Brethren's Dark Inheritance

In Salem, the Brethren is a powerful, patriarchal secret society descended from the witch trials, controlling the town's elite through violence, ritual, and fear. Skyla Parris, newly returned to Salem, is thrust into this world, her life dictated by ancient rules and a forced engagement to Asher Putnam, the society's heir. The Brethren's legacy is one of blood, secrets, and the relentless policing of its members, especially its women. Skyla's mother's mysterious death and her own uncertain heritage cast a shadow over her, as she navigates a world where loyalty is demanded and betrayal is met with brutal consequences.

Stalked by Shadows

Skyla's life is upended by a relentless stalker, whose obsession is both personal and tied to her mother's past. The stalker's identity is shrouded in mystery, with suspicion falling on those closest to her. As Skyla's relationships with her protectors—Asher, Liam, Ronan, Vincent, and Wesley—deepen, the threat intensifies. The stalker's actions grow bolder, culminating in Skyla's abduction, and the revelation that the danger is not just external, but rooted in the Brethren's own ranks.

The Abduction Unveiled

Skyla is drugged and kidnapped by Professor Corwin, her stalker, who is obsessed with her as the reincarnation of her mother, Giselle. Corwin's delusions and violence escalate as he imprisons Skyla in a remote, mock-home warehouse, intent on "cleansing" her and recreating his lost love. Skyla's terror is compounded by Corwin's threats against her lovers and his ritualistic, abusive behavior. Her only hope lies in her own cunning and the desperate search mounted by her found family.

Rescue and Revenge

Skyla's lovers—Vincent, Ronan, Asher, Liam, and Wesley—track her down, storming Corwin's lair in a violent confrontation. Corwin is killed in a fit of collective rage, and the group burns the warehouse to erase the evidence. Skyla, battered and traumatized, is brought home, her physical and emotional wounds tended by her fiercely protective partners. The rescue cements the group's bond, but the trauma lingers, and the Brethren's indifference to her suffering deepens their resolve to challenge its authority.

Aftermath and Unraveling

In the wake of the rescue, the group fractures under guilt and blame, especially toward Wesley, whose perceived failure haunts him. Skyla's recovery is complicated by nightmares and the Brethren's continued surveillance. Amidst the pain, unconventional relationships blossom: Asher and Liam's romance emerges, and the group's polyamorous dynamic solidifies. The Brethren's rituals and secrets, however, continue to threaten their fragile peace.

Secrets of Bloodlines

Skyla's search for answers about her mother's death and her own origins leads her to forbidden archives and whispered rumors. She learns that her true father is Jonathan Proctor, a descendant of the accused witches, not Henry Parris. Her mother, Giselle, is alive, living in hiding with a coven of witches. The revelation of Skyla's witch blood and the Brethren's centuries-old vendetta against the coven upend everything she thought she knew about herself and her place in Salem.

The Witch's Legacy

Skyla reunites with her mother and discovers her extended family among the witches. The coven, led by Rachel and Giselle, reveals the truth about the Brethren's origins: a legacy of violence, misogyny, and the magical curse that prevented Elder families from bearing daughters. The witches offer Skyla and her lovers magical protection, warning of a coming reckoning. Tarot readings and ancestral prophecies foretell violence, betrayal, and the end of an era.

Brethren's Induction Nightmares

The Brethren's induction ceremonies for Asher and Liam are brutal, forcing them to commit atrocities—murder, ritual cannibalism, and sexual violence—to prove their loyalty. The trauma leaves them scarred, haunted by guilt and nightmares. The ceremonies expose the Brethren's true nature and the impossibility of reform from within. The group's resolve to destroy the Brethren hardens, even as the society's surveillance and threats escalate.

Betrayals and Confessions

Wesley's secret role as Christopher Putnam's informant is exposed, shattering trust within the group. He confesses to feeding false information to protect Skyla, but the betrayal cuts deep. Meanwhile, the Brethren's leaders are revealed to be complicit in rape, murder, and the cover-up of Skyla's mother's "death." The group's unity is tested, but ultimately, their shared trauma and love draw them back together, determined to end the cycle of violence.

