I pulled into the long driveway, the elaborate gate was wide open. As far as I could tell, he never closed the gate. Then again, too many people had a healthy dose of fear to stop them from trespassing these lands. I am sure he would have loved the game of cat and mouse for any one who did try to enter his domain without his consent.
Even the humans studied about the witches' history, with my father mentioned several times and through several generations.
I parked in front of the large house. One could call it a mansion…it was too big to be a regular house, but so often people think of stacked floors when a visual of a mansion is given. This house does not contain any stairs. It is all one story, but spread so far. The fifteen thousand square foot home boasted of several bathrooms, guest rooms, a luxurious kitchen, a library…so much. Even the staff had their own quarters. Before my birth, my late bedroom had been the sleeping quarters to four of my siblings that had already passed on with age. During my absence, I am sure it has been given to at least one other sibling.
The information regarding my family has confirmed that I am the longest lived child to date.
Though my siblings' lifespan is much longer than the average witch and most definitely humans, they have still died either from natural causes, injuries, or sabotage. In my opinion, too much fairy blood has caused them to be corrupted.
I got out of the door at the same time as the aid. Studying bugs gave me a bit of an affinity with them. During my time of studying, I learned something quite unique. Of course, I am not sure if it is a witch phenomenon, or just regarding me.
The more I learned about Insecta the more I could use them. It's similar to a witches familiar, but instead of having just one, I have trillions. Perhaps it was a bit of fear mingled in with the anger, but the bugs around the property 'awakened' to my unintentional command. I sent a hold message, but I guess if anything turned suspicious, they could swarm the estate.
I opened the front door without knocking, "I'm home!" I yelled out in my most cheerful voice. Upon my words, memories flooded my mind, holding my mothers hand as we walked in the door, her calling out "We're home, Dear."
I wonder if any of his other human wives called out like she did. At this thought, I wanted to chuckle a bit. I doubt he ever realized that my mother, that human, was not really a human. She was a hybrid who was able to hide her craft, her entire being's scent without leaving a trace. Perhaps it was her blood mixed with his that I have this power.
My father stepped out of his study. I know my jaw hit the floor at what he was wearing. The man who only ever wore suits or witches robes was standing in sweatpants and ripped t-shirt, sweat pouring from his light brown hair.
"Good morning. I just finished my routine, let me shower and I will meet you in the dining room." he told me. I watched as the father in my memory and this man clashed. I looked around the house, nothing really had changed. Perhaps the number of family photos had increased, but even the deceased wives and children were displayed. Now that I was looking, each wife was similar in appearance. Perhaps all remnants of his first wife, the one that he loved the most? I was not interested enough to ask him. The pictures were interesting, and I bet any human museum would drool to get some of the earlier portraits, all painted by famous artists.
My footsteps were loud on the wooden floor even though I was wearing flats. Perhaps that was just how quiet the house really was. I remember the bustling of family and the noise of yelling and crying from kids running in and out.
Maybe this is a period of time when all the kids are grown and the wife is barron? Though my father remarried a few years ago, his newest wife had yet to give birth. I did not have the investigator look into it, but I suspect that this human is unable to give birth. The amount of doctor visits made it unnecessary to look further.
It feels odd knowing that I have such a large family, but never interact with them. Even more weird to know that even if my siblings are deceased, their legacy continues with their grandkids. Yet, here I am…with no partner, no children…only a demon to hold me in my dreams.
I got to the dining room, where the newest wife was sitting. She looked forlorn and miserable. I had never known of any of my father's wives to look so depressed. He typically treated his chosen wife with kid gloves, giving them anything and everything they could want.
I guess she really is barren.
"Good morning, I'm Adira Shaylin." I introduced myself.
"Ah, good morning. I guess I would be your stepmother? You can call me Mary." Her voice was a bit high pitched, but not too stressful to my sensitive ears. I typically stayed away from high pitched noises-especially the violin which could cause me a migraine with just a few notes. Which sucked since I loved to listen to the orchestra and attend concerts. Luckily I could plan my bathroom breaks if a violinist had a solo act thanks to the concert programs.
I smiled over at her, "That would be great, Mary. Nice to meet you." I kept up my cheerful act. In the almost two hundred and twenty years since my father killed me, he never harmed another child of his.
