Family Secrets
Chapter 1 by: Drakira Mikaela Vance has returned home after an eventful first semester at Ravencrest. But, will she get a well-deserved rest there? Or is there something laying in wait? |
Family Secrets
Chapter 1 by: Drakira Mikaela Vance has returned home after an eventful first semester at Ravencrest. But, will she get a well-deserved rest there? Or is there something laying in wait? |
Disclaimer:
~Big thanks to Enemyoffun for making this universe to play in, and to all my beta readers for helping me hammer out some of the details in this chapter.
Author's Note: Welcome to the next installment of Mikaela! It's taken me a while to hammer this out, and I hope you all enjoy Mikaela's continuing adventures. This may be a little rough around the edges, and I apologize. I'm currently looking for a new editor. For those of you just finding this story, the previous installment, "Tell Me Your Secrets," fills in a lot of the background about Mikaela.
Please feel free to comment on this, as I always enjoy reading your comments and learning from them immensely.
Chapter 1
December 17, 2011
The countryside whizzed by as my mother drove from Sacramento International towards home. Not much to see out here, mostly just dry, yellow grass blowing in the cold wind. That's the funny thing about California, really only two seasons for most of the state. Either it was hot and sunny or it was cold and rainy, snow if you were high enough. Although, the cold in California didn't get as low as it did back east, unless you got some really cold air to come down from the Arctic.
The grasses whipping around in the wind reminded me of the windstorm of events that I just left back in New York. After the events involving the Omegas, it seemed like the Were clans decided to let me try to adjust back and worry about my finals. Not that being done with them stopped me from worrying about them too much. Although, I think I did very good on them, and wouldn't break my grades in my classes.
The Were clans kept their distance from me for some reason, impeding any progress I could make into getting them to help me with my new job. Iris being on detached assignment to be my protector and Forsaken Intelligence's eyes and ears in Ravencrest left me wondering what their motives truly were. Did it have something to do with events concerning me, or in the town as a whole? I did know that I wasn't the only young Were going through fascinating events.
I snapped out of my reverie once I saw the familiar features of where I grew up. The tree-covered hills, the curvy roads, the stretches of grassy plains dotted with oaks. My mother pulled into our driveway and soon pulled up to our modest home. A simple three bedroom, two bathroom house. Currently, it was just my mom's house. Apparently, she was having marriage problems with my stepfather, not long after I became me. He moved out, and my mom just assumed they were now separated, but not divorced. Now, after heading back here on Thanksgiving to arrange some things, it was just the two of us.
Climbing out of the car, I couldn't help but feel like I was finally home. Even though, it was just my mom and me.
“Well,” she started, “what are your plans for vacation?”
“I'm not sure, yet,” I replied, for what was the third time. “Maybe read a couple of the books that I brought with me?”
“You and those books,” she sighed. “I guess it would be too much to ask of you to try and explore your hometown since you've been gone.”
“Why?”
“Well, there are other layers now accessible to you now, then when you were here in the summer.”
“And why didn't you tell me about them on Thanksgiving?”
“Because we needed that time to help change your room around!”
I face-palmed myself. “Right....”
“Grab your bags, and I'll see what I can do about getting us some dinner.”
I managed to only do it in a couple of trips. Looking around my room, I could actually see how much work we did during that short break. All the stuff that said this room belonged to a guy were gone. Now, there was only the things that said this room belongs to a girl. The only exceptions: personal interests. And that the room wasn't painted pink.
Looking around, I could see various things that were missing from this room. Clothes and some kind of style being the most obvious. I still had my assortment of comics books, novels, science fiction items, and video games. But, something still was missing. Maybe I'd figure it out before I headed back to school in January.
I flopped onto the made bed and just stared up at the ceiling, still decorated with stars, planets, and the occasional starship Enterprise. Seeing them made me remember those times where I would imagine I was a crew member aboard one of those ships and going on those adventures. Now, I wondered if they compared to what I had already experienced.
I don't know how long I just laid there on my comfy bed, but I soon smelled pepperoni pizza. Mom must've ordered something from either Pizza Factory or Round Table. The growling of my stomach alone lured me out into the living room and kitchen area.
Our home wasn't as extravagant as the clans in Ravencrest. Actually, it was very similar to the Drakes. The other members of my mom's side of the family mainly stayed in Orange County, California, where they loved to live it up on the rich side. We did get along with them on an alright basis. The only other member of the family up this way was the matriarch of the family, my grandmother, Sandra Vance.
She maintained a much larger residence, and generally kept to herself. In fact, when my parents were working, I would often spend time over there. So, she also raised me along with them. I did get the feeling that she was holding something back, and at times seemed removed from raising me. Maybe I'd get a chance to ask her about that while I was here.
“Gotta movie?” my mom asked, handing me a plate full of pizza. I noticed that she ordered at least three.
“I can go rummage around for one,” I answered.
“Works for me,” she replied with a smile.
“Why three pizzas?” I asked, curious.
“You never know when you get hungry as a wolf. Plus, as you should rightly know by now, it makes great leftovers.”
I laughed at that, and went back to my room to rummage around for a movie. Going through my superhero movies, I found one I hadn't seen in a while, “Iron Man.” Back in the living room, I set the DVD/Blu-Ray player up and popped in the disc. Mom had my pizza ready for me, on the coffee table next to the couch.
Sitting on the couch and watching the movie, I noticed that my thoughts seemed to drift a bit. Maybe I was just getting sleepy from the jet lag. I did know that I had to reset to this time zone, even though it was only three hours off from what I had grown accustomed to.
As my thoughts continued to drift, I noticed that I had already grown accustomed to something else: being a woman. When did that happen? And why didn't I notice it? How had I so easily adapted to this? Did Michael just die when Mikaela was born? Or was there something of him left, now mixed in?
Even now, I could feel the underwire of my bra chafe into my breasts, due to the awkward positioning, since I had my legs curled up differently to support my dinner. I did notice that my mannerisms and how I acted had changed from what they were before. Also, my male tendencies that probably got me awkward glances a few months ago were gone.
Was the bracelet helping me along? Or was I Mikaela all along, and the bracelet only just brought her out? Definitely some other things to think about, and at the very least, during this winter break.
I glanced back at the movie after eating some of the pepperoni pizza. Tony Stark was putting the finishing touches on his new Iron Man suit. I caught my mother swooning over him with a couple of glances out of my eye.
Boy, did I want to have his toys! That's another thing! Why did my sexual preferences stay the same when my body did not? Not that I minded that I was still attracted to the ladies. The thought of making out with a guy absolutely repulsed me.
Ugh! This was too much to think about right now! Need to relax, eat pizza, and enjoy a good movie.
Through the rest of the movie, I somehow managed to keep my mind on the movie and my stomach. When it was all over, I definitely felt tired, the jet lag finally kicking in. After getting myself cleaned up and into my pajamas, I stole a glance in the mirror.
Seeing an attractive girl in my bedroom definitely was a fantasy of mine growing up. I just never thought I'd be the girl. It was too bad that Alex had to stay behind in Ravencrest. But, my mother was adamant. It was only to be me this trip. At least she didn't care if I stayed in contact with her through various other means of communication.
I yawned quite a bit before I decided to snuggle under the covers and fall asleep. Maybe I'd go into town tomorrow, and see if anything was different.
----------------------------------------
Driving into town in my mom's car, I noticed that the town of Rancho Calaveras hadn't changed all that much since I been here last, being last summer, not over Thanksgiving. The small shopping center and schools were still there, and you could still drive right through, blink, and miss the town.
Although, one thing bugged me. A lot of people wanted out of the county upon graduating high school; I certainly did upon graduation. The nearest major population center and job hubs were about an hour away. So, why did people want to live out in the middle of nowhere? One of life's little mysteries, I guess.
I parked in the lot with most of the stores of the town. The grocery store, comic book store, drug store, doctor's office, gas stations, fast food places, and other things like that. Most of the people in the area did at least some of their shopping here. I decided to head to the local coffee house, Common Grounds. It might be a good place to see who was still in the area, and if any of them would recognize me.
The atmosphere of the coffee shop seemed to emulate that of a college hangout. My guess was they were trying to appeal to young people to keep them in the county. That doesn't work out too well if most of the fun things young people do are at least an hour away. Including their jobs to make the money to do things.
I ordered a cup of black coffee and got a strange look from the barista. I guess she thought I wanted a latte or something. The barista looked young and tried to impress the male customers to earn more tip money. However, she looked a little chubby in my opinion. Probably just the remnants of my former male-self thinking there. If she worked out a little more, she'd definitely start making bank.
I took a seat on one of the couches and pulled a copy of the newspaper over to read, after taking a look at the stacks of books they had available. I mentally cursed myself for forgetting to bring my notebook with me.
Writing was a big hobby of mine; one of the reasons why I found a job working for the comic book store back in Ravencrest. I also worked for the one in town as well, as a summer job before I went to school. In fact, the owner of this shop recommended me for the job in that one. I wonder if they were both wolves or something.
I sat there sipping my coffee and reading the paper for a while. All the time watching people come in and go out. Some spotted me and wondered who I was related to. In a small town, you don't get many strangers this time of the year.
During the summertime, when most of the business was booming, you'd get a lot of people going to the three lakes in the area: Lake Olette, Lake Ossosoli, and Lake Kokkol. Olette was the largest of the three, and saw the most recreational usage. In fact, it was the closest lake to the town, a little under a mile away. I had been out on the lakes, and I could see why they drew a crowd in the summer.
Right as I finished with the newspaper, and my second cup of coffee, I noticed a young woman whom I definitely haven’t seen before. She had very white hair, hair that could’ve been dyed if she was a fan of anime or something along those lines. As she exited the shop, a very familiar duo entered the coffee house—my two best friends growing up here, Marilyn Blackcloud and Johnathan Quinn. I hadn't see these guys in months. Although, I'm not sure what my mother told them about everything that happened to me in New York.
At the moment, I was merely content to just observe them, and see if they noticed me at all in any way. Of all the people in town who could probably figure me out, it was these two. During our childhood and teenage years, we were practically inseparable. We hung out all the time, and had a lot of the same interests. That even persisted when John had his impressive growth spurt that definitely made me envious that he suddenly became a huge girl magnet. Whether or not we were all Unseen, that remained to be seen, but for some reason I was suspecting John might be one.
As they ordered their drinks, John paused for a moment. He acted like he noticed something vaguely familiar, but couldn't place it. I quickly looked like I was more interested in my paper.
Glancing over the top of the paper, I saw that he turned and ordered his drink at the counter. I didn't want to breathe that sigh of relief just yet. They turned and headed for the couch next to mine, facing away from me, wanting to enjoy their drinks in comfort instead of going somewhere else. Maintaining the illusion of being interested in the newspaper, I casually listened in on their conversation.
After John sat down, he got that weird look on his face again. That “Where have I seen that before?” look appeared on his face again; this time with more focus. It was like he was trying to figure out where it was coming from. I could also hear him sniffing the air, like he was trying to find a certain smell.
Could he smell me? I didn't know of anyone who could recognize someone by their scent. At least, no normal person.
“Would you sit down already?” Marilyn asked, exasperated. “You're making a scene with what you're doing.”
He sat down, careful not to spill his coffee. “I'm not making a scene,” he defiantly answered.
Marilyn groaned. “Fine, whatever.”
The two of them sipped their coffee before she added, “So, what did you think you saw?”
After a moment, he said quietly, “I thought I smelled something familiar, but I can't seem to place it.”
“Oh? That doesn't seem right. I know you're pretty good at placing smells with certain things.”
“Yeah,” he replied. “Whatever though. I'll figure it out.”
I thought to myself, 'I hope he's shrugging it off.'
“So,” Marilyn started, “how's everything in college? Is it what you expected?”
“Sort of, I guess,” he answered. If memory serves me, John got accepted to University of the Pacific, a private university in northern California. In fact, it was less than an hour's drive away from here. I also had thought about attending that school along with him, that way we would have had each other for roommates. But, for some reason, Ravencrest won out.
John continued, “I think I'm going to rush for one of the fraternities there.”
“Oh? Which one?”
“Alpha Delta Omega.”
“You can't be serious!”
“I am. Why shouldn't I be?”
“You join that fraternity? Are you that desperate for friends?”
“No...,” he drew out. “I just want....”
“Just want what?”
“Fine! I would like a few more friends at school. Alright?”
I heard the couch cushions make a squishy kind of noise. I could only guess that was Marilyn sitting back.
“And why is that?”
“Because it feels weird still being a nerd and have all these girls hitting on you. And my roommate is a Norm.”
“Ouch. That sucks.”
I heard her sip her coffee before she added, “Can they be trusted?”
“Nope. Guy can barely get to class on time, or even get out of bed.”
“That doesn't mean they're not trustworthy, though.”
“He also ratted me out to my parents about my crush on Wonder Woman.”
I winced at that. I knew about that crush for a long time.
'Ah, crap,' I realized. 'I look a bit like Wonder Woman.'
Before I could groan, Marilyn observed, “Ouch. I could definitely see why he's not trustworthy now.”
“Besides,” he added in a low voice, “after what happened to my distant cousins back east, the family wants me to mingle with others for the connections.”
“Ah,” she said, with some realization, “so there is something else at work here. Tough break, man.”
“Thanks,” he muttered.
'Back east?' I thought. 'I wonder what he meant by that.'
“How about you?” he asked. “How's your college life going?”
“It's okay, I guess,” she answered. “Berkeley's a nice school. But, it doesn't help that you're more of a number to your professors than anything else.”
“Just have to make the right impression.”
“Easy for you to say. You've got that animal magnetism.”
I saw him cock his head out of the corner of my eye, while I heard Marilyn brush it off.
John's cell phone went off right after they said that.
“Yeah, Mom,” he answered. “Yes, I'll be right there.”
“What is it?” Marilyn asked, after he hung up.
“Mom says I need to get home ASAP. Something happened in the area that they want to talk to me about.”
“I guess I'd better get home, too then. My grandmother could be calling me up at any time if it's not just related to you.”
The two of them left the coffee shop in a hurry. They didn't seem to give me any attention this time around. Whatever was going down in the area, seemed to be bigger than a somewhat familiar person nearby.
Maybe I had better get home to find out what was going on. Chances are my mother knew about it.
----------------------------------
After I parked the car in the garage, I immediately rushed in and found my mother at her computer.
“You're back soon,” she commented.
“What's going on?” I asked, pointedly.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I just found out that there's something going on in town that has do with the local weres from my friends.”
“You talked to them actually about this?” my mother replied, with a little worry and surprise in her voice.
“Well...,” I began to admit, “I didn't talk with them, more like eavesdropped on their conversation.”
“Mikaela...,” my mother warned.
“What? I didn't know how I was going to break the news to them yet. And, John seemed like he could smell me.”
My mother groaned. “I had a hunch that could happen. You're probably going to have to break the news sooner to them than you think. Anyway, I haven't heard anything about news like that.”
I heard a car pull into the driveway right then and there. Why did that seem like too big of a coincidence to me?
“Expecting someone?”
“No...,” my mother wondered.
The two of us walked out to the living room where we saw a familiar car pull into the parking lot. I recognized it immediately as John's.
“Well, I guess we're about to find out what all the hubbub's about,” she commented. “Go to your room, or somewhere out of sight. Unless you want them to find out before I can welcome them in.”
I rolled my eyes at her, and went into the kitchen. Out of the corner of my eye, I did see both of my friends walk up to the front door.
