Kassidy woke up in above a pool of water to see a woman who looked very similar to her in front of her.
"Hello, Valencia. You must be really confused right now, but I promise you that it will all make sense in a moment. My name is Greta the Witch. I know. Very hilarious, but right now, we are standing above the pool of time, which allows us to see our memories of the past. Are you ready to make the ultimate contract to the Shadow Guardian as a Shadowmere ?" Greta spoke.
Kassidy took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She looked at her ancestor with pride and determination. "I have been waiting for it." she spoke, making her ancestor grin. Taking each other's hands, they both jumped into the pool.
She opened her eyes to see that they were in a garden. The garden was huge with green hedges and rosebuds on the branches as well as various flowers in bloom. As they walked along the rows, they came upon a huge gazebo that was made of rose gold marble with a dome on top, followed by open arches. It had a long daybed and a small coffee table. Seated at the table and on the daybed was a woman with long black hair hanging loose around her shoulders, obsidian eyes, and olive skin. She had a sigil on the back of her left hand. A rose in bloom with the colors of the Shadowmere Clan - an ombre of light purple to black.
Kassidy realized instantly that this was her mom. Gods above, she is so beautiful. Footsteps sounded behind her. She whirled to see a tall man with long silver blond hair put high up in a bun with olive skin, aristocratic features, and a sharp jaw. The one thing that attracted her the most was the eyes. They shared the same color. A deep ruby red. He also had the sigil on his lift hand. A wand and hourglass in obsidian. The man went past her and sat next to his wife.
"Well, Rowan dear. Is everything okay? You look a little stressed out." came a melodic voice from her mom, which sounded familiar to Kassidy's ears. The man sighed and wrapped the woman in his arms. He put his head on top of hers and spoke. " I am worried about the Syndicate. While the Morgenstern family has ensured equality amongst the families, I think there is still a chance for someone to cause a bit of chaos and disorder. I fear for the future of the organisation." came the thoughts that were plaguing the man. The woman hugged him and reassured him.
" My darling, I am sure that is a worry as you are in charge of the security, but you can not predict that a rebellion will take place all the time. Have faith in your team, and know that you have help all around you. So, wipe those gloomy thoughts and let me cheer you up."
Kassidy and Greta watched as the man softened his face and smiled. Kassidy could see that her parents sincerely loved each other. She yearned for that kind of love. She noticed that they looked familiar from somewhere but couldn't tell.
" Very well, my heart. Do tell me the good news that you wished to say in my presence." he softly chuckled. The woman brought her hands and put it on her stomach. He tracked her movements with curiosity. " You are going to have to bear my temper and my mood swings for the next 8 months as we are going to welcome a little guest." she happily said.
The man froze in shock at the statement, and a goofy smile appeared on his face. He looked at her, confirming what he thought was happening. She nodded. he lifted her up in the air and spun her around, laughing in joy. " Darling, this is wonderful news. I hope it is a daughter. That way, we can show those fools that a girl can also be an heir. " he spoke, making his wife giggle.
It was then that Kassidy recognized who her parents were. Her jaw dropped. She is the daughter of Myra Alesia Shadowmere nee Fabbri and Rowan Silviano Shadowmere. The Lord and Lady of the Guardian Shadow Clan. Greta squeezed her shoulder, further proving that all of this was real and not a dream. She turned and looked at her parents. She drank in their features and her heart ached at the loss of getting to know them. Time moved forward as she saw the memories of her mother's pregnancy and the rising protectiveness of her father. She also saw the painful labor process and laughed at her father's blanching face at the threats that her mother was issuing out.
She also saw the looks of love that she got as they held her in her arms. " Darling, she is absolutely brilliant and beautiful. Thank you for giving me a gem and I am sorry for putting you in so much pain." Rowan spoke as he kissed Myra's head. Myra smiled tiredly. "My love, thank you for loving me. I still can't believe that you chose me. Oh! I can't wait for her to meet her cousins. I am sure Aleksi is eagerly waiting to see his niece and introduce Heliodoro to us as well." Myra squealed in excitement however, Kassidy's jaw dropped.
Solaris....is.....her.....COUSIN!
Kassidy felt that her whole world changed rather drastically at the moment. They were meant to be family. Tears leaked and she furiously cursed at the bastards who took them her away from her family. The memories sped forward to the day of her naming ceremony where all Syndicate families were in attendance.
"In the name of our Ancestor Greta The Shadow Guardian, I hereby christen the child of Rowan and Myra Shadowmere as Valencia Juno Shadowmere. May she be swift and strong as the shadows. May the Ancestors bless her and ensure that she lives a long and peaceful life."
Kassidy knew in that moment how blessed and loved she was thanks to the pool of time. Greta stood at her back, giving the silent support she needed.
The memories flashed to show the happy days of the family until they stopped on a particular date.
22nd July X456.
Kassidy knew this date was taboo in the upper echelons of the Oracle Syndicate as it was the date when five noble children of the elite families in the Oracle Syndicate were kidnapped. She saw two men carry five baby baskets and enter an abandoned shack. Inside the shack were the current heads of the Czar, Blair, Grey, Thane and Morgan families.
kassidy felt the rage course and she knew that these five had a bigger fish behind him. Each child was handed over and the five split. The memories fast forward to the time after the kidnapping. Her father was radiating stone cold anger and her mom was sobbing her pain and grief in her husband's arms. He whirled on to the guards.
"HOW DID THIS HAPPEN ?! WHAT WERE THE INCOMPETENT GUARDS DOING ?! WHY WAS NO SOLDIER GUARDING MY DAUGHTER?! ANSWER ME, YOU USELESS BUFFOONS !"
No one answered. Just as he was about to berate further, a messenger walked in. They all turned to look at him as he spoke. "Your Excellency, I bring devastating news. Not only was the eighth prince kidnapped but also the first-born son of the Foxworth Family, the second-born daughter of the Aslan family and the third-born son of the Can Family. Their disappearance is similar to how our lady was taken." the messenger spoke trembling and continued his message.
"Your Grace, His Majesties have set up a committee to look into the disappearances. They have asked for your expertise in the matter." Rowan recognised the olive branch and nodded. "Let the investigation began soon. My wife and I shall retire." he spoke.
Memories showed years of grief and loss with a lack of evidence. kassidy felt the pain and then a year after their death, her cousin, Altair received a package which had evidence but before it could be seen, somebody assassinated all the elite families. Kassidy roared in anger at the sight of his dead family. The Czar, Blair, Thane, Grey and Morgan families took the places and ruled the Oracle Syndicate.
Greta and Kassidy emerged out of the pool to the place they were originally in.
"What do you plan to do now, child ?" Greta asked. kassidy looked at her ancestor, eyes clear and filled with determination with vengeance.
"I will personally get my revenge, find out who orchestrated our kidnappings and save our families. I will not go back empty-handed." she swore.
Greta nodded with approval. "Let's wait for your siblinghood and plan the next step." Kassidy nodded.
"Father. Mother. I will come back. I will ensure that they will regret making us their enemies."