The wind whistled through the graveyard; the mausoleums glistened in the morning's early hours. "Quite a morbid place you've brought me to," Isadora murmured.
Katherine looked back at the Viking Queen. Even in a henley and jeans she still looked regal and powerful. A force to be reckoned with. "This is where she told me to meet," Katherine said.
Iriel snorted. "Always the drama queen aren't you," he said, raising his voice as the fog cleared and seemed to move up around them, forming a bit of a cocoon. A lone figure walked up to them.
"I rather perform my magic where it's always been the strongest," Helena said.
"Among the dead," Katherine said crossing her arms. "Why am I not surprised?"
Helena smirked, removing her hands from her coat. "This way," she said leading them into a courtyard, where a world map mural glittered bronze in the early rays of the sun. "When the graveyard was set up, I met this mortal artist with a gift for engraving into stone. I asked him to make this map on top of one of the strongest leylines residing in New Orleans. " Helena walked to the corner of the map that resided in Louisiana.
"Viking Queen, your hand if you will," Helena said putting her hand out.
Isadora's jaw clenched as she walked up to Helena putting her hand out, barely flinching as Helena cut her palm and flipped her hand over, allowing drops to fall on the map. "Blood magic," Katherine said wonderingly.
"The best kind," Helena murmured as she spoke ancient words into the air.
They watched as the blood welled and moved into the map carving a crimson path off of Louisiana crawling across the pacific ocean finally stopping in London, England. "Look's like your sister has found herself in the rainy city of London," Helena said.
Iriel straightened. "Well, there's no time like the present," Iriel said making a round circle with his hands, a line of gold erupting from his movements and then solidifying before opening a glimmering window into London. Helena watched warily as Iriel, Katherine, and Isadora stepped through the portal before it disappeared.
"And yet another Journey begins..."
XXXX
Aria walked into the studio as another class was leaving. She watched as Rina stretched after clearing up the dance mats. Aria glanced around watching the mirrored versions of herself scowling back at her. "Aria," Rina said from behind her.
"Didn't know you danced well enough to teach," Aria replied. Rina blew out a breath, crossing her legs and gracefully sitting on the floor. Aria scowled moving slightly closer before she sat facing Rina. Aria eyed Rina for a moment.
Rina fought a smile. "Ask," she murmured.
"Do you turn to an animal as well?" Aria said.
Rina grinned. "No," she said resting her arms on her thighs her palms facing upwards. Aria watched fascinated as Rina's palm started to glow a blue flame erupting in each palm, circling into an orb of blue flame in each palm. Rina closed her eyes and the orbs lengthened until Rina was encircled in flames. When Rina opened her eyes they burned with the brightest fire as the flames receded.
"I was born in an age the earth has long since forgotten. When I was sixteen I was taken from the earth and thrust upon another realm as their demon princess." Rina said, smiling wryly. "Their demon witch Princess. And I made sure they regretted ever coming for me at all."
"Is that why Seth died? Because of Vengeance?" Aria asked quietly.
"Not exactly," Rina said. "I had given up my magic a long time ago. I wanted my son to live a life far more normal than the one that I had. You have no idea how much I wish that Seth was here now."
"I think I can guess," Aria said quietly. "Can you even tell me what happened?"
"My stepbrother happened," Rina said her face hardening. "He murdered my son in order to get me to take action against my half-brother." she looked down.
"What kind of brother would kill his own nephew?" Aria asked.
"The demon kind." Rina said. "Now are going to tell me what you are?"
"What do you mean?" Aria said.
"Mortals can't see the supernatural. Better yet, why did you find me? You said you needed my help, why?" Rina asked.
"I found out recently that my family isn't my family. I was adopted." Aria said quietly, pushing up her right sleeve, "And then this happened."
Rina watched curiously as she pushed the sleeve up to her elbow revealing pale skin and more importantly an intricate circular design stood embellished in dark green ink on her skin.
"Beithir," Rina whispered.
"What?" Aria said.
"How did you get this?" Rina said looking at Aria worriedly.
"Why what is it?" Aria said, "What is a Beithir?"
"Beithir is a Scottish word," Rina said, looking up at her. "For Dragon. Who put this on you?"
"No one did, it just appeared," Aria said, watching as Rina stiffened. "What?"
"Aria. That's not good." Rina said. "A symbol appeared on my arm the night before everything in my life went to hell."
"What does it mean?" Aria asked.
"You've been awoken," Rina said, looking down at Aria's arm for a moment before letting go. "It's like a magical switch has opened up in your body. Your magic is waking up."
"What do I do?" Aria said. "Can it be stopped?"
"It's a part of you. You need to learn to control it before it controls you."
"And how do I do that?" Aria said with a scowl.
"Looks like you're going back to that magic school," Rina said.
Aria scowled. "Great," she said, looking at the mirror once again. "Am I going to turn into something?"
"Depends on what kind of magic reveals itself. Go to Marcus, and show him the symbol, he can get you the help you need. And I will always be here for you."