After I heard them knock, my mother yelled out, “Coming!”
“Oh, John, Marilyn, what brings you by?” she asked about a minute later, as if they were unexpected visitors.
“We've come to ask a few questions, Miss Vance.”
“And what questions would those be?”
“Where's Michael?” John put very bluntly.
“Michael? Why are you asking about him?”
There was a brief pause before Marilyn asked, “May we continue this conversation inside, please?”
“Yes, please come in. Have a seat on the couch.”
Another pause from what I could hear and then my mother spoke, “So, mind telling me what's got the two of you in a bit of a panic?”
“My mother notified me about a new Were being in town,” John started.
“A new Were? Is that what this is all about?”
“Not exactly. We do know that you are a Wolf, and that Michael never became a Wolf while he was still here.”
“So, you think it's him?”
“Yes, and I did smell something familiar, but not quite right a little while ago at the coffee house.”
“Maybe it was just a familiar brew.”
“No, this was distinct,” John replied, adamant. “I knew I grew up around it, after I had my change of course.”
“So, you think Michael's finally turned in a Wolf?”
“That is what we think,” John answered. “So, where is he? I haven't heard from him since he went to college. Makes me wonder what happened to him.”
Before my mother could answer, I heard a loud knocking on the door. Great, now who could it be?
“Excuse me,” my mother politely said.
I heard the door open a few moments later. “Mom!” my mother sounded, very surprised. “What are you doing here?”
“We need to talk. Now.”
“Okay, but I have guests right now.”
Another pause. “Mister Quinn and Miss Blackcloud, would you kindly wait outside, at the gazebo, while I have a serious family discussion with my daughter?”
“Uhmm...,” John stuttered.
“I will summon you back here after we're done, if you have to have an answer to whatever it is you came over here for,” my grandmother offered.
“We'd be more than happy to,” Marilyn quickly spoke up. “In fact, we'll be very happy to wait until you give us a call, Mrs. Vance.”
I heard the door open and close again a few moments later.
“Now that that's out of the way,” my grandmother started. “Let me see my granddaughter.”
I gulped out of nervousness and a little bit of fear. This was the matriarch of my wolf clan after all. Even though I already knew that my grandmother probably knew about my transformation, seeing her in person was something else.
My grandmother, Sandra Vance, didn't really project the loving grandmother look. Instead, she presented the formidable business woman look. However, in private, she did play the role of a loving grandmother.
Not surprising, since she ran one of the major companies on the West Coast.
I emerged from the kitchen and saw her looking expectantly at me. She then took a long hard look at me. Sizing me up as it were. I guess she wanted to make sure that I now lived up to her new standards.
“Well,” she started, “I had wondered when the true you would emerge.”
“What do you mean?”
She simply smiled mischievously, like she did when she looked after me while my mother was away and we were playing. My mother, on the other hand, looked extremely squeamish. Kind of like the look I would do if I got caught not telling her something.
I could feel my curiosity and anxiety begin to grow, and grow exponentially at that. My frustration went up right along with it.
“What's going on? Tell me. Now,” I demanded.
“A bit touchy, isn't she?” my grandmother commented to my mother.
My mother nodded.
My grandmother turned back to me and said, “We'd better sit down. It's a long story to tell.”
Family Secrets
Chapter 2 by: Drakira Mikaela Vance has returned home after an eventful first semester at Ravencrest. But, will she get a well-deserved rest there? Or is there something laying in wait? |
Disclaimer:
~Big thanks to Enemyoffun for making this universe to play in, and to all my beta readers for helping me hammer out some of the details in this chapter.
Author's Note: Time for the second chapter! Again, this may be a little rough around the edges, and I apologize. I'm still currently looking for a new editor.
Please feel free to comment on this, as I always enjoy reading your comments and learning from them immensely.
Chapter 2
December 17, 2011
I took a seat in the armchair, while my mother and grandmother began to get situated. My grandmother, of course, had taken off her coat and placed it in the closet. As she began to get comfortable on the couch, my mother had quickly made her way into the kitchen and busied herself making a cup of tea for everyone. My grandmother had a thing for tea, and I guess I had started to pick it up.
“Well,” my grandmother started, attempting to break the ice once more, “how have you been adjusting to all of this?”
'She had to lead off with that one, didn't she?' I thought to myself, and just shrugged that one off.
“It's been alright, I guess,” I answered. “The people back in Ravencrest have been very helpful.”
“So, I have heard,” she answered, waiting for me to continue.
“Adapting to me being a girl, that hasn't been too bad. Adapting to being a mixed Were, the Lorekeeper for a town’s set of Were clans, and finally meeting my real father? THAT has been the real challenge.”
My grandmother just laughed to herself at that reaction.
“What?” I quickly replied, “It hasn't been funny.”
“I'm not saying that it has been. It's just..., well, you're acting a lot more like your mother now.”
“Excuse me!” my mother's voice called out from the kitchen. You got to love having better hearing when you're taking a shot across your bow.
“Well, it's true though. You've managed to produce and raise a fine daughter. One, who one day, will become matriarch of our clan. But, let's not worry about that right now. That particular moment is in the far off future.”
I thought, 'Was my grandmother now trying going to groom me to be her successor? Did she have this plan all along and never started since I never manifested as a Were before I left for school?'
My mother returned with the tea on tray. She set it down on the coffee table and we each took a cup. None of us added anything to our green tea.
“No, we're here to talk about the past. In this case, it all started with me and your grandfather.”
“I guess I'm missing part of the story, too, then,” my mother chimed in.
“Yes, dear. And for your own good; if you knew what happened in some of the events surrounding Mikaela's birth...,” she said, letting it hang there for a moment. “But, I'll get to that.”
My mother crossed her arms and glared at her mother. She also had the expression on her face that read, “You'd better start explaining it, now.”
“It begins the night you were born, Mikaela,” my grandmother started. “On the way to the hospital, your grandfather and I ended up getting a flat tire on the way and had to pull over to the side of the road in the woods. While he was changing it, I kept an eye on our surroundings in case anything bad should happen to befall us.”
“Please,” my mother interrupted, “like anyone would want to harm you.”
“Don't be too sure about that, my dear,” my grandmother rebutted. Clearly, there were a lot of things that she wasn't telling us.
She continued, “Things began to happen just as your grandfather was in the middle of changing the tire out. We heard a sharp, high-pitched scream coming from the nearby forest. I told your grandfather to keep working on the car, as now there could be someone out there in need of our help, and we may need to make a quick getaway.
“I quickly turned into a wolf and raced into the forest, following the sounds of the screams until my nose was able to pick up the trail. I smelled two things: the first was of a man, the second was that of an old woman, with reddish-gray hair.”
“Picking on an old woman?” I asked. “That's just wrong on so many levels.”
My grandmother nodded and continued her tale. “Sadly, she had been hunted down by one of the Hunters. The Hunter had already managed to deal some damage. She didn't look too good: badly bruised and bleeding from multiple wounds. And, whew, the inflammatory and derogatory statements that he threw at her would be enough to make anybody's blood boil. They definitely made mine.
“Before the hunter was able to swoop down and behead her with the large ax he had brought, I leaped out of the brush where I had hid and began tearing that Hunter apart.
“I will give him credit for putting up a valiant fight; however, in the end he was no match for me.”
“Wow, Mom, not very modest there.”
“Well, it was true.”
All of us laughed at that comment and my grandmother continued.
“The woman turned to me, looking horrified at the wolf who had taken down a Hunter and now stared straight at her. I quickly turned back into my human form and ran over to her.”
“'Are you alright?' I asked.”
“'Yes, thank you, Wolf,' she answered me, 'If you hadn't come along when you did, it wouldn't have ended well for me.'”
“'Think nothing of it,' I answered. 'Would you like my husband and I to take you to a hospital? We're on our way there right now. Our granddaughter is being born tonight.'”
“'Yes, that would be most helpful. Whatever can I do for you in return?'”
“As I helped her to her feet and headed to the car, I simply answered, 'Don't worry about anything like that. I'm just glad that Hunter wasn't able to kill you.'”
“She smiled at me, and her brown eyes reflecting the full moon that was rising in the twilight sky. We made it back to the car, where my husband already had the engine running. We made it to the hospital in time for you to be born and for the woman to get some immediate medical attention.”
My mother interrupted her narrative again. “So, that's the big secret surrounding my daughter's birth? You got a flat and saved an old woman who managed to fall on the wrong side of the Hunters?”
“Not entirely, Diana, there is still more to tell.”
“Okay, because I'm pretty sure that the doctor's told me, 'It's a boy,' shortly after Mikaela was born, and that my father had died in the hospital that day from a heart attack.”
“Well, it was no simple heart attack that killed your father, Matthew, Diana.”
“What d'you mean?” she asked, bewildered.
I was really confused now as well. I do recall hearing a story about how grandfather's death and my birth fell on the same date. I always felt sad by that fact, and for a while felt guilty about indirectly causing my grandfather's death, until my grandmother reassured me that it was not my fault at all.
“What I mean is this,” Grandmother continued. “While Diana was giving birth, Matthew decided to be nice and check in on the woman we had rescued from the Hunter. What we didn't know was, that the Hunter who had tried to kill her was a mere rookie, out for his first kill.
“Apparently, his mentor decided that preying upon the weak would strengthen the Hunter’s resolve for his true first blood. He also wasn't present, but nearby, when I killed the rookie. I could only guess that he must've waited nearby in case anything went wrong and found the body.
“Anyway, your grandfather found the other Hunter standing outside of the woman's hospital room. They fought, and he nearly killed your grandfather.”
“But, wouldn't someone have noticed the two of them going at it?” I asked.
“They would've, but they fought in the stairwell, which is where I found him, lying near death. His last words to me were to protect the family and the woman, as well as find the Hunter responsible for his death to avenge him.”
Grandmother sniffled and became a little teary-eyed as she remembered the somber memory. Mom left her seat and went to grab some tissues for her mother.
“Thank you, Diana.”
After a moment of resetting herself, she continued the narrative. “I looked in on the woman, who was healing up nicely. She had made contact with a doctor who is also Unseen, to help her condition. The woman, whom I could only assume was a powerful witch, granted us a special bit of magic for our family. To protect our children from the wrath of those who would hunt them down until they came of age.”
“But,” my mother pointed out, “Wolves come of age at sixteen. Why did it take longer with Mikaela?”
“Ah, I had been wrestling with that question for a while. Why the extra two years?”
“That's something I would like to know, given that I turned in more ways than one after my eighteenth birthday.”
“Well, after your sixteenth birthday, and you didn't become your true self, I started my investigations. The first place I looked was into who your father was. That proved to be extremely difficult. However, through the use of DNA technology and my connections, I knew that a couple of the people whom I thought could pass as your father were readily eliminated.
“I then thought of that one guy you, Diana, had a serious relationship with, but he broke it off unexpectedly. He was now my main suspect.
“Unfortunately, he proved extremely difficult in tracking down.”
“Yeah,” I added, “from what he told me he had to perform various missions for the Raven clan back in Ravencrest.”
Grandmother nodded, “When I learned of your dual-Were parentage, as a Raven, and of the charm bracelet that you now possess, some of the other pieces began to fall into place. Being the Lorekeeper of the Weres for Ravencrest did somehow cause your gender change, when you had to make your escape from those thugs. Possibly working in tandem with that protection.
“As to why you didn't emerge sooner? I'm still working on that part. But, now you know what happened. How do you feel?”
I took a very deep breath and mulled everything that my grandmother had told me. Some of it made sense now. But, there still were many pieces missing.
“I think I can live with it,” I decided.
“Good!” my grandmother celebrated.
“So, what do I tell my former friends? How much am I filling them in on, considering that enough of the old me lingers to give them pause.”
“We can think of something,” Mom said. “Staying for dinner, Mom?”
“Why not? There is still much to discuss with Mikaela. Especially since I didn't get the chance to do this over two years ago.”
I rolled my eyes and thought, 'Great, more information overload ahead.'
However, before my grandmother could say anything more, we all heard some shouting coming from outside. It didn't make sense for my two friends from here to get into a shouting match. So, someone else must also have shown up. Were we the popular household today or something? Or for right now everything centered on me?
Mom and Grandmother went outside, while I found a good vantage point from the kitchen to see but not be seen. I immediately noticed the small parking lot we now had. The closest cars to the house were obviously Grandmother's and my friends' cars. I saw Grandmother's black Mercedes CL63 and John's 2000 silver Chevy Camaro, which I helped him rebuild after school some days. However, there now was a third vehicle parked in the driveway, looking like it wanted to get closer to the house than what was currently permitted. The lights and engines of that blue Dodge Ram were still running, and the driver stood toe-to-toe with John.
“You need to move your car, now!” the older man shouted, loud enough for our neighbors to hear. The houses in Rancho had some distance from one another in spots, and this was one of them. The nearest neighbor was about a quarter of a mile away or so.
“And where am I going to move it?” John fired back. “You and Mrs. Vance have me blocked in!”
“You have plenty of room to maneuver around our vehicles! Or are you just afraid to scratch the paint of this new Camaro?”
As they approached the arguers, I noticed John taking a more defensive posture. Taking another look at whom he was arguing with, I immediately recognized him as my stepfather, Jordan Williams. That definitely came as a surprise, as I thought that he had moved out. Did he leave something here, or did he want to try to make up with my mother?
“What is the meaning of all of this?” my mother exclaimed.
“Diana, dear,” my stepfather addressed her, trying to play the role of loving husband, “would you please tell these riffraff to move their car to I can park.”
“Riffraff!” John shouted, growing angrier.
“John! Cool it!” Marilyn told him.
“Why are you here, Jordan?” Diana asked, accusingly.
“I came by to pick up a few things, and see how you were doing, of course.”
“What did you forget now? Last time you were here, you told me that you had everything. These little visits are getting exceedingly annoying.”
“I just need to grab a few of my tools. If you're that eager for me to leave, this will only take a few minutes.”
“What tools?” Mom countered. “Those were the one of the first things you loaded up and took with you.”
“I can't find my power drill charger. So, I want to look for it.”
“It's not here, Jordan. I cleaned out any excess debris and junk you left behind after you cleared everything out.”
“You did what?!” he shouted.
“Currently, these two are my guests, and will be treated as such. You lost any privileges the moment you moved out.”
Jordan looked like he was going to shout and rant some more, but Mom cut him off.
“Look, I'll take another look around. If I find it, I'll mail it to you. Satisfied?” Mom replied diplomatically. She clearly didn't want to escalate this further.
He clenched his fists and lowered his arms in a huff.
“Fine. We'll do it your way,” he replied. “If I don't get it back soon, I guess I'll just come back and take a look around.”
“You do that,” my mother replied, in a tone laced with venom, taunting him.
Jordan got back into his truck, put in reverse, and left.
“Good riddance to bad rubbish,” Grandmother spoke quietly, loud enough for us wolves to hear. “Whatever did you see in him?”
“Mom...,” my mother muttered under her breath.
Grandmother put her hand to her mouth and tried to suppress a laugh.
Mom turned to the other two and asked them to come inside; Grandmother nodded in agreement. I gulped. Guess it was time for me to tell my secret to my childhood friends.
I sighed deeply and heard them reenter the house. I glanced around the corner of the wall that separated the kitchen from the dining room. My mother asked them to take a seat on the couch, while my grandmother took a seat in the armchair.
“Now,” Mom began, “where did we leave off?”
