The Tenth Chapter

There was only darkness.

Rozelyn chose to shut her eyes than bear to look at the black-clothed people’s dismayed faces.

This was worse than dying.

Rozelyn reprimanded herself for failing the expectations of her stepmom and the only man her heart chose to beat for.

Open your eyes, Rozelyn.

A masculine voice beseeched her. She was debating if her mind was just making up things or she had gone into absolute madness.

Open your eyes and witness your powers’ miracles.

It was the voice of Cyrill Clarke.

Rozelyn’s heart beats faster and heavier. She cannot bear to be ashamed again—not for the second time around.

I know I’ve been a bitch all my life…but please don’t let me be the reason for this family’s downfall. I’ve been gradually transitioning to a much more independent woman. I know I’ve been self-centered because I’m always afraid to be shamed. I’m self-centered because I want people to acknowledge my mere existence. I’m self-centered, because, deep inside this whore of a bitch, I am an utter coward.

Please don’t let me down again.

Rozelyn’s soliloquy has perhaps been heed by the sacred flowers.

As she carefully opened her eyes, she knew that all this time, someone or something had been constantly listening to her internal monologues.

The room was no longer filled with the chandeliers’ ocherous lights and century-old tapestries.

The whole place was now engulfed in cosmic scenery. It was as if Rozelyn transported the whole place into outer space.

Spiralling galaxies and twinkling stars were the only ones that reflected in the coven’s eyes.

Little figures of planets and heavenly bodies floated and swirled around each vampire and werewolf.

The pristine purplish and blackish shades flooded the walls and floors and even the ceilings.

Rozelyn cannot even believe the extent of her illusion-crafting abilities. She had never done this before.

It is indeed true that you’ll never know the extent of your capabilities unless you push yourself from your comfort zone.

A little risk is all one needs to take after all.

The starry and heavenly occurrence has flabbergasted Hemera. Even the Astral vampire Romaine cannot conjure this utterly spectacular illusion.

In a blink of Rozelyn’s eyes, the panorama shifted from the galaxy scenery into a breath-taking wintery view then into the tangerine and amber shades of Shamrock’s autumn season.

Then finally, back to the Victorian ballroom.

Without any hesitation, Rozelyn then clenched her fist and threw her palms into the air in a powerful force.

Splinters of fire then sprout from her bare palms. The slivers then danced freely into the air as it formed into the shape of the Blood Rose.

Then in Rozelyn’s right hand, huge tendrils of water flow out from her—as if the water was caged within Rozelyn for a long time.

The waters whirl and sway into the air as it forms the figure of the enthralling Moonflower.

The water and fire seem to intertwine and twirl before parting away. The two opposing elements then crashed into one another again. Then, in a heartbeat, the mythical form of a dragon can now be vividly seen. The shimmering surface of the water and the flickering embers of fire perfectly crafted this heart-stopping panorama.

All thirty of the creatures of the night were gaping. Their fangs and claws glistened as the beaming light of bright fire gracefully greeted them.

And Rozelyn was nowhere in the concrete ground.

She was now freely levitating into the air—twenty yards from the floor. Her black dress and raven hair seemed to glitter as she situated herself by the mouth of the enormous legendary dragon.

And Rozelyn did a great job in giving justice into the title of being an Irish contemporary Thaumaturge.

***

“Thaumaturge!”

As she was sipping her margarita cocktail, Rozelyn then abruptly turned her head to the person calling her prestigious title and moniker.

“Vesta Smythe. The Fourth of Avril’s pack and an Elemental werewolf.”

She then put her right fist to her chest then gave Rozelyn a feminine bow.

“Is that your way of greeting?” Rozelyn curiously asked.

“Yes. It’s the formal way of a werewolf greeting,” Vesta then gave her a wide jovial grin as she responded.

“Then what’s your informal way?” Rozelyn amusingly queried.

The wavy ginger-haired werewolf then flicked out her claws and joined her hands together in a praying manner against her chest.

“Wow! Indeed fascinating, huh,” the emerald-eyed praised.

Romaine and Dorrien were currently having a slow dance together, despite the lively music playing in the background. Their sweet gazes and romantic dance made Cyrill and Rozelyn awkwardly quiver on the inside. The two then looked at each other and quietly simpered in a sardonic way.

The room was full of revelry and chattering. The vivacious music playing in the background seems to be a jazz classic.

Several gourmet foods and refreshments were laid on the fifteen-foot long table. There are smoked salmon, foie gras, some expensive shellfish, and Nova Scotia grilled lobsters.

Local Irish dishes will always be present like the soda bread, coddle, and the black and white pudding.

Desserts also flooded the table which consists of the traditional Irish Barmbrack, chocolate truffles, creme brulee, and various cake flavors.

Myriad of different cocktails and liquors serve as beverages but the adorable Irish ale will never be forgotten by these fanged-and-clawed entities.

Cyrill is currently having a Colcannon and champ and a passion fruit juice.His gaze then diverted towards the two young ladies— Rozelyn and Vesta— chatting by the grand piano.

They all then ceased on what they’re doing when the clinking of Hemera’s champagne glass echoed in the ballroom.

“This moment is the time to formally introduce ourselves as we always do when we have a new addition to the family.”

Hemera’s firm eyes then briefly looked at her before saying, “Let us now begin.”

The people then stood and walked and formed into eight clusters, just like what they do prior to the Housewarming Ceremony in the most disciplined way Rozelyn have ever seen.

“As the name suggests, the Housewarming Ceremony not only warms our house—our fortress. But, we also warmly welcome the ones who have been recently gifted or activated by the Blood Rose and the Moonflower. For now, our new and only addition is none other than the mighty Thaumaturge that showcased her powers three hours ago. Hence, let us begin the introduction. Let us start introducing from the ones to my left here then down to the last one on my right.”

Hemera jerked her right hand and all the luminous lights seemed to dim bit by bit, until the only one illuminating the room was the rose-like chandelier hovering above Rozelyn.

The first group’s members were mostly unfamiliar to her. The one in the middle, who Cyrill called by the name of Stella earlier, then steps forward and bow before her in the formal werewolf way.

All of a sudden, a bright white light was then seen in just a click of their fingers.

Hemera, too, has an orb of light hovering on her right hand.

“I am Stella Goldheart, the leader of the Solarians. I am a werewolf and the Fifth of the Irish pack.”

Stella’s kind silver eyes twinkle as she explains.

“Solarians are vampires and werewolves who can control the light and darkness. We can also control electricity, lightning, and fire, and all things that produce light.”

Stella and her cluster then clicked their fingers synchronically and the room was again shrouded by the single light of the rose-like chandelier.

The second group was about to introduce themselves when a huge crash interrupted the introduction and made Rozelyn absolutely startled.

Two huge white wolves break through the arched windows, both filled in gash and abrasion.

Vesta then approached the one with the pine green eyes and moonflower collar. The ginger-haired werewolf then knelt and placed her two hands in the wolf’s fluffy furs.

Rozelyn averted her eyes to the other werewolf.

She then immediately discerned the identity of the werewolf through the creature’s gleaming turquoise eyes.