The blood oath (2)

A gust of wind swirled around Keith and Talia, making the flames of tiki torches dance wildly, and a second later, everything was calm again.

Keith removed his palm from the tablet, and Talia clearly saw that his flesh was crimson red, yet the cold stone tablet was completely clean.

Keith bowed to Talia and then to Damon before stepping away.

The next one was Liam. He cut his palm and said the pledge, the tablet reacted, there was a sensation in the chest and a gust of wind, and he was done. One by one, all Talia's guards present pledged their loyalty to her, their sincerity overwhelming her emotionally.

Gideon ended the oath with his arms raised up toward the moon while another stirring of ancient words no one understood left his lips.