“You telling us to wait outside while you apparently had some big discussion with Mrs. Vance,” Marilyn answered. “As well as trying to tell us what happened to our longtime friend, Michael.”
“Ah, yes,” my mother answered.
“So? Where is my best friend for all those years?” John retorted, growing impatient from the sound of his voice. Clearly, some of his anger had yet to wear off.
“Yeah,” Marilyn added on. “There are quite a number of things I, err... we, want to talk to him about.”
From my vantage point, I could see my mother and grandmother quite clearly, and was obscured from my friends. Grandmother cast a look my way and nodded ever so slightly. I guess my grandmother just gave me her blessing as the matriarch of our clan to jump when needed.
She also tapped my mother on the shoulder, and told her, “Go for it.”
“Well,” my mother started, seemingly unsure of how to start this conversation.
She paused for a few moments, and made up her mind of how to come out and say it.
“How should I put this...?” Mom started, again. I rolled my eyes and waited for what she was about to say.
“Michael is doing alright,” she said, “and is indeed home from school.”
“Well, then where is he?” John asked, getting straight to the point.
“Uhm..., about that...,” Mom drifted again.
I groaned inwardly. I'm not sure who was more nervous about all of this at this point, me or her.
“You see,” Mom tried, “when Michael was away at college, strange things began to happen.”
“Strange? How so?” Marilyn queried, looking concerned.
“For some reason, a bunch of thugs wanted to get their hands him.”
“Is he alright?” Marilyn replied, sounding very concerned.
“He's fine, and I would say adjusting well to the events that followed.”
“Which was what?” John replied, sounding extremely annoyed. “Adjusting to what events? Where is he? Quit beating around the bush already and just tell us.”
“Calm down, young man,” Grandmother sternly told him.
I could hear him grunt; he sounded extremely irritable and impatient at the moment. I could understand, I was getting impatient with Mom, too.
“Well...,” Mom tried to continue, but I had enough. It was time to rip off the band-aid.
I emerged from my hiding place and declared, “I got turned into a girl and then I became a wolf, okay?”
I went over and stood next to the chair where Mom and Grandmother were at, folding my arms underneath my chest as I did so. I watched Marilyn and John's reactions with a minor degree of amusement. John was utterly speechless, his mouth hanging open. He also probably thought how hot I looked and tried to not let that interfere. Marilyn stuttered, trying to find the right words for the bombshell that had just been dropped.
“I'm Mikaela Vance now,” I added, “or if it makes you feel better, what's left of Michael.”
“Dude?” John asked.
“Michael?” Marilyn quickly followed.
“Yeah..., it's me.”
Family Secrets
Chapter 3 by: Drakira Mikaela Vance has returned home after an eventful first semester at Ravencrest. But, will she get a well-deserved rest there? Or is there something laying in wait? |
Disclaimer:
~Big thanks to Enemyoffun for making this universe to play in, and to all my beta readers for helping me hammer out some of the details in this chapter.
Author's Note: Time for the third chapter! Again, this may be a little rough around the edges, and I apologize. I'm also sorry that it's taken a while to get this one out. I was tweaking a lot of this chapter, but I think you all will enjoy some of the background that I filled in and wanted to make sure I got just right.
Please feel free to comment on this, as I always enjoy reading your comments and learning from them immensely.
Chapter 3
December 17, 2011
Johnathan stood up abruptly and spoke vehemently, “No way! There's just no way for my best friend to suddenly become a girl.”
I snickered.
“You find this funny?” he rebutted, giving me a look that told me he didn't believe any of this.
“Actually, yes,” I replied, giggling.
“Well, I don't find it funny in the slightest,” John replied, crossing his arms across his chest.
“You would if you saw it from my perspective.”
“Really? I don't think so,” John remained adamant.
Marilyn, however, just seemed to stare at me intensely. It felt like she was trying to figure out if I was lying or not. Like I was now a puzzle for her to solve. For some reason, seeing her stare at me with those piercing sapphire eyes freaked me out.
I shook my head after I was able to break away from her intense gaze. Boy, that definitely felt like a head rush.
“So, where is Michael?” John harshly demanded. “The truth this time!”
I could swear I heard a feral growl come out of him, as his impatience and frustration continued to mount.
“John! Get your head out of your ass! It's me! Michael!” I shouted at him, hoping that I could get through his thick skull.
“Yeah, sure you are...,” he scoffed. “If you are who you claim to be, then prove it. Tell me something that only Michael would know. Tell me about what happened in high school, regarding the most embarrassing thing that happened to me during our time at Calaveras High.”
I gulped. He had to bring up that particular event, didn't he? I thought for a few seconds, trying to figure out the best way to articulate the memory to the room.
“You see!” John shouted when I didn't say anything for a measly few seconds. He rose to his feet and was about to head for the door when I launched into my explanation.
“Wait a sec! I have to remember the event right, or you won't believe me anyway.”
He humphed and crossed his arms again, waiting for my answer. He stopped heading for the door, accepting the good reason I had for the slow recall. As soon as I remembered all the details, I quickly launched into my response.
“It was a challenge that started the whole thing. Robin Todd started out by saying that we'd never get a girlfriend before our respective sixteenth birthdays. You'd counter that we would be able to, or at least that you would. If you won the challenge, then Robin would have to have to be our protector throughout high school, if needed. But, if you lost, then you would have to raid the girls' locker room for a pair of panties. And not just a random pair, you had to go for the one's owned by Selena Raymond.
“As fate would have it, you lost the challenge, and consequently proving that you were no Barney Stinson. However, the consequences proved to be much more embarrassing. Selena was in on the challenge with Robin. She permitted you to lift them, only to be subsequently cursed to wear them for a day.
“Selena also added her own flare to it. You were stuck as your female self, Joanna Quinn, for that entire day as well. And, until now, only the people involved in the challenge were aware of what had happened.”
John dropped right back on to the couch, dumbstruck and with his mouth wide open. Marilyn, who had been silent this whole time, definitely didn't expect to hear that. The look of shock on her face was also priceless.
“Now do you believe me? Or do you want me to tell you about the time when you tried asking Sierra Pierce to the senior prom?”
“You asked Sierra to prom?” Marilyn replied, wondering.
John looked extremely red right about now. I knew that the Joanna incident and the Sierra failure were a couple of sore spots for him.
“Yeah, he did. But, it didn't really work since he hadn't undergone his change then.”
“Hey!” he fired back.
“What? The change definitely enhances your physical appearance. Although, the jury is still out on whether mine was an enhancement or not.”
Marilyn left her seat on the couch and walked over to me. She wrapped me in a warm embrace and said, “I believe you. And I'm sorry that this happened to you.”
I could feel my eyes begin to water up. I tried my best not to cry, but the tears were inevitable. “Thanks, Marilyn,” I said, “you don't know how much this means to me.”
She pulled back from the hug, but kept her hands on my shoulders. She looked me straight in the eye and said, “I'm sorry if I doubted your story.”
“It's alright,” I replied.
She smiled, and added with a giggle, “Well, now we get to go shopping together!”
I giggled a little bit, as she tried to cheer me up. Although, I still didn’t enjoy shopping as much as some of the other women in my life. John walked over to me and apologized, “I'm sorry I doubted you, bro. Or should I say, 'sis,' now?”
“Mikaela, is just fine. 'Sis' just doesn't have the same effect as 'bro' does.”
“You got it, Mike—err, Mikaela.”
“Well, now that that's settled,” Grandmother started, “why don't you three go off and do something? Huh?”
The three of us looked at Grandmother, like she had something funny growing out of her head.
“And what do we say to people who ask us who she is?” John wisely asked.
“You know, he does bring up a very good point, Mom,” Mom said.
“Simple. Mikaela is distant family member of Michael's.”
“Even though I look like I would be had I been born a girl?” I countered.
“It should work well enough; the norms shouldn't think too much about it anyway.”
“And what about the other Unseen in the town?” Marilyn pointed out.
“Then, we'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it. Some of the Unseen, I think, wouldn't care to much, given any past interactions. Only some of the Weres won't be so easily fooled by it. Now, go and have some fun.”
I sighed in defeat. “C'mon. You guys can show me what's changed since I've been gone. And tell me what Unseen are you two. Although, John, I'm betting you're a Were, with how you were acting at the coffee house earlier.”
“Guilty as charged,” John answered. “A Coyote.”
“Oh, really? Any relations to the Harpers, back in New York?”
“Yup, they're distant cousins.”
I smiled at that. That little piece of information might come in handy one day.
Leaving the house, we piled into John's car in the driveway, and shortly afterward, sped off towards town.
---------------------------------------------------
When we got to town, John drove around and showed me the couple of changes that happened while I was away at school—the addition of a second pizza house, Pizza Works. I raised an eyebrow and wondered if there was a full coven in the area now, rather than just one or two witch families. Something that I would have to ask later. Also, there was the elephant in the room, or car in this case. What kind of Unseen was Marilyn?
We exited the vehicle and entered the pizza place. It reminded me of several other pizzerias that I have been to. While Marilyn and I went to go find a secluded booth so we could talk about things that the Norms had no business of knowing. The booth we found was in the corner, with a window that looked out towards the road to one of the lakes, Lake Olette, in this case. Marilyn and I took seats on opposite sides of the table.
“So,” Marilyn started, “what's it like now, playing for the other team?”
I rolled my eyes and replied, “You had to start with that one, didn't you?”
She smiled mischievously. “Can you blame me?”
“No,” I replied, “but, what kind of Unseen are you?”
“What makes you think I'm Unseen?” she countered.
“Well, aside from the fact that you were present during the whole conversation about what happened to me, you seem to be taking this in stride way too easily.”
She smiled, “You got me. Although I don't seem to remember you this observant in the past. Maybe turning you into a girl got you to notice things more.”
I shrugged. I didn't think that statement had any merit. But, for all I knew, she was right. She always seemed to have a knack of seeing things that other people didn't really see. Even when they were looking straight at it.
“So, what kind of Unseen are you? Are you a Were? A witch?”
“Not exactly a witch,” she started, her voice trailing off as if she didn't want to come out and say it. Unfortunately, it was at that time that John came back with the pizza.
“One large pizza with our favorite combination on top,” he announced, presenting it on the table. John quickly assumed the seat next to Marilyn.
“Yummy!” Marilyn eagerly said, licking her lips.
I wholeheartedly agreed with that sentiment. The pepperoni, Italian sausage, and bacon on the pizza definitely looked scrumptious, among the other toppings. One of the part-time employees, looking like they were still in high school, brought over the pitcher of soda about a minute after John arrived with the pizza.
As we sat and enjoyed our afternoon meal, the conversation turned back towards normal things, such as how we were doing with school, how do you like the area, and things like that. However, I decided to get back to the question that Marilyn managed to dodge at first.
“Not exactly a witch, Marilyn? What's that supposed to mean?”
Marilyn suddenly was taken off guard, and nearly dropped her slice of pizza in the process.
“You haven't told him yet?” John asked.
I instinctively growled. “Sorry, her,” he quickly amended.
I smiled a little bit at that. Wait, smiled? It definitely seemed like Michael was gone now, if I was defending being a girl over missing being a man. It seems like most of me accepted being Mikaela now.
“I was about to, and then you showed up with the food,” she fought back, looking for the easy excuse.
“And why didn't you tell her during the meal earlier then?” he countered.
“Because we were talking about other things! That's why.”
John and I rolled our eyes, while Marilyn admitted defeat with a “Ugh.”
I looked at her with particular interest. Finally, I'll get her to come clean about what she is, like she got me to come clean about being who I was.
She gently set her hands down on to the table, carefully avoiding knocking over anything that could cause a mess, and deeply sighed. “Well, like a witch, I have the ability to use magic.”
“Okay...,” I said, prompting her to continue.
“Unlike them, I communicate with the spirits of the world. I'm..., I'm a shaman.”
“Shaman? Like a medicine man?” I asked, inquisitively. I knew that I heard of Native American tribes having shamans in their cultures, and that they were referred to as medicine men.
I tried racking my brains to think of where else I would have heard or read something along those lines when it concerns the Unseen. I could have sworn I did read it somewhere.
“Kind of,” she tried to explain. “We communicate with the spirits and ask them for advice, or their help in worldly matters. We also do receive extensive training in the knowledge of plants. Those are among other things that we can do.”
I nodded in some kind of understanding. This was something I definitely wanted to look into more now.
“Was that why you were staring intently at me earlier, when I was explaining who I was to the two of you?”
She nodded. “I was reading your spirit and compared it to what I remembered seeing before you went away to school.”
“Did you notice anything different?”
“Not really, no.”
What exactly did she mean by that? Did my transformation into Mikaela affect my spirit in some way? Maybe I'll ask her that question later.
I looked over at John and asked, “Did you know about this?”
He nodded, ashamed.
“For how long?”
“Since high school, when she and I both came into our own.”
“And the both of you didn't tell me! C’mon! I mean we were best friends growing up and told each other everything!”
“Dude, you we thought that you were a Norm! You didn't change at sixteen like other Weres do!”
I flumped back into my seat and crossed my arms. “Yeah,” I said with sarcasm dripping from my voice, “tell me about it.”
“Look, we would've have told you everything had we known that you definitely were an Unseen like us,” he said, trying to make amends. “But, look at it from our perspective, you didn't show any signs of being a Were or some kind of Unssen, and it's generally not a good idea to tell a Norm that you're an Unseen, unless you marry them or something along those lines. You don't know who could potentially be a Hunter and want to come and kill you.”
“True,” I said, conceding him that point.
“So, now that we know what you are, we can fill you in on all the other stuff that you may not have known about here. And why so many people are still around, when all they want to do is get out of the county the first chance they get.”
“Well, that's good to know. So, what's the deal with everyone around here? Is this a town for Unseen, or is it something more?”
“It was a regular town in the beginning,” John explained, “but now, it's a lot more mixed. A lot of various Unseen call this area home, as it is out of the way for the most part, and in the country.”
“What Unseen live here? I already know about a bunch of major Were clans, but Coyotes weren't on that list.”
“Indeed, weren't not. My family is just a small branch of the larger clan that you've interacted with back in New York. The clan is considering building a larger presence out west, so we're the advanced scouts as it were. Although it helps that the Were politics of the area aren't as bad as they are in other areas, as I'm sure you know.”
“I know about Were politics, but not the climate out here. Considering how out of the loop I’ve been.”
Marilyn then added, “It's not just Weres, witches, and my family, you know.”
“Oh?” I replied.
She nodded, “Mhm-hmm. We do have a handful of limnads and dryads in town as well. I think there might be a few fae around, too. But, don't hold me to that one.”
“That's definitely a bunch of different kinds in one area. And the remoteness draws them here?”
“Not entirely sure about that. But, I would say it's a definite factor for living in the area.”
“Hmm..., interesting.”
This was definitely something to think about. I knew that back in Ravencrest there were vampires, witches, and weres. Even nereids, fae, and kitsune, if you knew where to look. Now, with what Marilyn had just told me, my boring hometown just became a whole lot more interesting.
“So, are you going to introduce me to any of these Unseen that I don't know about?” I asked, my curiosity now going on overdrive with my eagerness to learn more matching it.
“Well...,” John and Marilyn both paused on.
“Well what?”
“Well, are you content on playing the part of being your cousin? I mean, you do have inside information on some of these people you are going to 'meet' already. It might look suspicious.”
“I guess then I'll have to try to play a little dumber about some of the things then. I mean, Michael would tell his cousins something about where he lives, but not a whole lot of information.”
