Saint Anthony's thrived with activity, and Paul was, as usual, preparing his sermon. Even so, as the girls arrived, Sabrina again captivated the sovereign's attention.
"You're early," he snapped.
Michelle stepped forward.
"As you requested."
The sovereign gestured while looking at Sabrina.
"Leave us."
Sabrina was no longer the pariah or forgotten, and everybody wanted to know her. But considering everything, she had an uncertain future and a distorted past. Hindrances Paul hoped to understand. That being so, he heeded the desperation in her eyes and the undeniable need for answers.
"Come," he instructed, motioning.
They entered the museum, where Sabrina revered a vast array of ancient treasures. Paul wanted her to see everything, and though she was reluctant, each step became easier. But unlike before, an urgency for resolution remained, so they toured the art gallery.
She should have felt frightened or passive from the outset, but wasn't. Instead, Sabrina appeared relaxed and eager. So, if Paul's suspicions were correct, she'd soon exhibit distinct attributes. For these reasons, the sovereign observed as Sabrina neared a fixed portrait.
"The Morgans," she stated as Paul cradled his hands and grinned.
"You know of them?"
Sabrina turned.
"Doesn't everyone?"
"Once respected sages of this coven," he declared.
"What happened?" she questioned while recalling Michelle's admission at the café.
"They abandoned the sect."
"Why?" she asked while studying the painting.
"No one knows..." he elaborated. "However, you're welcome to speculate."
Sabrina savored the works of Van Gogh, Picasso and Rembrandt. Often considering the disparities between Paul and Michelle's explanations for the family's exodus. Next, she noticed a ceramic effigy standing solitary in a distant corner.
"You sense something?" the sovereign questioned as he followed.
Sabrina exhaled.
"She calls to me, like before," she admitted while admiring the sculpture.
Paul placed her hand on the smooth porcelain surface.
"Aphrodite, the goddess of love, aspires to exist again..." he announced. "And she's reincarnating through you."
"Impossible!" Sabrina exclaimed before withdrawing.
He scowled.
"Then, why the correlation?"
Sabrina stayed silent as Paul elaborated.
"Every enchantress serves a goddess..." he added. "That's why Katherine could invoke the strength of any deity."
"That's not possible..." she refuted. "No sorceress can conjure many spirits and control them."
Paul grinned.
"Like your mother, your intuitions are strong."
She appeared angered.
"What does Julia have to do with this?"
The sovereign stared in amazement.
Sabrina didn't refute the revelations, but sensed Aphrodite's unrelenting need to escape. Society was a scripted reality of false promises. But, was it a world Sabrina could walk away from?
Service lasted well into the night, and Sabrina felt welcomed. On a similar note, she felt reborn to such a degree she disregarded every memory of London.
"Congratulations," Denise announced.
"Thank you," Sabrina answered.
The sisters gathered and snickered.
"What's so amusing?" Sabrina questioned.
Raina approached.
"It's not over."
"What do you mean?"
"We're gathering tonight, and you must join us," Rachelle declared.
Sabrina welcomed renewed faith and mutual acceptance. So, she left for the student gallery, committed and determined.
YOU ARE READING
The Dark Society
Mystery / ThrillerA powerful family of occultists unexpectedly disappear and for the next twenty years they live within society like normal people. However, as the eldest daughter reaches her 18th birthday the curse of a forgotten bloodline returns, along with the me...