Coven in the Woods

Skyla and her lovers seek refuge with the coven, forging an alliance between witches and Brethren defectors. The witches perform a ritual of protection, arming the group with enchanted daggers and magical wards. The coven's history and the true story of the Salem witch trials are revealed: the Brethren's founder, Thomas Putnam, was in love with a witch, and the society's curse is rooted in his betrayal. The stage is set for a final confrontation.

The Reckoning Ritual

On the night of a full moon, the group infiltrates the Brethren's tunnels during an induction ceremony. With the help of the coven, they confront the Elders, including Christopher, Henry, and the other patriarchs. Skyla's mother and father appear, exposing the truth and breaking the Brethren's psychological hold. In a coordinated act of vengeance and liberation, the group slits the Elders' throats, ending centuries of tyranny in a single, bloody ritual.

The Fall of the Elders

With the Elders dead, the Brethren's power collapses. The society's remaining members are given a choice: adapt to a new, just order or leave Salem forever. The coven's curse is lifted, and the town's women are finally free from the Brethren's control. The group mourns their losses—especially Vincent, who narrowly survives an assassination attempt—and begins the work of healing and rebuilding.

A New Order Rises

The new leadership, composed of Skyla's lovers and their allies, transforms the Brethren into a true brotherhood, abolishing its violent rituals and patriarchal hierarchy. The society's resources are redirected toward ethical enterprises, and the town's witches are welcomed back into the community. Skyla's family is reunited, and the wounds of the past begin to heal. The group's unconventional love is celebrated, not hidden.

Healing and Homecoming

Skyla and her lovers grapple with the trauma of their pasts, supporting each other through nightmares, guilt, and grief. The return of Skyla's mother and the truth about her heritage bring both pain and closure. The group's bonds deepen as they learn to trust and forgive, embracing their found family and the freedom they fought for.

Love Beyond Boundaries

The group's polyamorous relationship flourishes, defying the Brethren's old taboos. Asher and Liam's romance blossoms, and the group's intimacy is celebrated in scenes of joy, laughter, and sexual exploration. Skyla's best friend Maggie finds love with Maryia, and the community embraces new forms of family and connection. The group's love becomes a symbol of the new order: inclusive, honest, and free.

The Wedding of Six

Skyla and her five lovers marry in a joyful, unconventional ceremony, surrounded by friends, family, and the coven. The wedding symbolizes the triumph of love over fear, and the creation of a new legacy for Salem. The group's rings—each representing a different bond—are fused together, and their vows reflect the journey from trauma to healing, from oppression to freedom.

Epilogue: Freedom's Dawn

The Brethren is transformed into a just, ethical society, led by Skyla's lovers and their allies. The witches are welcomed home, and the town's wounds begin to heal. Skyla's family is whole, and her found family thrives. The group's love endures, and the promise of a better future shines over Salem. The story ends with hope, unity, and the dawn of a new age.

Characters

Skyla Parris

Skyla is the heart of the story—a young woman marked by trauma, loss, and a legacy she never asked for. Forced into the Brethren's world, she endures stalking, abduction, and ritual violence, but refuses to be broken. Her relationships with her five lovers are both a source of strength and a challenge to the Brethren's rules. Skyla's search for her mother's truth and her own identity leads her to embrace her witch heritage and become a catalyst for change. Her psychological journey is one of reclaiming agency, healing from abuse, and forging a new path for herself and her community.

Asher Putnam

Asher is Skyla's husband by Brethren decree, but their relationship evolves from forced union to genuine love. Asher is shaped by the expectations of his father, Christopher, and the trauma of the Brethren's rituals. His induction leaves him scarred, but his loyalty to Skyla and his friends drives him to rebel against his family's legacy. Asher's journey is one of breaking free from toxic masculinity, embracing vulnerability, and choosing love over power.

Liam Walcott

Liam is the group's emotional center, known for his humor and warmth. His induction into the Brethren is especially traumatic, forcing him to commit acts that haunt him. Liam's relationship with Skyla and Asher evolves into a polyamorous triad, and his struggle with guilt and self-worth is a major theme. Liam's arc is about healing, forgiveness, and the courage to love openly in a world that punishes difference.

Ronan Putnam

Ronan, Asher's uncle, is a survivor of the Brethren's violence and the loss of his first love. He is fiercely protective of Skyla and the group, often serving as the voice of reason and strategy. Ronan's journey is one of learning to trust again, opening his heart to unconventional love, and leading the charge to dismantle the Brethren's power.

