THE HIDDEN'S ORDER MYSTERY

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Dylan was relishing his victory, envisioning himself as the new Dominus, when an irate Marcus Lucius appeared in front of him.

"You did something terrible. Attacking a Dominus or Domina is the most serious crime, betraying the sacred trust of our Order."

"What are you planning to do? You are a fucking ghost," Dylan scoffed.

With fury blazing in his eyes, Marcus Lucius declared:

"I may be a ghost, but I still have the power to manipulate the very fabric of this realm."

The temperature in the room suddenly decreased by ten degrees. An icy chill swept through the air, making Dylan shiver involuntarily.

"I have the power to freeze you at will, encasing you in ice so cold that even your thoughts will freeze."

"Try me," Dylan retorted, undeterred.

The temperature dropped another ten degrees. Dylan's breath turned into visible puffs of mist as he struggled to stay warm.

"I command this realm, and you will obey," Marcus Lucius asserted firmly.

Dylan responded:

"I'm off," but he realized he couldn't move from his location. Marcus Lucius smirked, his eyes glowing with a sinister light.

"You're not going anywhere," he declared. "I am now a ghost, but I was once a powerful sorcerer. I will not kill you, but you will be punished at the right moment. You will never be the Dominus."

"And who the hell is it going to be?"

"I will not tell you. You will find out alongside the rest of the inner circle members. Schedule a meeting for tomorrow."

The next day, Rowena appeared at Brady Investigations, anxious.

"Hello, Rowena. What is wrong?" Theolinda inquired, noting the woman's apprehensive state.

"Kerrigan did not go to sleep last night. I called her all night, but she didn't answer. She isn't like that. I went to her office in the Order building and was greeted by Dylan Raven, who I don't understand why hadn't been punished. He told me that Rowena fought with him and then fled, abandoning everything. I can't believe that, Theolinda. I realize you're having a hard time, but please assist me," Rowena said through tears.

Theolinda considered all Kerrigan was keeping from Rowena and how anything could be expected of her, but she resolved to assist Rowena.

"I will help you. I want to keep myself busy ."

Arabella intervened.

"Theolinda, you wouldn't think of going to see that man after what he did to you."

"You aren't going either. I'm going to talk with Darnell. He must know something."

The inner circle was having an urgent meeting that afternoon, so Darnell was unable to receive Theolinda. All of its members were gathered together, not knowing what was going on. Suddenly, Marcus Lucius' ghost stood before them.

"I have important information to share with all of you," Marcus Lucius' ghost announced. The inner circle exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what was about to unfold. "Kerrigan, as you already know, is no longer here, so I have come to appoint the new Dominus of the Order Sapientae Antiquae, Darnell Key."

Darnell was shocked, but aside from feeling honored, it seemed like a fantastic opportunity to make a few constructive modifications to the Order. The others stayed silent. Most people were pleased with the choice, except Dylan and William, who believed they were entitled to be Kerrigan's heirs.

Darnell approached Marcus Lucius, who performed a charm, granting Darnell access to secret knowledge.

Everyone but Dylan departed the ceremony. Marcus Lucius proclaimed the punishment.

"You shall be rendered powerless," Marcus Lucius decreed.

Dylan was infuriated, but there was nothing he could do.

Dylan arrived at the hotel. The next day, he planned to return to London, where he and Moon lived. He felt vulnerable because of his lack of powers, and he disliked that feeling. He opened the door to his room, and when he turned on the light, he was surprised.

"What are you doing here?" he inquired, astonished.

"I am here to have a good time with you," a female voice replied.

Dylan was not into games.

"Go away! You are a fucking psychopath. You always were."

The naked woman got closer to a frightened Dylan.

"You are completely wrong. You were the psychopath all along. With your small games in the Order. Belonging to it betrays all of us who have magical powers," the woman continued.

"You are hurt because I did not want to fuck you. It's only that."

"Maybe yes, maybe not... Today you will pay for what you did," the woman stated as she approached her bag.

Dylan felt terrified. He no longer has powers. But, in actuality, he was significantly taller and stronger than her, right?

"This has been a long day. You better leave," Dylan remarked.

The woman removed a ceremonial dagger from her bag. Dylan tried to leave through the door, but she was faster, and as she approached him, she sliced his neck. Dylan began bleeding profusely. He slammed the woman to the ground as he unsuccessfully attempted to stop the bleeding. Dylan fell as he bled out quickly. The woman reached down, rubbed her finger through Dylan's blood, and sucked on it.

"Greetings from Laura Blackwood," Andromeda announced.