Round 10 Transcript

I stand frozen just outside the circle of light, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird. The magic is thick here, cloying and suffocating, pressing down on me from all sides. I can feel it in the air, a heavy, oppressive presence that seems to seep into my skin and wrap around my bones. It feels wrong, dangerous even, but there’s an undeniable thrill running through me too, a dark excitement I try desperately to suppress.
Silra's question hangs unanswered, her tone sharp with accusation. Jeane just smiles, her expression smug and knowing, like she already knows the answer. Halie looks worried, her brow furrowed as she watches Jeane, and Hera seems lost in thought, her eyes distant. I feel a sudden, overwhelming need to say something, to break this heavy silence, but my throat feels tight, the words stuck behind my teeth.
My gaze falls on the ritual circle itself, on the complex pattern of symbols etched into the dusty floorboards. They pulse with an inner light, casting eerie shadows that dance across our faces. It's beautiful and terrifying all at once, like staring into the heart of a storm. A shiver runs down my spine as I imagine what kind of power could create something so terrifyingly real. "I... I think we should stop this," I finally manage to whisper, the words almost lost in the air. I look around at the others, my eyes wide and pleading. "Before it's too late."

I catch Silra's skeptical gaze and hold it for a moment, letting her see exactly what I am capable of—the predator behind the polished exterior. The church air still thrums with residual energy from our earlier... activities, thick and sweet like decaying fruit. "Curiosity," I purr softly, "is such an inconvenient thing, don't you think? Especially when it comes to matters that are far beyond your understanding." My wings rustle behind me, a subtle display of power. The movement catches Halie's eye—she looks away quickly, but not quick enough. I move closer to the circle, tracing one of the faded sigils with my boot. "This isn't some childish game we're playing here, Silra. This is real magic—old and hungry—and it demands respect, not scrutiny." I let a hint of warning creep into my voice. "Some secrets are better left unturned, don't you think?"

My eyes flick to the two newcomers—Abby looks terrified, which is unfortunate but manageable. Hera, though... there's something different in her gaze now, a heat that wasn't there before. I file that away for later consideration. I make my decision quickly, smoothly. "Enough stalling," I announce, turning to face the group properly. "We have work to do—and not all of us are equipped to handle what comes next." My gaze settles on Silra and Halie specifically. "The two of you—you're... useful in your own ways, but this ritual requires a certain... sensitivity that I'm afraid you lack."

Silra's eyes narrow—the clever little rogue always did have good instincts. But before she can speak, I hold up a hand for silence. "I'm not dismissing you completely," I say, my voice carrying just enough condescension to sting. "But the core of our circle requires... purity of purpose." My lips curl into something that isn't quite a smile. "Something you both seem to be lacking in this particular context."

I turn to Abby and Hera, my expression softening ever so slightly. "You two, however—you show potential. A certain... openness to new experiences that I find intriguing." I step closer to them, letting my wings unfurl just a bit more, the leathery sound filling the charged air of the church. "I think you both have what it takes to truly understand what we're building here."

My intention is clear—separate the skeptics from the pliable ones, and solidify my control over the situation before Silra can ask too many dangerous questions.