk.
Raelle snorted. "Where are we going exactly?"
"Another part of base. One where we won't have to worry about prying eyes," she said.
"You're giving me much more information than normal," Raelle commented. She left the unspoken reason in the air, Tally.
Alder smiled softly. "I will admit that I have grown rather fond of you and Bellweather as of late. Perhaps it is Tally's feelings for you both that are influencing mine…or perhaps I am seeing what Tally sees in you both—as individuals. Not soldiers or weapons."
Raelle couldn't miss the way the General's eyes lit up as she mentioned Tally.
"Do you love her?" Raelle asked gently. She was genuinely curious, and if Alder did breathe a word, there was no way she'd mention it to Tally…she just wanted to make sure her heart was safe.
Alder bristled and Raelle held up her hands in peace.
"I only ask because I love Tally. She's my sister. I'm not asking General Alder, I'm asking Sarah."
Alder's shoulders relaxed and she contemplated answering.
"I…" she began.
Raelle waited patiently, not daring to push.
"Yes," she breathed out quietly.
Raelle couldn't help the bright smile that split across her face, and Alder found that she couldn't help but smile as well.
"I am pretty sure that the feeling is mutual," Raelle told her. "Tally has always been a happy person, but since you two happened…it's something new and different. She seems lighter, I think."
"I know we may not see eye to eye always, Raelle, but where Tally is concerned I have no doubt that you and I are on the same page," said Alder as she smiled.
"Absolutely." Raelle held out her hand. "Differences aside?"
Alder eyed the gesture a moment. Then she grasped Raelle's forearm with her hand, as Raelle did hers.
"Agreed."
The truck slowed to a stop then, and Alder stood—walking to the door and opening it so she and Raelle could exit. They began to walk toward the others, but Alder's voice halted their steps.
"Raelle," Alder began, "We can't have you holding anything back."
"Has anyone else ever been able to do what I can?" Raelle asked curiously.
Alder's expressions twisted into something that Raelle couldn't decipher.
"New Work is exceedingly rare." She fixed her with a stare. "But what you can do…I've never seen anything like it."
Raelle sucked in a breath. "Good. No pressure then."
"General, we're ready for you," Petra's voice broke through then and both women turned to look at her.
Alder gave her a nod and flashed Raelle one last look of support before heading toward the bunker.
It was a thick concrete building that rested above the ground, with a slightly narrow window for the viewers to see out of.
"General Sharma, thank you for joining us," Alder said pleasantly as she and her biddies entered the room.
General Sharma didn't seem to share in the pleasantry. Alder knew the woman disliked her and braced herself for whatever half-assed insult Sharma would say.
"General Alder. I have a meeting in Brussels tomorrow with General Amis, as I'm sure you're aware," General Sharma said with a knowing, pointed smirk.
Alder didn't miss a beat. "Perhaps you'll have something additional to discuss with her after this demonstration," she replied smoothly. Her eyes fell on the Vice President next. She was surprised to see that President Wade had sent her VP in her stead. "Mr. Vice President, this is a pleasant surprise. I was expecting President Wade." She waited a moment before saying, "No offense." She meant all offense.
The Vice President regarded her. "She wanted to be here but she's come down with some sort of a…" he shook his head as if trying to find the right words to describe it to Alder, "a nasty bug."
Alder tilted her head in understanding. "Then I hope you'll have good news to bring back, as well."
She turned her attention to the two women in the blast zone. Alder watched Petra say a few words to Raelle before coming back to the bunker.
Witches began a seed of protection around the bunker, protecting it from any potential damage Raelle might do.
"Here we go," Alder said quietly.
Raelle took a deep breath before she began her seed. Alder could hear the overlapping voices as the mycelium rose from the ground, curling on itself as it bubbled with power—ready to unleash itself the moment Raelle released it.
She finished with a yell and thrust her hands in front of her, sending the speckled dust clouds billowing with explosive force toward the concrete structures lining the path for her.
The destruction was…immediate. When the dust began to clear, various colors of glowing mushrooms began to bloom from where their pollen had touched. It lit the path of destruction Raelle had created, and Alder released a breath. It was inspiring to see such a beautiful thing bloom from devastation.
