Chapter 3
1040 Words
Gracie thought about it for all of ten seconds. This strange ability she woke up with and the one listed in the letter was information she needed. Without it she could hurt someone or herself by accident.
She called the school automated system and let them know she wouldn't be at school today. While she was at it, she texted her friends and let them know that something had come up and she wouldn't be there. She made sure to tell them that she would explain later so they wouldn't worry. It also saved them from blowing her phone trying to figure out what was going on.
Getting in her car, she turned the GPS on her phone on. Putting in the address she realized it was just one town over. It would take about thirty minutes to get to the town. Maybe a little longer to get to the address. She could stop and get some breakfast on the way.
The address ended up being in the county on the other side of the town. At the end of the driveway the mailbox read the correct number. The driveway led her to a house about a mile back into the woods. Claire was definitely trying to hide from something. Why else would she be so far off the beaten path? She was always so social and bubbly before. It must have been a strain on her to live in a place like this.
It was a small house. A little TLC couldn't have hurt but it wasn't dilapidated. The grey siding on the house was peeling off in places. All of the windows were covered with thick curtains on the inside. There was no landscaping and the yard was bare for the most part.
As Gracie came to a stop near the front steps the door opened. Claire stepped out and it was as though she hadn't aged a day. She was in a long flowing blue dress. Her long blonde hair was in a side braid, just as she remembered. She had warm brown eyes and her smile was brilliant. Gracie couldn't remember ever seeing her frown.
Stepping out of the car, Gracie couldn't help but be elated. It was like she had a part of her parents back. Claire opened her arms and Gracie ran into them, almost knocking her over.
They were both laughing and crying.
"Oh my," she murmured. "Let me look at you." She pushed Gracie to arms length to get a good look. "I knew you would be beautiful but you are going to break some hearts, Dear Girl." Hugging her again, she took her hand and led her into the house. "Let's catch up a bit and then I'll explain everything."
"It was a bit of a shock this morning. If I wouldn't have seen it myself I would have never believed it." She squeezed Claire's hand. "I can't believe you are here. Where have you been all this time?"
"All in good time, Dear. You first. Tell me everything." She sat them down on a couch in her living room. Flicking her hand toward the kitchen, a serving tray floated in and sat down gently on the coffee table. Claire poured both of them some tea.
Gracie told her everything. All about school, her parents and their accident. She glossed over all the court hearings for the drunk driver after he was released from the hospital. Moving in with Brooke's family and the support they always gave her, her friends at school and their crazy antics. She finished by informing of the shock she had that morning.
"Let me begin by saying that where we come from magic is normal. Almost everyone has it to a certain degree. Some can only do simple things like lifting a tray or flipping a switch from across the room. Others can do bigger things like transport large shipments from town to town. I was an advisor and confidant to your mother in the castle." Claire paused to serve more tea.
"Castle?" Gracie said. "Like a real castle?" Those didn't exist anymore, did they?
"Yes, Dear. Your father was King Steven and your mother was Queen Cynthia. You are Princess Gracie. The guardians have been holding the empire in trust for you, waiting for you to come of age. Now that you have we can teach you everything you need to know. How to use your powers, teach about the kingdom and what will be expected of you once you are crowned queen."
"You mentioned something about opening up a portal. What is that about?" She was trying to absorb as much information as she could. It was a lot to take in.
"Only royals have the ability to open portals. That is what started the war. One of your father's cousins had a small talent in it. It was marginal at best. But it was enough to make him think he had a chance to rule. Steven was obviously stronger and the guardians in the castle sided with him and they were formidable. Steven's cousin, Albert, was a smooth talker and good at making empty promises. Albert knew that he wouldn't be able to challenge your father for the crown out right so he came up with a devious plan. He struck the night Cynthia gave birth. The guardians did the best they could but Albert already had spies in the castle. Your father died protecting your mother. Cynthia begged me to take you and protect you with my life. She used the last of her energy to open a portal. I brought you through and I've been trying to protect you ever since. Before the guardians finally killed Albert he sent assassins after us. I don't know how many but I've managed to kill two of them. I believe there is at least one left. When I realized that they were after us, I broke into an adoption agency and found your parents information. I had papers forged to make it look like they had really adopted you and then left to lead the assassins away from you."
They sat in silence for a moment.
"Who are the guardians?" Gracie asked quietly.
"Dragons."
- Writer