Vincent Griggs

Vincent is the group's most dangerous member—a trained killer, marked by trauma and a deep sense of unworthiness. His love for Skyla is obsessive and protective, and his near-death experience cements his place in the group. Vincent's arc is about redemption, learning to accept love, and channeling his violence toward justice rather than vengeance.

Wesley Preston

Wesley begins as a Brethren informant, feeding information to Christopher, but his love for Skyla leads him to betray his orders and protect her. His confession nearly destroys the group, but his willingness to change and his skills as a protector make him indispensable. Wesley's journey is about atonement, honesty, and finding belonging in a chosen family.

Giselle (Skyla's Mother)

Giselle faked her death to escape the Brethren's violence, living in hiding with the coven. Her return is a turning point, revealing the truth about Skyla's heritage and the Brethren's origins. Giselle's arc is about reclaiming her power, healing generational trauma, and guiding her daughter toward freedom.

Jonathan Proctor

Jonathan is Skyla's biological father, a kind and loving man who represents the legacy of the accused witches. His reunion with Skyla and Giselle is a moment of healing and closure, and his presence symbolizes the merging of the Brethren's and witches' histories.

Rachel Proctor

Rachel, Jonathan's sister, is a powerful witch and leader of the coven. Her clairvoyance and wisdom guide Skyla and the group, and her rituals provide protection and hope. Rachel's arc is about bridging the gap between witches and Brethren, and ensuring the cycle of violence ends.

Christopher Putnam

Christopher is the main antagonist—a manipulative, violent leader who embodies the Brethren's worst traits. His obsession with Giselle, his orchestration of Skyla's suffering, and his willingness to kill even his own make him a symbol of the old order. His death marks the end of the Brethren's reign and the beginning of a new era.

Plot Devices

Polyamory and Found Family

The story's central device is the polyamorous relationship between Skyla and her five lovers, which defies the Brethren's patriarchal rules. Their love is both a source of strength and a challenge to the society's norms. The found family trope is used to explore themes of loyalty, healing, and the creation of new traditions.

Ritual and Initiation

The Brethren's rituals—induction ceremonies, punishments, and surveillance—are used to enforce loyalty and suppress dissent. These rituals are depicted as traumatic, dehumanizing, and ultimately unsustainable. The witches' rituals, by contrast, are about protection, healing, and community, offering an alternative vision of power.

Ancestral Secrets and Hidden Heritage

The mystery of Skyla's parentage and the missing pages of Thomas Putnam's journal drive the plot, revealing the interconnectedness of the Brethren and the witches. The curse on the Elder families, the true story of the witch trials, and the legacy of betrayal and love are all uncovered through research, confession, and magical revelation.

Betrayal and Redemption

Wesley's role as a spy, the group's internal betrayals, and the exposure of the Elders' crimes create tension and test the group's unity. The story explores the possibility of redemption, the importance of honesty, and the power of forgiveness in the face of trauma.

Magic and Prophecy

The witches' rituals, tarot readings, and magical protections are used to resist the Brethren's violence and offer hope for a better future. Prophecies and visions foreshadow the coming reckoning, and the final ritual is both a magical and political act of liberation.

Narrative Structure and Foreshadowing

The story is told through multiple points of view, allowing for deep psychological insight and the gradual revelation of secrets. Foreshadowing is used to build suspense, especially around the true nature of the Brethren, the witches' plans, and the group's ultimate fate.

Analysis

Demise is a dark, erotic, and emotionally charged reimagining of the Salem witch trials, blending contemporary romance, horror, and feminist fantasy. At its core, the novel is a story of survival, resistance, and the power of chosen family. Through Skyla's journey—from victim to leader, from pawn to queen—the book interrogates the legacy of patriarchal violence and the possibility of healing generational trauma. The Brethren's rituals and abuses are depicted as both literal and symbolic, representing the ways in which societies police, punish, and control women. The polyamorous relationships at the heart of the story are not just about sexual liberation, but about the creation of new forms of love, loyalty, and community in the face of oppression. The witches' magic is a metaphor for resilience, hope, and the refusal to be erased. Ultimately, Demise argues that true freedom comes not from revenge alone, but from the courage to imagine and build a new world—one where love, honesty, and justice prevail.

Last updated: May 4, 2025