Chapter 197

Chapter 197<~> Chapter 197

"Silva, is that still you?" Lorriene asked.

Silva's attention shifted from me over to Lorriene. "Yes, I took the oath and my transformation is the confirmation that Lilith's accepted it."

Lorriene's eyes trailed up and down her body and her face hardened. "Prove it then."

Silva grinned at her. "You have a scar on your inner thigh that you hate. You get pissy anytime someone points it out."

"Ugh, okay fine. No fair." She huffed and her eyes softened as she became more curious. "And this transformation, it made you more powerful? Like the stories say?"

Silva's eyes glanced at me for a moment before she refocused on Lorriene. "I am more powerful, I promise. But that's not my secret to share, it's something that should be kept between my sisters and anyone Lilith herself chooses to talk about it with."

Lorriene's lips pursed but a moment later her face relaxed and let out a breath. "I suppose I'll have to talk with Lilith about it myself down the line." She glanced at me before looking around the room. "For now we'll need to leave this place. It's best if we aren't here in the morning and we already have somewhere better to go. Cecilia, Lilith, you're certain the elves will take us in and protect us? Even the two pantharians that are runaway slaves?" She nodded to the two hooded figures.

Cecilia stood up. "Again, yes. It shouldn't be a problem. We're losing night though, we should go as soon as possible."

Lorriene nodded. "Let's raid the armory first then. Silva, Lilith, follow me."

I looked at Morrigan who still hadn't let go of my hand. "I'll be back soon, you can stay with Bella for now."

She nodded silently and let go of my hand before rubbing her arm awkwardly. "I left my staff and bag upstairs..." She glanced at Bella took the hint and soon the three of them were headed up the stairs with Torien.

"Mimi, come with me," I told her as I followed Silva after Lorriene.

The three of us followed Lorriene and the two staff members down the stairs to the pantry. The two staff members, or Order of Lilith cultists I suppose, worked together to move a shelf away from one of the walls that was hiding a door.

"Armory?" I asked.

Lorriene looked back at me while the two others started opening the secret door. "I mentioned this was a safe house right? Why wouldn't you think we would hide weapons here?"

One of the two that had opened the door lit a lantern on the wall and let the four of us pass through. It was a small room, more like a large closet with a rack of a dozen swords, shields, spears, and daggers lined up. In one corner was a handful of staves that I could tell were enchanted using my [Mana Sense].

"Take anything you want or think would be useful to any of your friends. We're abandoning the rest," Lorriene told us. The two other inn staff members each took a spear and a shield before getting out of our way.

Mimi perked up. "Can I eat anything we don't take?"

Lorriene gave her a strange look. "Why'd you bring this crazy girl with you?"

Mimi turned her head to the side in confusion before turning to me. "Do people think I'm crazy?"

I decided to tell her through the bond so I turned to face her, -- "Sorsette is sure that Fortuna is one of three gods supporting the Tamin church." --

"Fuck," she whispered.

"Keep it to yourself for now, I haven't had a chance to tell anyone yet and I know it'll turn into a long discussion."

Silva cracked her neck. "Fine. We have other things to do anyway, let's get moving... also hearing your voice inside my head was weird."

The three of us who had been left alone in the armory finally came up the stairs and found everyone had more or less finished getting ready. Sibyl waved us over when she saw us come out from the back room.

"Hey, Lorriene told me to ask Mimi about a sword?"

Without asking Mimi stepped forward and one of the swords she had taken from the rack materialized in her hands. "Here you go! I also have a few shields and spears!"

Sibyl took it and measured the weight in her hands. "Not bad. My current sword is rather old so I'll have to use this for now. Would you mind holding on to my old sword Mimi? It has sentimental value."

"I don't mind, sure," Mimi replied with a smile.

I left them alone and went over to where Morrigan and Torien were sitting next to Bella. They looked geared up and ready to go. Morrigan was holding her clear staff that looked like it was made of glass. Torien was checking her arrows and making sure everything was neatly packed in her bag. They both still looked tense but something about checking their equipment had brought them back to somewhere familiar.

"How are you three doing?" I asked. The two twins flinched when I spoke even though I know they had seen me coming.

"I'm doing... okay? I think," Morrigan said quietly.

Torien nodded. "Better..."

"Good." I wasn't happy they were still acting skittish but at least preparing their weapons and gear had centered them a little bit. I sat next to Morrigan and placed my hand on her leg. I was worried she would shy away from me but instead she rested her shoulder against mine and leaned against me. I wrapped one arm around her waist and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you, Lilith," Morrigan whispered.

"For what?" I asked softly.

"For... everything. There's too much to say right now but mostly... for making me feel wanted still. I... I'm not even entirely sure what it is I'm afraid of, but everything feels so uncertain now..." She started to tear up again so I pulled her against me and kissed her on the forehead.

"It's okay Morrigan... I love you. I won't let you go that easily."

Torien sat next to me and leaned against me from the other side. Her hand played with the crease of my pants. "You meant all that stuff you said right? Partners?"

I wrapped an arm around Torien's waist and held her against me. "Yes. Partners, friends, and family."

A small smile rose on Torien's face. It wasn't a beaming smile but it was something. "Partners, friends, and family. I trust you, Lilith. I don't need a collar to know that you wouldn't abandon us. I believe in you."