General Sharma and the Vice President looked at her then, disbelief on their faces.
They had shaken hands and said their polite goodbyes. Sharma informed Alder that she would be informing Amis of this ability, feeling that it will greatly serve their cause against the Camarilla. The Vice President…looked a little afraid and Alder couldn't help but feel smug.
She headed outside to meet with Petra and Raelle, coming to stop in front of them.
"That was well executed, Raelle," Alder told her seriously. There was pride in her eyes and in her heart and seeing her capability.
Petra nodded them a farewell and headed back to her own escort.
"Were they impressed?" Raelle asked, a prideful grin on her face. She looked back at the glowing mushrooms, smiling softly at what had been created.
"Quite," Alder replied. She went to speak again, but a familiar feeling of panic and grief swept over her.
It must have showed on her face because Raelle's eyes widened and she gave a questioning 'General?'—but Alder hadn't really heard her. It sounded like she was speaking while Alder was underwater.
"Something is wrong with Tally," Alder gasped out.
She and Raelle spun on their heels, rushing back to the truck.
"Back to the main hall, now!" she yelled at the driver as she ran by the window to hop in the back of the truck. She grabbed Raelle's arms and yanked her into the back with a strength Raelle was impressed by—and slammed her hands on the truck to move it.
"Tally," a voice called.
Tally looked around the area then, suddenly bare. There were no burning bodies, no disturbances, no Sarah…
"Hello?" Tally called out as she looked around.
"Tally."
She turned around, eyes connecting with a woman she didn't recognize.
"Who are you?" Tally asked.
The woman smiled softly. She was dressed in a uniform, resembling those of the American Armed Forces from the late 1700's.
"Anne Craven," the woman replied.
"Oh my god," Tally whispered, flabbergasted. "You're one of my ancestors!"
"A part of her anyway. We called you here for a purpose."
"Where is…here?" Tally asked. "I know this is where Sarah's coven was murdered but…"
"Fort Salem," Anne answered.
Tally's eyes widened. "F-Fort Salem?"
"This is where Sarah built it. On top of the ground where her coven was slain so that she would always remember them and could protect those that served. It's a memorial for her."
Tally nodded. She would ask Sarah about it later. "Why did you bring me here…and who is 'we'?"
"We, are the Mycelium," Anne said. "The Mycelium is comprised of all the spirits and magic of dead witches. We spread far and wide but our heart is here."
"The…the Mycelium. The mushroom wall that is in the Necro lab? That's…you?"
"A fraction. But yes. When Raelle Collar touched us, we knew that she would be the one to wield us. She is powerful on her own, but we chose her because she does not desire power." Anne pointed to a spot on the ground. "Use your sight."
Tally stared at her a moment longer before she dropped her gaze to the ground. She looked, watching as she could begin to see below. Deep through the ground the roots shimmered and glowed. She looked up, gasping as she could see it spread farther than her eyes could see. It was beautiful and complicated and encompassed the entire ground below.
"Wow," she whispered in awe.
"Raelle does not know how much power she wields. She has not listened to our call," Anne explained.
"Why not give yourself to Sarah?" Tally asked.
"She has witchkind's best interest at heart, but she carries so much anger and hatred. Her pain, it would consume her if we allowed her to wield us."
"She's changing," Tally defended.
Anne smiled. "We know. We see it. You have had a profound effect on her, which we are not surprised by giving the extent of your bond."
"Do you know what our bond is?"
"Yes."
Tally blanched. "Could you tell me?"
Anne chuckled and shook her head. "No, child. We cannot, for that will be revealed to you soon."
"Why are you showing me this?" Tally pressed.
"Things are happening and you witches must prepare. Tell Raelle and Sarah to visit the wall, so that we may show them this. They need to understand."
"How…how did you access my mind?" Tally asked abruptly. Realization after realization was hitting her and she needed answers.
"We are connected to Sarah, and therefore to you as well. Sarah has suppressed the pain and grief of her fallen sisters so deeply that she is beyond our reach. We are tied to that pain, as we were created from it."
