18 Chapter 18: The Miracle

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?!" Elize furiously whispered to Agatha while walking to Aileen's house.

"Maybe because I didn't know till after I left you in your room?" Agatha whispered back, tucking in her hair nervously sensing the surge of magic from ahead.

"Why do you think she invited them?"

"I don't know Elize."

"Did they know that Zack was here?!"

"I don't think so," Agatha whispered back.

"Do you think Aileen knows?! Do they know too?! I'm so screwed!" Elize said nervously.

"I don't know! Now shush! We're here." Agatha said, taking her friend's hand in hers.

The walkway to the house was lit by floating fireballs which burned red for some reason. It led to the front side of the double-storeyed house where a circular pillared garden was centered on a podium and a huge wisteria tree, which under the light of the full moon gave out a beautiful pink glow. The whole place was swarming with dressed-up women standing in groups and talking to each other, bowing slightly as Elize passed them.

"There you are!" Irina exclaimed, relieved.

"Where did you go, Irina? We were searching for you!" Agatha whispered, pulling her by her hand.

"I'd tell you, but we need to get somewhere safe first," Irina said looking around her nervously.

"Upstairs?" Elize asked.

"No. Aileen is in there with Zack and his family. It's better that she doesn't see you in this state." Irina replied.

Elize looked at herself confused. What did she mean by "this state", she thought as her friend dragged her through the crowd. People were staring at the three with suspicion as they moved away from the buzz to a secluded area of the garden.

"What is it, Irina?" Elize prodded. The way that her friend was acting was making her nervous.

Elize watched as the red-haired witch looked around again, making sure that no one was around. She then produced a box out of the folds of her dark blue silk gown and extended it towards Elize.

"What is that?" Elize asked confused.

"Drugs? Are you offering her drugs to stay calm for the ceremony?!" Irina exclaimed.

"I'll need that if I'm going to meet his family," Elize said eagerly, grabbing the box from Irina.

Irina rolled her eyes.

Elize opened the box to reveal a huge teardrop diamond pendant with a very thin gold chain attached to it. Elize was stunned at the beauty of the necklace. She heard Agatha draw a sharp intake of breath beside her.

"It's a gift. I was going to give it later but then I thought-" Irina fumbled with her words.

"But-" Elize couldn't believe it. This was hers?!

"Well, it is customary for us to give gifts for witches who undergo their initiation ceremony. Agatha made you the dress so I thought I'd make something for you myself." Irina smiled.

Agatha giggled seeing Elize tear up.

"Don't think too much of it. I was just walking to the house when I realized that your neck is quite visible in that dress. Especially the mark." Irina said pointing to the mark underneath her collarbone.

"Oh shit." Elize cursed, realizing that she was walking around the place putting her secret on display. She hoped nobody noticed.

"Why didn't I think of that?" Agatha said cocking her head.

"Because you usually don't think," Irina replied putting the necklace on Elize's neck.

"There, you look perfect." She said looking at her friend.

Agatha poked her tongue out at Irina at which the older witch smirked.

"Okay. Let's go it's almost time." Irina said looking at the moon.

Elize looked up and saw a shadow falling upon the moon. The eclipse was about to begin and so was the ceremony.

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Elize stood on the podium beside the wisteria tree. All the guests stood in a circle around her and their gazes were fixed intently upon her.

"Where are you guys?" She whispered to herself, looking around the crowd.

Suddenly the crowd parted right ahead of her, to give way to someone. Elize fiddled with the skirt of her dress nervously, suddenly feeling tense.

From the parting came the graceful figure of Aileen first, who was followed by Zack, an older man, and two women who were all elegantly dressed. Elize's heart started beating fast at the sight of her mate, but Zack kept his eyes low. Behind them came Irina and Agatha carrying an oddly shaped utensil and a basket. The crowd closed ranks behind them.

Aileen motioned Zack and the people who Elize guessed was his family to join the crowd, at which the old man nodded and walked towards the witches.

Some of the witches who were in the front row looked at each other in confusion but silently parted for the wolves to join the group. Elize watched them settle in, her eyes remaining on her mate.

A wave of dark power pushed at her suddenly from the crowd. Elize staggered back by the weight of its force. Panicked, Elize looked around, searching for her assaulter. Nobody else seemed to have noticed it.

