The Dark Society

51

Understandably, Sabrina felt awestruck, knowing the fame of his accomplishments. Even then, she'd heed her mother's advice about pastors of a foreign province and question everything. Concurrently, any initial memories of Saint Anthony's seemed non-existent. But more importantly, Paul seemed overzealous, which put Sabrina on the defensive.

"You're staring." she stated, stepping away.

Instantly, he agonized.

"Forgive me..." he directed. "You resemble your mother in every way."

"My mother?"

Nodding, Paul grinned.

"An ordained witch who also advocated for this temple..." he described. "Though, due to circumstances, she left Saint Anthony's."

"I don't understand." she retorted.

"Eventually, you will."

Since childhood, she'd struggled to integrate various power and required additional guidance. In light of that, the sovereign led Sabrina into the hallway, where she'd soon discover the source of the summons.

"It's her!" she announced, descending on a life-sized statue of the Goddess Aphrodite.

"You know of the mythology?"

"One of many inherited legacies, my mother told me about."

Trembling, Paul retreated as Michelle and Raina returned.

"If you'll excuse me, I must prepare."

With a keen eye, Sabrina watched Paul leave, but while doing so, found his reaction eccentric.

"Does being here conjure any memories?" Raina quizzed with an embrace.

"It's been awhile, so I can't be sure." Sabrina stated, snuggling.

Gathering together, the sisters grasped hands and infiltrated the churchyard. Ill-fatedly, Aphrodite had provoked a reaction like those she'd experienced in London. Thereby, Sabrina strived to stay calm as Raina keyed another doorway. There, they'd assess an elaborate corridor decorated in eloquent wickerwork. An ambiance everyone remembered from a lifetime of private consultations.

Setting aside, this arena was new, with many unknowns, so the sisters observed as she gazed throughout in wonder. Unknowingly, Raina had consulted Julia about the effects of Sabrina's ascension, but thus far refrained from saying anything about the discussion.

For some time, she'd peruse the chamber, savoring everything with an earnest touch. In the event, it was as Raina feared; Sabrina's link to Saint Anthony's now stood authenticated, and she'd embraced the goddess's power. As an effect, those once thought forgotten would inevitably return.

"Sabrina."

Turning, she gaped.

"Denise."

Garnered in black robes, Denise Hawthorne embodied everything a benevolent witch should. And though spellbinding, two others would soon arrive - eager to complete the chain.

"Kim Savage and Rachelle Sullivan." Sabrina whispered.

As one would expect, greetings were tender as the sisterhood encircled and embraced. Long ago, Sabrina had moved away, but with her return, the coven again stood unified. In due course, the sisters visited the chapel collectively for the first time in years, and to Paul's surprise, the congregation stood speechless. In the wake, he retreated to the central podium, intent on suppressing the arousal.

Whole time, Sabrina heeded the spiritual impulses, but being within Saint Anthony's again had provoked new and inexplicable sensations. Irrefutably, doctrines about observance were explicit, so despite the adulation, she exercised restraint. From here in, Paul remained fearful, and while observing the look in Sabrina's eyes, he knew why.