They both shrugged and realized that I did have a good point there.
“So, where do we get started? Is there a Were Council that I could talk to, to meet all the representative clans here? Like back in Ravencrest?”
“Were Council?” John asked, looking confused.
“Yeah,” I replied, “they pretty much keep order amongst the various clans so that they don’t tear into each other’s throats and attracting unwanted attention.”
“Well...,” he started. “every once and a while the heads of our families would get together, sit around, and play cards. The only conversations that I've heard them talk about would be similar to the one we're having right now. Just your everyday conversations. I don't think they deliberate like a council does, like the one you are describing.”
“Hmmm...,” I replied.
“But, maybe they do. I just don't know.”
“I guess it'll be something that I'm going to look into while I'm here then. There seems to be a great deal around here that I can learn.”
John just shook his head at me, and told me, “Be careful. Some of the other Weres respect their privacy a great deal.”
“Oh?”
“They prefer that you ask before just showing up on their doorstep,” John explained. “Ever since the fire that claimed the estate belonging to the Gibbs family.”
“The Gibbs family fire?” I scratched my head in confusion. “Wasn't the cause of fire chalked up to a gas leak?”
“So the story goes. However, the Unseen around here are a little more suspicious about the exact cause of the blaze. They used the gas leak story as a cover, while they conducted their own investigation. The Gibbs family were a clan of Werehawks. They are believed to have all been killed in the raging inferno that destroyed their estate.”
I gulped at that. “What do you know of the more 'official' results of the arson investigation?”
“Not much, actually. The Bears and the Mountain Lions have been very tight-lipped about it. Even after nearly 20 years.”
“And who are the Bears and the Mountain Lions?”
“The Blys are the mountain lions and the Todds are the bears.”
“Wait, Robin Todd is a bear?”
John nodded, and Marilyn added, “Now you know why he was the high school football team's star linebacker.”
“Wow.”
“Also, when John did his little panty raid, he was dating Selena Raymond, who is a witch as you might have guessed from the story you told.”
“Are there any other Witch families that I should know about?”
“Just the Allens and the Edwards’. Those three families form our little coven. They often ask my parents for help every now and again when they have questions regarding nature and some other branches of magic.”
“Why not ask a fae?”
“Like I said earlier, I'm not sure if there are any fae living in the area. So, our family is the next best thing.”
The pizza shop employee chose that moment to return and asking if we were finished with everything. We did finish with our meal, so she began clearing the table. We left the table and headed back to John's car in the parking lot.
“Where we headed?” I asked.
“I figure if you want to learn about the other Were clans in your hometown, why not start with mine?”
“I wonder how your family will react when they get a good smell of me.”
He cocked his head and answered, “We'll have to wait and see.”
I rolled my eyes and climbed into the car. Soon, we were speeding off down the hilly, back roads towards his family house. All the while, I wondered if his family would recognize me.
Family Secrets
Chapter 4 by: Drakira Mikaela Vance has returned home after an eventful first semester at Ravencrest. But, will she get a well-deserved rest there? Or is there something laying in wait? |
Disclaimer:
~Big thanks to Enemyoffun for making this universe to play in, and to all my beta readers for helping me hammer out some of the details in this chapter.
Author's Note: Here's chapter 4. I hope you all enjoy what I have come up with as the story continues with some interesting plot threads being revealed.
Please feel free to comment on this, as I always enjoy reading your comments and learning from them immensely.
Chapter 4
December 17, 2011
After a few minutes into the drive through the hills, watching the residential countryside go by, I began to think about growing up in the area. These very hills that we were driving over now, I used to ride my bicycle up and down when wanting to visit my friends in the area. It proved to be a good workout, especially on those steep ones. I always felt a bit winded after climbing some of those hills, and now, I wonder if I would still be a bit winded.
John pulled up to his family's large home and property a few minutes later, snapping me from my reverie. John's family lived in a large two-story house, with many rooms. It reminded me a bit of a small manor. However, their property was very extensive, with it actually making its way all the way to the Calaveras River. I was definitely sure that his family intentionally looked for a large piece of property, to help with their Were nature. Especially after what I knew now about Weres and some of their habits.
When John and I were kids, we would have a lot of fun exploring the property and playing all sorts of games. That died out when we hit middle school, although we went camping at the lakes to take its place.
After John pulled up the driveway, I immediately noticed his mother exiting the household. Cynthia Quinn truly was a force to reckon with, almost nothing got past her. Reminded me a bit of someone back in Ravencrest, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
“I guess we have to reintroduce you to my mother off the bat,” John commented.
“Yeah,” I agreed, resignedly.
After pulling the vehicle around so that he could get back out the driveway with ease, we climbed out of the car and walked over to Cynthia. From what I could tell, she didn't look too happy with her son.
“Took you long enough to get home,” she sternly told him, her hands on her hips. “Did you find out about the new Were in the area? And who is this other girl that you brought with you?”
“I'm sorry, Mom,” he replied, looking apologetic. “However, I did do as you asked. I did find the new Were in the area.”
He looked at me and continued, “This is the new Were, Mikaela.”
Cynthia cocked her head, and I could see her eyes look me over, trying to assess whether or not I was friend of foe. I could see her nose twitch as she continued her stare into me.
I decided to break the ice, “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Quinn.”
I headed over and reached out my hand for her to shake. She took it in hers and proceeded to shake my hand in greeting, for a few seconds. She suddenly yanked me closer to her and took in a big whiff, smelling me. She also grabbed me by the arms and held on tight. Seemed that some of the Weres that I have encountered loved to use the old sniff test to determine friend or foe.
“Hmm...,” she commented, “you seem familiar. Very familiar.”
She took another look at me, inspecting me from what it appeared.
“You look and smell like I know you from some place. As if I've already met you, but yet haven't.”
“Uhmm...,” I replied, trying to feign ignorance. “I don't know why that would be. I mean, I am new in town and everything.”
She gave me a definite Coyote smile, one that read, “Don't try to trick a trickster, young lady.” She then said, “Oh, I think you do know why.”
She let out a soft growl, one that I'm sure only a Were could pick up on and that told me that I better not mess around. She also tightened the grip on my arm. “So, are you going to tell me then?”
I groaned; I'd guess I better get this one over with too.
“My name is Mikaela Vance,” I admitted.
She looked a little puzzled. “Diana Vance has no daughter, only a son who—, Michael?”
She stared at me in disbelief, as if I there was no way I she believed what her senses were telling her.
Wow, that didn't take her long to figure out. I nodded. “Yeah, it's me.”
She let go of me, and took a step back. Looking me up and down, and then walked around me to complete her next examination of me. The look on her face shifted from disbelief to examination.
“My, my, my. Did you tangle with the wrong witch or something?”
I grumbled. Was I going to have to tell the story to everyone I met around here? “It's a long story, but it doesn't involve anything like that.”
“Well, then you can tell me all about it over a nice snack.”
She turned and led the three of us into the house, while John walked over and whispered into my ear, “Sorry about that, dude.”
I sighed deeply and replied, “Don't worry about it.”
-----------------------------------------------------
After a good snack and the short version of what had happened to me, Cynthia seemed to have accepted the new me. She did have many questions for me, of course. I tried my best to answer them, but I didn't tell her everything. I thought the method of how I became Mikaela should be kept a closely-guarded family secret.
She was especially curious about what happened regarding the Harpers over there, as she did hear about all the craziness that occurred in her family. Especially with what happened to Cindy. She asked me if that was also how I changed, to which I positively said no. I did know that my change and Cindy's were caused by two different events under a different set of circumstances, and reassured her of that fact.
“Well,” she said, after I filled her in on what happened to Cindy Harper, “I've never heard of Weres going through their change with genders going along with it until now. How are you adjusting to the new you’s?”
“Alright, for the most part,” I answered. “I think I've adapted to it. There's only a few key differences, but I think I've gotten the hang of them.”
“Good for you,” Cynthia replied, approving of my adapting. She turned to John and asked, “Where are your brothers? Shouldn't they be here for this?”
“They're each at a friend's house right now. And I don't think it would be a good idea for them to know that Mikaela was my old friend, Michael, at one point, especially when they haven't undergone their own Change yet.”
She rocked her head gently around as she mulled over the wisdom in that action. Finally, after a few more seconds, she agreed. John had two younger brothers, Joseph and Jeremy. Both of them hadn't already gone their respective changes, and both of them played on the high school's varsity football team. Jeremy was their wide receiver, while Joseph was their defensive back. John would often throw the football around as the quarterback to help them practice their routes against each other.
Cynthia turned back to me, and asked, “So, are you looking forward to a nice relaxing winter break?”
I nodded, and replied, “After the crazy first semester in Ravencrest, I'm definitely ready for a break. Whether or not it will be relaxing? I can only hope.”
“I'd imagine so. Harnessing your new abilities, the gender flip, and that brief adventure you had. It would definitely take a lot out of you.”
I nodded in agreement. Cynthia was about to say something else, when my phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and excused myself from the room. When I got to the hallway, I answered my phone, “Hi, Mom. What's up?”
“Just seeing how you're doing, sweetie,” she answered. I could tell that she was either fishing, or being hesitant on something. The tone of her voice definitely implied it.
“Mom, what’s up?” I asked, a little more forcefully. “You didn't call me just to check up on me.”
“Well...,” she drifted.
“Well, what?”
“Remember that one girl who you said used to follow you around like a lost puppy?”
“Yeah?”
“She just came over demanding to see you.”
“Okay.... But, didn't you tell her that Michael was staying in New York due to bad weather?” I replied, bringing up the cover story that my mother and I agreed upon.
“I did. But, she already knew you were here somehow.”
I groaned. Could this get any worse? Wait, don't think that. It always can.
“Is she still there?”
“I don't think so. She left in her car just before I called you.”
“Hopefully, she took off for now.”
“One can only hope.”
“Is she Unseen, too?”
“I haven't the foggiest.”
“I'll be home in a little bit.”
“You don't have to rush home on her account!”
“I know that,” I replied, sounding a bit exacerbated. “But, I want to be over there in case she decides to harass us again tonight.”
“Oh, alright,” my mother relented. “Maybe your other Were senses can pick up something my nose couldn't.”
“I don't know about that. I'm not even sure what the bleedthrough senses are for that.”
“Then it may just be your instincts will pick up on something that mine couldn't.”
“Eh, we'll see.”
“I'll see you in a little bit then, Mikaela.”
“Bye, Mom.”
I hung up my cell and pocketed it.
“Trouble?” John asked, when I returned to the living room.
“Yeah...,” I replied. “She knows I'm here in town.”
He groaned and dropped his head. “How?”
“I don't know. Mom wants me to head home, just in case.”
“And what do you think that will do?”
“I don't know. I guess we'll just have to play it by ear.”
“Alright then. I'll take you back over there,” John said, standing back up and fishing his car keys out of his pocket.
His mother stood up and said, “Well, it was nice to see the new you. And thank you for the news about my own family back east.”
“It was nothing, Cynthia.”
She came over and gave me a farewell hug, “I hope to see you again soon, and not after another trip home, got it?”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Remember, you are still always welcome here.”
I smiled after she said that.
Soon afterwards, the three of us were off in John's car, careening through the hilly back roads to my house, while Cynthia returned to take care of some housework.
--------------------------------------------------------------
We got back to my house a few minutes later. I asked John to park across the street, so that I could assess the situation. Marilyn and John both voiced their objections and wonder at my statement. But, my experiences in Ravencrest had taught me to be cautious when walking into unknown scenarios.
To my satisfaction, my cautious approach paid off. I still saw the girl that had a super crush on me in high school. John and Marilyn both noticed her, too, as I watched from the passenger's seat.
“I guess you were right,” John admitted. “Crystal seems to be trying to break the door down, or something.”
“Yeah,” Marilyn agreed, “what are you going to do now?”
I had already began climbing out of the car, before I said, “I'm going to get to the bottom of this.”
“How?” Marilyn asked, watching me.
I crouched behind the car, using it as a shield between me and my mother's house. Quickly, I transformed into a raven and flew in the opposite direction, before circling around to the back of the house.
It felt exhilarating to be in the air again. Flying around and watching everything taking place on the ground below always seemed to feel so natural to me, much like running around as a wolf did. I wondered for a moment if this was how all Weres felt when they were in their animal form. Then I realized, they probably did since the animal was as much a part of them as their human self.
I flew in a slow, steady circle above my mother's house. I could see Crystal pounding on the door and shouting for my mother to open up.
What drove this woman? No, girl. She may have the body of young woman, but she was acting like a spoiled brat. She seemed to be obsessed with my former self. Thankfully, she and her parents couldn't afford to send her to Ravencrest. Not that she didn't try applying for every scholarship that they offered to try to follow me to college.
I did have to admit, she did look nice though. A nice slim body, with just enough curves, and a very, pretty smile. Her physique helped her out when she was on the swim team, where she could be counted on to help earn enough points in the various races to help win the match. Even though, she wasn't the fastest swimmer on the team at times. I might've asked her on a date, if she wasn't so hyped up all the time and downright obsessed with me.
“C'mon, Mrs. Vance! Open up! I know Michael's home again!” she shouted, pounding on the front door. It was a wonder that it didn't have a large dent in it yet.
“He's not here!” my mother fired back. “Please just leave or I'll call the Sheriff's!”
Landing on a branch from a tree that gave a front row seat to the action, I observed what was going on down there. Many questions raced through my head. Most notably, why was she still obsessed with my former self, and why was she so adamant about trying to get together.
“Mrs. Vance, please! Just let me talk to him! I need to talk to him!”
“Mom! Where's my phone?” my mother shouted to my grandmother.
Sounded like things were starting to come to a head. Maybe I should move into position to act?
“Please!” Crystal shouted. “If you won't let me talk to him, then at least let me talk to you!”
I cocked my head in surprise. That was a different tactic for her. Usually she was so overpowering that it was difficult for you to get away from her grasp. Now, she was trying something totally different.
From my vantage point, I was able to see everything going on down there. I saw my mom open the front door and come part way out the door, with her hand ready to close it quickly if need be. She quickly said, and to the point, “Start talking. Now.”
“I need to see Michael, and soon,” she started.
“If this is just another repeat of what you been shouting at me through the door,” my mother cautioned.
“It's not!” she quickly rebutted.
“Then what is it?”
“He's in danger from someone.”
“Really?” my mother scoffed. “Is that the best you can come up with?”
“I'm serious! I'm concerned for him, and always have been.”
“Why? Why are you so concerned for my son?”
“I just am, all right! Anyway, that's not the point here!”
“Then explain this so-called danger my son is in,” my mother answered, crossing her arms and starting to look very impatient.
“Someone if after him. He's in possession of something that they desperately want. I'm not sure on many of the specifics, but that's what I know.”
“And how do you know this?”
“Just a feeling, Mrs. Vance. A very deep gut feeling.”
My mother still looked very skeptical. “I'll let him know. And if you come across these specifics, please tell me first. Got it?”
“Yes, ma'am,” Crystal answered, looking put in her place.
I watched as she turned to leave, heading for her small blue car, parked nearby. A few minutes after she started up her car and drove off, I flew down to the front door, where my mother was waiting.
I cawed at her, getting her attention. My mom looked back in the house, as if she was talking to her mother. However, her eyes looked at me and asked, “I take it you heard all of that?”
I cawed once more to let her know that I did. She went back inside the house, leaving the door open long enough for me to enter, under the guise of letting John and Marilyn back in the house, who had made their way over after Crystal had left.
