The silence that ensued before,

 Crept once more o'er Demeter's deck

 Time now to settle all past scores;

 While erstwhile fears are held in check.

 Suddenly the sails start to flap;

 This surely can mean just one thing!

 Just as my nerve's begin to snap;

 "We meet again, sweet Seraphine"

 A voice I never thought to hear

 Lord Nicodemus has arrived.

 Those demon eyes, that smiling leer

 Then Ellery Black, he swiftly spies.


"Ah, sweet Mother, you're looking well,

 For someone long gone from this earth

 I thought you'd been consigned to Hell

 Deserting me just after birth."

 Then Ellery with arms outstretched,

 And spoke these words to demon son:

 As in his face, the pain was etched

 "Control of that, your Father won."

 With faltering steps he went to her

 She tightly held in deep embrace.

 Then with talons sharp, in one quick blur,

 Plucked his heart from its own space!

 Slowly as she tightened grip,

 They disappeared in plumes of smoke

 No evidence left on this ship

 Of either one and no one spoke.

 I know I should have felt relief

 That it was over, I supposed.

 What's this upon the deck I see?

 Where once they stood. was one white rose.

 I gazed at Valdore in surprise;

 "Whatever portent can this mean?"

 He summoned me with knowing eyes;

 "Come Seraphine and trust in me."

 As over rose he sliced my wrist;

 Upon its petals my blood fell.

 "Now think deep on your fondest wish,

 Think on the one you love so well"

 "Jean Pierre" whispered my poor heart;

 How much I long for you, Prail knows!"

 Soft rumbling from the deck did start

 As form did take shape from the rose.

 Before my mind could contemplate

 What this strange mystery meant to me

 I was tightly held in loves embrace;

 "It's true; I'm here, sweet Seraphine!"

 "Jean Pierre, can this be true?"

 "Yes" he answered, "I've been freed"

 "Thanks to Valdore and to you,

 Prail has granted death's reprieve!

 My heart is lifted once again

 My love is here, vanquished is foe!

 Back to Orleans we fly my friends;

 Be on the watch for one black rose!

 THE END.