I was back in the woods just walking alone after I was done helping with Grandma Ruby's exotic garden, I adore the rainbow sight of the irises.
It's been three days since Hunter left and she's hasn't even talked about any training sessions, it just stopped. She doesn't even ask if I was out in the village or just mapping the woods in my head, she stopped worrying. She hasn't even asked the last time I had a day with the wolf, she just offered me the three basic meals.
It was what I initially craved, the sense of freedom and control but now that's been handed over it just felt cold. She would just present me with 3 healthy meals, some tea and a little bit of family talk that doesn't last half an hour not that I was interested in knowing my bloody family treachery and prohibited love. She pass her time either knitting or taking care of her garden and healing the villagers.
It has been bad! I haven't even seen the wolf again which was getting under my skin, Phoenix isn't much of a show either and I wasn't taking Maya's offer of hanging with them, again. I did that once and it didn't turn out, I didn't actually get to smack her boyfriend for being sassy. He was oddly polite and then rest of the crew were just acting weird. A robotic smile was plastered over their faces the whole while we were having a borne fire dinner, they were acting as though there was a thorn stuck to their butt–I felt they were hiding something.
I definitely wasn't getting anything out of them for the history that destroyed them all because when I asked, Leo cursed and threw in the fire his cup. They would definitely not be a fan if they discovered I was the dark Lord's progeny. I can't wait for Hunter's return
So, as usual I decided a walk might get some weight off my chest or might actually be fun this time but a little different because it's already dark. I walked my way silently to the east not hearing much of anything that wasn't my usual picking, birds and wind singing with the snapping of twigs beneath my weight, with the help of my added vision and the moon I could see just fine. The farther I got a little sound like that of a running water started flooding my ears, it must be the river.
It's been long I had a swim–I would have if I was good at it and especially that I had a jump and nearly died in it, I would think twice getting in there. I reached the water dark and strong with the moon reflecting on it's surface. I was standing by the shore looking down at some florescent stones, glimmering in the darkness reflecting the moon light in different shades of colors. It would have been a magical sight if it wasn't the point of my ruins.
This is my life now, hiding from other creatures we share the world with because my father turned out to be such an ass hole. How in the world should that be a base to chase my life down, they should atleast give me the benefit of doubt.
"This is Fucked" I said sighing deeply, I'm really exhausted with the situation.
In my state of grief, ofcourse, I had to be interrupted by someone, it's not strange anymore but a whoosh sound filled the air like something moved super fast alarmed me. Before I could act I was trashed into a tree that was about 10feet out, the sound of friction between my sneakered feet and grass–gravelled covered ground echoed like the birds chirping, I never lose my balance though because I was grabbed by the arm and the forearm of my attacker in my throat pinning me to the tree. Seeing from the distance I was standing from now, the attacker must be strong and swift.
Breath knocked out of my lungs at the impact for a second before I could catch a glimpse of my rough handler, Cassius.
He just had to find me, didn't he? My heart was immediately trashing in my ears his eyes glowing red and his fangs extended threateningly.
Oh! He hasn't looked that promisingly dangerous.
His next move staggered me, I was expecting the usual spiteful words about me and my ancestors but he just took away his arm, plunged his fangs into my neck, a sharp pain spreading up my neck as I scream painfully.
In defense, that protective shield came up again sending us both in a flight of about two meters in opposite directions. I had to go through the whole grown tree he was pinning me to achieve the distance before another huge one stopped me, I landed on my side sucking in breathes through my mouth. My spine felt rearranged and the pain shouting through my body was keeping me still.
Cassius wasn't as much fazed as It did the last time with him because he was towering me again the moment my vision wasn't swimming. I was drained of my energy, using that much power wouldn't always be in my favor seeing that I was still new to all of it, it needed alot of time to master which grandma Ruby wanted to offer. I get her concern now because I couldn't even get myself off the floor.
"It took you long enough to find me" I mocked my voice low from the impact but loud in his ears I bet. He roared under his breathe before grabbing me off the floor roughly. I guess he didn't have much to say which he hasn't made clear before with his appetite to kill me miserably and that I fled after stabbing his sidekick to death he placed his hand at the back of my head quickly as I nearly didn't notice exposing my neck, he plunged his fangs again in my already bleeding side.
