Hidden Wings

chapter 8

“So, Nightmares?” Her hair was blonde instead of black, her eyes a soft blue instead of her mysterious emerald green she was tall my mother was short, I know I didn’t have long with her but she was the mother I remember this women doesn't look anything like her.

“This is a lot right now you, you are just too much.” I shake my head, we walk to the kitchen in silence. When we got there a women looked to be in her thirties, her icy blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail showing her long ears began to become long with points on the sides of her head and are slowly turning blue spreading along her face and body I gasp causing them to look at me, her face changed her nose was more like a mouse her eyes enlarged in size her white are now a soft yellow with black dots, she raise a hand to her hair probably feeling the weight of it she pulls it to the front it was shining blue like a lake in the sun. “What is happening?”

“As a royal and the heir to the throne you have the responsibility of giving life to your people and land, it is a scared blessing we must protect. Thanks to your grandmother queen and I we were able to remove the last of the potion your brother and uncle were giving you, she made it so that in this building you are releasing your energy giving more life back being so close to you transformed her back into her original form, a water nymph.” I glance at the fea in front of me then looked back at her,

“Why do you still look human?”

“Well I’m your mother I have been with you for all of your lifetimes I have become accustomed to your magic plus going all simurgh in here would be over the top. Come on let’s go or you’ll never geat, you will see a lot of strange things it’s best not to question it you will learn as you go.” I open my mouth to speak but I become lost for words when she start to guild me to move along. The water nymph starts to walk again in a way, I gap as I watch her float along the floor. We head into the back where the fridge was, she pulls out a bowl of large strawberries and other strange looking fruit she proceeds to chop up into chunks and then got some eggs out and made pancakes. The nymph floats over her appearance still blue I look away trying not to stare, and move to the other end of the line and sit on the counter the women to claims to be my mother stares at me and says,

“Put that butt in a chair not where we put the food.” Her voice was stern talking as if she has been my mother this whole time it was weird but the nymph smiles and enters our view of one another handing her a bowl for her eggs and look at the materials she needed sighs and begins to cook. The two start to chat in a language that I could barely understand. I watch them the blonde hair women snaps her fingers and a spark appears I silently gasp and looked at my hand I snap nothing happens, so I do it again

“It’s simple just focus the force on your fingertips and feel the heat and friction made by the motions.” I do as she says as I snap my fingers, I feel the connection of my skin and hold on to it than a flame appears on my index finger. I smile and look at the two women in front of where I sit still on the counter they smile back. “You’ve always been a fast learner. I know you will be a great queen one day.”

“Why am I the next in line? Isaac is older shouldn't he be the one taking care of the kingdom?" She shakes her head mixing the batter.

“Well on earth that is the normal thing to do however in Ivearona we do things our way our line has been a long one your grandmother is the seventeenth queen of the Seelie fea’s we take the strongest of the family to take the throne, it is not about who is born first it is about the people of the land and to make sure we are able to nourish them all with good weather and health. We are only able to give them that with harvesting and returning the power we hold back into the land and people such as this wonderful helper here.” She gestures to the nymph. “What is your name dear?”

“Celia.” She says with a smile bigger than any human could manage. “Your majesty’s.” She bows then so deep I was surprised her head wasn’t touching the ground.

“Okay but how do we do that and why does it have to be me? Oh, and hi Celia.” I ask picking at the fruit observing it before putting it in my mouth.

“Like your grandmother you are a succubus meaning you have the ability to take the life force from anyone you touch however you can also give life force. Your uncle and brother had gave you a mix of uncertified potion to keep your fea genes under the radar from others here on earth but you couldn’t handle your powers and other fea’s at the same time and it started to build up to the point you were giving it to others and the nature around you. When succubus accumulate lots of power it is usually because of direct skin contact and the willingness to give the force by your pheromones.”

She glances my way after flipping her tester pancake. I blink and then blush thing about Ashton.

