Chapter 41
Savannah's POV
It's been a week since I discovered that I'm a seer. I've been working with Clementina, but I didn't get new visions. Part of me was relieved, but the other was worried. I still didn't know who was the witch helping them or if they'd found the spot or not. I was talking with everybody, but things were calm everywhere. I was prepared for my next vision. I knew how to stay close to the surface and not get lost in the moment. As far as I knew, Dalia left Salem two days ago. I took over part of the training and everybody was catching up fast. Gabriel had already left with the winners for the weekly mission. I had the time for relaxation. Earlier I found a few romance books in the library and I intended to read them when I had the time. I barely read thirty pages, when my phone rang. I didn't recognize the number, but I picked it up out of curiosity.
“Hello! Who's this?”
“Hi there! I hope you recognize my voice, little bitch. Oops, I meant to say little witch. My tongue just slipped.”
“Dalia! What do you want?”
“I think you know that. What bothers me is that I have no idea where you are hiding.”
“For some reason I think you need something from me, that's why you're calling. It's not about my whereabouts.”
“Actually, this was Jeremy's idea. Let's make a deal.”
“What kind of deal?”
“Help me find someone and I'll let you have Iris' grimoire.”
“Who are you looking for?”
“I'm not sure. All I know is that he or she is an angel and also a seer. The person's supposed to have some kind of unique abilities.”
“What do you want to do with that person?”
“I want him or her on my side. I have some plans and with him or her on my side I could carry it out easily.”
“Why do you think I'd help you?”
“It's just a small compensation for taking away my magic.”
“I have to say no to you. You deserved that when you turned against your sisters, your family. How am I even supposed to find the person you're looking for when I can't enter Heaven?”
“You're a resourceful woman and I have a feeling you don't want to see your best friend's internal organs. What was her name again? Maddie? Yes, definitely Maddie.”
“Leave her alone Dalia or I swear to God that I'll end you!”
“Now, now, don't get too worked up. Just make a deal with me and everything will be okay. I don't intend to hurt a human. Another thing, what do you know about your heritage?”
“Not much, why?”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. That's not what I've heard. As far as I know you found every single one of your ancestors after Iris. What puzzled me was the fact that I couldn't find anything about your father apart from his name. I wonder what his secret is.”
“Okay, I found my lineage, but that's all. I don't care about the people who left me in another family's care.”
“Give me a call when you change your mind. Now what about that deal?”
“I need some time to think about it.”
“Do you think I'm stupid? You'd call your mate to come and get her and I can't afford losing my ticket to victory. You want time? Fine, you have five minutes. Find another phone and call her, but don't hang up on me. Talk to her through the other phone, but only listen on the one that you're using to talk to me. If you pull any stunts you can collect her organs.”
“Fine, fine. I will do as you say.”
Fuck, fuck, fuck! This is bad, really bad. I don't know if she's telling the truth or not, but I didn't want to take any chances. Not when Maddie's life was on the line. I found Gabriel's phone in the bedroom and dialed Maddie's number.
“Hello, who's this?”
“It's me, Maddie. Where are you now?”
“Sav, I'm at a diner with Ms. Cruise. Remember, she's the librarian who helped us.” - and fuck me, I heard Maddie through the phone I was using to talk with Dalia.
“Oh, it's fine. Go back and be with her. We can talk later.”
“Okay, but are you sure everything's fine?”
“Yes, this can wait. Bye.”
“Now, do you believe me?”
“Don't hurt her. I'll help you.”
“Perfect! You have two days to find the seer. If you have no information about his or her whereabouts, Maddie might die in an unfortunate accident while going home from the store.”
“Two days? I can't find the person in two days.”
“Figure it out. And don't even think about sending a protection detail to Blackstone. As long as you give me something useful she'll live. I'll call you again in two days.”
I was doomed. I just offered myself on a silver platter. I had no choice, but to give her some details without fully disclosing my identity. I needed to tell this to the others. I promised them that I'd tell them everything and I didn't want to break my promise. I was pacing when the door opened and Gabriel came inside. I grabbed his hand and started pulling him through the portal I opened the minute I saw him.
“What's wrong? - Castiel asked as soon as we stepped into the greenhouse.
“You're guess is as good as mine. I couldn't even take a breath, because she was pulling me through a portal as soon as I arrived home.