The pain I felt was excruciating as blood was starting to flood down staining the neck of my dress and the blood running down to my pipe clogging it up. He pulled away for a moment pressing something cold to my neck that I couldn't see because my head fell to the other side before continuing to feed.
It wasn't mystery that someone interrupted his dinner plans with me seeing that he was in the werewolf territory and with all the screaming and growling it had to raise flags. I found myself falling to the floor while roars and growls filled the air.
I swayed to my feet and there he was coming to view, my furry friend and then three other friends whom I recognized fully; Maya, leo and Kai.
A smile spread over my lips, I wasn't sure why but I was doing it. I looked back to the wolf chasing off the vampire in a fight he immediately ran towards us after Cassuis left, he came over to me his nostrils flaring as I could see his eyes filled with rage. He was sniffing around me.
"I'm fine. Thanks to you" I said placing a hand on his fury face, he exhaled deeply closing his eyes as his tense form relaxes.
"Thank you all" I said to the rest silently watching us.
"Walking alone after sun down isn't always a good idea. You might need a weapon of some kind" Leo said stroking his chin staring me down "You look like a bow kind of person" he said with alot of humor, I look nothing like an arrow person. He has always been the funny one.
"Gee, Good idea Leo but she doesn't have upper body strength. It will not suit her" Maya joked too
"You put up quite a fight for a newbie wolf" Kai said looking at me suspicious, they kind of noticed the broken tree and half a mile of destruction to the other side. It wouldn't make sense that I could take a thousand year old vampire while having minimal training and break off with just a bite. Maya helped nudging him on the shoulder before advancing to me.
"You are bleeding, let me help with that" she said bringing her hands up to check my neck, I quickly slapped my hand over it remembering that I have insanely fast healing power. It surely must have closed back up by now. She looked at me speculated
"I'll take care of it myself thank you, but don't let grandma Ruby know any of this. She'd freak" she nodded in approval while leo made an imitation of a zip closing up over his mouth with the sound.
"You should get going then" Maya said placing a hand on my shoulder. I turned on my heels and made my way back home after thanking them again knowing that the wolf was following from the distance. I got a glimpse of him a couple of times.
"Ok, you can turn around now since you've delivered me sound" I called out not looking behind me after I could sight the borne fire she set up at the compound; she must be outside.
I am going to be in huge trouble!
I proceeded forward cautiously after I heard him leave doing all I could to prevent her from seeing the blood stains, probably I could just run inside or make up a believable lie about it but, there was no one at the fire when I reached there. She must have left for the indoors probably sleeping by now. I quietly reached the bathroom dropping my clothes to the floor and cleaning my neck and face with a lot of water. I changed into my pajamas and rolled myself into my bed on my side.
I ran my hand over my neck where Cassius bit me, I just couldn't understand why he did that. He was supposed deliver me somewhere the day I escaped him, the only sane thing to do when he founds me was to take me with him again seeing that he was already on thin ice with his Lord. I can't help it think there was something else that I might have known of. I rolled to my back sighing deeply, I knew I had it coming and the worsts are lurking in the shadows.
The next morning while having breakfast quitely my mind drifted to the time I first had that nightmare of the red haired lady, I was ten. I woke up sweat coated, screaming for the comforts of my mother, gasping for air with my hand slapped over my chest, it left all so real for a dream. My mom–Elisabeth took my shivering body in her arms after screaming, it was so pitched that my fish bowl shattered to pieces. She told me it was ok and sang me a song that never seize to calm my nerves.
You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine,
You make me happy when I am sad
Scared?
And I would usually nod at this point crawled up against her tightly.
My darling scared no more, Shield you always I shall do!
She hum the song to my ear kissing me on my forehead, and I was just looking down at my flapping fish that was dying deprived of the means to survival and his glass home was littering the floor. I dipped my fingers into her arms, as I watch my fish stop moving while the feeling of fear in me started to ease I rather felt sorry for the fish. She walked me downstairs and prepared a kind of tea that tastes very awful and gave me a lollipop to appease my taste buds.
She explained the phenomenon of my broken fish bowl as
"it is a sign of a great singer"
And I believed her, for a while it's been a fantasy to be one of the greatest singers but after a few fails at the talent shows I drowned that ship from reaching the Gospel.