“I have met a boy who thinks he likes me, but I knew something felt off on the way he was attracted to me and told him no, in a way but he is persistent.”

“If he is a fea he would feel the uncontrol erge to be near all fea’s whether they like it or not will feel your statues and would want to be with you at all times it is how we keep each other safe.”

“From what?” I ask.

“The unseelies they are the chaos of our world.” Celie answers cooking the eggs.

“What if he's human?" I ask Ashton couldn't be a fea he goes to school like me and looks like a human extremely smoldering hot but human.

"Then as a succumbs your looks and scent will make him attracted to you, actual once you start learning to use your powers as you go to school I wouldn't be surprise if both boys and girls start to ask you out." She laughs. "It's happened a few times."

"So, the boy he doesn’t really like me, right?” I ask they nod with sad looks on their face. “Will being a succubus mean I will always be alone?” I ask not looking for an answer because I continue, “Well obviously not since grandma got married and had kids, she did find love, right? Do I call you mom? Mother or what?” I ask looking at her as I jump off the counter, she finished cooking the pancakes and Celia had placed the eggs, sausage’s and potatoes on the plate. She starts to move the two plates out of the kitchen after the women places the pancakes onto the plates.

“What kind of question is that you can call me what you like I am your mother I know I have a different appearance than the last time you saw me and your memories from Ivearona are blocked but you will get them back and I will not have changed I am going to live long this life time I can feel it.” She give me a small smile and takes my hand as she leads us to the dining area.

Beep… beep… beep…

I blink away the tears taking a deep but shaken breath trying to calm down, but it's as if his voice was on a loop in my mind, I can still hear his twisted words. My body won't stop shaking, I feel like I am going to break, I hold my body closer, trying to keep myself from quivering in fear but those eye are now forever carved in my mind, I feel as if I’m falling apart no matter how tight I squeeze. The dream was to real, to vivid, my alarm is still going off, but it is as if it was in a different room, the menacing, hollow voice clouded everything until Isaac comes in with a face that showed nothing but tiredness and annoyance,

"Turn off your freaking alarm clock! It's Saturday!" Isaac stomps into my room. I lay back down under my blankets to keep him from seeing my shakes and tears,

"Sorry." I mumble. He turns the alarm off and heads back to his room yawning he wish me a good night. When I hear his door close, I sit up and rake my mop of a sweaty hair back. I couldn't believe it, it's already Saturday. I don't remember getting home. So, I start dialing the office's number. Every bone in my body wants me reach out to him but my stomach does an unsettling flips and a small voice in the back of my mind screaming at me to stay away.

"Alzir?" I almost shout into the phone but I hold back a few notches.

"Are you okay?" His voice was filled with worry when he answers the phone.

"No, I... I... " I couldn't form the words; fear rose in me and a lot of what if questions start to form around in my brain. “I was wondering if I can talk to Adela?” I finally breath out.

“Hello?” I hear a women’s voice sweet as honey. “Ivey?” I don’t know what came over me, but the sounds of her voice was so much like my fathers at the moment that tears start to flow, and I start to sob into the phone.

"Grandma?'' Was the only sob I could manage she shushes me,

"Ivey..." She whispers in my ear sending a shiver runs through my entire body. I know she can tell I was scared of something, "Would you mind if I stop by." I shake my head though she couldn’t see it she must have known I did she says. “I will come get you and we can chat some place quiet.” I nod. She hung up and then I hear a sound from my uncles room, I jump out of bed hair still a mess plus I was in my pj’s I run to his room being as quiet as possible not wanting to wake Isaac up. My Uncle had a large room when I opened the door his room was the same as always untouched sheets of dust caked everything. When I opened the door the closet door also open and Adela steps out of it.

“How are you here?” I gasp.

“Portal honey, my clever Antony made one here to get to and from the building, but it only goes to the office.”

“He made this garden for me when we first moved in. I was so grateful to him for it because that has become the one spot I could breathe in this whole house.” I blurted out for no good reason; I blink in confusion. She smiles, "I know it's early but I... I." I start to stutter, so I stop and wait for her to say something instead.