“It's bad, guys. Dalia is looking for me, more specifically the angel who's also a seer. She wants to use me for her benefit. I had no choice, but agreed to help her. She doesn't know it's me, though. She's threatening Maddie, she'll kill her if I don't help her. I only have two days.”
“Then let's get her out of there.”
“We can't, Castiel. She's there with Maddie.”
“Savannah, it's okay. Tell her everything you think she needs to know. She'll try and reach out as soon as she has anything solid.”
“And if she asks from where I got the information? What about that, Zadkiel?”
“Tell her you got it from Ezekiel. Tell her how you met him and that you've been meeting him ever since and became good friends.”
“Are you sure that's a good idea, Gabriel?”
“Little cousin, I agree with him. This is the best shot. From what I gathered, she only wants information, not the person. You give her the information she needs, but she'll have to act on her own after that. How much do you want to tell her?” - Raziel asked.
“I want to tell her to look for Prince Raphael's daughter. I'll tell her she doesn't have her powers, yet and that she cannot leave the realm because of the seal the Queen put on her for protection.”
“That's perfect. You won't disclose yourself and she'll get all the information she needs. Now, leave this topic alone and try to switch off your mind. And don't say you can't, because if you do, I'll ask the doctor for some sleeping pills and force them down your throat.”
“Geez, Angelo, calm down! There's no need for threats. I'm leaving now. I wanted to read a book peacefully before all this. Are you coming with me, Gabriel?”
“I'm staying. I still want to talk to the princes. I'll be home soon.”
I knew he wanted to talk about me. I left, because I knew they needed to have this conversation. I plopped down on the couch and continued reading. Somewhere between the fifth and sixth chapter I fell asleep.
*“Will she really help, Dalia?”
*“She will. She'll do anything to protect her family and she considers that girl family. What about finding the location?”
*“It's definitely near the border of Wyoming and Idaho. I'm still working on finding the exact spot, but I'm getting closer.”
*“Hurry up! Jeremy's been riding my ass to find the way to lift the curse. That bitch will find me the seer who will help me take the grimoire from Savannah and give it to me if he or she wants to live. I want to get everything over with in a week.”
*“I'll find it in a few days. What if the seer refuses to help you?”
*“Somehow I'll persuade him or her, even if it takes months.”
*“What if there are unforeseen obstacles?”
*“I'll deal with them. I came this far and I won't back down now.”
I did it! I didn't stay too long when I had the vision. They were clever, though. The witch covered her face, so I couldn't discover who she was. The door opened once again, but I grabbed Gabriel's hand again and we arrived at the training grounds.
“Not again, Savannah! Please, don't do this again. I can't even enter my house without fearing that you won't grab my hand and portal me somewhere.”
“I'm sorry, but I had a vision. I need to tell the guys too.”
“A warning next time, please!”
“No promises.”
“Your back awfully soon, little cousin.”
“What can I say, Angelo. I missed you guys.”
“Aww, why can't I believe that?”
“Anyway, I just had a vision. The witch was covering her face, so I don't know who she is. We have a minimum of a week to prepare for the battle. Dalia wants to convince the seer, or let's just say me, to choose her side. She'll have the location of the source of the dark magic in a few days. From what I gathered, she's not planning to attack until she has me on her side. I can gain some time, but eventually she'll realize that I'm the seer and she'll never have me on her side.”
“Damn! I think it's time to warn every supernatural race that a battle is coming. No, it's not a battle, it's war. I'll talk to grandma to send out the letters. Everybody deserves to know.”
“I agree with you, Cael. I'll do everything to extend the preparation time. We need all the extra time we can get. I know it's inevitable, but we need to prepare. When she attacks, it won't be gentle. I have no idea how strong she'll become or who she'll have on her side.”
“That's not important right now. You need to work on awakening your powers. We can't start a war without your powers.”
“And how should I do that if I can't leave, Raziel?”
“You don't necessarily have to leave. I can't tell you how to do it. You have to figure it out.”
It was easier said than done, but I had no choice in the matter. I was stuck here for a while despite the looming threat over our heads. I needed to sacrifice something from the bottom of my heart to awaken my powers. I still had some time to do that, but I didn't want to face Dalia only with my witch powers. I knew I was strong, but Dalia's a witch too and knows the weaknesses of one. Using my angel powers, on the other hand, would be an advantage. They have unique abilities which might come in handy.