Crown Of Thorns [ Michael Langdon ]

1 - the second coming of christ - 1

{Chapter One - The Second Coming of Christ}

Sofia Romero was born in Sacramento, California. Her parents were immigrants from Mexico, and they lived in a small cottage in the outskirts of the town. For all of Sofia's life, it had just been the three of them, and her parents treasured Sofia, their only daughter, more than anything in the world.

She was brought up to be a very religious and conservative girl. She was made to go to church nearly every day, attend all the services and completely devote her life to God.

But Sofia's mother was hiding a secret. Back in Mexico, she was apart of a coven as a witch, until she was shunned. When Sofia started to show signs of her own powers, her parents locked her away inside, hiding her from the outside world. While being shut off from society, Sofia was forced to stifle her powers, and devote all her attention to God.

However, secretly, Sofia would practice magic, and teach herself spells from books she would take from her infrequent library visits.

When her parents found out that Sofia was practicing magic, they were furious, casting her out of their own home. Distraught, Sofia moved into the city, where she met Noah Young. Noah was a beautiful boy, with golden hair and honey coloured eyes. It didn't take long for Sofia and Noah to fall in love, and they eloped at the age of 18. The strangest thing about Noah, was the birthmark on the back of his neck, which resembled a triangle.

Sofia, although practicing her magic behind Noah's back, still believed in God and still went to church several times a week, paying for her sin of leaving her parents and disobeying them.

Sofia had a strange belief. She truly thought that she was destined to carry God's son, and she had believed this ever since she was a little girl. She idolised the Virgin Mary, and believed that God would choose her to carry His son. For this purpose, Sofia stayed a virgin even after marriage. Noah supported her decision, blinded by love and also prayed for this baby.

After a while, Sofia stopped practicing magic, as her time was spent at church, praying for a miracle baby. She became impatient when she did not fall pregnant, and the church became sick of her claims and were doubting her.

That's when Sofia decided to take matters into her own hands. She found a dark spell-book that she had locked away for good, and found a ritual that would allow her to fall pregnant. She was sick of the church calling her a fraud, so she decided to go through with the ritual. The only snag in the plan was that Sofia had to have sex with Noah for it to work.

Sofia set up the ritual in the church, with candles and crosses. The ritual required a blood sacrifice, which Noah participated in reluctantly.

"This feels like Satan's work." Noah said, sceptical of Sofia's plan.

"Trust me, it will work!" Sofia insisted, while cutting her forearm with the blade she had just used on her husband.

"I'm only doing this because I love you." Noah responded, glancing at Sofia as she changed a few words. Then came the sex part. After it was done, both Sofia and Noah's eyes rolled to the back of their heads and turned black.

"Ave Maria," The pair of them chanted, before passing out. When Sofia woke up, Noah was sprawled next to her, and the birthmark on his neck was glowing.

Sofia spent double her time at church, punishing herself for using witchcraft, praying that God would forgive her. Noah didn't mind as much, and repetitively told Sofia that they did the right thing.