“You always loved nature.” Was her responds. “Let me go tell Isaac that you are leaving with me to the office I will be right back.” I open my mouth to tell her I have to get dress first, but she stops at the door and says, “Stay.” Something in the way she said it made it sound like an order, so I nod she smiles and closes the door behind her. I look around the room looking back at the door one more time I head to the closet and open the door it was just a normal closet his clothes still there had a smell of woods and his cologne. I step in and start to shift through the materials they were soft and cold. I sigh a tear came falling down slowly. When I got to his jackets, I felt something heavy in one of the pockets, curious I reach into the black fabric and pulled out a purple box with a pink bow and a card. I open the box inside there was a necklace it has two chains the top was made with gold leaves and the bottom was a chain with an amethyst stone. Tears stream down my face as I open the folded paper it read,

‘My lovely little Ivey you are growing up so fast your sixteen I am so glad I could see you grow into a fine sweet young lady. I know that if your parents were here, they would be so happy to see how strong you have gotten. I was going to wait till you were eighteen, but I know you will take care of it.

With all my love and happiest memories love Uncle Anthony

I whip my tears slipping the note in my back pocket then processed to put the necklace on the moment it touch my skin it was as I was on fire it burned the stone felt like it was melting my skin in that one spot. Then it started to spread along my bones and muscles, I let out a blood curdling scream so loud that both Adela and my brother came rushing in shouting my name, but it was as if I was underwater twenty feet below. Seconds later it starts to feel as if my blood starts to boil and in two spots on my back heat rose to a smoldering point like a pop of a bubble the heat was released from the slits slowly the pain drowning feeling dissipates. When the pain subsided completely, I stood back up unsteadily my back felt heavier than usually, I turn and spot two translucent set of wings hanging. I gasp,

“What… what happened?”

“You activated your powers sweetie.” Adela says in a calm tone she approaches me like I am a wild animal her hand raised, and light pink came from them. “I think it’s for the best if we take you to Ivearona until we can get you powers back in check.” She says cautiously.

“But I feel fine.” I mutter. She nods,

“That’s good however your powers are radiating off of you right now and if when don’t take you to the realm now we will be caught.” I was going to ask by who, but the blue eyes came to mind, and I nod. The pink from her hands turn purple and the room we were gets filled with smoke. The next second we were in a room with a tall ceiling and pale blue walls with gigantic windows. Outside was a bright multi-color garden with a verdant backside.

“Safe to say in this Ivearona?” I look at the two. Adela shook her head, but Isaac spoke,

“No, that is just an illusion grandmother created we are at the office we have to use the portal here because the one at the house only comes here.” I nod recalling what she had said when we went into his room. He ushers us out of the cramped room, and we start to head somewhere deep in the building.

“Why do I have a feeling everyone is looking at me?” I question as we get to our destination which was a much longer walk then I hoped wobbling as I walk if it wasn’t for Alzir I would have falling quite a few times.

“It’s the first time in over three decades that you have gotten to this stage and we all are happy for you to see you alive and with your wings it is quite the sight they all want to say they were the first to see you.” Alzir whispered back as Isaac opened the door. My stomach gets queasy, the hand holding Alzir’s grips hard the hot bubble came again like a punch in the gut.

“Quick she is almost at overload I can’t help her here.” Adela shouts the sounds started to fade, terror filled me it hurt. Purple smoke swarms around us taking us to another place, Alzir places me in a chair. Adela replaces him at my side, and she starts to chant in a language not known to earth, the pain starts to sept out of my fingers. I sigh in relief,