I do believe that I would have been the cause of his long life ending if he had. Mary and I sat at the table quietly. We had nothing more to say to each other, and I was getting impatient with the wait. Seriously, the man bullied me to get me here, then made me sit with his wife for an hour now.
Some people were too audacious.
I began to play with the silverware on the table as my stomach growls continued. Luckily they were only heard by my ears, but still. I could be at the mall right now eating some delicious cinnabons with coffee. I could feel the pressure of the air change. He was coming.
I sat up straighter, plastered the fake but effective smile back on my face and looked towards the door. His human bride did not feel the change in currents, so she only reacted once he entered.
Interesting. Not only was she oblivious to his power, but she didn't even respond like most humans did. Perhaps that was why he kept her around. A novelty.
"Good morning, Aldrech. I was so surprised to receive such a commanding invitation I just had to rush over right away." I hid the sarcastic tone, but my words conveyed enough.
I watched him flinch as I called him by name, instead of father. Those days ended when I was ten.
"Adira, I have heard so many praises regarding your craft and ability. I felt as if I was able to watch you grow up. I was hoping that you could share a bit about yourself with me. I've missed out on two centuries of your life. I know it was my fault, but I would like to work on my mistakes."
He must really think that I am like his other kids. I could feel the magic flowing in his words, trying to compel me to agree with him. I could act as if it worked, but that is a game I refuse to play with anyone. I don't like games and subterfuge. My fake smile is as far as I am willing to go.
"Sadly, that just isn't a possibility. On my drive here I had to ponder the reason why a father who killed his ten year old daughter and threw her body in the woods for the bugs and animals to naw on, would invite that same person into his home. The Fairy King came to mind, another betrothal did as well. So many suppositions, but not once did the idea of reconciliation come to mind. Then you try to bespell me to agree with you. Did you forget that your powers don't work on me? Well, your flames did, yet you escaped unharmed." The fake flowery tone was gone. I was done with whatever game he was trying to play.
His wife looked at him with a new gaze. I guess she never heard about him killing his own daughter. "Don't worry Mary, I die just like any other witch, but for some reason, I just won't stay dead." Her ashened face turned to me, fear evident.
"So it's true, you can revive after death?" Her voice shook, as if this was the biggest curse one could have.
I guess in a way, it was. I have lost so many friends and comrades, yet I keep living. The only constant in my dreams.
"Adira, I won't try to cast anymore spells. But, I need you to listen to me." His pleading look captured my attention more than his words. I nodded for him to continue. Instead of looking relieved, he took a large gulp of air, then began to tell me the situation.
***
"Alright, I understand why you called me here now. Give me time to settle some of my affairs. I can't just leave without setting up plans for my classes and getting a sub request put in. I will contact you in a few days. That should give me enough time." With that, I stood up and walked out of his stifling house and into my car. I sat there for a bit, ruminating over everything he spoke of.
The war with the demons was about to start once again. Not just the little skirmishes, but an actual war. The Fairy's were already gearing up, as well as the demons. The Fairy King, my grandfather, was calling on all the witches, all of them but one.
Me.
Instead I was going to be used to calling forth the demons. My blood would be the catalyst to starting the war. With my continued resurrection, and given the time to research it, the Fairy King discovered that I am known as a Leviathan. An immortal, which makes my blood valuable.
I pushed the keyless ignition and was about to put my car into first gear when I heard it. The ticking.
Then I felt my body shatter as the car pierced me and the bomb exploded. Dying was quick this time, similar to the battles I fought.
When I opened my eyes, he was waiting for me.
The deepest blue eyes are covered with the darkest black hair. His sloppy look was my favorite.
"Finally, you are here" he said before reaching down and kissing me.
This felt different. He always played with my hair, or sang to me, but now I could truly feel his lips, his fingers, his body mashed up against mine. I had always felt like a ghost whenever I was here before. Like a whisper of his flesh was with me. But this time I could feel him, I could smell the sweet scent of mint on his breath, and the sulphuric scent of the demon realm. The clasing scents made my head spin, or was it his lips.
I felt my stomach flutter and my heartbeat quicken as I raised my hands around his neck. Real. This felt real. Like really real. His hands grabbed my waist and pushed me further into his body, I felt tingles everywhere he touched.
How could this be?