The Revenants: Part Three (complete)

In the days leading up to his trial, Percivell was held in a cell below the courthouse. It was there that Harper saw him as a man brought to the edge. It was a shock to all when the crime of treason was raised against Percivell, himself included. Unfortunately, the claim was airtight, and Andrew’s influence over the elders of the coven had ensured Percivell’s fate.

In the years that Andrew was away from Salem, he had managed to track down Percivell’s lineage, and discovered that Percivell’s bloodline were known enemies to the High Coven of Salem. He found people willing to testify against Percivell, people who had never met him but were willing to sell a man down the river for some coin. He built his revenge around Percivell, waiting for the day he could unleash his hatred and be free.

In the cells where Percivell spent his remaining few days, the air was cold and damp. There were rats, and the air was haunted by a distinct smell of decay. But none of these things were as terrible to Percivell as the torture of being away from Lydia, and the terror that he might never see his child born into the world. 

“I have spent most of my life working towards the peace of Salem,” he protested to Harper, who had become his only peace in this uncertainty. “I have done everything for the High Priestess, to repay her for all she has done for me! And where does it get me? Their minds are turned by a rich fool! I saw too late who Andrew was, and it wrought my fate for me!” He spat on the floor. “Where is the High Priestess now? Why does she not speak?”

“They say she is in mourning,” Harper replied in his usual cool, tempered voice. 

“Mourning? For what?” Percivell laughed in disbelief, his bright eyes shining wildly. “If she mourns me, then why not speak to me! If she is so wise and knowing, then why does she not seek me out to hear my words?”

Harper tilted his head down. “Perhaps it is not you she mourns for.”

Percivell scoffed. Whipping his head back, he took in a deep breath. “I have done nothing wrong except be born, apparently.”

Harper remained silent, and cast his eyes aside.

“I trusted Andrew. I dared to call him my brother,” Percivell seethed. “I had him in my home. I saw the way he looked at my beloved. How I did not see all the bile in his eyes, I will never know. I was blind. I was a fool. But I swear, should I return to this world, I will be a man who sees all. I will be a creature of judgement and see the guilt in other’s hearts. I want to be like you, Harper - a man who swings the axe and delivers the final blow.” He looked up to Harper, his eyes wide and his pupils like dark pools. 

Harper shivered and turned towards Percivell. “That is no life, Percivell,” he whispered. “No life for a man such as yourself. That is the work of demons and Hell.”

“Then that is what I will be, if I must,” Percivell snarled.

It was something that haunted Harper all his days. Those final words that Percivell spoke to him were the reason he retired as an executioner. It was that guilt that made him wish to please and follow Christabel when she needed to vent her frustrations. He did not want to be a demon, nor did he wish to see Percivell become one.

The Revenants that had come to Salem were making their way into the lives of those that touched Percivell when he was alive. Andrew’s home was destroyed, and he had become raving mad with fear. The elders in the coven were being picked off one by one. The Revenants came into their homes, or found them on the street. They painted the walls with their blood and carved their warnings into the stone. 

The blood, the lamb, and the finger.

After Christabel’s powers had awoken within her, she vanished, taking the human Moses with her. Harper took Andrew, intent on questioning him as to what he had done to Christabel after all these years. It didn’t take much to get the old fool to talk; his confession spilled from him like the blood from his nose.

Harper learned that Christabel’s powers had manifested during her first blood. She was able to conjure small spirits and talk with them for short periods of time. Fearing he would lose his precious pet, Andrew devised a remedy that would keep her powers buried, as well as make her submissive. He gave the medicine to her every day, to assure that his plans never faltered. He wanted Christabel as his loving pet, the same way he wanted her mother, Lydia, and the same way he wanted to destroy her father, Percivell. 

Christabel’s powers were unknown, but Andrew blathered that he feared she could be the most powerful witch to come out of Salem since the High Priestess herself. Harper feared that if Christabel allowed her hatred and indifference to the world consume her, then she would become mad, and turn into nothing more than a dark creature like her parents were now.

