Melissa widened her eyes in shock as she kept her glass of water on the stool beside her.
"Vampires are extinct; they were all destroyed."
"Yet here you are."
Melissa looked at her blankly, feeling a little bemused.
"But, you aren't the only one."
"Huh?"
"In my homeland, vampires are the dominant race."
"You mean that other supernatural creatures coexist with the vampires. Creatures actually co-exist with each other?" Melissa said as she stood up in shock.
She has been to so many time spaces, so many worlds, but she had never seen or heard of different creatures co- existing in peace. It was impossible and never heard of, because, no race would like any other race to be their leader.
Margaret smiled as she said 'Where else do you think your parents come from? Where else can a witch and a vampire get together?'
"Then why did they leave? Why did they leave Palel? Were they not happy there?"
"They were happy, the best couple. Your mom was my best friend and her husband Peter was my husband's best friend. Your parents were like family to us. She left because she wanted to keep you and Palel safe."
"Who are you really?" Melissa asked with a glint in her eyes.
Margaret looked towards the open window and at the fiery storm that was coming to their direction.
"Here it comes." She said with a smile.
She looked back at Melissa.
"We don't have time, the answers to your questions will be revealed to you in due time."
"Years ago, before your birth, we knew it would come to this, your parents did their parts and trained you, mine, well, mine was just to lend you a hand."
She flicked her index finger and thumb together and a book appeared out of nowhere. On the front was written in bold capital letters 'LEGEND OF THE FIERY STORM'.
"Have it."
Melissa took it and noted the intricate brown leather cover she opened it and on the first page was written 'From GrantAdams to Melissa Adams. She looked up at Margaret and said "Since you knew my parents, why didn't they talk about you and why didn't I see you?"
"They talked about me, they just didn't say my name, it wasn't convenient and you did see me we have known each other but, an accident occurred and you forgot some things. Your parents had to take you away as well. Like I said, to keep both you and Palel safe. But now, you will be able to see my world and much more."
Melissa was thinking that the woman was probably right but, Melissa still looked and felt confused. She felt like everything she had ever known had just been distorted.
Margaret's figure became faint as the fiery storm came nearer.
'It's time for us to go our separate ways'. She said with a smile. "If you see my sons, tell them that they can open it now, they will understand. Also tell the King that it is okay to tell the people he trusts."
"Wait, I don't understand, you can't leave. What's happening to you?"
"I am dead, all you can see is a reflection of my thoughts, my will….and now, I've done my part. It's time for me to leave."
"Where. Go where?"
Margaret smiled serenely and said "I need you to understand one thing."
"Understand what?"
"The fiery storm is actually preparing you for what is to come. It's a sign. A warning."
Melissa looked at her in confusion as the fiery storm got nearer. She turned to look at it and when she turned back to look at Margaret, she realized that Margaret wasn't there anymore.
'Great' she thought 'just what I need in my life…more complications'
Melissa held the book tightly in her hand as she was suddenly swept by the fiery storm. This time she didn't black out. At first, it felt like she was flying or floating in the air. Free, unbridled and ecstatic. Then, the pressure started to build up like she was in the water.
Immediately Melissa noticed the slight change in the atmosphere accompanied with the touch and pressure of water, she didn't waste time. She held the book tightly as she incanted a spell in her mind. The spell was to form a barrier around the book to prevent it from getting wet. A faint white light could be seen around the book, protecting it from the water.
Next, she incanted a spell to enable her to breathe butshe realized that her spell was not working. Melissa looked at the wet darkness around her in anger. She did not dare to look down because, she was afraid of what she might see. A vast darkness and that was what scared her the most. She looked up and she noticed a faint light above. She started swimming upwards as the originally calm storm began to rage and spin out of control. Melissa swam quickly to the surface. When she was a distance away from the surface, she noticed some petals at the surface, she also felt that the storm was closing in on her from the bottom. Melissa thought desperately to herself that if she made it out of there, she was never going to lie again.
Finally, she reached the surface, broke through and took in a deep breath. She couldn't feel the storm again and all she could think of was how great it felt to be alive.