Twelve
1041 Words
After I accidentally managed to almost burn both myself and Gladdis alive, I had decided it was probably for the best that I headed to bed for the evening. Gladdis assured me that I was welcome to stay with her for as long as necessary, which was perfect considering I had no idea where I was or how to get around.
Sleep had taken a while to wash over me, my mind had been racing a million miles an hour as I tried to digest everything that had happened throughout the course of the last few days. I wondered where my family would think I had gone, I could only imagine how worried they would be. Hopefully, I'll be able to return home to them one day..
Once sleep did finally take over, I was haunted with nightmares of my mind's interpretation of the evil vampire king. His shoulder-length locks were as black as night, his piercing red orbs dared me to come closer and challenge him, blood trickled down his canines as he shot me a menacing grin, right before his jaw found its way around Wroe's neck once again. It had been a far cry from the dreams of those two dashing hunks I had grown to obsess over.
It did, however, only develop my motivation further. If the real vampire king was anything like the one from my dreams, I needed to bump up the timeline and find Wroe immediately. The only problem was that I had no idea where to start.
Unfortunately, my dreadful nights sleep seemed to show as Gladdis flashed me a pitiful smile as she sat beside me. "Bad night, dear?" She questioned as she brought her cup of coffee to her lips. I offered her a weak smile as I let out a sigh, I could lie and say everything was fine but something told me Gladdis would get the truth one way or another. Behind that warm expression was a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.
"I've had better." I chuckled, not wanting to delve into the details. "I was hoping you would be able to tell me more about my family?" I asked, shuffling up in my seat as I wore a hopeful expression.
After I almost burnt down the living room, I realised there must be more to the story than I initially thought. If I had any chance at saving Wroe, I needed to learn as much as possible.
Gladdis nodded as she set down her cup. "After you were born, your parents had to separate in order to keep you and Wroe safe. Of course, as you know, if Arthur ever found out Wroe's father was a werewolf then he'd not only hunt down your father but he'd be sure to kill Wroe too. So, as much as it pained them, they had to keep their distance. Your mother told Arthur that Wroe's father was an argent who had recently been killed on a mission. Believing your mother shared the same views as him, he never questioned it and welcomed Wroe into the family, excited about having a new direct descendant who could carry on the argent line.
Arthur began training Wroe into a highly-skilled warrior as soon as he could walk, boasting about how Wroe would one day lead the argents to greatness. It didn't hurt that although the goddesses had taken his wolf, Wroe still had the strength and speed he would have otherwise had. Your mother remained in the argents, knowing she could never leave Wroe with your grandfather. It was too dangerous, even if it meant she would go years without seeing your father.
Thankfully, Arthur never suspected anything and Wroe was able to grow up with a relatively peaceful life, bar some brutal training sessions. On his 16th birthday, your mother told him the truth about you and your father. From that point onwards, Wroe chose to stay away from the ambushes on werewolves alongside your mother, but began trying to track your father down.
Wroe was never successful in finding your father. The goddesses made it clear that the distance was imperative for your safety, so he made sure he wouldn't be able to be found. I wish I could assure you that he was fine, but the truth is I really have no idea. No one has heard from him in twenty-one years.
Your mother doesn't tend to leave the argent premsis. After she began refusing to attend missions, Arthur started to question her loyalty and has her under constant surveillance, waiting for the moment she slips up. Although, to my knowledge, she never has." Gladdis chuckled to herself.
"Your mother is a remarkable woman and she loves you greatly, Willow. I know she has been counting down the days to your twenty-first from the day you were born. It's an incredible shame you're yet to be reunited." She pressed her lips together for a moment. "But I know one day you will be."
I sat in silence for a few moments, letting Gladdis' words sink in. My mother not only lost me but she lost my father too.. my heart ached for her, knowing how much that loss must have effected her over the years. But I also felt proud, she had managed to deceive the enemy and play the role perfectly, keeping all of us safe. I only hoped that Gladdis was right, that one day we would be reunited and my parents would be too, but that also meant praying that my father was somehow alive.
I turned my attention back to Gladdis, one burning question on my lips. "Do any of them how powers? Like what I did last night?" I wondered.
The corners of Gladdis' lips quirked as she peered down at me. "No, they do not. Your powers are a gift from the divine, Willow, to help you on this journey. Without a wolf, and a strong one at that, you would be on a suicide mission. Let's just say the goddesses wanted to level the playing field a little." She grinned.
I tilted my head slightly, an inquisitive expression written across my face. "So what else can I do?"
"You can control the elements."
- Writer