“Thank you, grandmother.” I mutter as my eyes felt heavy Alzir came to my side with a glass of liquid. I look up to take it but instead there was blood splattered all over the walls and body's dyed red as it spread across the bed, the white sheets stained with the matching color that creep from under the bed covering the whole floor. Taking a step forward my feet slush around in the warm liquid. I slip and slid deeper into the room towards the bed to see my mom's pale face covered in crimson her red hair that use to mimic mine has lost all its vibrant glow. I look over her body once more and see a small shiny object in her neck it was hard to make out because of the blood that was gushing out around it. A bone chilling fear ran up my spine I look away my fist balling and move on. I go around the bed to see my dad lying face down in a pool of his own blood I can't see marks but there was a blood on his back and lots around him. I stood there motionless staring at them and all the blood. Moments later Isaac comes in running and slipping to my side. I hear him repeat my name over and over, but I was unresponsive I just stood there. Shortly after that police came and tried to take me from where I was but the moment one touched me the wall across the bed started to c***k and crumble. A man with blue eyes stared at me and I stared back never breaking contact until he smiled and disappears.

Later that week we had a funeral as I stood next to Isaac watching everyone cry, I didn't know anyone and there was so many people in weird clothing but in the distance, I could see those eyes staring at me so much anger in them. It starts to rain by the time they are getting lowered into the ground, I was happy it was raining it hid the fact that I haven't shed one tear I squeeze Isaac's hand knowing everyone knows I haven't. Even if it was a funeral, I can tell everyone was stealing a glance or two my way even whispering loudly about me, blaming me. I was starting to believe them too but Isaac my big brother tried to reassure me that it wasn’t, but it was hard for him to say it through all his tears. I look into his eyes to see pain and hatred towards me I knew the stare of hatred and disappointed in people's eyes I've been getting them from everyone else since that bloody night, I've even seen fear in a few people eyes sometimes in Isaac's.

It rained a lot that night the windy storm making the adults shouts louder. Nobody wanted to take us well more like they didn't want to take me in, Isaac was no problem. They kept shouting how they didn't want their family to be next or how I'm the cause of it "She might as while put the knife to their throat and sliced it herself." one man shouted. I was sitting right next to the door listening I wanted to scream that it wasn't my fault I didn't do it but since that night I haven't been able to utter one word it was like someone ripped me open took my voice so I could suffer in silence. Isaac came running towards me, eyes still red from crying he asked what I was doing over here and why did I leave my room I didn't respond, couldn't, understanding he helps me up and we start walking back to my room until a boy comes in front of us.

"My mommy told me you killed your parents. Why did you do it? You know that means you're going to die now too, it means you're worse than that man. That's what mommy says, you are a terrible being and don't belong!" Isaac tried to make him shut up, but the boy kept talking. Tears start falling down my eyes I didn't want to hear it, so I put my hands over my ears and squeezed my eyes shut. Then a loud c***k, crash pierced through my hands, my eyes fly open and I see a large c***k in the wall and the hallways bookcase over the boy who's now in a crouched position with his hands over his head. The bookcase was caught by the opposite wall letting all the books fall on the boy who stays crying causing the arguing adults to rush out. A tall blond lady came running to the crying boy as fast as she could in her black pencil skirt and pointed shoes. She takes the boy into her arms shouting,

"What happened? Who did this?" She looks around causing her short-bobbed hair to follow. The boy pointed at me.

"What did you do you little monster!" She yelled.

"She didn't mean to!" Isaac yelled back.

"Be quiet you," she turns and looks back at me. "You, what did you do?" My mouth opened but no words came out, I closed it and opened again but nothing. She was about to start yelling again I could see it, but someone picked me up and spoke.

"Remember who you're talking to miss, you're being very rude." The lady said nothing, I looked up to see the man holding me. He gave me a sad smile,

"Hello, little one I'm sorry I'm late, planes." He sighs, "I'm your uncle Anthony, your father's brother. I haven't seen you since you were born." He looks over to the other adults with a serious face,

"I'll take them so y'all can stop fussing." He turns back to look at me and Isaac with a smile.

"Uncle Anthony?" Isaac said more of a question then his name.

