Chapter 24

“The Michaels don’t let many people into their tight circle, you must be lucky,” a black-haired girl with honey brown eyes says. Justin introduces her as Melody.

“What do you mean?” I ask, not knowing where she is going with the turn of conversation.

“The Michaels think they are too good to hang out with anyone here, they mainly stick to themselves.” Ben is a muscular boy with long, shoulder length light brown hair and hazel eyes, he answers, waving his fork in the air.

I don’t like the way they are speaking about my friends. The tone of their voice is unnerving. The Michaels, even with all their faults, have etched their way into my heart. Chris too, even with is arrogant bossy ways.

“James has made it through the entire school’s population of female Guardians, and Guardians in training, we are just waiting to see who the next poor unfortunate soul will be,” Melody babbles. I have no idea what she is talking about. My face must show the confusion as she continues.

“He has broken the hearts of each one of them, pretending to be interested one minute the next he has a new challenge on his arm. Sick really, yet the girls all swoon over him, hoping to be his next poor victim.”

James has been nothing but friendly with me, joking around, involving me in their conversations. I cannot believe she is talking about the same person. I would never think that James would play with people’s hearts. He seems genuine. Chris has a problem with the wolves, and the wolves have a problem with the Michaels. Well, I know Chris has a problem with the wolves and he is not afraid to show it. Misty and James seem to have a guarded look in their eyes whenever Justin is nearby.

Can I be friends with both parties?

For the rest of the day, I ponder over what the wolves have said, thinking back on all the encounters I have had with James. But I come up empty. Nothing they have said rings true. In fact, I like James’s company, he is a ray of sunshine, and he has an easy-going personality that I cannot help but like.

A soft knock at my bedroom door brings me out of my thoughts. I look around my room. It is a bomb site, clothes strewn everywhere; looking for something to wear to the dance is proving difficult. I have one hour to find something before Justin picks me up and at least try and make myself look presentable. Distractions I do not have time for.

Stomping to the door, I yank it open. To my surprise Amelia stands on the other side a warm smile placed upon her full lips. Her dark hair cascades down her back. She wears another white ankle length dress, making her honey tanned skin glow in the fluorescent lighting.

“I thought you might need some help with your dress for the winter ball.” She walks past me into my disaster zone. “Yeah, you definitely need help,” she laughs, looking at the mess. “What kind of dress would you like?”

“I don’t know, anything but white,” I shrug. I am not good with fashion, and I never keep up to date with the latest trends, like Misty.

“OK, close your eyes and I will work from there.” I look at her utterly confused but I do as she has, asked. The air slightly changes, a warm breeze sweeps over my skin.

“OK, what would you like to do with your hair?” I begin to open my eyes.

“No, keep them closed for now.”

“Maybe an up do, my hair pinned up with a few loose curls.”

“Yeah, I like the idea of that,” she says excitedly. The same warm breeze sweeps over my skin.

“You can look now.”

Opening my eyes, Amelia has a small smile on her lips and a faraway look in her eyes. A tear slips down her cheek. “You look so much like your mom, so grown up. You look beautiful.” Pulling herself together, she pulls me towards my full-length mirror.

I am amazed at the girl staring back at me. A pale blue satin dress hugs my body and glistens in the light. The teardrop pendent stands out against my pale skin. My cheeks have a slight flush to them. My eyelashes are darker, and a pale blue eye shadow covers my eyelids with a tint of glitter.

My hair is clipped up with small sliver gems all sparkling and dancing. A few curls hang loose, framing my shoulders. The girl that stares back looks older, more sophisticated; I am amazed at the transformation. I feel like a princess.

“Thank you,” I whisper, at a loss for words. She has truly done an amazing job. “You’re like my fairy godmother getting me ready for the ball.”

She pulls me towards her, giving me a gentle hug, careful not to mess up her work of art. She grins, a beautiful smile lights up her face. “Unlike Cinderella, you have no limitations. Enjoy yourself, Kayla. After everything you have been through these last few weeks you deserve it. If you ever have any questions about your mom, I will be willing to answer whatever I can.”

I stare at myself in the mirror long after she has gone. I have lots of questions about my mom. But I don’t feel right asking Grandmother. The words are always at the tip of my tongue but never going further.

Earrings, I need earrings.

I open the dresser drawer with a little too much force. The drawer comes completely out, crashing to the floor. The entire contents land in a heap.

I crouch down with the daunting task of picking everything up. A white, yellowing envelope catches my eye, taped to the underside of the drawer. Kneeling closer to the letter, I see that it is addressed to me, my name written neatly in elegant, precise writing, familiar yet I cannot place the penmanship.

Curious, I detach the tape and open the letter. Tears come to the front of my eyes as my heart aches.



Dear Kayla



If you are reading this then unfortunately, I am no longer with you, a thought that terrifies me more than you can ever know. I can tell that the end is drawing near for me. They are getting too close. Finding us too fast, I fear that I may no longer be able to hide you. But I will do all I can to prevent them from taking you.

There are many things you don’t know, many things that you don’t understand. I know that it is my fault, but I had my reasons.