My friends hung out near the front door, while my mother went to go lean on the couch. I flew over and landed near my mother on the couch and shifted back to my human form.
“What do you think?” I asked.
“She's up to something,” Mom answered. “As to what?”
She cocked her head in wonder. I looked over at John and Marilyn and asked them the same question.
“I haven’t the slightest idea,” John replied.
“I thought her warnings sound genuine,” Marilyn added.
“Genuine?” I scoffed, getting to my feet.
I paced around and then replied, slashing the air in front of me with my right hand to stress the point, “That girl has been nothing but trouble for me in high school. I'm sure she meant well, but she caused nothing but trouble it seemed.”
“Trouble? How?” Marilyn asked. “All I remember was her following you around everywhere like a lost puppy.”
“That was part of the problem. Everything that I did seemed like it was always under her watchful gaze. I had virtually no privacy at school when she was around.”
“Well, no one really has privacy in high school,” John countered.
“We do in our lockers,” I fired back.
“What did she do?” Marilyn asked.
“She used to leave all kinds of things in my locker, and even took a few things out that I didn't want to get out into the student rumor mill.”
John groaned as the memory of what had happened surfaced. “The notebook.”
“Right.”
“What was in the--?” Marilyn asked, and then she recalled. “One of your personal story notebooks.”
“Yeah. I was so embarrassed when she took one of my short stories and had it published in the school paper. But, that wasn't the worst of it. She altered the text of the story to reflect her own twisted vision.
“And I became the laughing stock of the whole school, since she left the by line intact.”
“It did blow over, eventually,” Marilyn replied.
“After a very long period of time,” I bitterly stated.
“Is she even an Unseen?” Mom asked them. “Maybe that could explain some of her strange behavior, which is even strange for a general stalker-type of person.”
“I have no clue,” John replied. “I do know, that she's not a member of any of the Were families around here though.”
Marilyn simply shook her head no.
“Do you know anyone who could tell us?” I asked.
John looked over at Marilyn, who sighed deeply. “Yes,” she answered. “But, the only way to find out is to talk with them directly.”
“Fine. I'll do talk to them now.”
“You can't now,” she answered.
“Why not?”
“Well, the person who knows about the Unseen in the area is a creature of unusual habits, sometimes.”
“Go on,” I prompted.
“He's the resident mystic of the town, although some consider him to be a strange hermit. Also, he only emerges from his forest dwelling under the light of the moon.”
“Then how does he get supplies or other things, if he only comes out at night?”
“We're not sure. All we know is that he moves in mysterious ways. But, is extremely knowledgeable about everything going on in the area.”
“Is he an Unseen?”
“I think so, but am not sure. However, I do know where to go, if you really want to talk to him.”
I nodded. “I need some answers. And, I need to know if I am actually in any kind of danger here.”
“You’re just being paranoid,” John replied, trying to dismiss Crystal’s concerns. “You know how she can get sometimes.”
“I do know how she can get. But, am I really being that paranoid? After everything that I’ve already been through?”
“Uhm…,” he said, looking a bit sheepish.
“If there’s even the slightest chance that I’m in any danger, I need to know. Now.”
“All right then,” John replied, backing off.
“When do we go?” I asked Marilyn.
“Tomorrow night,” she answered.
Family Secrets
Chapter 5 by: Drakira Mikaela Vance has returned home after an eventful first semester at Ravencrest. But, will she get a well-deserved rest there? Or is there something laying in wait? |
Disclaimer:
~Big thanks to Enemyoffun for making this universe to play in, and to all my beta readers for helping me hammer out some of the details in this chapter.
Author's Note: Here's chapter 5. My apologies for being heavily delayed with this one. Real life took some interesting twists and turns in the gap. I hope you all enjoy the next chapter in Mikaela's hometown adventure.
Please feel free to comment on this, as I always enjoy reading your comments and learning from them immensely.
Chapter 5
December 18, 2011
Marilyn and I reached the campsites by Lake Kokkol near sundown, the following day. Johnathan had insisted on coming with us, but Marilyn told him that wasn't how it worked. My guess was that he just wanted to play the knight in shining armor for the two of us.
From what she was told by her mother, the Mystic would only see no more than two people at any one time, and one of them, had to be a shaman. Hence why John had to remain behind. He definitely didn't like it, from how he acted after the two of us exited his car and started on the trail into the surrounding woodland. He looked concerned, and told us if we ran into any trouble, howl. I snickered at that comment.
Flashlight in hand and illuminated, we began to make our way towards the shaman's residence. The many oak trees, along with some of other varieties in the Mother Lode foothills, made the hike difficult when they were combined with the random boulders that dotted the hillsides, sticking out of the ground. Marilyn and I didn't talk much along the way.
Holding the flashlight in the dimming light, she looked around the area after we reached a fork in the trail.
“Lost?” I asked.
“Not really,” she replied. “Just trying to get my bearings.”
“So, you are lost.”
She grunted, “Fine, if you have to put it that way.”
“Exactly how many times have you been to see this Mystic?” I asked, crossing my arms.
“Uhm...,” she started. “Never.”
“Never?” I exclaimed.
“Well, my mom did tell me how to get there if I ever needed his counsel.”
“And she didn't show you, why?”
“She told me that it was something that young shamans have to find on their own.”
“Okay, you lost me.”
Marilyn sighed deeply and started to explain. “Well, he's the person a young shaman goes to, at least around here and throughout this and the neighboring areas, when they are ready to go into the spirit world and meet their spirit guide. Which is why we have to find him on our own.”
“Okay, you still lost me,” I admitted.
She sighed again. “Shamans connect with the spirits and ask them for guidance, aid in times of need, and when they are seeking wisdom. The spirit guide is unique to the person, and can take any number of forms.”
“Alright, now I'm following you so far. But, why do you seek this guy out?”
“He's been around for a long time, and helps to facilitate the young shaman from crossing over into the spirit realm, and providing an anchor for the young shaman to come back to this world. Without that, they could be lost to the malicious spirits on the other side.”
“Malicious spirits?”
“Yup, spirits come in all flavors, just like the rest of us.”
“Makes sense. So, how come you've never gone searching for him before?”
“Every shaman gets a call by the spirit realm, when they are ready for their first crossover. And it can take place whenever during their lifetime. Although, its usually between sixteen and twenty-five years old.”
“Probably a maturation factor there.”
“Possibly,” she answered, as we finally turned down one of the paths and continued our hike.
“Do other Unseen seek him out?”
“Uhm...,” she thought, “I guess so, from what I've seen my mother do. People do seek her out for advice and everything.”
We continued down the trail as it steadily went downhill towards the lake, growing a bit easier to traverse as we walked.
“So, what did your mother say he was like?” I asked.
She thought it over for a bit, trying to remember as we made our way closer to the lake shore. Looking ahead, I thought I could see a fire burning in the distance. As I listened, I thought I could hear the rustling of some leaves and some leaves also crunching underfoot. Probably just a deer or something nearby.
“Very mysterious,” Marilyn answered. “He loves to talk in riddles. From the way she described him, he sounded like Master Yoda from 'Star Wars.'”
We both giggled at that. I joked, “'Do. Or do not. There is no try.'”
A deep voice emerged from the darkness, “How well put, young ones.”
Marilyn and I whirled in the direction of the voice. The flashlight shown an old man standing to the side of us in the general direction of the lake. He wore a hooded cloak, and had a salt-and-pepper beard. His arms were neatly crossed in front of his chest, obscuring his hands. Little else I could make out in the low light.
“Follow you will,” he stated, with a grin, as he walked in between the two of us for the fire burning in the distance.
I shrugged over at Marilyn, and the two of us followed the older man. “Is this him?” I asked her in a whisper.
“I guess so,” she answered. “He seems mysterious enough.”
We followed him in silence from then on, and a few minutes later, we had arrived at his small house on the lakeside. The fire that I noticed in the distance was the size of a small bonfire, and I could see an animal roasting above the flames, a cougar, by the looks of it.
The hooded man sat in a chair that overlooked the fire and the lake. I noticed a large pail of water and a shovel nearby. Clearly, he did care about his fire not spreading to the nearby woods and setting it all a blaze.
“Please sit by the fire. Tell me why you have sought me out,” he gently spoke.
Marilyn and I sat down on a log that was to the right of his chair. Before I began, I took another look at him. His blue eyes shone in the firelight, and they seemed wise. Yet, they looked familiar. As if they were out of a distant dream. His robe, although a dark brown was decorated with various curvy patterns in a lighter shade of brown. His hands looked old, yet still strong. I would assume so, considering the prey he had hunted down for sustenance.
“I am seeking information,” I started. “I want to know who are Unseen in town, and if I'm in any danger.”
He turned towards Marilyn, “And you, young shamaness?”
Marilyn gulped. “I guess I would like to find my spirit guide, Mystic.”
“Guess?” he replied. “You either are, or you're not.”
I smirked, definitely Yoda-like.
Marilyn screwed herself up and more confidently said, “I am, Mystic.”
“Very well. I will aid you in your quests.”
I looked at him, and was beginning to wonder if he forgot all about me, since the reason why we came was so that I could get information.
“But...,” I started.
“Patience, one who is fur and feather, and who is ferocious, yet intelligent and wise,” he quickly and sternly replied, cutting me off. “I may help you. I haven't decided.”
Sighing, I lowered my head out of respect. “Very well.”
“However, you may be needed.”
“Needed?” I asked.
He simply nodded. “There have been disturbances as of late. And I want you to protect this new shamaness.”
“Uhh..., how?”
“You needn't worry about that. I will handle it.”
I gulped. Marilyn looked at me and was completely perplexed by what was going on as well.
“I thought that this spirit walk would be a solitary one though.”
“Times are changing, young one. And so, we must change with them or cease to be.”
“Okay...,” Marilyn commented.
“Seems like survival of the fittest to me,” I added.
“Very good.”
“But, I want some information,” I countered.
“It will come when it comes,” the Mystic cryptically spoke. “Knowledge seekers find it in the unexpected places after all.”
“I guess so,” I replied, uncertain of what he meant. Although I think he knew that I did know its meaning.
He stood up and stated, “I will return with the necessary reagents to help you cross into the spirit realm. Young shamaness, you have been told what you must do, correct?”
Marilyn nodded, and added, “How will a Were traverse the great divide to spirit realm though? I thought that only shamans could do so.”
“Really?” he commented, heading into his small house. “We'll just have to see about that.”
“Now, what does he mean by that?” Marilyn asked.
“I guess we'll have to wait and see.”
He returned from his house a short time later, carrying a briefcase of some kind. He set the case up in the illumination of the fire and began to rummage around in it. From what I could tell, from my angle, it looked like a variety of various pouches in different sizes and colors.
He rummaged around in there until he pulled out a few bags and closed the case.
“Time for you two to cross one of the great divides and learn. Remember: you die there, you die here,” he said, ominously.
He put his hand in a couple of the pouches and threw powders into the flames. He began to chant strange words and threw different powders into the flames, which had now changed color to a very bright and eerie green.
“Both of you, concentrate on the flames while I finish the ritual.”
“How will we get back?” Marilyn asked.
“Don't you worry about that. You will return when it is time.”
I looked into the flames as he threw more powder into shifting the flames color to a brilliant shade of purple. He began to chant strange words again, this time they were much louder.
Marilyn and I just kept watching the flames dance, while he continued his chant. He began to walk around the fire the chant's volume and speed increasing. Quickly followed by him starting to dance strangely around the flames.
I kept watching the flames, wondering if something was going to happen. I suddenly felt sleepy for some strange reason, even though I was wide awake. My eyelids drooped and I could see Marilyn nodding off at the same time out of the corner of my eye.
Must watch the fire, I told myself. Maybe after a little nap, as I dozed off.
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I woke some time later. Was it after a night sleep, or just a second? I couldn't tell. I looked around and saw myself back in my bedroom at home. How did I get back here? I don't remember the hike back to John's car or the ride home? Did the Mystic's fire put me into a state resembling drunkenness?
I looked out the window and saw nothing but thick, gray fog, and an eerie fog at that. I thought that we would have increasing clouds for today, not fog. Typically, we would only get fog after a large rainstorm with enough moisture still remaining in the air.
Looking at myself, it appeared that I slept in my clothes. Even though they weren't very wrinkled. Something wasn't adding up here, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
I headed out of my room and downstairs. Everything seemed to be the way I left it earlier today, except that it was quiet, deadly quiet. Where was Mom and Grandmother? Shouldn't they be here?
I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. I had to call Marilyn, maybe she knew what was going on around here.
I found her number on the phone and hit dial. Holding it up to my ear I could hear it ring, and then, a voice message: “We're sorry, but the number you have dialed is not in service. Please try your call again later.”
Odd. Very odd. What was going on around here? I headed out the door to the garage; hopefully one of the bicycles were available, as I didn't want to head to Marilyn's house on foot. Even though I could simply turn into a raven and fly there.
Walking out the kitchen door into the garage, I suddenly was standing right outside. Standing in front of Marilyn's house. Turning around, I could see my house right behind me.
Okay, now, what was really going on? Nothing is making sense here.
I went over to Marilyn's house and knocked on the door as quickly as I could. “Marilyn!” I shouted, rapping the door with my hand loudly and rapidly.
She didn't answer. I knocked and shouted some more. Finally, I tried the door knob to see if it was unlocked. To my surprise, it was.
I cautiously entered Marilyn's house, and for some reason, it looked as empty as my own house.
“Marilyn!” I called out, starting to get desperate.
“Mikaela!” I heard back, and I saw her rush down the stairs from her room. “Are you alright?”
“Oh, just peachy,” I replied. “Except for the fact that you are the only other person that I've seen so far. Where is everyone? And why is my house right next door to yours?”
“It is?” she replied, looking out the open door right behind me. “All I see is the lake.”
“What? You can't see my house?” I answered, turning around to point it out. “It's right..., there?”
My gaze now fell upon the shore of the lake, close to where John had parked his car. The dense, gray fog hung heavily above the water. I shook my head to try to clear my head. “What the hell is going on?”
“We've crossed over into the spirit realm. This realm doesn't play by the same rules as ours does. I'm just surprised that the Mystic managed to send the two of us here. Even though I thought that it wasn't possible to do so.”
“Now why is that?”
“I've been taught that shamans can traverse to the spirit realm and back through a special ritual. But, it's good enough for only one person.”
“Then I guess the Mystic must know an alternative method to send more than one person through.”
“Agreed.”
“So, now what do we do?”
“I am not sure. From all the preparation I had undergone, and all the material that I could get my hands on to read, I only have some idea of what should happen. Typically, my spirit guide is the first animal that I come across. So far, all I've seen here when I came to, is you.”
“Well, even though a human is technically an animal, I doubt that I'm your spirit guide. Given that I am still alive and all that.”
“Spirits are living creatures, just like us,” Marilyn explained. “These just don't operate like we do.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, they seem to have their own ways. However, they can be quite useful allies.”
“How would you know?”
“My mother's guide helped lead her to my father when she was a little older than me. I think that counts as useful, don't you?”
“Depends,” I answered with a shrug. “Your dad could be a bit of an ass at times.”
Marilyn giggled. “Yeah, but they still love each other.”
I smiled. “So, where do we go?”
“Out there, I guess.”
“Lead on.”
We left her house and began walking along the shore of the lake, near the parking lot where John had dropped us off at. I turned around after we walked a few seconds and her house had now disappeared into the misty fog. The overall effect of this place definitely creeped me out.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” I muttered to myself.
