A small gasp escaped through her lips, looking at his skin which has turned to dark pigmentation over his fair and pale skin. That wasn't all though. There was the formation of the scales which weren't too thick but enough to notice that it was an early transformation, "You're under transformation?" she asked him.
With the theory that was imparted to her and now that she saw his skin, she looked into the man's blue eyes where he smiled.
"Every time a person dips their hand to make use of the black magic which had been forbidden, every part of their body starts to transform. One at a time with every use. First comes their body and then comes the mental state. It is nothing less to the corruption the vampires go through."
"Then you shouldn't tap into it," said Penny not wanting to have a thought that she was responsible for turning one of the priests of the church to a black witch.
Father Antonio smiled, with one flick of his finger the wide parchment which was used to explain caught itself in flames. Burning to the very ends leaving flakes of ash on the ground, "It is alright to use things in moderation up until you make sure that you do not cross the line where there is no returning back."
She then heard Damien speak who sitting next to her, "Black magic is nothing less when compared to a drug which can entice a white witch. There are certain rules that need to be followed, rules that are followed by the white witches else they will have consequences."
"What kind of rules?" Penny asked hesitantly. For someone like her who had tried to live her life how she wanted until she was thrown into the slave establishment, she was unsure and worried about it.
"No killing, no tapping into the forbidden magic, no killing even if your life is in threat," Damien replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
Though Penny had no plans to kill anyone, to not do any harm to protect oneself was a stupid rule. Was this why the white witches were docile and let the other people burn them without putting up a fight? If they did, they would turn to a black witch.
"How many times can a person tap into the black magic or break the rules before crossing over?" she asked Father Antonio who now came back to sit with them. Taking the opposite seat to where she sat.
"Fourteen to fifteen times I think?" upon Father Antonio's reply, it made Penny wonder how many times he had broken the rules. Considering that it would be rude to ask him, she kept the question to herself. Seeing the look of worry she had on her face, the man said, "I still have a lot of tries so it should be okay to use. I am curious myself to see which person will be facing you and Mr. Quinn," he gave out an eager smile like he would enjoy the thought of a black witch or the person behind the black witch being killed.
The man pulled out an empty teacup, placing it on the table and then pulling out a knife. Eyeing the knife which was sharp, its edge that shined under the candlelight, Penny wondered if this was the kind of ritual that Bathsheba had performed. Thinking on the same matter, she wondered if this person could actually test on her elements but he had refused it. Saying he didn't know how to do it and lacked the ingredients which would be needed to complete the whole ritual successfully.
Penny raised her hand just when Father Antonio turned to her about to speak but closed it instinctively looking at her raised hand, "Most of the black magic requires blood to get it functioning. Body fluid or parts that could be used. Sometimes using a sacrificial animal or the person itself," bringing the knife forward he ran it across her palm, to cut the skin and place the cup down so that the blood would be collected in it.
As the ritual began, the candlelight in the room started to dim, flickering every now and then as the man went on to murmur something under his breath. The teacup suddenly caught fire, pungent smell filling up the room where Penny had to raise her good hand to cover her nose.
She looked at Father Antonio, his expression changing as time went by. With the fire that extinguished itself which was in the teacup.
"Who is it?" asked Damien wanting to know who was targeting Penny and wanted her dead.
Father Antonio, picked the cross which he had placed down before started the ritual. Tying the chain around his wrist, "You won't like it," Penny could already feel the dread that was filling up in her mind. There was an unsettling feeling which she wished would go away but with the words hanging in the air, she didn't was worried. The priest turned to look at her, to say, "It is your mother."
Hearing this, Penny could feel her stomach drop down on the floor.
Damien's eyes immediately moved to look at Penelope who looked shocked and dumbstruck.
"Are you sure about it?" asked Damien not wanting it to be another misinformation like what Bathsheba had provided for the elemental property.
"I am sure. It was faster to connect because they share the same blood," Penny had turned deaf, not listening what they were speaking while she still felt it must be wrong. How could it be true? Her mother had protected her when the people in the village had tried to pick on her, had given her the love and care.
It just couldn't be right.
How could the person who gave birth to her want to kill her?
Penny's eyes moved very slowly to look at father Antonio, "She had all the time if she wanted to kill me before she...before she died," she saw his lips that were pressed, releasing to only sigh,
"You will have to ask her that."