“Let me go! Let me run!” Andrew begged Harper, who was keeping him locked in his home. “Please! Just let me escape this place, I promise never to return!”

“You will pay for your crimes, Andrew, no matter where you go,” Harper told him in a cold voice. “You won’t escape, so I suggest that you screw your courage to the sticking place, because that is where you will remain.” He left, locking the door behind him.

Harper’s search of the city was taking him down dark corners. He went to each sighting of the Revenant, taking with him the bone that Percivell had given him. Harper knew that, as executioner, his job was to bring down the axe on those to be sacrificed to Lydia and Percivell. He feared he knew who those people would be - three of them, at least - but he wanted to be certain.

It had been over a week since he last saw Christabel and her power was only growing. The skies over Salem were pitch-black, covered by clouds that rained down ash and dirt. The air was filled with smoke, making everything turn gray and wither. People were fleeing from Salem en masse, escaping the Revenants and the coming judgement. Harper remained, to seek out Christabel and beg her for mercy. 

He remembered his days with Christabel fondly. When they first started their relationship, she was angry but timid like an unsure cat. He had been hired by Andrew to guard her while he was away from Salem. Christabel’s dark eyes would peer up at Harper, inquisitive yet frightened. She was the most beautiful woman Harper had ever seen, with hair like night, and skin like cream. Although he saw fear in her, he also saw fire. 

Harper was changing one evening, and discovered Christabel watching him from the crack in his door. It was a strange and quiet moment until Christabel came into his room. She touched him, smoothing her hand over his strong body.

“You’re nothing like Andrew,” she whispered. 

“How do you know this?” Harper replied.

Christabel’s fingers stopped in the white curls of his groin. She glanced up at him and pressed a kiss to his chest. Her red tongue darted over his nipple, and Harper lost his breath for a moment.

“My lady,” he moaned, his hand grasping her shoulder.

Christabel sighed softly. “His hands hurt when he touches me.” She took Harper’s hand from her shoulder and placed it on her chest. “Your hand is so much bigger, but it feels nice when it’s on me.”

“You shouldn’t do this,” Harper panted, his cock already hard.

“I am tired of those words,” she snarled. “I am sick of this place! Of being here! Of being with him-” She had tears in her eyes that threatened to spill. “I want something for myself that I can control, Harper.”

Harper’s heart moved for her then, and he would move for her from then on. He touched her that night, sampling her naked body and pleasuring her until she commanded him to stop. His fingers soaked in her nectar, which he then tasted with his tongue. She took his cock in her mouth and let him spill his seed on her body. Christabel knew, though, that if Harper ever took himself too deep inside her, Andrew would know. Much later, it was her idea to humiliate Andrew further by allowing Harper inside the tight bud of her ass.

One evening while Harper is trying to sleep, he feels something soft against his cheek. Stirring, his eyes open to see Christabel standing over him. Sitting up with a fright, he grasps Christabel’s hand and stares into her face. Her pale blue eyes are like lavender, and she is wearing a dark red dress.

“Where have you been?” Harper whispers. “Am I dreaming this?”

Christabel kisses him. Her lips are painted red and leave their mark on Harper’s skin. “I missed you,” she moans into his ear. “I need you.”

“Chrissie,” Harper whispers warningly. “I need to speak with you. I need you to come to your senses and give up this hunt.”

Christabel moves into his lap, hiking up her skirts before wrapping her arms around him. “Wait,” she urges. “There is something much more urgent I need from you, my dear friend.” She kisses him again, slipping her tongue into his mouth. “You have earned an honor, one I wish to give you now.”

“Chrissie,” Harper moans before falling into another kiss.

Christabel removes his clothes and pushes him back down onto his bed, pulling up her skirts to show him her petal-like lower lips. “You’ve taken care of me and my needs all this time. Now, I am going to take care of you.”

She slowly eases herself down upon him, sheathing his cock inside her. Her expression falters for a moment, but as she takes all of him inside, she lets out a long moan.