The dark power was coming from beside Zack- from the old man who now looked at Elize with amusement, a small smirk dotting his face. Elize looked at him confused, at which he winked at her.

"Creepy." She whispered to herself, looking away.

Aileen had reached Elize along with her two friends acting as aides to the old woman. Elize looked at her nervously. Was she still angry with her? She didn't get any time to explain anything to her, Elize thought.

"Ready to embrace yourself kiddo?" Aileen asked her with a smile.

Elize nodded, relieved. Maybe she had been thinking too much, she thought. Aileen seemed to be happy. Elize watched as the old witch turned towards the crowd. She hoped that this would get over quickly.

Aileen raised her hands and shouted "Today we gather for a special occasion under the light of the moon goddess. Each of you was chosen from among your covens for the gifts that you possess. And because of that, you will partake in playing a part in the prophecy of the Ruah Yareach."

Some among the witches started murmuring to each other upon hearing that, while others nodded in acknowledgment. Elize saw the women beside Zack whispering to each other, their faces registering much surprise. She looked at her mate, who was staring at her with shock.

Aileen continued, pointing at Elize, "This girl is the last of the lost coven. She will bring peace and prosperity to the Island. She will be the one to renew the magic that flows within the soil."

Elize could feel all eyes on her. She looked at her friends for support, catching Irina's kind smile. Elize relaxed a bit.

"How do we know for sure that she is the one?" Someone shouted from the crowd.

Aileen chuckled. "I knew that this question would come up." She turned to Agatha and said, "Do it."

Elize was confused by the reaction. She looked at Agatha for answers who was now walking towards her. She just got a smile in response.

"What's happening?" Elize whispered to Aileen.

"It's okay darling. Everything is under control." She replied, smiling at her.

Agatha tugged on her hand at which Elize stepped forward.

"I won't lie, it will hurt a bit," Agatha whispered to Elize 

producing a knife from behind her.

"What?! Are you guys crazy?!" Elize shouted stepping back from her friend.

"Tranquillitas," Agatha whispered.

The spell started working slowly, blanketing Elize in a heavy calm. She looked around to where Zack was standing. He was not there anymore. Her eyes met the old man's black eyes once more. She shivered at the cold that emanated from him. Elize quickly looked away, back at her friend.

"Fine." She said, extending her hand towards Agatha.

It was a quick slash, on her palm.

Elize didn't feel it at first but the pain started picking at her flesh slowly, burning her every inch. She held in her scream. Agatha grabbed her hand and extended it towards the crowd. Everyone started talking at once. She looked down at her own slashed palm. She couldn't believe what she saw.

A blue liquid was oozing out of her palm instead of blood. Suddenly there was a buzz all around the place, as spirit flies started appearing in huge numbers. Her wound started healing as they swarmed around Elize. She stared in awe as her hand was once again healed, without a mark on it. The butterflies disappeared as soon as her wound did.

"I hope you all are satisfied with what you've seen." Aileen's voice boomed over the place, silencing the crowd. This time, everyone bowed in agreement.

"You were brave," Agatha whispered into Elize's ears.

"I guess." She replied, still looking at her hand.

Suddenly she heard a heart-wrenching howl in her head. A splitting headache followed, which became unbearable by the minute. Elize clutched her head as she fell on the floor.

"Ellie!" She heard Agatha scream beside her.

Something was happening to her. She couldn't breathe. She struggled to keep her eyes open. A pain shot down her spine as she felt something strike her. It was a familiar feeling.

"Quick! The nightshade!" somebody screamed from above her.

A cold object was pressed against her lips, forcing her to open her mouth. A liquid was poured into her mouth as soon as she did while blocking the airway through her nose. She gulped it, desperate for air.

"Hold her down!" Somebody shouted again.

"What are you guys doing to her?! Leave her be!!!" Someone else shouted.

It sounded so familiar. Someone she knew so well, yet she couldn't remember.

"Someone get him away from here!" More shouts.

Elize felt a lot of force weigh down her body suddenly. Why were they doing this to her? What was happening? Zack!! She needed to get to Zack- Elize thought as she struggled. Rage filled her soul.

She needed to get away from these people! She screamed with all the strength she had. No sound came out from her, except a loud growl that rocked the ground.

Then everything went blank.