“What?”
“Just trying to lure an animal out for you.”
She just shook her head. “Like that'll ever work.”
I shrugged. “Can't fault me for trying.”
We continued our walk along what seemed like an endless shoreline when I heard a rustle in the trees near us. Almost as if the wind was blowing, but I couldn't feel any breeze against my skin. Marilyn saw me stop and look into the forest.
“What is it?” she asked.
“There's something out there.”
“Really? Where?” she asked, looking.
“Up there, somewhere,” I replied, continuing to look through the fog for any sign of what had made the noise.
“Sure you're just not hearing things?” she asked, looking skeptic.
“Positive. Something's out there.”
“Then what do you suggest?”
“Keep going, but be cautious. Do shamans have any offensive abilities?”
“Not until we get our spirit guide, unfortunately.”
I rolled my eyes, “Great..., this is going to be fun.”
“Sarcasm aside, I think you should be able to handle anything that comes our way.”
I smiled. “Thanks.”
We continued walking a little more and I think I could begin to make out a house in the distance. Did we manage to walk along the shore and find the Mystic's house again? Given the strangeness of the locations in this place, I wasn't holding my breath.
However, to my surprise, the Mystic's house did begin to materialize right before my eyes. Even the purple bonfire was burning brightly and intensely as I remembered it. Marilyn and I dashed over there and knocked on the door, yet no one answered the door. We tried the knob, but it was locked.
“Well, there goes a way out of this place,” I commented.
My ears perked up again, as I thought I heard something in the nearby woods again.
“But, we can't leave. Not until I find my spirit guide!” Marilyn defiantly rebuked.
“Okay, then what do you suggest we do?” I asked. “This place for some reason is giving me the creeps, big time, all of a sudden.”
I rubbed my arms as I thought I could feel a chill in the air. Or was it just the brooding presence of this damned fog?
I went over to the fire pit to see if I could keep the fire going. Luckily, some wood was set up in the pit and all I needed to do was just keep feeding it.
Marilyn rubbed her arms and sat down in the same spot she did when all of this started. A few minutes later, I fed the fire and kept an eye on the roaring blaze. Seemed to be enough to provide warmth and light for us, and it still burned purple for some reason.
I looked around and the same eerie gray fog continued to envelop us at the Mystic's home, if even this was his home. Things here just didn't add up, like when I left my house for Marilyn's and was instantly there, and my home was missing its garage in order for me to make that journey.
Strangely, I could almost feel like there were things just beyond the fog, waiting for something. But, what?
“Marilyn,” I started, “I think there's something out there.”
“What makes you say that?” she asked.
“I don't know. It's kind of like that feeling where the hairs on your neck stand up on end. You know?”
“I think I do,” Marilyn replied.
We sat there for a while and then that creepy feeling picked up again. I quickly looked around and got to my feet.
“Alright!” I shouted to the fog, “I know you're out there! Show yourselves and let's be done with it!”
I started to circle the fire and continued my frustrated shout to the mists. “I don't know what kind of sick game you're playing. But enough is enough already!”
“Mikaela,” Marilyn timidly spoke, “are you sure it's wise to try to provoke them?”
“I don't know, Marilyn,” I replied. “In all honesty, I really don't know.”
“Well, I hope you didn't antagonize the spirits too much.”
A deep voice from beyond the fog eerily called out, “Oh, the bird-dog didn't, young shaman.”
Four figures emerged from the fog directly across from us. Humanoid in appearance, and yet they definitely were not human. They looked like they were made out of four different things. Or more specifically, they looked like they were made out of the four classical elements: earth, air, water, and fire.
The two that looked like they were constructed of air and fire looked like their elements were wrapped within a human skin. The elements inside that layer moved and pulsed, as if it was very much alive. The air element human was harder to distinguish against the foggy background. However, electricity seemed to be flashing within, illuminating the outline. The earth element human looked like living rock, with two bright green glowing eyes. Plants even grew off of it.
Marilyn and I looked at each other in surprise and shock. Out of everything we were expecting this definitely wasn't it.
"Marilyn?" I asked, glancing at her.
"Don't look at me," she replied. "Spirit guides are usually a person or an animal for a young shaman."
"They don't really look like either of those to me."
"That's because we're not, bird-dog," stated one of them. My guess it was the fire one, since it turned to look in my direction after I said my comment.
"Bird-dog?" I fired back, shooting them a look that said, "Do you really want to mess with me?"
The four of them faced me, or so I thought that's what they did. "She speaks. Well, I guess there's some hope yet," the water one replied, sounding a bit like a woman.
"Humph. Would you prefer raven-wolf then?" the air one added, also sounding female.
"Doesn’t seem to roll off the tongue, does it?" the water one quipped.
"Not really," the earth one commented. "But, it is more descriptive. And do we really need to debate about what to call this one?"
I struggled to put a few words together, but I held up my pointer finger and managed to get out, "Excuse me? But, I'd rather not be called anything like that. I have a name, and it is Mikaela."
"Well," the earth one started, "at least she knows how to hold her ground. Maybe we can get this over with quickly then."
"There is that," the fire one agreed.
"Mind explaining what you are and what you want with us?"
They looked towards Marilyn and the water said, "Young shaman, you know what we are, correct?"
"I think so."
"Then explain to the bird-dog and be quick about it. Some of us have a busy schedule to keep," the fire one replied, hastily.
I shot the fire one a hard glance with a small growl. "Cut it out."
I swear I heard it laugh, although it sounded like wood crackling in a fire.
"Don’t antagonize them," Marilyn stated. "If I'm right, these are the four elemental spirits."
"Very good," said the water one.
"But, why would you appear before a shaman like me?"
"That's a good question, young one. One that I hope we can all answer."
Family Secrets
Chapter 6 by: Drakira Mikaela Vance has returned home after an eventful first semester at Ravencrest. But, will she get a well-deserved rest there? Or is there something laying in wait? |
Disclaimer:
~Big thanks to Enemyoffun for making this universe to play in, and to all my beta readers for helping me hammer out some of the details in this chapter.
Author's Note: Here's chapter 6. Things take an interesting turn in this chapter, and chapter 7 is currently in the works. I hope you all enjoy this next part!
Please feel free to comment on this, as I always enjoy reading your comments and learning from them immensely.
Chapter 6
Marilyn and I sat across from the four elemental spirits, standing across from us on the other side of the purple bonfire. The four of them just stood there, as if waiting for something to happen or be said. Marilyn, on the other hand, looked like she was still trying to wrap everything around her head.
"Marilyn?" I prompted.
"Yeah?" she asked, in a bit of a stupor.
"What do you know about the four elemental spirits?"
"Just their legend."
"Legend?" the earth one stated. "We've passed into legend already?"
It then muttered, “This is going to take longer than I thought.”
"I guess so," the fire one answered. "A lot of time must've passed on the mortal plane for that to happen."
Marilyn nodded and acknowledged their response, "If what you are saying is true, then you have been away from Earth for at least several centuries."
"And what's the legend about?"
"Long ago," Marilyn started, "a young shamaness went into the forest near where her tribe lived. Like me, she went out to go on her spirit quest. She entered the spirit realm and wandered around aimlessly, like we did. However, she never encountered any spirits. After she left the spirit realm, she woke up in a different place from where she entered."
"Wait. How could she have done that if her body was still where she left it?"
"No one knows the answer to that. The most likely explanation was that someone moved her as she lay there in her altered state."
Marilyn continued the tale, "The shamaness tried to find her way home, but ended up getting lost in the strange woods. Every night she made camp she prayed to the gods to help her find her way home to her family and her tribe. At the time, she thought she would make a lousy shamaness, considering that she encountered no spirits within the realm. So, she resigned herself to help her family and tribe in any other way that she could.
"At the rise of the full moon, on the fourth night she had left the spirit realm, her prayers were answered. But, not by the gods. Instead, these four showed up to assist her."
"And so, we did," the water one commented.
"What happened next?" I asked.
"The shamaness, with the assistance of the four elementals, returned to her tribe. Apparently, they stuck by her and became her spirit companions. Her father, the tribe's shaman noticed something different about his daughter upon her return, and assumed that the spirits had given her a boon of some kind. He didn't decide to press the issue though.
"As time passed, the tribe fell under assault by other Unseen. The shamaness called upon her spirits to help defend her tribe from the attackers."
"Good times," the fire elemental mused, interrupting Marilyn's tale.
Marilyn kept continuing on, "With their help, they managed to survive and beat back their attackers. And then, for some strange reason, she left her tribe in search for something. The story never said what it was."
"Do you four know?" I asked the elementals.
"And if we do?" the earth one answered.
"Just curious, that's all," I replied.
"That is not for you to know, bird-dog," the fire elemental stated.
"Then why are you here?" Marilyn asked. "You four don't show up willy-nilly like this, if any of that legend is to be believed."
"Indeed," the air elemental answered.
"We sensed a disturbance within the spirit realm. A powerful one at that. Powerful enough, that these three insisted that I come along when I have more important things to take care of," the earth elemental explained.
"This disturbance must be destroyed!" the fire elemental vehemently interjected.
"Destroyed? Why?" Marilyn asked.
"It possesses great affinity for the spirits within the realm. Such power that we have not seen in a great length of time," the water elemental continued. "Such a being has the capability to either preserve the spirits or destroy them."
"Something that we must not let anyone being have under their control," the fire elemental added again.
"Well then," I started, "where is this being and are you here to request our help?"
"Maybe you can help. For the being we are searching for is sitting right next to you," it answered.
I whirled my head towards my friend, "Marilyn?"
She stuttered, "You can't be serious. I don't have that kind of power."
"Not yet," the water elemental interjected, "yet, you possess the raw potential for such a string of events to occur."
"Me? Impossible!"
"Not so. We have sensed your presence and followed you to this spot within our realm. And we will not let any harm befall those who live here."
"Nor do I wish harm on any spirits. I was taught to seek the spirits’ wisdom in times of need. To ask for your aid when I need it. Not to destroy or exploit you," Marilyn pleaded.
"You've had good instructors," the air elemental commented.
"Yet, you are still a threat," the earth elemental threw in.
"And threats must be neutralized," the fire elemental ended.
"Neutralized?" I shouted, getting to my feet. "You want to kill my friend? What kind of spirits are you?"
"One's that must act in accordance to balance," the water elemental answered.
"Still, just because someone has the potential to do harm, doesn't mean you kill them. For all you know, that potential could be turned into a powerful positive force," I countered.
"Very wise, for a bird-dog," the earth elemental commented.
"I'd wish you four would stop calling me that. It's really starting to get on my nerves," I replied through clenched teeth.
"Give us a reason to," the fire elemental scoffed.
"Really? Is it going to come down to that? An all-out brawl to prove to you that I'm not some kind of bird-dog?"
"Perhaps, perhaps not," the air elemental said.
I shook my head, and said to myself, "Ugh! Why does it seem that whenever I ask a direct question for answers, all I keep getting are riddles?"
The fire elemental suddenly began to glow brighter. "Enough of this pointless conversation. We need to end the threat before it has a chance to become one."
In what appeared to be his right hand, I saw him holding what could only be described as a fireball. He reached back and in the motions of throwing a pitch in a baseball game took aim right at Marilyn. I quickly lunged at her, managing to get her out of the line of fire.
"Run!" I yelled.
She didn't need to be told twice as we made a mad dash around the side of the house. The four elementals began heading in our direction at a brisk walk. I could see the fire elemental getting ready with another fireball, while the other elementals seemed to be making their own attacks against the two of us ready as well. The air elemental had an orb of charged electricity, while the other two elementals didn't have anything that I could tell would be giving away their own attacks.
I thought to myself, 'This couldn't get a whole lot worse. Wait, don't think that, you know it can.'
"Damn you, bird-dog!" the fire elemental shouted. "Now, you had to go and make this difficult on your friend and yourself!"
I looked over at Marilyn and asked, "Any ideas on how to defeat them?"
"You're asking me?" she fired back.
"Do you know of any other shaman we can ask right about now?"
"Good point."
I looked over at them and realized something big about if I was going to fight them head on. They were each made out of a primal element. Physical attacks would probably hurt me more than hurting them.
"Have any ideas? I'm thinking they would hurt me a lot more than I would hurt them in a straight up fight."
"I don't know. I only have defensive and healing magic. Shamans get their offensive magic from their spirit guides."
"Can you do anything else?" I asked.
Another fireball went hurtling past us. Soon it was quickly followed up by an electrical bolt and a large stream of water. I guess that was what the water elemental had up their sleeve. If sleeve was even an appropriate word for them.
"Uhm...," she stuttered. "Let me think, okay?"
This time, a small boulder and a few more fireballs went hurdling past the wall. I grabbed Marilyn and ran around to another part of the cabin to buy us some more time. I could hear their footsteps in the sand, and I knew we wouldn't be safe for very long.
"Marilyn, we don't have the time. So, you're going to have to think fast."
"I know, Mikaela!"
The two of us ran over and hid behind the wood pile, or as best as we could. I could peak through the gaps in the pile to keep an eye on the elementals' position. I had to buy time for Marilyn and me, if we were going to get through this in one piece.
I looked around for something that I could use to help us out of this situation. The wood in front of us looked like it was split by hand. Not manufactured off some assembly line. If that's the case, then there should be an ax or a sledgehammer around here somewhere.
I remember helping my stepfather splitting firewood for the winter months around here. It could be quite chilly at times, even though snow at this elevation was a rarity. I knew how to use those tools to split wood. But, using them as a weapon, that I wasn't too sure about.
A short distance away, I saw an ax sitting in a stump. Hopefully, it could prove useful in our defense against the elementals' assault.
"Stay here," I told Marilyn. I headed over towards the stump, careful not to be easily seen from the direction of the cabin and the elementals pursuing us.
The stump was concealed from the cabin by a second pile of stacked split wood. However, there was a gap in between the two stacks that shielded us. I would have to move quickly in order to avoid be seen.
Glancing around the wood pile, I saw that the coast was clear. I dashed across quickly and reached the stump in no time at all. Grasping the handle of the ax, I managed to pull it out rather easily from the sump, with a little leverage from bracing my leg against the stump.
I did manage to grunt a little loudly, however, when I pulled the ax out of the stump. I cringed and hoped that I didn't make too much noise. I rushed to edge of the wood stacks and glanced around. No sign of the elementals.
I sighed deeply, and geared myself up for another mad dash across, back to Marilyn. Hopefully, she could do some kind of magic that could help me out. Maybe shield me against their attacks.
I took a quick peek from behind the stack and dashed across back to her, being careful with the ax.
"What are you going to do with that?" Marilyn asked me in a hushed tone.
"Try to defend us from them. Unless you have a better idea?"
"Do you think a weapon like that would be any good against elemental spirits?"
"Probably not. But, using a weapon from spirit realm against spirits? Seems like it would work to me."
Marilyn cocked her head. "Although logical, it's not a magical weapon by any means. And those kinds of weapons are definitely effective against spirits, especially within their realm."
"Then can you magic this up?"
"You think I can just give an ordinary object magical abilities?"
"Well, we're kind of running out of options here. Can you do anything to it or me to help us level the playing field against those four?"
Marilyn rolled her eyes and looked up, trying to rack her brains for anything that could help our current predicament.
"Uhm...," she started.
"Marilyn," I pressured sternly.
"There might be something."
"Something? What? What something could you do?"
"I remember reading something about shamans being able to bind spirits."