“Chrissie,” Harper gasps, “what are you doing?”

Her eyes flick up to the door that Andrew is locked behind. She begins to move, riding Harper, with her hands firmly planted on his stomach. She cries out, gasping for breath as her nectar slips down Harper’s shaft.

“This feels so good.” She throws her head back. “Harper, tell me, do you like it? Are you happy?”

Harper’s fingers dig into her thighs as he watches himself disappear inside her. His breath shudders as her heat wraps around him, coiling and tightening, soft and velvety all at once. Her wetness spills as her voice becomes louder and more ecstatic.

“I am grateful,” Harper moves beneath her, pushing upwards and making her voice pitch higher. “Being inside you is always my greatest joy.”

Christabel’s fingers claw down his chest as her thighs begin to tremble. The air around them crackles at the sound of her cries. Harper’s fingers dig harder into her, and pull her down while his hips surge upwards. He releases inside her while Christabel screams out into the night. The air swirls around them, hissing and popping, while Harper continues to fill her.

Christabel gasps, and everything goes still and quiet. Her teeth sink into her bottom lip and a smile spreads across her face. She reaches down, cupping her hand over her mound as she sits up. She bends over, kissing Harper as he lays limp and powerless on the bed.

“You will stay inside me forever,” she whispers to him. She places a final kiss on his forehead, and Harper falls into a deep sleep.

When he awakens, his body is sore and his legs feel weak. Getting up, he goes to the window and peers out into the world. Everything is still a withered gray, the sky is dark, and there are not many people to see. He goes into the room where Andrew is kept, and finds him naked on the floor.

If Christabel had wanted Andrew dead, she would have done it. Harper has no doubt of that. He knows that Andrew’s fate is to suffer through everything, until the time comes for the sacrifices to be made to the Revenants. 

The finger of judgement. 

“How was she?” Andrew hisses from the floor. “How was my sweet, darling, little precious?” He rises to his feet, staring Harper down with a strange expression. “How was it, taking what was mine?”

“It was never yours,” Harper replies evenly. “You stole her, and your crimes will be paid for shortly.”

Andrew lashes out, reaching for Harper’s throat, but he is easily swatted aside by Harper’s powerful hand. He tumbles to the floor, crashing over the bedside table and landing at the foot of the bed. He starts to wail, sobbing pitifully.

“You’re a pathetic man,” Harper spits. “Disgusting.”

“You came inside her,” Andrew wails. “You ruined what was pure and mine! She is mine! I raised her! I loved her,” he sobs.

“I did more than that,” Harper whispers. “For years, she made a cuckold out of you. She has been in my bed more than you have ever dreamed of. My seed has been inside her before. I have known her and I will always know her.”

Andrew screams, jumping up to strike Harper again before the door is slammed in his face. He beats and claws at the wood, still screaming. 

Harper is shocked by how good that feels. He leaves the house, going out onto the street and hoping for some sort of sign from Christabel. As he comes to the center of town, he sees the fountain is spewing black. At its foot stands the High Priestess, looking up at it with her hands folded behind her back.

Harper approaches her, standing at her side. Her hollow gaze remains unmoving. Her small hand then reaches out, taking hold of his.

“My son,” she whispers. “Tell me, is it my fault?”

“Yes,” Harper answers. “I’m afraid it is.”

The High Priestess squeezes his hand. “I thought so.” She closes her eyes. “I am not infallible. I am not always wise or strong. Despite who I am, I am often wrong.”

Harper turns to her, placing his hand on top of her head, moving his palm down along her soft hair until he places it on the nape of her neck.

“The Revenants have visited me,” she whispers softly. “I know why I have been spared.” She takes in a deep breath. “My name is written on the bone.”

“It is,” Harper replies as tears roll down his cheek.

The High Priestess nods. “The blood is on my hands. I’m ready.”

