The Devils Favored Child

 Anastazia POV     "And the state fencing champion of 20xx is..." the announcer said, trying to rile the crowd. "Anastazia Thayer!"     I wasn't shocked, I've been state champion in fencing for 3 years now. None the less, I got up on that stage and acted so surprised and grateful. Thanking my mom, coaches, and fellow contestants for the "challenge".     Once the crowd was done with their cheers, I bolted off the stage to shower and change. I loved fencing, but it was getting boring without any opponents worth fighting. I took the fastest shower possible in those cramped locker rooms, quickly got my things together, and met my mom at the car.     I loved my mom, Susan White. She raised me as single mother since the beginning. She used to say that my dad had responsibilities that forced him to leave us before I was even born. I was fine with that, other than not having my moms last name, I was happy.     We loaded into the car and started our 3 hour long ride home. Since I compete a lot in fencing and taekwando we tend to travel more than she would like. I thought that we would have our usual rituals going home, stopping for burgers with fries and huge milkshakes, but I noticed mom had a very serious look on her face.     About an hour before arriving home I finally had to ask. "Mom, are we going to stop and eat like we always do?"     She gave me "the look" the one all mothers have when they silently tell you to stop talking. I immediately looked out the window hoping to try and pretend I didn't see anything.     Mom sighed, and started to explain what was wrong. "Anastazia, you turn 18 next month" she started "and on that day your whole life will change, you will no longer be a child and you will have responsibilities that only you can do."     I was very confused at what my mom was saying. Was she just worried that I was growing up? Was she thinking that I wouldn't be able to handle the big world?     My mom glanced over at me and gave me a sad smile. Now I was even more confused! Mom started to apologize and said she shouldn't have brought it up yet. So we continued our drive home, in awkward silence.     We finally reached our home, the cutest cottage as if lifted out of a children's book. Our house also doubled as my moms work space, she was an expert herbalist. We make our way inside and I tell mom I am going to take a shower. She nods and goes to cook some dinner, since we didn't stop on our way home.     I take a long hot shower to relax my aching muscles. I used my favorite coconut shampoo, and matching body wash to make me more comfortable. Stepping out I dried off and went to my closet to find some pajamas.     Looking in the mirror to french braid my hair, I sighed. I always thought that my appearance was decent except for one thing, my hair. See I'm a petite 5 foot girl with an hour glass figure, big hips and a large breasts, my face was heart shaped decorated with my bright ice blue eyes, pale pink lips, and a button nose.     But my hair! I have long black hair down to my butt, but I white hair that frames the front of my face. Yes, the white is natural. I've tried to dye it more times than I can count, but the dye magically never sticks. I don't know why I have always had a section of white hair, but my mom said one day I would find out. She also has a section of white hair but hers is much smaller than mine.     Maybe that is part of her weird behavior on the way home. Am I going to  learn some weird disease our family has that gives us white hair from birth? I sighed finish tying off my braid, I headed toward the dinning room for dinner. I could smell it before I even walked in, mom made tacos!     I quickly sat down at the table grabbing my plate and noticed a small book with a ribbon tied around it in a bow. I looked at my mom with questioning eyes. "open it" was all she said.     I carefully picked the book up trying to figure out why my mom has been so cryptic today. I could feel this book was old, it was bound in leather with yellowing pages. and a strange clasp with a seal I'd never seen before.     I try to open the book but that clasp won't budge. I looked at my mom confused once again today. She shrugged and said I would "figure it out". Frustrated I set the book down to finish my tacos.     We cleaned up the dishes and I was going to head to bed when mom stopped me. "When you figure out how to open the book all of your questions will be answered" and with that she walked into her room shutting the door behind her.     Well this couldn't get any weirder. Boy was I wrong.