48

Chapter 48: The rituals.

We settled on the table as the maids carefully dished out the sumptuous meal. The only persons missing at the table were Ethan and Naomi. I watched Madame whisper inaudible to a maid's ear and she left.

The things she whispered to her were only heard beyond the human ears. The humans around the table were maids, and I wondered why these supernatural beings make it mandatory to have humans as servants. Is it because they are weak and can't fight for themselves?.

Just when we were about to eat, Ethan walked in looking sober. He stopped at a table and glared dangerously at Stefan before walking back upstairs. I cleared my throat as Stefan ate like nothing ever happened between them.

I was beginning to see why he wouldn't like to be found among the witches, for the fact he wasn't loved among them. And I still wondered what was going on between them, for the fact he explained that he fought him because of me wasn't enough to let it go.

Naomi walked in and occupied a seat at the end of the table. "Sorry, I'm late." She muttered coldly, only referring to Madame Maggret.

~

After the meal, I made sure Stefan didn't go back to the room because it'd be hard to convince him about the ritual tonight.

I left him in the garden at the back of the mansion and we sat together on the grassy ground looking at the galaxy of stars up in the sky.

Stefan pushed me closer to him and cornered his hand to my side. I smiled sweetly at him, enjoying his company as well. Though I didn't want to spoil the beautiful moment we shared under the moon, I wanted to talk to him about visiting the witch tonight.

I had always anticipated what would become of me tonight. Tonight was a day I was gonna choose whether I am the savior or not. My fate was going to be decided today and all the answers I've always searched for were going to be revealed tonight.

He kissed the back of my hand and tucked my hair behind. He played with my fingers. "I wish I could take you out of this place, to the place where you've always wanted to be." He said, with the look of sadness in his eyes.

I smiled and squeezed his hand lightly. I've always wanted something like this to happen but what do we do?. Outside the clan is the most dangerous place to be.

I gulped down and nervously started, "I want you to do something for me."

He looked up, anticipatedly. I continued, "About what we discussed back at the room, Ava took me to a sibyl today." I said. His face changed and he looked expressionlessly at me. He didn't look moved.

"And?." He quietly asked.

I didn't want to continue with the look he had on him. He dropped my hand, and sat upright. Stefan can never be predicted, I thought he wanted me to find who I was. "Because she acts like the nicest person in this goddamn place doesn't mean you should trust her with everything."

"Stefan, she only showed me to the witch. She wanted to help." I started but stopped when I didn't think of explaining to him anymore.

"Perhaps she could be using you. Maybe her mother could have sent her to you, you don't need to trust anyone here, baby girl. These people might not be completely honest with us, they could be using you, remember who you are." He said while I couldn't agree less.

Ava was caring, completely a different person from the others. She was quiet, and kind. How could she think of using me?.

"Baby. I'm not saying that you shouldn't trust Ava, for all I know you've been with her for a few weeks now, I was just stating what could be true."

"No. You're exaggerating. You know what, forget about it. I do not want to hear any more words against her." He sighed.

I was beginning to get pissed right now. This is what we discussed together and he agreed to stand by me, why's he angry that I've gone one step ahead?.

I looked up and saw Ava approaching us with a hood over her head and as she walked, she looked around at the same time. She stopped in front of us, looked at Stefan and then to me, "Are you ready?." She asked.

I look at Stefan, "Yes we are."

~

We reached the same old house that we went to in the morning. Ava stopped. "I can't be there at the time of the ritual. So I'll be waiting out here." She said and looked toward the compound.

"You're lucky, today's the full moon and the witch seems to conduct rituals tonight." I looked towards the compound and found woods set up in the middle, true to her words.

I looked at Stefan and started walking ahead. I pushed the wooden door open and went in. I could hear footsteps behind me which I knew who it belonged to. "Are you sure about this?." Stefan asked me.

"Very sure, Stefan. This is my time." I whispered and started moving forward. I opened the curtain and walked in.

The witch was sitting leg crossed on a mat. She had her hands clasped together and her eyes shut. She was chanting in low tones. During her prayers, she was rubbing the crystal together which made the noise in the house.

We waited till she opened her eyes and looked at us. "The time is near. I want you all outside now." She commanded.

We all moved outside, I watched the old woman walk around the bonfire which had not been lit. I could hear the cracking of the moonstone she rubbed together in her right hand.

"Pick up the selenite." She ordered. I looked at Stefan and bent down to a moon shaped crystal and picked it up. Stefan picked her and we waited to hear her next instruction.

"Close your eyes and breathe deeply. During the ritual, do not open your eyes or you invite an evil spirit." She said and we did as instructed.

"Sit opposite each other and we shall begin."