Harper pushes her, his fingers digging into her neck as he plunges her head under the black waters of the fountain. She kicks and writhes, clawing at his arm as a flurry of bubbles and foam rises to the surface. Harper holds her, unflinching, as she tries to fight despite knowing her fate. He cries, sobbing as the bubbles stop coming to the surface.

When the water becomes still again, he loosens his grip and pulls the High Priestess out. Her youthful appearance is gone, replaced by that of her true self. Her old, haggard form is curled up, her fingers gnarled and knobby from the years.

Harper lays her in his lap, rocking her as the Revenants come close. Their dark forms surround Harper, gazing down at the High Priestess’s dead body. Harper gazes up at them, watching their hollow faces before offering up the High Priestess’s body.

“The blood,” Lydia whispers.

“The first of what you have asked.” Harper stands from the ground as the High Priestess turns to ash. The dark clouds float up, swirling around the Revenants until there is nothing.

“Where is she now?” Harper asks of them. “Where is your daughter?”

“Safe,” Lydia rasps. “With us.” She leans towards Harper. “She is not yours to worry over anymore. She is where she belongs.”

“She’s going mad,” Harper urges. “Please, let me speak to her. Let me help her.”

“It is out of your control now. You have been given your orders.” Percivell wails. “Do as we asked, and the end will come.”

“Don’t be so cruel to my friend,” Christabel sighs as she comes from the shadows. “Leave him be.” She looks down at Harper as she raises her hand towards her parents. “Come now. With the High Priestess gone, I do not have much time.”

“Time?” Harper shakes his head. “Chrissie, what are you going to do?”

Christabel turns towards him and smiles. “All of Salem is in chaos,” she casts her eyes around. “Their leader is gone, her seat is empty, and most of the elders are dead.” She takes in a deep breath, breathing in the ash that filters off the bodies of her parents. “Thank you, Harper.” 

She steps around him and walks down the street. The Revenants follow after her like storm clouds, keeping close to her and shielding her. 

Harper watches, unable to do anything except stand there. All those years that Andrew had tried to suppress her power have only made it the terror it is now. It is not just the Revenants that Christabel has summoned from their graves, but a storm that could destroy all of Salem. Even if the Revenants are dealt with, Christabel will still remain. She has become corrupted, and it is not something that can be easily changed. From the moment she was placed in Andrew’s arms, her fate was sealed. The fate of all of Salem was sealed.

Harper wanders away from Salem, coming out into the clear air and sky. Behind him, everything is black and cast in shadows. He turns back and keeps walking, leaving the city behind him. 

He goes to a neighboring village, where he finds work cutting lumber and delivering it to people’s homes. Harper puts Salem and its fate out of his mind. He works, he eats, he sleeps, and he forgets. As the months go by, he grows used to his new life, even as news from Salem reaches his ear, he remains ignorant to it and the job he was given. 

“You look tired, Harper,” one of the men he works with says. “You sleeping well?”

Nightmares have been plaguing Harper since he left Salem. Each night, the Revenants of Lydia and Percviell call out to him from beyond the veil to return, but he ignores their messages. Each night, he is awakened from sleep and remains awake till morning.

“It will pass eventually,” he lies more to himself than to anyone around him. “Don’t worry about me. I am just happy to be here.”

As he says this, he looks up to see a young man standing across the road from them. Harper wipes the sweat from his brow, and sees the young man has a choker around his neck. His dark brown eyes are familiar, and suddenly Harper realizes who he sees. 

“By god,” he says as he sets down his axe. “Moses?”

Moses sighs with relief, raising his hand to wave. “Can we talk?”

Harper approaches him, taking his arm and leading him aside. “What on earth are you doing here?” He touches Moses’ neck. “What is this? I thought you were a stray?”

Moses shakes his head, covering his neck with his palm. “I have been searching for you everywhere! Why did you leave Salem? Why did you not finish your job?”

Harper remains silent, his eyes focused on Moses. He is trying to find something wrong with him, but all he sees is a slightly fearful young man. 

“Harper!” Moses yells. “Salem is being swallowed! Christabel is waiting on you!” He grabs Harper’s arm hard. “She sent me to find you! She wants answers!”

