Part LXIX

Sean stands up first and I follow suit as we walk towards the priest, standing in the position we previously were in front of the altar. He gestures for us to kneel and we do so, my heart beating quickly unsure about what he's about to do.

Just then, a young man that looks to be in his early twenties wearing a robe comes from the corner of the altar with a bowl in his hand and hands it over to the priest, standing behind him afterwards.

The priest raises the bowl up high in the air and starts to sprout some words I do not understand, only pausing to do something to the water with his fingers then continuing again. I feel a small tug by my side and look at Sean who signals for me to look downward and not watch him like it's a show.

I do as he says and start to really concentrate on the words he's speaking disregarding the fact that I do not understand.

Soon, he stands directly in front of Sean and start to sprinkle the water on him, still speaking an unknown language. I start to hear him groan loudly and I raise my eyes up to look at him and see his only visible body parts (chest, neck and head) are covered with large red veins. I can tell that his entire body is covered with these veins and he seems to be in a lot of pain from the sounds coming out of his mouth.

"Accept it!" The priest urges him, "don't fight it! It's the power of the goddess! Be empowered!." His groans become louder and his strong hold on the ground causes the floor to crack as he emanates such strong and hot power.

The hall becomes extremely hot and his groans get louder that I fear he might not make it. I touch him out of impulse but retrieve my hand immediately as it burns me, his entire body is as hot as a burning flame!.

"Don't touch him!" The priest yells at me and tears form in my eyes from fear of what is happening to Sean and what might happen to me. "If he is distracted at this point, you will be held responsible for whatever happens to him!".

My heart starts to beat even faster and I pray deeply that nothing happens to him.

"You evil being!". Someone yells from the audience and I turn my head around to see a few of the people standing and glaring at me, the ones sitting also glare while some have fear in their eyes, afraid for their king.

"Don't touch him whore!"

"Nothing must happen to him!"

The yells and protests get louder until Joe stands up and yells for them to keep quiet which they obey immediately, probably afraid of him. Miranda is on her feet and you can see fear all over Zara. What have I done!. I shouldn't have touched him but I didn't mean to, I was only scared for him. Do I really want to do this?. All these people hate me and there's nothing I can do to change that fact yet I kneel here as their queen, about to receive powers from their goddess.

My mind immediately travels back to when I agreed to come here with Sean. Like this, I was on my knees beside the cold body of my dead husband, the one I killed. Betty kept begging me to come with her but I refused and the last words she told me were, "Whatever happens Crystal, don't forget who you are. Don't lose yourself."

Her voice echoes in my head, loud and clear it's almost as if I'm back at the cabin and in her arms again. Would I lose myself by doing this? Is this what she meant? Who am I exactly?.

The creepy lady asked me this and my response was "I'm human." She was satisfied by that answer but is that really who I am? That's who I've always been, but would I remain that if I go through with this?

A loud sigh drags me from my clustered thoughts and I look towards the direction of the sound, it came from Sean. He's standing on all fours, the veins disappears as he breathes rapidly like he's trying to catch his breath and the temperature in the room reduces to it's normal level, no longer scalding hot.

After few seconds, he stands up, faces the crowd and spreads both hands wide apart to show he's fine with a smile on his face causing the entire congregation to give a loud thunderous applause and cheering.

There's insurmountable joy in the hall and the priest's smile is even wider than an ocean. I'm happy too, but I feel strange, alienated, unwanted, like the odd one out. I don't feel like I belong here, they don't want me here and I doubt I can ever be accepted.

"Hey," Sean bends over me and smiles, "you can do this."

His eyes are so warm and his smile is welcoming, contradicting the aura and vibes I'm getting from the people. Everyone is against me aside Sean. I can't back down now. I've come too far to retreat. If I deny this ritual, I might be killed and if I don't, I might be killed.

Either ways, I'd die but I'd rather die trying something new than die like the coward I've always been. Nothing would happen to me since I don't have any initial power, this is all just for formalities. I'd do this and get it over with then go back to learning and finding out more about the Connors and everything I need to know.

I force a smile on my lips and nod once, turning to look at the priest who's smile is long gone and has the bowl in his hands again.

My heart beat accelerates as I feel the tiny drops of warm water sprinkled on me and he resumes speaking in the previous foreign language. Again and again he sprinkles the water but I feel nothing, no difference. Is it because I'm human? It's going to be even more demeaning if nothing happens and I'm going to confirm their opinion of me, a weak worthless human.

I can't rule the supernatural if I remain natural, I can't fight for them without strength, I can't avenge Dylan without power. It's time to forget Betty's words. I can't remain human, I can't remain an ordinary human. I need strength. I need power.

A tear starts to trickle down my eyes and I renounce my humanity and open up my heart to the goddess. It's time to accept her.