Tally suddenly realized. "Sarah created you with her song."
"Yes, and over the hundreds of years since, and the thousands of witches who have died on this country's soil, live within us. Sarah has preserved us in a way that we never thought was possible. We have connected with the earth and the goddess, we know all history," Anne explained.
"Does Sarah know she created you?"
"No," Anne answered simply. "We have chosen you as our messenger, Tally Craven. Your sight is beyond measure, and you will need it for the coming war."
"War," Tally stated. "You mean with the Camarilla?"
"Yes. They are coming, Tally," Anne said gravely. "All of you have important roles to play. Take our message to Sarah and Raelle."
That was the last Tally heard before everything went black.
"Collar, let's go!" General Alder barked as she leapt from the truck.
She had just arrived back on this side of base and had high-tailed it through the halls in tandem with Raelle.
"Is she okay?" Raelle asked as she and Alder were nearly sprinting to reach Tally.
A pained look crossed Alder's face. "I can't feel her. It's like something is blocking me from her."
Alder knew she had worried Raelle with her honesty…but she was terrified. It felt…empty without Tally occupying her space. But not empty in the way a place feels without a certain type of furniture, but in the way her soul felt like a piece of it was just…gone. It was driving her crazy.
"The party," Raelle nodded up ahead as the building came into view.
Alder broke into a run, and Raelle followed behind. They barged in through the doors, drawing the stares of everyone in the room—especially a death glare from the Imperatrix.
"All of you, move," Alder snarled. Her blue eyes shone dangerously in the light of the room, coupled with her rigid posture—giving her the appearance of a predator ready to fight.
Raelle was even frightened of the look on Alder's face, and she was on her side.
The crowd parted immediately and Alder's eyes fell on Tally, kneeling over on the floor, breathing heavily with tears falling down her face.
"She's not responsive," Gregorio told Raelle. His eyes glanced to the General and then back to Raelle as if to say 'what's she doing here?'
Alder stepped forward and crouched down to softly touch Tally's face.
Immediately the connection opened and both of them audibly gasped. Tally's eyes flew open, finally crystal clear and seeing Sarah in front of her. She was about to fall into her arms when she realized she had been at the party…and still was, with everyone staring at her.
"Tally," Sarah whispered. She sighed and touched Tally's mind with her own, caressing it and basking in it. "Can you stand? We should go somewhere with privacy," she thought through the bond.
Tally simply nodded and accepted the hand General Alder offered her. She pulled her to her feet, catching her as Tally's legs buckled.
Without thinking, and as if it was the most natural thing, Sarah swooped her up in her arms bridal style—carrying her like she did that first time.
Alder's eyes fell on the Imperatrix, who was looking at Alder with confusion and curiosity. She didn't miss the way the woman's eyes flickered to the braid and then back to her.
"I'll take it from here," Alder stated. She glanced at Raelle and gestured over her shoulder for the blonde to follow her.
As soon as they stepped outside, Tally took a large breath of air and then exhaled shakily.
"Tal, what the hell happened?" Raelle asked, clearly worried.
"I need to talk to you both," Tally replied, still a little lost in thought.
Sarah merely held her tighter as she walked them toward her office. She knew the biddies were already there, readying a glass of wine for everyone—goddess knows they deserved it.
When they entered the office, Sarah walked Tally to her chair and sat her down in it. She plucked two filled glasses and handed one to each of them before she grabbed her own, taking a long drought.
Silence blanketed the room. Raelle was sitting in a chair across from Alder's desk, looking back and forth between the two.
Tally looked over at Sarah, who was standing at the window and looking out onto the grounds. "Sarah."
She turned immediately and walked over to Tally. She sat her glass down and kneeled in front of the redhead, taking her hands in her own and kissing them.
"What happened?" Sarah murmured against her skin.
"I want to show you…both of you," Tally said.
Raelle approached and took one of Tally's hands.
Sarah closed her eyes and reached out for Raelle's mind, when she found it, she latched on and pulled her through the bond into Tally's mind.