Harper pulls away, stepping out of Moses’ reach. “So she put her choker on you.”

Moses frowns. “She was alone and scared.”

“I thought you hated witches,” Harper scoffs.

“Well, I love her!” Moses shouts.

Harper shakes his head, keeping his mouth shut. “You know she will never return that love, right? She doesn’t know how.”

Moses scowls, his fists clenched tight. “She’s pregnant, Harper.”

Harper laughs. “Well, congratulations are in order, aren’t they?” His hands tremble as he looks over Moses. “How does it feel to be a father?”

“It isn’t mine,” Moses whispers. “It is your child, Harper.”

Harper’s expression goes blank as he looks down at Moses. His mouth opens wide and he chuckles to himself for a moment.

“All these months you’ve been gone,” Moses whispers. “Salem is in shadows, and Christabel has been letting her anger get the best of her. If you come back, maybe she will listen.”

“No,” Harper shakes his head. “Her parents have her, and she will not listen to me. Besides, it is already too late.”

“You still have the power to get rid of them!” Moses insists. “Finish the sacrifices and save Christabel!”

“No!” Harper roars down at him, his eyes gleaming. “Don’t you understand, you small-minded fool? Christabel is the lamb!”

Moses goes still, wobbling for a moment then chuckles. “You must… You must be jesting, right?” He chuckles. “Why would the Revenants call for the sacrifice of their own child?” He stares around in disbelief, looking for an answer anywhere.

“Because,” Harper snarls, “they want her with them always. After the lamb, they will watch as the finger suffers.”

Moses looks up at him with tears in his eyes. “Who is the finger?”

“Andrew,” Harper mutters. He looks away, the horizon, where there is a dark cloud in the sky over Salem. 

“Christabel has him in the cells below the courthouse,” Moses whispers. “She’s not been kind to him, but he’s still alive.”

“Poor fool,” Harper sighs. He then hangs his head into his palms and begins to cry. He sobs, sinking down onto his knees. “Are you certain?” He grabs hold of Moses’ clothes and shakes him. “Are you certain it is mine?”

“There is no one else it could be!” Moses grips Harper’s fists. “No one else since you has she allowed to-” Moses frowns and kneels down with Harper. “You have to come back, I beg of you!”

Harper hangs his head again, pressing it onto Moses’ shoulder. “I am afraid, Moses,” he whispers. “I left because I was afraid! I cannot return because of it.” 

Moses sighs, wrapping his arms around Harper tightly. “If you do not return, then all is lost.” He helps Harper to his feet. “I beg of you, reconsider. Think of the innocents in Salem. Think of Christabel. Think of your child.”

Harper leads Moses back to his home, where he sits down and pours them wine. He empties bottle after bottle, until the air is dark and chilled. He and Moses kiss one another, finding comfort together from their fear. Harper takes Moses into his bed, finding warmth and peace for the first time in months.  The two men share a night together, forgetting that just on the horizon, the dark cloud is growing and growing. They find pleasure in their mingled bodies, tasting each other and holding on for dear life.

Harper does not sleep. He knows what dreams would come. He lays in bed, listening to Moses breathe, until the sun begins to rise. He leaves Moses to sleep, taking nothing with him as he journeys back down the road towards Salem. He tastes ash on his tongue. 

As the darkness grows, he walks into the city that had been his home. He feels a chill trail down his spine, but he pushes his fear aside. He ventures further into Salem, coming to the home that had one belonged to the High Priestess.

Harper opens the door, stepping inside, finding the house cool and quiet. He stands in the foyer as a breeze whispers past his ear. He walks up the stairs and towards the end of the hall, where he comes to a bedroom.

Laying propped in the bed, looking just as beautiful as he remembered, is Christabel. Her eyes open, revealing hollow sockets. She turns, lifting her head towards Harper’s direction.

“You came back,” she whispers.

Harper shuts the door behind him. “I made a promise.”