Verendus

Chapter 8

Elena didn't come home for a few days she was slept over by a friend or that was what she claimed. Jenna took the time to approach Braelyn she had questions and it seemed that Braelyn Bennett had all the answers. She nervously knocked on the porch door not even daring to enter the property more than she already had. She watched as the door opened and she was greeted by a tall dark stranger.

 "Good morning sorry to bother you but I'm looking for Braelyn" The man leaned back and looked at her. She took the time to observe him her curious brown eyes drinking in every feature. His face was rugged, with a chiselled jawline that was covered in a five o'clock shadow. Finally, he spoke breaking her out of her trance "Cousin there is a woman here for you".

While Jenna was observant, she had only glanced at Braelyn during the funeral and at the will reading, she focused on Bonnie so seeing her now was startling. Over the years she had grown into her features. The chubby cheeks of her adolescence had faded, and now they were replaced with high cheekbones and elegant features. Her expressive dark brown eyes had been replaced with a mature calmness. Truly the girl had changed.

Her lightly glossed lips stretched into a large smile upon seeing the woman "Jenna Sommers, my little cousin mentioned freeing your nephew from a compulsion. Am I wrong to assume that you are in the know" Jenna nodded and glanced at the woman "May I come in" Braelyn nodded and walked inside. Jenna followed while trying her best not to look at the mystery man.

The inside of the house had changed gone was the boho- gypsy style that Shelia loved and replacing it was an elegant open concept with a warm minimalist design. One of the walls had been replaced; now it was a full panel of windows.

Braelyn sat and gestured for Jenna to follow her lead "So what do you need to know?" Jenna glanced at her watch and then the woman "Everything". Behind her Elion grinned this was going to be amusing.

_ _ _ _

Caroline was confused and a bit upset she had been forced to bathe in milk with peppermint, lavender and roses which would have been relaxing if others were not bathing her. Her hair had to be combed with a comb of black jade and then brushed. She had no say in anything they did, and it bothered her a lot. Then she was guided to a large from and in the centre was a stone table the woman from earlier smiled "Lie down Caroline it is time we awaken your gifts". The blonde followed the instruction reluctantly, she was wrong the large slab was marble and it was cold.

Caroline shivered as her naked body touched the cold marble. She trusted Braelyn and knew the woman would never hurt her. She had enjoyed the past few days here and had learned a lot while going through many rituals and ceremonies for her gifts. However tomorrow she would be returning home so it was time.

She felt soft hands on her body as a liquid was smeared over her and the woman chanted her vision began to blur as her temperature raised steadily and she felt her heart beating at incredible speeds before it became unbearable. A pained whimper left her lips, followed by sharp gasps and a few tears then everything faded.

The gathered woman watched as her body stilled and breathing slowly came to a stop. They watched as her body seemed to absorb the moonlight and her hair lengthened. Small imperfections like healed scars vanished. They stood silently as the next hour passed and her eyes slowly opened yet she did not gasp or cry out. 

She had a feline-like grace about her as she got off the raised slab and slipped on a robe one of the sisters had held out for her. "Thank you" No other words were said as she was guided back to her chambers. Tomorrow Braelyn would be at their home to pick up their guest suddenly they were pleased that the bubbly blonde would not be staying. While the Bennett's were loved by many everyone still feared them one visit from the witch was quite enough.

_ _ _ _

Braelyn watched with maniacal glee as an angry Jenna left her house and drove off, she turned to Elion who softly laughed his gaze full of pride. "I should tell you the Founder's Day celebrations are soon" Braelyn paused and tilted her head "I'm going to pick up Caroline early I know that she has to remind the doppelganger".

Then a nasty thought popped up in her mind "I have to ensure that John is not a problem" The witch sighed before deciding to have someone else do the work for her. Taking out her burner phone she texted a number she had stolen from Elena's phone.

'John Gilbert is not here to help. He is working with Katherine'.

She could not wait to see what would happen now that the man was without his magic ring.