Prologue - Ritual

It wasn’t long before Flora came to the top of the stairs and asked everyone to take their seats. The setup reminded Colin of a wedding, rows of seats with an aisle down the middle that led to an altar. As a non Lodge participant, Colin was sat right at the very back of the room. He was sitting next to a large old man who seemed to be taking the whole proceedings in with amusement.

“How is it that you are here, young man? I do not sense any power within you.” The man asked, his brow furrowed as his eyes landed on Colin.

“Oh, I’m dating Evelina. She’s my girlfriend.”

“Mmmm. She is a real catch. A true Delvere beauty.” The man said with a satisfied smile, “Always had a thing for Francesca, but her daughter is just as fine.”

“Uh. Yea.”

“I’m Hamilton Stanley. I deal in artifacts of power.” He handed Colin a card, “Should you ever require anything.”

Colin thanked the man and pocketed the card. He was about to ask about Stanley’s connection to the family but at that moment the event seemed to begin.

The crowd turned to look backwards as at the back of the room Evelina stood. She had changed her red gown for a white chiffon gown. It was so light as to be almost completely sheer and Colin felt the head rise on his face. Evelina’s nude body was almost plain to see under the gown. Her light pink nipples pressed through the fabric and at the junction of her thighs, the dark triangle of her pubic hair.

He glanced at some of the other guests. Some seemed to make little of Evelina’s near nudity. They smiled and watched her with pride. But others. They openly stared at her with lust, their eyes roving over her body.

“My my my.” Hamilton Stanley said from beside Colin, “That is a gorgeous sight.”

Colin looked over at Howell next. At first it seemed like he wasn’t interested in Evelina, but there was a slight smile on his face, pulling at the corner of his lips. On the same row as Howell but at the other end of the room was Hubert Dufort, who was visibly licking his lips. The man leaned over to the man next to him and whispered something. The two men proceeding to share a quiet chuckle.

Colin felt anger building inside, but closed his eyes and began to count up. He wasn’t going to make a scene. He wasn’t going to embarrass Evelina. When he opened them next, she was already standing at the altar.

An old frail woman rose from a seat in the first row and shakily walked up to the altar. This woman had

“Can you feel it brothers and sisters? Our Evelina, daughter of Francesca, is awakening to her power!”

The old woman walked in front of Evelina and put her hands on her shoulders. She gently but firmly pushed down and Evelina went to her knees before her.

“Who amongst you will take up the challenge of guiding our new sister?”

The crowd began to look at each other

Standing up from the front row of the crowd was Evelina’s mother.

“I, Francesca Delvere, offer guidance. I offer you the true guidance of family. Strength that has flowed down our line from our ancestor, the Midnight Crow, down through to me and through to you. You know I will never lead you down a path to ruin.”

Evelina smiled at her mother.

“Will anyone else stand for Evelina Delvere?” The old woman asked, her voice stronger than her shriveled form gave away.

Colin watched as Howell Vetch stood up next. He was a good deal taller than Francesca, towering over the crowd and having no trouble making eye contact with the old woman.

“I, Howell Vetch, stand to guide Evelina Delvere.” Howell’s deep voice echoed through the room. He turned towards Evelina and continued speaking, “I offer you teachings built on the wisdom of the past but tempered by new ideas. Together we will strive always to be better.”

Evelina gave a small hesitant smile in response. One that Howell responded with, his eyes twinkling.

“Does anyone else stand for Evelina Delvere?” The old woman intoned once again.

Unlike Francesca and Howell, Hubert Dufort did not just stand up from his seat. The short man came up to the front of the room and looked down at Evelina, who shivered under his gaze.

“I, Hubert Dufort, stand for Evelina Delvere” Hubert said, his eyes never leaving Evelina’s, ”I offer you nothing more than the path to power and glory. Do not forget what you are, child, greater than mere humans and with so much more potential. I will harness it.”

Evelina shivered once more, looking up at Hubert with a mix of fear and interest.

“Will anyone else stand?” The old woman called, waiting for a response. None came and she looked between the three people standing. Francesca Delvere, Howell Vetch and Hubert Dufort, “So be it. Evelina Delvere, you have a choice to make. Who do you look for guidance?”