"Bind spirits? Trap them you mean?"
"Yes and no," she started to explain, before a ball of fire hit the wood pile next to us, causing it to burst into flame.
"Long story short," she quickly and frantically continued, "shamans can force spirits into something or submit them to our will. But, something's better than nothing, right?"
"Right," I replied. "Do you have something to force them into?"
"I think I can find something. At worst, I can force a spirit into a person. But, doing so is extremely dangerous."
"Then, that's our last resort."
She mused aloud, "Think there might be something in the cabin that I could use?"
"Probably. I mean, this ax was in that tree stump over yonder."
"Alright, I guess I'm going in there then."
I strengthened my grip around the ax shaft and I asked her, "How quickly can you bind them?"
She cocked her head slightly and replied, "Not sure, think you can you buy me some time?"
A bolt of electricity sizzled into the tree stump that had had the ax wedged in place.
"I guess I'm going to have to," I commented.
I peered around the woodpile to get an idea of where they were coming from. I saw them standing near the edge of the cabin, not really looking in our general direction. If even looking was the proper term to use for them. Their unusual forms didn't make normal descriptions work very well. I headed over to the other side of the pile, still using it to obscure their view of me.
I looked back at Marilyn and replied, "Don't take too long."
"I'll try not to."
Regripping the ax near its head with one hand, I went to the far side of the wood pile we hid behind, and scoped out where those elementals gathered. Gazing at the cabin, they still gathered at its edge. Waiting for us to come out of hiding, perhaps? It seemed like the most logical thing to do. After all, we did spend a good time hiding there, and they probably eliminated other potential places.
Rushing to the other side of the cabin, away from their position, I crouched low to try to avoid their gaze across the relatively open field. Making it to the other side of the cabin, I breathed a sigh of relief, believing that I escaped their notice. Peering around the corner, I tried to confirm that. However, a second after I looked, a sizzling bolt of lightning struck the side of the cabin near my position, scorching the wall black.
I thought to myself, 'I guess that's my last warning shot.'
"What are you going to do, bird-dog?" the fire elemental taunted. "Come and strike us with your claws?"
'Now that wasn't a bad idea,' I thought. 'But, why would they suggest it? Something to ponder later, I guess, if I survive this ordeal.'
I hefted the ax again, and thought what I could do with it. One against four were bad odds, especially when they could launch such powerful attacks at me at will. If there was only a way to separate them.
Glancing over at the woodpile, I noticed that Marilyn gave me a look of eagerness mixed with desperation. I knew she wanted to get into the Mystic's cabin as soon as possible. But, I somehow needed to create a distraction, or both of us could end up dead.
I thought for a bit, and decided to use the ax to help us out. If it didn't work on them, at least I could use it to help open the cabin's door to help Marilyn get inside to find what she needs.
Collecting myself, I turned the corner and rushed the elementals' position, hoping to catch them off-guard. Hopefully, they would focus their attention on me, giving her an opening. It seemed like that I would have to play some football, where I'm the one rushing the quarterback and she's playing the role of the defender that goes unnoticed for the interception.
The elementals looked like they were caught off guard as I charge headlong at them, ready to bring down the ax on the first one I encountered. They tried to avoid me, but one got caught in my swing.
The fire elemental, the one who loved to make fun of my heritage at every opportunity he got, took the brunt of the ax head slicing into his arm. He yelled in pain, and I couldn't help but feel a little bit satisfied by the results.
The elemental grasped his arm and looked like he was in serious pain. The flames around the wound seemed to dim and that arm burned less brightly than the rest of his form.
He looked at me and seethed, "You will pay for that, you abomination of the Were!"
"I'm no abomination, Torchy."
"Torchy?!?!" he roared. "No one calls me Torchy!"
"Alright, I won't," I replied, stepping back a bit to face him. "I'll call you Flamey instead."
He roared even louder and raised his other arm at me. From it spewed forth large plumes of flame, in a fashion that reminded me of a flamethrower. I quickly jumped to the side, away from the woodpile, not wanting to harm Marilyn if she was still there. I felt the scorching heat just miss me, although I think my clothes became singed in places.
However, before I could get out of my crouch, I felt a gush of cold against my back. The water elemental must've taken a shot at me. Her attack felt like someone spraying me with water using a garden hose, at higher than full blast.
Whipping around, the water elemental looked poised to continue its watery assault on me. "Time for you to cool off," she taunted.
She raised her arm and fired another blast of water at me. I couldn't dodge fast enough and took a watery hit to my arm—luckily, not the one holding the ax.
It felt like someone sucker punched me in that arm. Shaking my dripping arm out, I turned to face the next opponent who entered into the current fray. I whirled my head back to check on the fire elemental, to make sure he didn’t do anything. I also kept my eyes open for that air elemental. If my guess was correct, he would be ready to shock me with his lightning. And I knew that electricity and water didn’t mix.
I quickly ran towards the water elemental, intending to keep her out of position. But, before I could get in range to take a swing with the ax, a rock wall sprung up in front of her. I skidded as quickly as I could and managed to just brace myself, and able to slow myself down enough so that I didn’t take a header into a rock wall.
Looking around, I saw that rock elemental taunting me. What was that guy thinking? That he was The Rock from professional wrestling?
‘Ugh,’ I thought, ‘that was a bad pun, even for me.’
I glanced over at the air elemental to my left and the water elemental to my right. The fire elemental was nursing his wound behind the air elemental. I still had the ax in my right hand, and I had no idea where Marilyn was at this moment. The tactical situation seemed to be quite grim.
I couldn’t quite figure a way out of this at the moment, not without being seriously injured or dying.
As I continued standing there, watching my opponents, I continued to cycle through my options, and wishing that I had something to help me out of this mess.
‘Wait a second,’ I thought, ‘maybe that fire elemental was right. Maybe I have to call out my inner beast in order to get out of this mess, and buy the necessary time for Marilyn to perform her ritual. If only I could remember how to do that.’
Unfortunately, my thoughts were interrupted by a bolt of lightning produced by that air elemental. I quickly dove out of the way, but the smell of ozone permeated the air, making me realize that was a little too close for comfort. On the landing, however, the ax escaped my grip and slid on the ground for a few feet, directly in front one of the elementals, luckily some distance away from them.
I quickly dashed over to it, but a series of spires of rock sprung out of the ground and got in my way. I did my best to dodge the spires, but they did manage to knock me around quite a bit. I slid around on the ground for quite a bit, but I did manage to retrieve the ax. I guess I was lucky that the elemental ignored the ax as I retrieved it.
Changing direction, I quickly made a dash for the earth elemental. Swinging the ax similar to a baseball bat, bringing it down quickly into his torso. He took the hit and winced, however, given his hard skin I ended up letting go of the ax.
The elemental calmly removed the ax from his gut, but winced in pain. He then hefted the ax, and threw it clear into the mists. I could see something fall out of him, it reminded me of wet sand or mud. Given that he was an earth elemental that some kind of sense.
“Guess you do have claws,” he menacingly replied.
I gulped. Now, unarmed, my options became very limited. All I had now was my limited martial arts skills to fall back upon. And my hybrid form, if I could even use it here. The taunt from the fire elemental did make me question whether or not I could use it.
I rushed around to the back side of the cabin from where the elementals were, hoping to buy myself enough time. I quickly began to search within myself, to try to call the beast out again, to aid me in this battle. I could hear my inner wolf, but no more.
‘What the hell’s going on?’ I thought. ‘Shouldn’t I be able to call forth the beast?’
I heard a loud banging noise coming from the other side of the cabin. Crap! They’re going after Marilyn now. I looked around the cabin, to try to find the second door, while staying relatively out of sight. After what seemed like an eternity, I managed to find it and open the door.
I entered the cabin, and saw the basics of what should be in a cabin like this one. The cabin was very spartan in appearance; no decorations or personal touches could be seen. I guessed that since we didn’t know what could be in this cabin in the real world, we only assumed what would be in a cabin in this modern day, and it was here.
I headed into the kitchen to find a knife or a frying pan that I could use for a weapon. However, before I could get there, I saw Marilyn kneeling before a small altar, chanting something, with a small, ghostly white flame burning in front of her.
I had never seen that color flame before. It had me wondering how she was able to produce it, when another loud bang on the door snapped me back to the present situation. I rummaged around the drawers, looking for something to defend ourselves.
Finally, I managed to find a nice sharp butcher’s knife, just as I heard a loud crash coming from the other side of the cabin. I dashed out in front of Marilyn, right in the elementals’ path. They would have to get through me, in order to even lay a finger on my friend.
Wielding the knife, I yelled at them, “You want to get at her, you’ll have to go through me.”
“As you wish,” the fire elemental replied, “Bird-dog.”
I growled at that comment. These guys had gotten on my nerves for the last time.
However, before anyone could do anything, a bright flash of white light enveloped the room. I raised my arm to shield my eyes from the bright glare. Did this mean that Marilyn succeeded?
The light slowly faded away and standing right between the elementals and myself stood an interesting looking figure. They stood taller than all of us here in the room. She appeared human for the most part, however, there was something not human about them from what I could tell. She had long flowing black as midnight hair down to her hips. Dressed in an exquisite black dress that showed off just enough of her figure, yet still maintained an air of authority about her. Those eyes, a light pale blue that could just stare straight into your soul. She also gave off an aura of authority, grace, and wisdom.
With a fluttering motion, I found out what was not human about her. Large black, raven wings emerged from her back and gracefully hung at her side.
She stared coldly at the four elementals, and in a loud voice, cried out, “That is quite enough out of the four of you!”
The elementals backed down in her presence almost immediately after her making her intentions crystal clear. I lowered the knife and shifted position until I stood beside Marilyn, who seemed unaffected by the unexpected arrival of this person, whomever they may be.
“Not to seem ungrateful,” I started, “But, who are you?”
The woman looked at me, and replied in a soft, motherly tone, “I am Raven, Mikaela Vance.”
Family Secrets
Chapter 7 by: Drakira Mikaela Vance has returned home after an eventful first semester at Ravencrest. But, will she get a well-deserved rest there? Or is there something laying in wait? |
Disclaimer:
~Big thanks to Enemyoffun for making this universe to play in, and to all my beta readers for helping me hammer out some of the details in this chapter.
Author's Note: Here's chapter 7. I hope you all enjoy this next part of Mikaela's tale. Chapter 8 is currently in brainstorm mode, but I do have an idea of where I'm going with it.
Please feel free to comment on this, as I always enjoy reading your comments and learning from them immensely.
Chapter 7
“Raven?” I asked, very much curious as to what the entity in front of me meant by that.
Now, that there was a break in the action, I took a closer look at the figure in front of me. For the most part, she did look human. However, there was just enough of a difference in her features to make me believe that she was definitely not human. The human part of her looked like a very stunning woman, wearing an intricately-patterned black dress. I could see what appeared to be symbols of some kind around the edges of the dress, along the cuffs and necks, inside of a navy-blue stripe in those areas.
Her long flowing black hair reached all the way down her back. It had a natural wave to it, from what I could tell. Thick strands of hair reached down to her breasts, framing her face elegantly. Sprouting out of her back were a pair of raven-feathered wings, resembling those of an angel’s in shape and design. In her right hand, she wielded a very impressive looking staff. Symbols adorned it as well, and also there were a few ornaments hung closely from the near the top of the staff, atop the staff rested a golden round figure with things coming off of it. I couldn’t get a good look at that though, since she had that part aimed at the elementals.
“Yes,” she acknowledged. “Excuse me for a moment, while I deal with these four.”
She turned directly at the four elementals. In the meantime, I went over and stood next to Marilyn, who still chanted the words she needed for the ritual. Marilyn must have been so deep in the ritual, that she seemed to be oblivious to everything going on around her.
I turned my attention towards Raven, and watched what she was going to with those four elementals that nearly killed me, or at least got close to that point. She wielded her staff at pointed in a threatening manner before addressing them.
“You four have a lot of explaining to do,” she started, speaking sternly but concealing any emotion. “I suggest you start talking. Now.”
The four of them looked at each other, and then looked at me, “This bird-dog,” the fire elemental started, pointing at me, “sullied the ritual for this young shamaness with her very presence. This cannot be allowed!”
“And who made the four of you the judge of that?” Raven countered. “Hmm?!”
The water elemental replied, “We’ve been guardians of the Spirit Realm for millennia, and it is our duty to protect the rituals that we all hold most dear.”
The air elemental continued, “To have a Were here, and meddling in a shaman’s rite of passage, goes against everything the previous shamans have gone through before.”
“Every other shaman went through this ritual on their own,” the earth elemental continued, “there are no exceptions.”
“Wrong,” Raven calmly, replied, pulling back her staff. “There have been exceptions to the general rule. You all forget, the Mystics in the real world are the gatekeepers to the Spirit Realm for the shamans who undergo their spirit quest, among other things.
“If the Mystic who helped this young shamaness through, saw fit to allow one of her closest friends to accompany her, then you should not have gotten involved like you did.”
“We have our duty!” the fire elemental roared.
“You all have a greater responsibility than that!” Raven roared back.
The four of them seemed to back off a bit from us after that statement. Raven continued, “I am ashamed to see the four of you nitpick over minutiae such as this, when there are more important things going on in this world. Especially you, Earth.”
The earth elemental growled in response. I had no idea to what Raven was referring to, but it apparently struck a little close to home.
“Now,” Raven said calmly, “how do you want to make up for your own transgressions?”
The four of them looked at each other in silence.
“Well? I'm waiting,” Raven demanded.
I glanced over at Marilyn, still chanting, when an idea came to me.
“You could be her spirit guides,” I suggested.
“WHAT?!” Fire roared. “You have no say in this, bird-dog!”
“Oh, I think I do,” I countered. “I think I earned the right to have a say in this for all the damage you and your friends here did to me, while I was protecting one of my best friends from an unprovoked attack that you started.”
Raven looked at me, and gave me a small smile. She turned back to the elementals and replied, “She makes a good point, doesn’t she?”
The elementals grumbled some more, and then the water elemental replied, “And what do we get in return?”
“Well,” I started, “think of it this way. You can either be her spirit guides willingly, or she’ll bind you to her in a matter of time. Choice is yours.”
“Another very good point,” Raven agreed. Looking at each of the elementals, and added, “Clock’s ticking.”
“Fine,” the air elemental replied, defeated. “We’ll ALL do it willingly.”
“Good,” Raven replied, “And if I hear even the faintest whisper of one of you shirking your duties to the young shaman, except in the case of emergencies of course, you will have me to deal with. Am I understood?”
The four of them nodded.
Raven tapped her staff, and brought Marilyn out of her chanting.
Marilyn blinked her eyes multiple times to help wake them back up. Looking around the room, she saw all of us surrounding her, staring intently.
I kneeled down besider her, and she turned to me, asking, “Mikaela, what’s going on here? Did I miss something?”
“Say hello to your new spirit guides,” I answered, indicating the elementals with one of my hands.
“The binding? It worked?” she asked.
“Almost, dear,” Raven answered. “These four have decided to be your spirit guides willingly. Now, you may consider your vision quest complete. I suggest that the five of you start getting to know each other.”
“Who are you?”
“Raven,” she replied, nodding her head curtly.
“Raven?” Marilyn asked.
“I’ll explain later,” I added. I turned back towards Raven and asked, “Can we go home now?”
“In just a bit. You and I have something to talk about.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Walk with me, Mikaela.”
