Ellese wandered in the garden, soaking up sunlight while she thought about Mirra, trapped beneath the grey clouds with Bane, who hated the sun. The poor girl was confused now. Bane had convinced her that she had been sent to kill him. Indirectly, she could, if the Black Lord kept sending demons after her, but only if Bane continued to refuse her help. Her attempt to leave Bane might have been disastrous, but luckily the Demon Lord had reached her in time. Ellese was well pleased with the way Bane’s feelings were progressing. He was outstripping her expectations.
Plucking a flower, she pondered the terrible things that had started happening all over the land. Demons were rising, no longer bound now that only two wards remained. They terrorised villages, burnt and killed, took human form and tricked people, slept with women disguised as their husbands, tortured children in the form of a parent. Possessions happened every day, and lay preachers had their hands full performing exorcisms. Her heart bled for their suffering, but she was helpless to do anything other than heal their wounds and pray to the Lady for guidance.
Mirra was in more danger now than ever. If the wards were so weak that demons could rise and take human form, they could trick her too. Ellese must contact her soon and explain everything, so she would know what to do. While she was close to Bane, it was impossible, however, and if she strayed, she was in peril. Sighing, Ellese tucked the flower into her bodice and watched two young acolytes digging up weeds in a flowerbed. The abbey was safe, for now, but if the Black Lord rose, nothing would be.
Ellese headed back to her room. She must stay close to her glass, so she would be there when the opportunity came to contact Mirra.