Page 26 of Dark Princess Emerging
Margo laughed, and Ell-rom looked horrified, but when Jasmine was about to tell him that she'd been joking, Annani entered with Morelle.
"What a joyous occasion," Annani said as she approached the bed and kissed Jasmine's cheek. "I know that I am supposed to wait for after the test, but since it is just ceremonial, I will say it now. Congratulations, and welcome to the clan."
"Thank you, Clan Mother."
"It is Annani to you, my dear. We are family." The goddess floated over to the one chair that remained in the room but then stopped and looked at Morelle. "I should stand, or I won't be able to see anything. You should sit down."
Morelle looked aghast. "It is not proper for me to sit while you are standing."
"Oh, such nonsense." Annani waved her sister over. "We are sisters, and you are still recovering. I can see how difficult it is for you to stand. Do not try to deny it."
Morelle hesitated for a moment, looking unsure about how to deal with her stubborn and forceful sibling.
"I'll sit for a few moments until the ceremony starts." She smiled at Jasmine. "But first, how are you feeling this morning?"
Jasmine studied Morelle, still struck by how different the siblings looked despite sharing the same striking blue eyes. Where Ell-rom's expressions were soft and gentle, Morelle looked like a beautiful and deadly blade.
Not that it made any sense. Ell-rom was the one with the deadly power, while Morelle's special ability was stopping others from using their gifts.
Jasmine put on her friendliest smile. "Excited. A little nervous. But mostly just ready to get out of here."
"I understand perfectly." Morelle returned her smile, which was a little more reserved but appeared genuine.
"No need to be nervous," Annani said. "We know what the test results will be."
Well, she was not the one who was going to have her palm cut with a knife, but Jasmine had a feeling that the fierce Clan Mother wouldn't have batted an eyelid.
When Bridget entered with her ceremonial tray, Jasmine gulped as she saw the small surgical blade gleaming under the fluorescent lights. She was not a fan of knives, or needles for that matter.
"Alright, everyone, quiet down," Bridget commanded the crowd outside the door. "Who will be filming the ceremony?"
Kian filled the doorway, holding up his phone. "I will."
That was an unexpected honor. "Thank you," Jasmine said. "That's very gracious of you."
He smiled. "It's not every day that we welcome a new immortal into the family."
Family. The word echoed in her mind. She was not just any member of the clan. As Ell-rom's mate, she was part of the clan's royal family, so to speak.
"Okay," Bridget said. "I also need someone to time it."
"I will." Margo held up her phone, the stopwatch app open.
"Kian?"
He raised his phone in response, the camera already recording.
Bridget turned to Jasmine. "Your left hand, please."
Ell-rom's grip on her right hand tightened almost imperceptibly as Jasmine extended her other hand to Bridget. The doctor's fingers were cool and steady as she positioned Jasmine's palm upward.
"This will sting," Bridget warned, though Jasmine already knew that from Margo and her other friends who had all transitioned recently.
"Now," Bridget said as she struck.
The knife's edge was sharp enough that the initial cut barely hurt, but then the pain bloomed bright and sharp.
Jasmine stifled the urge to wince and forced herself to watch.