The Dragon's Witch Mate

CHAPTER: 2

Shooting up in her bed, Vienna reached for her throat, feeling for any cuts or bruises. She knew rationally that nothing would be there, even as her heart continued to pound and her breath came in short pants.

The soft squeak of the door drew Vienna's attention. It had opened just enough for her youngest sister, Ziva to peek her head in. Her sister Ziva was born with hair that was so pale blonde that it appeared as if she was born with a halo. Her mother used to tease that she would either be an angel or a devil in disguise. Out of all the sister's she resembled her father very much. The rest of them had dark hair, just like their mother. "Hey Ziva, what are you doing, darling, so late in the night?" Vienna asked, patting the bed next to her, and inviting Ziva to join her.

Ziva was eight years but she still loved to cuddle with her. "I heard you scream," Ziva announced as she quickly crawled into the bed with Vienna.

Running her fingers through her little sister's hair, she saw her lip quiver as she made that little statement. Since their parent's death three years back, Vienna had been raising her four sisters, in a large part thanks to the life insurance policy and some fixed deposit that their parents left behind. It also really helped that they owned a four-bedroom apartment, that did not require too much upkeep.

Vienna had dropped out of college. She had joined the college while her parents had been alive to take a degree in business management. But due to the untimely death of her parents in the car accident, she had been forced to grow up overnight. She knew she had to work so that her siblings could study. She, therefore, had taken on a full-time job as a receptionist in a law firm. She took up this job just to make sure she would be home at night with her sisters, to cook meals for them, and to regularly supervise their studies. 

Ziva, being so young, often clung to her, and she felt her heart tighten at the obvious fear in her sister's voice. "It was just a bad dream, sweetheart. I am okay, I promise. You need not worry." Feeling her sister curl up closer to her side she added, "Why don't you stay in my bedroom tonight, and help me keep the bad dreams away?"

"Okay," Ziva mumbled while snuggling under the covers and putting her head down on the pillow.

Kissing her little sister on the forehead, Vienna lay down next to her and curled her arms around her. Ziva quickly fell asleep. Listening to the slow rhythmic sound of her sister's breathing helped pull Vienna back into sleep, very soon.      

The alarm went off at six in the morning, and she quickly turned it off, hoping not to wake up her sister as she got out of bed to hop in the shower. She still felt dizzy as her sleep had been interrupted, but she was thankful that after her sister had climbed into bed with her, the dreams had left her alone for the rest of the night, and she was able to sleep peacefully.

Feeling the hot water run down her body, Vienna could not help but think of her dream about her mother. While heading out for their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary celebration, their parents were hit by a car that ran a red light. Last night was the first time she had dreamt of her mother after more than a year, and even though she knew that it had been just a bad dream, she could not help but wish that her mother could really talk to her. Vienna had, in the beginning, felt so overwhelmed when she had started taking care of her sisters, but they were a family after all and nothing or nobody was going to keep them apart.

Stepping out of the shower, Vienna wrapped the towel around her body and blow-dried her hair. While all the sisters except Ziva had jet black hair. Vienna was the only one who had her mother's violet eyes, the rest of them had their father's sparkling blue eyes. Finishing with her hair, Vienna applied the bare minimum of makeup, lipstick, eye shadow, and mascara as she proceeded to finish her routine, so she could get the girl's breakfast ready.

Walking into the kitchen, she observed that the girls were already up. Tiara was eleven years old and, the second youngest. She was standing behind Ziva, doing her hair in a light braid. They were the closest, being the youngest two, and they were always trying to whisper something into each other's ears. Zara had washed the fruits and Clover was getting the bread out for the sandwiches.

Taking out the pancake mix from the refrigerator, Vienna noticed one of them had turned on the skillet, and she started mixing. 

"Hey guys, you have all got your homework done. Right?" Vienna asked the youngest two sisters, in particular.

"Of course, Vienna. I have got a party this weekend, and I know you won't let me go if I slack off in studies," Zara answered. Zara was seventeen and was going to complete her senior this year. She was constantly being invited to parties. Since she was the second oldest, she helped the most. As soon as she was able to drive, she had taken their father's, Ford Mustang and helped with transporting the kids, mainly taking them to school or running errands while Vienna was still at work. Zara simultaneously studied too. Out of all of them, Clover was the quietest, keeping to herself. She was fifteen years old. Vienna knew this was a rough time for her. She had a quiet strength and her blue eyes showed wisdom beyond her years. She nodded a yes and gave her a half-smile. 

Tiara and Ziva both simultaneously answered, "Yes, we finished our homework early so we could watch cartoons."

While passing out the pancakes, Vienna could not help but wish her parents could see how the girls were turning out. All of them had been doing well in school and also excelling in their own areas. Sitting down, she listened to the girls talk about what they had planned and who needed to do what.

Vienna was not much for talking in the morning, she though enjoyed the sounds of their laughter and the chatter that just seemed to be a natural part of their lives.

After finishing their breakfast and cleaning up, Zara left to drop Clover, Tiara, and Ziva at school, and then she and Clover would go to their high school. Both the school and high school were on the same campus, so she had no difficulty. While Vienna left for her office.