The Return of the Order: Act 38

Louisa and Malphas stood by the window in the parlour looking out over the manor gardens. Her head rested against his shoulder, her fingers tapping against the pommel of the sword as they watched red and orange tendrils draw across the sky. As her fingers moved, she could feel the power of the sword caressing her fingertips, travelling across every nerve in her hand and arm. Closing her eyes, she could almost see her connection to the sword, and through it, her link to her ancestor. Malphas had told her stories of Lilith, of how she was the first of their kind to interact with humans. She had created the three ancient weapons and fought alongside the humans, protecting them from the angels first attempt to claim the human realm. It had been the war that had forever set the angels against the demons. He told her the story of how Lilith had been betrayed by those she sought to help. How her name had been wiped from the human record, her deeds lost to time. Now, even in the demon realm, her memory was all but lost. It remained only in a few stories handed down by the last of the ancient demons. Tears welled in her eyes as she opened them, once more focusing on the garden and the shadows as they grew with the first hints of the sunset.

Louisa stopped tapping and lifted her head as movement at the far end of the garden caught her attention. Gripping the hilt of her sword tightly, she turned to Malphas, "it is time, my love, fetch the others." She smiled as Malphas wiped the single tear that had fallen down her cheek, kissed her forehead and left without a word. She was glad of his silence. They had been over and over the plan, and there were no words left to be said. By morning they would either be victorious or… She placed her hand on her stomach as her chest tightened. She did not want to dwell on the alternative. Calming her breathing, Louisa waited, turning over the events of the day in her mind, thinking for a moment on the conversation with her father.

“How did you know to watch Ronald, father?”

“There was something I saw in him as we arrived through the portal. There was fear in his eyes, but not fear of the unknown. It was if I was watching him unravel in front of my eyes. It was only for a moment, but it was enough to add doubt. Enough for me to question Undertaker about what the reapers had been told.”

“But he had made the same promise as the others, was privy to who we all were. I don’t understand.”

“Undertaker has always been cautious. He removed the books from the library as soon as the angel took your heart. Only William knew that truth and the truth of your existence. The others were simply told to keep an eye on Malphas, to ensure his safety to repay the debt owed after the incident in London. Undertaker watched you and the children, with William acting when it was deemed necessary.”

“But the baby, the sword, he didn’t see those in the records when he looked.”

“That you will have to take up with Undertaker, there is still much about that madman and his abilities that I do not comprehend.”

She smiled, thinking about how they had both laughed. How her father had gathered her in his arms and told her of his plan to keep Lord Birch and Margaret safe. He had grinned when she said that it would keep Ciel from harm's way to with any luck.

"Yes, well, his little friend would never forgive me if I let anything happen to him now," her father had replied, chuckling to himself. He had laughed even harder at her wide-eyed and open-mouthed response. When he had finished, he had simply said, "Ciel will tell you when he is ready, but it has as much to do with his change in outlook as your little warning did." With that, he had kissed her head and returned to Undertaker to help complete the preparations.

Footsteps brought Louisa back to the present. She looked up to see Lilith and Raven standing at the door. Both were frowning, their eyes clouded with worry. Their reaction to the new child and her intention to fight with the others had been as expected. But she could not and would not allow her mate and her children to face what was coming without her.

As they approached, Louisa smiled, “if you have come to change my mind, it will not work.”

Lilith spoke first, “we know that mother. But it doesn’t stop us from worrying about you.”

Laying the sword against the wall, she moved forward and embraced them both. "I know my loves, and while there are no guarantees in battle, we do at least have the upper hand. They do not know that we are expecting them. They do not know about the sword or its strength. Most importantly, my loves, they do not know you, your strength, or your hearts."

Louisa's smile widened as the twins held her tightly grateful that they had not fought her again on her decision. It had been hard enough convincing Margaret to stay with Ciel and Lord Birch. She had finally agreed after Undertaker and Louisa had rounded on her and threatened to tie her to a chair if she did not comply willingly. Remembering the exasperated look on Margaret's face as she realised that in that situation, she would be of little use to Ciel, should it come to that, brought a chuckle to Louisa's throat. The twins raised their heads, brows furrowed.

"There is humour to be found in almost everything children. Come now, we must join the others." With that, she untangled herself from the twins, retrieved her sword and lead them into the hallway where the rest of their group waited. Louisa surveyed the sight before her. Her father, her mate, death, and two reapers faced her, waiting for her command. Louisa's fingers fidgeted around the hilt of her sword. She was still coming to terms with being the holder of the sword and the responsibility that entailed. When her father had suggested that she should speak for them all, she had wanted to turn and run. Fear crept up her spine, memories of her last battle invaded her mind, making her blood run cold and beads of sweat form on her forehead. Yet, she knew he was right. She had to believe that they would recognise the power of the sword. That it would be enough for many of the reapers to lay down their scythes and stop the madness. She had a chance to end this, if not bloodlessly, then at least reducing the risk to her family.

Louisa nodded over to where Ronald remained bound and gagged, “bring him and let’s get this done.”

The twins moved to retrieve Ronald as Malphas and Typhon fell into step behind Louisa. They took their stand in the grounds of the manor as the sun dipped below the horizon.