Eight
1167 Words
My jaw hung agape, I wasn’t one to often find myself rendered speechless however, this was certainly one of rare those times.
I gulped, turning to meet Gladdis’ gaze. She was eyeing me cautiously, almost as though she was checking I wasn’t about to pass out.
I mean, how do you even respond to something like that? My heart thundered against my chest, this was an information overload that I wasn’t mental prepared for.
I wet my lips, deciding I needed confirmation of one thing. “Just to clarify, the baby girl… you mean me, don’t you?”
Her corners of her lips curved as she let out a quiet chuckle. “Yes dear.”
I furrowed my brows, diverting my gaze. “And Wroe?”
Gladdis bowed her head. “Is your brother.” She confirmed.
I hurried to my feet, panic starting to set in as I pushed my brows together, pacing along the library floor. “So let me get this straight, you’re telling me that all those things I was just reading about… vampires, werewolves, faeries… they’re all real?”
Gladdis was expressionless as she nodded her head, confirming the answer. “Don’t forget witches and sirens.” She pointed out.
My forehead creased, my gaze diverting to floor. “Of course, how rude of me.” I muttered sarcastically.
Continuing my circular pacing, I asked “and my real father is a werewolf?”
“Yes.”
“But my grandfather is a hunter who kills werewolves?” I questioned.
“Yes.”
“And somehow, little old me is supposed to end all the fighting between the two kinds?”
“That’s right.”
I let out a loud breath, placing my hand on my hip. “I need to sit down.” I mumbled, making my way back to the wooden, mahogany chair.
Once sat, a loud buzzing began echoing in my head, creating a nauseous feeling in the pit on my stomach. “On second thought, I’ll stand.”
I rose back to my feet, noticing the grin form on Gladdis’ lips as she sat back against her chair. “Do as you must, dear.” She chuckled, shaking her head.
Hands back on my hips, my pacing continued. “Does my mother know about this? My adoptive one, obviously.”
“No, and she cannot know.” Gladdis quirked her brow in my direction. “Humans don’t tend to react well to finding out about the supernatural realm.”
I deadpanned in her direction. “What gives you that impression?” I wagged the material of my shirt against my chest, aiming to create a draft against my skin as I began to feel a rise in temperature. “Is it hot in here?”
Gladdis pressed her lips together as she rose from her seat, before placing her palms on my shoulders and leering down at me. “Willow, dear, you need to calm down.”
I blinked in disbelief. “Calm down? You’ve just shattered my entire world in the space of 5 minutes, I’m going to need a minute to adjust.”
“But this isn’t your world, Willow.” She reminded me with a pointed look. “You were born in a different one.”
No, maybe it wasn’t, but it was the only one I knew. It’s not like I was steadily broken into any of this, no one warned me or eased me into the possibility that everything I thought I knew wasn’t actually the truth.
I sighed, shaking my head out of exhaustion. There was nothing I could do about any of that now, I could only deal with the present.
“So,” I began. “How exactly am I supposed to conquer the supernatural realm?” My tone came across sarcastic, but I was genuinely intrigued.
Gladdis stifled a laugh, sitting back down on her seat. “Ah, that I cannot tell you.”
I narrowed my eyes, pushing my brows together. “Can’t or won’t?”
She gave me half a shrug. “Both. You’re about to embark on a journey, Willow. As I said at the start, there are some answers you have to learn for yourself and that is one of them. There are lessons you need to learn and challenges you need to face before you are ready for that step.”
Seems like a hard way to go around it, but sure.
I let out a long breath of acceptance. “And if I choose not too? To just stay here with the life I’ve had for the past 21 years almost.”
She flashed me a sympathetic smile, her gleaming eyes filled with kindness and empathy. “I’m afraid that’s not possible, Willow. Your soul is already trying to return home, the protection spell on your locket will dissipate on your birthday and you will find your way home soon.”
I grasped the metal heart, fidgeting with it between my fingers. “That’s that then.” I spoke tonelessly.
Suddenly, another question appeared in my mind. “The woman in this photo…” I started as I twiddled with the clasp on the heart. “Is this my mother?”
I unclipped the chain from around my neck, before gently placing the necklace in Gladdis’ hand. She gently trailed her finger over the clasp, pulling back the front half to get a better look.
Her lips curved into a warm smile as she studied the photo, the kind of smile someone shows when they think of a happy memory. “Yes, this is her.” She confirmed, briefly meeting my gaze. “You look just like her.”
An unexpected warmth spread through my heart at her words, it filled me with some form of reassurance that I didn’t realise I was hoping for.
I grinned as she returned the locket to me, it was strangely comforting knowing that I’d had this photo of us my whole life, in a way I guess she had always been there.
“So, what happens now?” I enquired, not really being too sure where we go from here.
“After your birthday, you’ll return to the supernatural realm.” Gladdis said matter-of-factly, I nodded in acceptance. Not much I could do about it, apparently.
“Over the next twenty-four hours you’ll notice a couple of changes, abilities that have been suppressed will begin to surface so be mindful of this when you’re around others, it will be difficult for them to comprehend. When you return to the alternate realm, I’ll be waiting for you and we’ll go from there.”
I sucked in a sharp breath, “alright, I can do that. How do I cross the realms?”
Gladdis grinned as she headed to the exit door. “Trust me, you know when it’s time.” She responded, before hastily leaving me standing there alone. “See you soon, Willow.”
Oh, boy.
- Writer