I was reciting the verse of her refined version of the rhyme under my breath feeling the agitation and fear slowly easing it's weight off my chest, I realised Grandma Ruby was looking up at me.
"It's just something Mom and I used to do" I said taking a spoon full of the wheat soup that was laying in front of me. She responded with a "hmmm" sound behind her throat. We continued eating with last night's incident replaying in my mind which still doesn't hold much sense, he wasn't deciding to take me but my blood.
"Grandma?"
"Yes child" she answered from behind me by the sink, it appeared she's already done while I was just quarter my bowl.
"The blood of a Rayleigh, what does it do–I mean it's powers?" I asked not daring to look behind me, I just might be making faces.
"A good question, why so sudden?" she said her tone clearly suspicious. I had made it clear I want no more of my history or responsibilities or the war or my powers.
"Just curious" at tried my best at sounding even by stuffing my mouth with wheat soup while I said it
She paused a while before she continued "You know how vampire blood could heal and how venomous wolf bite is, your blood is both that but stronger. It can call up the dead giving new powers–Even the living. The blood of the Rayleigh has no limitations"
I choked at her words and a bit of my soup too making it burn in my chest and nostrils. Cassius must have known–What's he planning?. My heart was thudding in my ears as I could just not imagine how many ways this could go miserably wrong with my kind showing up again.
"You mean a drop of my blood could–"
"Kill"
I snapped my head behind me at her words. She must have noticed my confusion and decided to explain instead.
"Kill in the sense that it could be used to raise an unstoppable army. This is why keeping you a secret was critical no one can acquire your blood or it will be the extinction of so many" she came by me again making me look up at her.
"Yeah, I understand that."
"I will be going into the village for some work, care to join?" she asked slinging her leather bag over her shoulder.
"I think I will hang around here" I said retreating for my room. I sat myself on the bed clutching the crystal amulet in my fist, it always gives me strength. I knew my dad will always look out for me, he mentioned that whenever I really need him I should simply clutch it and close my eyes.
Dad I'm in real trouble. I really just want you here.
Saying that I felt something–a presence. I kept my eyes closed sinking in it, letting it overwhelm me. I wouldn't want it to go away, it was warmth and love, just like I have always known life to be although I didn't make any move to chase it away, yesterday had to make play. I remembered the impression I have felt apart from the cold. It felt like something glass rounded tip, a bottle.
I peeled my eyes opened, he indeed took my blood. I brushed my fingers through my hair, I felt like bursting in tears but instead I threw a vase straight against the wall. I sunk to the floor, the feeling of hurt wrapping around my heart, I felt guilt seeping through my flesh. I have rained doom on them and possibly even the humans.
I would only imagine what horrible things Cassius was doing that instant.
***
It's been a while after the incident although Maya and her crew visited twice grandma Ruby still doesn't have a clue what happened the night, they are really good with their words
Neither Maya nor the rest actually know what's behind me being attacked but thought as it was a normal vampire attacks that happens around but I wasn't even a werewolf raising a couple bit of questions in their minds which they still haven't fired.
"So, How is it that humans doesn't even know about this place–about you guys?"
She smiled looking up from examining the irises on grandma's garden. The boys were left in the house with grandma helping her make supper.
"Well some explorers did get here but they never got out. We have to stay a secret"
"Oh!"
She laughed at my grimace
"You didn't actually think we killed them do you?"
"No, yes. Yes I did" I laughed too
"Actually the vampires fed on them mostly or we just make them forget"
"You. Can. Compel too?"
Actually of all the knowledge of myth about these creatures that I have known I never heard of any wolf with such power.
"Nahh! just a spell we've learned from the witches, you know before everything"
I simply nodded and kept mute. I wouldn't want us getting on the topic of how their Lord destroyed and how they are seeking for his progeny to avoid thesame destiny they had to suffer.
I straightened up and threaded slowly in-between the irises going out through the dirt path. I could hear her footsteps from behind me
"You know, we all could recognize each other's scent from miles but your's it's just coming off faintly"
I came to a halt as she said that, I knew she was smart from the looks of her. I tensed for a second or two tearing through my head to think of a possible reasonable answer to give, I sort of gave them thesame story we told Hunter about who I was so being a werewolf descendant I should surely smell like a dog to them.