Hesitantly leaving Marilyn's side, Raven led me out of the cabin and back into the mists. The purple-flamed bonfire still roared brilliantly.
“What do you want to talk about?” I asked her, point-blank, crossing my arms.
“There are many challenges on the horizon, young one. You will need to embrace yourself fully, to help overcome them, as well as keep your friends and allies close.”
“Okay,” I replied. “That’s stuff that I kind of already figured out.”
“Really?” Raven replied. “Your charm bracelet says otherwise.”
I looked at my charm bracelet and saw all the charms that hung from it. The wolf and raven, my Were forms. The Starfleet delta and Zatanna's top hat and wand, two of my favorite interests and hobbies.
“What do you mean?” I asked, perplexed, examining the bracelet.
“There a few charms missing from that bracelet that you will need to add, and more than you think. But, I have confidence that you will figure out a way to get them on there.”
“Why and which ones? And what does any of this matter to you?”
“Let’s just say that I have a vested interest in the events that can play out in the mortal realm, and some of the people who live there. After all, it certainly wouldn’t be the first time I aided mortals in their various quests, and it probably won’t be the last.”
I gave her a puzzled look and thought, ‘What was it that she was trying to tell me?’
I asked her, voicing my thoughts, “I’m a bit confused. What are you trying to tell me?”
“I think you already know, my dear. Or at the very least, have all the pieces to figure it out. But now, it’s time for you and Marilyn to return to the mortal realm. There is still much for you to do in Rancho Calaveras and Ravencrest, to say nothing about the roads further ahead.”
The door to the cabin opened and Marilyn stepped out and walked over to me. I could see something was different about her, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Had the elementals and her come to some sort of arrangement?
Marilyn walked over and stood beside me. I asked her, “Is everything alright?”
“Yes,” she answered. “I’m okay. I just had a chat with the elementals.”
“They’re not going to do anything crazy, are they?”
“No, they did agree to be my spirit guides. We just wanted to get a few things cleared up, that’s all.”
“What things?”
“Sorry, Mikaela," she answered, looking apologetic. "But, I can’t talk about them. It’s a spirit guide-shaman kind of thing, you know what I'm saying?”
“I think I know what you mean.”
“Good,” Raven interjected. “Now, that that’s cleared up.”
Raven slammed her staff down upon the ground, emitting a bright flash of light. The staff’s head landed directly in front of me, and I was able to get a better look at it briefly. Something on it resembled snakes, but I couldn’t quite place it. Although I was sure that I saw it before somewhere.
When the flash of light cleared, I saw a normal colored flame burning in front of me, and I found myself sitting on the log near the bonfire. Right where this crazy cross-realm journey began.
“Welcome back, you two. I trust your journey into the Spirit Realm was successful?”
“Yes,” Marilyn answered. “Thank you, Mystic.”
“You are welcome, young shamaness.”
The Mystic turned to me and asked, “Did you find the answers you sought?”
“I don't think so,” I answered, looking a bit confused. "Definitely more questions though."
He smiled knowingly, “Then maybe someone set you down the path to a greater wisdom, young Were.”
“Weren’t you going to answer some of my questions?”
“I did say that I would give you some information, yes. However, due to the late hour, I will answer one question for now.”
I sighed, and thought, ‘Guess I should take what I can get.’
“With whom am I in danger from, or is someone just faking it for their own personal reasons?”
“Clever, young Were, with the double question.”
I smirked, glad to have found a small loophole when phrasing my question.
“To answer your question, yes, you are indeed in danger here. And from someone close to home, from what I’ve heard. However, I do believe that you will overcome this latest challenge set in your path."
I opened my mouth to quickly follow-up, but he quickly added, "And before you ask, I do not know with whom you are in danger from.”
Great, more danger. And all I wanted was a nice winter break at home, away from this sort of trouble.
“I will lead you two back to your friend’s vehicle,” the Mystic stated. “The path can be quite treacherous in the middle of the night. Good luck in your endeavors, both of you.”
---------------------------------------------------
December 19, 2011
My experience in the spirit realm left me a little bit disturbed. It definitely was the sort of experience that you needed to take the time to digest and figure out what everything meant. The Mystic didn’t tell me much, only confirming that the danger to me was real, and close by.
I decided to do some research on the shamans, the spirit realms, and spirit guides in general. I even decided to do some specific research into the entity that identified herself as Raven. My experiences in that realm left me feeling uneasy, and thirsty for more knowledge. Perhaps, to try to help put it all into some kind of perspective.
Searching for knowledge always seemed to bring me some kind of peace. I remembered looking up various pieces of minutiae on the Internet through high school. My friends joked that it would probably end up being useful if I ever went on Jeopardy! My other classmates used to poke and make fun at me for surfing the web for just knowledge, instead of using the free time to play games, working out in the gym, or asking girls out.
I did play computer games at home, but that’s where I felt like where they belonged and school was for learning as much as possible. Plus, being picked on and teased at school, to my mind anyway, probably made me timid when it came to asking girls out. It was a wonder that Alexandra even wanted to go out with me, given my lack of experience in that area.
As I continued my research, the same pattern kept developing. Either I would get links and references to various online video or role-playing games, or I would get references to ancient traditions with the disclaimer that the practices were performed in the ancient past.
I leaned back in my chair and grunted in frustration. I reached for my cup of coffee to take a drink, and help me press on in trying to find more information. However, to my surprise, I had already emptied the cup.
“Damn it,” I cursed.
I left my chair by my computer, and headed for the kitchen to refill my cup. I have already had at least two cups of coffee, par for the course when I usually went on an information prowl. As I filled my cup with the still warm pot of black coffee, my thoughts kept falling back to my time in the spirit realm, and my desire to learn more. However, the other nagging thought on my mind kept diverting my attention. That there was some kind of danger lurking around my home town, a danger that was coming for me.
After I had filled my cup up with the rest of the coffee, I took it and went over to the window and stared out at the countryside. The golden blades of grass on the nearby hill swayed in the gentle breeze. I could see the leafless branches of the oak trees also move in the wind. As I brought the black coffee mug to my lips, my thoughts drifted back to that danger on the horizon.
What was this danger that I had coming for me? Was it related to what had happened to me back in Ravencrest? Or was it something completely unrelated to that incident? How many of the Unseen had these dangers on a regular basis? Was there even anyone else here that I could call an ally, a friend, or were they all hiding their true intentions behind some kind of mask with some nefarious purpose? So many questions, so few answers, and so few certainties.
I continued to sip my coffee and think about what my mother told me about the Weres that lived in the area. I already knew about the Coyotes through renewing my old friendship ties. However, I was lacking information about the Cougars, the Bears, and the Hawks. The Hawks were the most mysterious of all, considering the fire that claimed their home nearly twenty years ago.
I had thought about looking over all the old news stories concerning the fire. I also wondered if I could get my hands on the arson report to see if they had any information about the blaze. I did know that the old ruins were still standing near the lake. No one had decided to purchase the land the ruins stood on from the rest of the Gibbs family. Also, the family themselves decided not to demolish and rebuild over the ruins.
Something about that old fire, which took place close to the time I was born, intrigued me. I wonder if there was anything left there to discover. Perhaps investigating the old ruins would provide a welcome diversion, and help me clear my head to help figure my own problems out. At the very least, the bicycle ride over there would help clear my head and help with my thinking. Cycling always seemed to help in generate ideas or solve problems for me. Besides, it would also help in working some of the caffeine out of my system from all the coffee I drank.
“Mom,” I called through the house, after setting down my coffee on the kitchen counter.
“What, Mikaela?” my mother called back.
“I’m going out for a bike ride near the lake.”
“Be home by dark!” she called back.
“I will, and I’ve got my phone if you need to get a hold of me.”
“Have fun!”
Grabbing a light jacket out of the closet, I headed into the garage and pulled out one of the mountain bikes that we had in storage. My mother also enjoyed cycling and we sometimes went on rides together when I was younger.
---------------------------------------------
As I rode through the hills, under the mostly cloudy skies on that cool December morning, I realized how much that I missed doing this on a regular basis. Although I did not relish the cold weather, the brisk air definitely felt refreshing. The grey clouds overhead cast a low light across the landscape. I knew a storm was on the way, and I knew that I had plenty of time to investigate the ruins before it got here. Also, feeling the air blow through my longer hair definitely was a new experience, and made me think I probably have put it up into a ponytail or something like that to keep it from blowing into my face during the ride. At least I had situated my shoulder bag into a comfortable position that did not interfere with my cycling through the hills.
The ride to the lake didn’t take too long, probably about half an hour, considering the distance. As I coasted down the hills and rounding the bend, I could see the ruins of the Gibbs estate come into view. They stood out from some of the scenery, but I could tell that nature was trying to reclaim some of the territory. In the distance beyond, I could make out the trailer park that was on the edge of town, as well as the woods that ran along the lakeside. It definitely was an interesting view, showing the edge of civilization and the wilderness.
I pulled into the driveway a few minutes later, the grass starting to overtake portions of the gravel driveway. Parking my bike near the remains of the garage, I got off and began my trek into the ruins of the estate. I could see the metal, burned-out wreckage of a car that had been in the garage when the fire broke out.
The charred remains of the main part of the estate still looked black, given the amount of time that had passed. Some of the stonework still stood, however, most of the wooden framework lay around blackened, rotting, and even molding in places. Pieces of the upper floors still remained intact and accessible, although I believed that they were extremely fragile and might not be able to support my weight. If I had to go up there for some reason during my personal investigation, I would definitely have to watch my step.
I decided to walk the perimeter of the estate to get a feel for where I should try to look first. Something about this place definitely stood out, other than the fact that no one has decided to rebuild the estate and just left it there to decay.
As I walked around, I did notice one thing in particular. Grass had regrown, lush and green, right up to the edge of the estate’s boundary. But, it didn’t get any further than that. From what I could see looking through the shattered windows, no plant vegetation was visible growing inside. I knew from basic science classes that various seeds are transported on the breeze. But, why was there nothing growing inside of these ruins?
I made the full perimeter survey and decided to enter the ruined structure, through the remains of the front door. The garage was out of the question, the gasoline from the car exploding had left barely anything intact.
The front door barely hung from its hinges, the wood scorched nearly everywhere. As soon as I crossed over the threshold, a very creepy feeling overtook me. It felt like I’ve been touched by death or something along those lines. For all I know the ruins could be haunted or something.
As I looked around what appeared to the remains of the living room, I could see the charred remains of furniture. There were no decorations, or remains of them hanging from the walls. Which made some sense, since the fire reportedly occurred towards the end of summer.
Walking around I could get some kind of feeling of the people who once lived here. From what I could make out, they were similar in lifestyle to my family. This made sense from what I have seen from other Were families. It seems that a good chunk of the various Were clans that I have encountered held quite a bit in finances in their possession. However, it looked like a good portion of that was wiped out by this devastating fire.
As I continued to look through the wreckage, I couldn’t help but shiver. It seemed strange that I should be so cold all of a sudden. The winds haven’t picked up and the clouds haven’t grown any darker.
‘Strange,’ I thought to myself.
I continued walking through the rubble, debris, and the other miscellany that littered the ruins. I turned over objects every now and again, rummaging around to see what I could find. But, to be honest, I didn’t have much of a clue of what I was looking for. Just that I wanted to know what set the blaze or what became of the Gibbs’ family that lived here.
Looking at some of the remains in the office area, I could see fragments of what probably were proudly displayed artifacts of the Gibbs’ family. Similar to things that I had seen in other Were residences. I could see some bird imagery in some paintings, at least those that had undamaged areas.
Turning over some of the furniture pieces, I could see three life-like, albeit damaged, statues. All three statues depicted birds-of-prey.
I smirked. Definitely a theme here, just like I saw back in Ravencrest, in some of their estates.
However, instead of three hawks, like I assumed, there was only one. The other two were of an owl and a falcon. Definitely seemed to be out of the ordinary there. Did the Gibbs’ clan have multiple types of birds in their family, or was there something more symbolic here?
I jumped the instant I heard a screeching noise in the distance. The noise seemed to have come from someplace close by, and I quickly looked up and around. I didn’t see anything in the charred remains of the house, so I went over to window and took a look outside.
Perched on a branch on a nearby oak tree, I could make out the silhouette of an owl. There was just enough light to make out some of its features. It looked around at the house for a few seconds before it turned its gaze upon me. I didn’t recognize the type of owl that it was, but it was as if the owl’s gaze saw right through me. Almost as if it could read my mind or something.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts and went back over to the statues. Looking at the owl, I could now see that the two owls were of the same species. That seemed a little fishy to me. I decided to take all three of the statues with me. I placed them carefully in my shoulder bag, not wanting to damage them further. I hoped that maybe they could yield another clue to the Gibbs’ fire under further investigation.
After learning all that I could on the first floor, I breathed deep and headed for the remains of the stairs to continue my exploration of the ruins. The house consisted of only two floors, and I presumed that the bedrooms were situated up there, considering that I found no evidence of anyone having lived down here.
Watching my step, I cautiously made my way upstairs, trying to be careful to not break the step and fall through. The stairs groaned, creaked, and felt like they could give in at any moment. Nervous seemed like a gross understatement, as the fear of falling and injuring myself pervaded my thoughts. Luckily, as I got off at the second-floor landing, the structural supports still seemed to be able to hold my weight.
I poked around the room as best that I could, it seemed that the fire damage was more severe up here. I knew that flames traveled upwards, yet why were things more destroyed up here? The only thing that seemed to fit this level of destruction was that the fire started from up somewhere up here.
I continued my look around the bedrooms. They showed various levels of devastation like the rest of the estate. Burnt clothes, toys, and mementos littered the rooms. It was sad to see one family reduced to scraps and piles of ash. It angered me that whomever was responsible for setting the blaze was still on the loose, since all the related news stories never reported the arsonist being caught.
After some time of searching the rooms, I finally came upon the last room on the floor, one of the smaller bedrooms. My guess that this room belonged to one of the Gibbs’ children. Upon entering the remains of the room, however, I could see the damage here to be very extensive. It seemed like the fire started here.
Nearly all of the walls were scorched black. The ceiling had a large gaping hole in the center of it with the floor having a similar one. I approached the hole cautiously, unsure of what I might find there, if anything.
The edge of the hole was singed black, black as the darkest night. Looking across the hole, I could see the headlights of a few cars on the road, through what holes in the glass I could see. The rest of the glass was twisted and warped. The furniture, or more accurately what was left of it, were nothing more than mere scraps. I could also see leftovers of clothing as well: a piece of a shirt here, some bits of jeans there. I couldn’t tell the former occupants’ gender from the clothing. Too few scraps, and what remained was unisex. But, I could tell that the occupant was a teenager.
I slowly creeped up to the hole as I felt that the floor would be weaker here. When I got to the edge I looked down into and up above it. From what I could tell, the hole didn’t penetrate the roof of the house or through to the floor below fully. It was as if something exploded in the middle of the room and expanded outwards to encompass part of the room. The fire to the house would have then been an aftereffect of that explosion. Then what caused the explosion in the first place?
I looked around a bit more, and didn’t feel like testing the edge further. Sighing, I decided to head back to my bicycle and return home. I found some pieces to this puzzle, but I still was mystified about what happened here.
I had almost reached the stairs when I heard a loud crack from beneath me. Suddenly, I found myself falling through the floor, and I felt a sharp pain when I fell through the ground floor as well, landing on some concrete floor underneath that one. Darkness took me as I landed with a hard thud on my back on to what felt like cold hard concrete.