Your journey has only just begun, and you will need to find your inner strength if you are to succeed, to overcome the darkness that lurks in the shadows, the evil of the world.

Remember wherever darkness resides there is light as one cannot exist without the other. Everything has a balance, and that balance must be maintained.

Your fight has just begun, keep on fighting. If you are unwilling, then you might as well just throw life away.

Never trust anyone, not family or friends, in the end they more than likely won’t be there. Learn to rely on yourself.

Remember a secret is not a secret if more than one knows. No one can keep your secrets, but you. You, my dear, have many secrets you need to keep, secrets that will not only turn your life upside down but the people that you hold dear.

Not everything and everyone is as it seems. People will use you, try to befriend you for their own personal gain.

Always hold onto your light, and even in the darkest of hours your light will see you through.

Be careful, remember I did what I thought was best to keep you safe and to protect you from the nightmares of the world. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.

It is my deepest regret that I am not here to guide you, to protect you, and most of all watch you grow into the beautiful and strong young woman that I know you will be.

There is one thing I must share with you. Fate has sent me to protect a special gift. Fate has as set out your path.

In every generation, a girl will be born, until the girl who bares the rose’s thorn.

Rules will be disobeyed that were made to be sworn.

The girl will rise through light and dark. She will bear the mark.

Hell will be opened. Evil will be welcomed.

The child from earth and light will bear the fight.

She will end the war once and for all. With her they will all fall.

The sky will turn red to mourn the dead.

I love you more than life itself.

Love you my angel

Mom



***

Goose bumps rise on my skin, bringing with them a chill. My body trembles slightly. I do not understand any of the letter.

What Secrets do I process?

I wish I had my childhood memories more than I ever have, if only to understand my mother’s words.

“Kayla, your date is here.” Owens’s voice carries up the stairs.

Checking the mirror one last time to make sure I have not smudge Amelia’s work with my tears, I place the letter back in its hiding place and leave the room with sadness in my heart. Justin stands at the bottom of the steps looking more handsome than I have ever seen him. I didn’t think it would be possible. He wears a dark blue suit with a white shirt and matching tie.

My heart races with each step I take butterflies erupt in my stomach.

My Grandmother and Owen stand beside him, smiling up at me. The expression on Justin’s face sends a wave of excitement through me. As I reach the bottom step my grandmother rushes towards me, pulling me in for a hug.

“Now, now, Belinda, let’s not go messing the girl’s look up,” Owen chides.

“You look amazing,” my grandmother proclaims as more tears brim her eyes.

“You look beautiful, Kayla, a true princess of the witches,” Owen says, placing a warm kiss on my hand.

Princess of the witches, now that is new to me.

“Thank you,” I beam, never have I received so much attention. I have been to dances before but this feels different somehow.

“Okay, let’s get a picture then they can be on their way.” Owen suggests. Grandmother wastes no time snapping shot after shot, a dozen photos, Owen comes to our rescue.

“Okay, I think it is time to go before the dance is over.” He winks at me while he leads us outside, where the limousine is waiting.

“We can’t have the princess walking now can we.” The cool feel of the leather seats is a relief to my burning body.

Once we arrive, we walk down the school corridor arm in arm. We stop outside the hall where the dance is being held. A table is set up. Justin hands over our tickets to a small chubby girl with blond short hair in pig tails and a heart shaped face. She hands us both a mask.

“Don’t forget to check your numbers before you go in,” the girl calls after us.

“Numbers, I didn’t even know we had to wear masks,” I mutter.

“Every year at the winter ball we wear these masks, and halfway through the dance we must dance with the male or female with the same number,” he explains.

“When the school was first opened the different supernatural’s didn’t mix with each other choosing to stay within their own race the dance was created to help them mix without knowing who they were really dancing with, and the dance has carried on all these years later.” He places the mask on my face before doing the same to himself.

Walking arm in arm through the door, I stand still, shocked and amazed of the transformation of the hall.

Real snow falls from above. The snow drifts down in a hypnotic dance, disappearing before it has the chance to hit the polished floor.

All kinds of bright green trees scatter around the room; the tops covered in snow and lit up by blue led lights. Blue and white led lights float high in the air. They twirl in and out of a white, blue and pink mist, creating the look of a sunset it is truly beautiful, a magnificent winter wonderland scene.

People already mill around the dance floor, laughing as they are being thrown about and held close. Music I am not familiar with plays in the background, beautiful and hunting.

“Would you like to dance?” Justin asks, taking my hand in his and leading me to the dance floor.

He holds my waist with one hand while holding my hand with the other. He proceeded to step forward, but steps on my toe.

“Sorry, I am not familiar with this type of dancing,” I confess attempting to step away from him.

“That’s OK, just follow my lead.”

I oblige, and for the next half hour I try to follow his steps. He either steps on my toes or I step on his.

He holds my hand and begins to spin me around and around. I crash into his chest. Panting from my laughter, I look up at him. He leans down and kisses me, giving me no warning. His lips are warm and tender. A warm tingling feeling spreads through my belly. After a few moments I kiss him back.

I start to feel a little lightheaded, every time he looks at me so intensely.

“I am going to take a break.” He wraps his hands around my shoulders and guides me off the dance floor.