"Yes, me and your father had a falling out a while back I've regret not making it up even more now that when...." He trailed off not able to finish but he didn't cry he just pushed his shoulders back straight and said,

"It's late I'm taking these kids home."

After a month living with him, I was starting to get comfortable, but I haven't spoken one word not to my classmates not even to my brother or uncle who nicely understood and didn't try to force me like everyone else. The only strange thing is with in that month he was gone for a few days and always on his phone.

"Ivey are you ready to talk yet?" He asked like he did every day when he got home, I shook my head he shrugs and kept walking into the kitchen I follow him as he goes into the refrigerator, I sit on the counter staring at his back.

"It's late you know you should go to bed." I shook my head. "Hun it's 9 o'clock you have school." I shook my head again and showed him the paper saying this week is the start of summer break, "oh well still you need your rest you're a growing child." I nod agreeing but I still didn't feel sleepy and I know he knew it to. "How about we drink some milk and look at some picture you can go get them and I'll get the milk, they are in the hallway closet you know where right?" I nod and jumped off the counter than ran to the hallway when I got back, I set them on the table as he put the milk away and walked over to sit next to me. That night we spent an hour looking at the photo album and drank milk soon after I started to get sleepy, so he picked me up and tucked me into bed.

It's been five almost six years since then and I just barely talk to anyone, but Uncle Anthony since Isaac is in college now, he is in his last year. My birthday is coming up so he should be coming home soon I'm turning sixteen after all roughly a week left till then can't wait!

"Uncle Anthony!" I shout getting out of my reading chair in the living room and run towards him giving him a big hug he just got home from his monthly weeklong business trip. "Welcome home!"

"Ivey, sweetheart how was your week?" He chuckles hugging me back.

"Good I finished another book! I'm on my fourth one this month. How was your trip."

"It was found. Here I brought you something back." He pulls out a bracelet that was made out of golden leaf’s. He would bring a gift back every time he leaves but it's always different last time, he brought me a flower he said as long as I talked to it and take care of it it'll never die, and it hasn't! I love all my gifts he brings he even got me clothes one time they were weird looking but beautiful.

"It's beautiful!" I slip the bracelet on; I felt an overwhelming sensation, but I said nothing about it to him. It happens every time I touch anything he brings back from his trip. "SOOOOO, uncle Anthony you know what is going on in seven days?" I ask as he put his things down and goes to sit in the living room.

"Hm, let's see it's about to be fall season and my favorite flower are going to bloom on the 16 of October. Is that what you're talking about we can go see them bloom wouldn't that be fun?" He smiles at me I laugh,

"No, not that my birthday uncle." He laughs.

"Right your birthday, I knew that I won't forget. Speaking of I talked to Isaac earlier he said he'll be getting on a plane tomorrow, so he'll be here around eight. We can all go out to eat."

"Really! I can't wait!"

Like he said Isaac came home the week was amazing, and I had so much fun but then my birthday came, and it was like losing my parents all over again. On the way home from work uncle Anthony got in a car crash. We had the funeral three days after. Again, I wasn't talking to anyone again I just lost my voice I'm guessing that's just my coping mechanism for when I lose someone I love. Isaac end up telling his college what happen and so he finish online so he could take care of me again I felt bad but happy he was with me I don't think I could take being alone. Since my uncle died, I've been having dreams about a boy behind a barn I can't figure out what it means Isaac says it's nothing, but I don't believe that he looks to real to familiar. I know him.

I remember the night of uncle Anthony's funeral we were reading his will and he gave everything to me and Isaac he had a note at the end it said,

"In last I would like all my selfish ass family to know that I hate you all and that you do not get any of my things. If you think that for one second that I will give you a dime you must be f*****g mad. To my wonderful niece and nephew take care the house for me sorry I left so early I love you both."

They were in an uproar, they were shouting and screaming. Isaac had me leave to my room, so I did and after a few seconds they were silent but of course that didn't last long cause I started to hear more shouting those selfish bastards. I had my music playing from my phone and drowned myself in it as I fell asleep crying.