"Maybe it's because I'm new to this life, I didn't even know I was a werewolf until my father told me about it. That's why"
She came over to face me to her eyebrows flicked in thoughts of confusion.
"Hmmm, I don't think so. But we'll soon know each other better also our scents"
I gave a smile and sigh after she turned on her heels and we continued towards the house. I better get myself straight whenever I get approach about the new wolf in the clan.
"When did you turn?"
"Huh?!"
She turned around to face me walking backwards with a glint in her eyes she wanted a conversation. My heart started thudding fast, I wasn't a good liar especially if I'm being looked at.
"Your first shift. When did it happen?"
We continued walking mostly with me slowing down giving a distance between us. I had my mouth hanging open, trying to get words flying but my mind came up blank, I had nothing.
"Are you still here?" she asked as she stopped waving her hand in front of me face. It appeared I stopped completely still thinking how to get myself out of this conversation
"I didn't–I haven't yet"
"You're kidding right?"
I nodded no
"Wow I turned at 9 and you are what?! Like 15?"
"No I'm sixteen" I felt my skin burn with embarrassment
To my save came Leo running towards us.
"You guys! Supper is getting cold!"
I sighed in relief and quickly join the two racing ahead to grandma Ruby's. The clinging of stainless steel to the china wares filled the little dinning area since grandma has "no talking policy" at the table there was little to no chatter in turn giving my mind the opportunity to wander around every thought I would rather stay bay to.
How much I despise that dark haired no heart monster, he's not diplomatic.
I had the play of event again this time to the time he was acquiring my blood forcefully in a glass bottle. I was washed with so much anger that I scrunched up the spoon in my fist effortlessly, I didn't even know I was doing it until my attention was called to by grandma Ruby.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry" I said putting down the twisted spoon on the table. Everyone else was looking at me with questioning gaze, Maya was about to get up to get me another spoon when I stopped her. "I will help myself with another spoon" I swivelled and got on my feet directly in front of me was the utensil drawer. I opened it and picked out a spoon hopefully I wouldn't squish in my hands whilst having my food.
I sat back down as everyone continued eating, I exhaled before I decided to dig in on my meal. As soon as I was done I couldn't stay longer to have myself breaking more kitchen utensils, I turned down desert and went to my room.
A sat on my bed facing my opened window, the gentle breeze brushing through my hair. A double knock sounded on my door and didn't even wait for me to say come in before they invited their self in. I sighed knowing my behavior must have raised an alarm and she's most definitely not letting me slide.
I heard the footsteps but they were definitely not grandma Ruby's, I looked over my shoulder seeing Maya coming closer slowly.
"That's quite some strength display for a baby wolf like you"
I mimicked a robotic laugh "Yeah, yeah" my laugh slowly getting to a halt and then the silence for some seconds
"I..uhh..Are you ok Gia? You look pretty distracted and not yourself lately" She said finally standing by my side, I could see her through my peripheral vision looking down at me before crossing her arms over her chest and looking ahead just like I was doing, but I was purposely avoiding eye contact.
"If there is anything you can trust me with it"
Distraction and chaos has been the prominent part of my life for quite some time now, the overpowering rage that seems to surge through my veins every day I woke up to the reality that I wasn't back at home and that all this was just a prolonged nightmare that picks up where it stops whenever I go down in my blanket. The road I was going down on I could see nothing but destruction, much worst than my father's reign had rained upon the world. No one can bear the magnitude of that truth
"Yeah I'm ok, just overwhelmed"
"Overwhelmed? What 'bout?"
"Just home, my mom, dad and pet dog; Max"
"I know it can be hard moving into a life you have no idea it existed but you'll get used to it. It takes time"
I groaned rubbing my face with my palms.
"Thank you Maya"
"If you have your mind changed about the desert, it's on the kitchen table. Maybe, they can be really aggressive around treats" she laughed squeezing my shoulder lightly now we have got our eyes locked.
"I think I'm good, just for tonight"
"We will get going now, goodnight Gia and thanks for housing us"
She pads out of my room closing the door behind her. Although it wasn't much of a conversation I felt a little at ease, I knew I had support for a little while.
I got under my covers without bothering to walk her out, the night passed on very slowly as I could only toss around in the bed before finally achieving a nap.